MN Gophers Land New Kicker from Big Ten Rival

P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers will need a new kicker after Brady Denaburg exhausted his final year of eligibility this season. The Syracuse transfer had put together a career year, but the results were hardly standout.

If the Gophers want to fully maximize the potential of quarterback Drake Lindsey and the offense as a whole, upgrading the kicking game to someone like Dragan Kesich could go a long way. Looking to a Big Ten rival like Michigan isn’t a bad place to start.

That said, Beckham Sunderland isn’t a traditional kicker, he hasn’t attempted a collegiate field goal.

Beckham Sunderland Transfers to Minnesota

The Minnesota Gophers didn’t face the Michigan Wolverines this season. It was a tumultuous year in Ann Arbor, followed by an offseason exodus stemming from the fallout of Sherrone Moore’s transgressions. Sunderland was part of the Michigan roster, but he’s not switching allegiances.

After spending his junior season at Texas State, Sunderland transferred to Michigan for the 2025 season. He appeared in all 13 games and primarily served as the kickoff specialist. He also recorded a 35-yard punt against Texas in the Cheez-It Bowl.

How Minnesota plans to use Sunderland remains unclear. Tom Weston led the Big Ten in punting yards last season and will return as a junior in 2026. Sunderland has attempted just one extra point and has yet to kick a field goal during his collegiate career.

Related: MN Gophers Football Transfer Portal Tracker – 2026

If the Gophers are simply seeking a big-leg specialist, Sunderland fits the mold. He signed a Major League Soccer contract as a goalkeeper out of high school and recorded 44 touchbacks for the Wolverines last season.

Sunderland isn’t the only new kicker coming this cycle for the Gophers. Utah State transfer Zachary Robbins will be in Dinkytown too. While more a punter, he operated as the Aggies kickoff specialist. 10 of his 21 kicks went for touchbacks. He has three remaining years of eligibility.

Daniel Jackson, a native of Alexandria, Minnesota, will return as a sophomore in 2026. He attempted just two extra points during his freshman season.

Mekhai Smith Jumps to MN Gophers

The Gophers also added help in the secondary, as Mekhai Smith committed after two seasons at the FCS level with Lehigh, and did so without even taking a visit.

A graduate of Lower Merion High School (yes, Kobe Bryant’s alma mater), Smith made an immediate impact at Lehigh. As a true freshman in 2024, he recorded 40 tackles. This past season, he added 56 tackles and four interceptions, earning first-team All-Patriot League honors.

With Koi Perich likely on his way out, Kerry Brown stands as the lone experienced safety returning. Smith will join Sartell, Minnesota native Parker Knutson as an option in the back end of the secondary.