PJ Fleck Plugs Major Hole on Gophers Defensive Line

The Minnesota Gophers have been going wild in the transfer portal over the last week-plus. Yes, they’ve lost some talent too, including local superstar safety, Koi Perich. But that departure also freed up a significant amount of NIL funds, to be utilized elsewhere on the roster.

Coming into the day, head coach PJ Fleck had already stacked up 15 portal commitments for 2026. On Saturday, the Gophers added their 16th, in Tulsa WR Zion Steptoe. Shortly after, a 17th rolled in, this time at a position of need on defense.

The interior of the MN Gophers defensive line could have used more talent in 2025. And that was before they lost just about everybody this offseason, mostly via graduation, where they lost Deven Eastern, Jalen Logan-Redding, Nate Becker and Rushawn Lawrence.

Xion Chapman brings new talent to MN Gophers defense

So when 300-pound Florida International defensive lineman Xion Chapman (two years of eligibility remaining) announced his commitment to the University of Minnesota on Saturday, the entire Gopher defensive staff breathed a big sigh of relief.

100% COMMITTED #RTB 〽️ pic.twitter.com/eDqlUlneoZ

— Xion Chapman (@XionChapman) January 10, 2026

Chapman also took an official visit to Penn State earlier this month, and also received an offer from Oklahoma. Ultimately, once he got to Dinkytown, it was clearly a match made in football heaven.

At 6’4″ and 299 pounds, the Allentown, PA native has all the size he needs to play power five football. As a sophomore last season at FIU, Chapman played in 12 games, totalled 15 tackles, including two sacks and three total tackles for loss.

Related: Cincinnati WR Commits to MN Gophers

Xion Chapman is the second portal addition for Fleck’s 2026 defensive line. He joins Naquan Crowder (Marshall) as potential new starters. The Minnesota EDGE rushing group next season will take up plenty of attention from opposing offensive lines.

If defensive coordinator Danny Collins can get anything average or above from the interior, the front seven will be handful to deal with.