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Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey had a good debut season in 2025, ranking just outside the top 10 in the Big Ten in quarterback rating and completion percentage. That foundation, and the potential in the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore’s big right arm, has led to early 2027 NFL Draft speculation.
Yahoo analyst Nate Tice might be the highest on Lindsey, placing him as the fourth quarterback in next year’s class, behind Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
“I’m not sure if we’ve ever had that type of buzz with the quarterback,” head coach P.J. Fleck said at the U’s internal media day Wednesday. “… But it’s just that; it’s buzz. If there’s any type of buzz around the quarterback, who I’d want it around, it’s Drake. Drake is not focused on that.”
Lindsey started all 13 games last season and completed 63% of his passes (246 for 389) for 2,382 yards and a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception rate (18 to six). He also ran for four touchdowns.
“Lindsey appears to be a popular name ahead of the 2026 college football season,” Yahoo’s Tice wrote. “He does not play at a place really known for quarterbacks. Even so, NFL Draft analysts are liking what they are seeing thus far.”
Instead of being swept up in the hype, Lindsey turned attention back to the 2026 Gophers.
“I’m ultimately just focused on my guys,” he said Wednesday. “I think when you start putting your head in those kind of areas, I don’t think you’re the person and the player you want to be. I’m genuinely focused on my teammates, my coaches and being the best leader I can for them. I think ultimately everything will handle itself.”
Others in the draft industrial complex aren’t gangbusters for Lindsey just yet. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler put him 29th overall and in the outlet’s Tier 3 as one of the “rising up-and-comers who have bright futures.”
“Lindsey is one of the more underrated quarterback prospects in college football,” Brugler wrote. “A good-sized passer, he has a strong arm and delivers with touch. And he anticipates well to put the ball where his receiver will be, not where he is. His 2025 tape is littered with decisions he would like back, which is to be expected of a first-year starter in the Big Ten. But scouts are excited to see what Year 2 looks like.”
ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Lindsey outside of his top 10 QBs in an honorable mention category.
“He has the downfield arm strength that makes you sit up in your chair,” Reid wrote. “Lindsey isn’t shy with making risky throws and trusting his targets to haul them in. They aren’t showcased much in the Golden Gophers’ scheme, as his 6.9 air yards per pass attempt ranked 119th in the FBS.”
That stat indicates how cautious the Gophers were with Lindsey during his first year as the signal caller. The experience he gained in 2025 should lead to more trust from offensive coordinator Greg Harbuagh and Fleck, with more intermediate and deep throws to come this fall.
“When you’re a freshman, you’re almost trying to stay above water and focus on yourself and those kind of things,” Lindsey said. “Now, it’s like you can add to the cup. I’m really comfortable within the offense, and now it’s building everybody up and getting us to the level that we need to be.”
With the help of a personal chef, Lindsy has slimmed down from more than 245 pounds when he came to campus as a true freshman, and was backup to Max Brosmer in 2024, to under 230 pounds.
In his first year, Lindsey, Brosmer and assistant quarterbacks coach Keegan O’Hara would regularly go to Tacos Locos for big burritos. That has since been cut from Lindsey’s diet.
“That was probably my one cheat meal that I loved,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey is not considered a dual-threat quarterback, but a more svelte version this year has led to him setting a personal speed record, ticking up from 18 to 20 mph. Ultimately, Lindsey is most concerned with staying in the pocket to deliver passes.
“I think I can do a better job for my O-line,” Lindsey said. “I think there’s times where I step up or I get out of the pocket too fast, or don’t trust up front. I think our O-line does a phenomenal job, so I think I’ve got to stand in there more, trust my guys and trust my wideouts to make plays and throw some more contested balls for them.”
For Lindsey’s draft stock to collectively rise, the Gophers’ running game will need to improve. The U averaged 3.57 yards per carry last season, 116th in the nation.
Lindsey acknowledged he didn’t do a good enough job of getting the offense in the right run check.
“Having my center (Ashton Beers) back is one of the biggest things because we have that trust with each other,” Lindsey said. “He knows what I’m going to say most of the time. I know when he’s going to talk. I know when I’m wrong because he’s going to look at me and tell me.”
Lindsey grew up a Vikings fan because his late grandfather Jim played for them in the 1970s. Going to the NFL is a dream for Lindsey and something he continued to build toward by attending the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La., in June.
“We had (an NFL) scout come in and talk about the draft process and all that kind of thing, which I thought was super interesting to see his perspective on things and what they look (for) in college quarterbacks,” Lindsey said. “You learn so much from them, and on the field, teaching is on another level. So, it was super fun to get to do that.”
Gophers defensive tackle Mo Omonode has medically retired from football, Fleck said. The Purdue transfer missed 2025 season with back injury. … Defensive back Elisha West is out for the year with a leg injury, Fleck added. The Michigan State transfer was a depth addition out of the portal last window. His brother Aydan West, another transfer from the Spartans, is a projected starter at cornerback this fall.
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Yahoo analyst Nate Tice might be the highest on Lindsey, placing him as the fourth quarterback in next year’s class, behind Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
“I’m not sure if we’ve ever had that type of buzz with the quarterback,” head coach P.J. Fleck said at the U’s internal media day Wednesday. “… But it’s just that; it’s buzz. If there’s any type of buzz around the quarterback, who I’d want it around, it’s Drake. Drake is not focused on that.”
Lindsey started all 13 games last season and completed 63% of his passes (246 for 389) for 2,382 yards and a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception rate (18 to six). He also ran for four touchdowns.
“Lindsey appears to be a popular name ahead of the 2026 college football season,” Yahoo’s Tice wrote. “He does not play at a place really known for quarterbacks. Even so, NFL Draft analysts are liking what they are seeing thus far.”
Instead of being swept up in the hype, Lindsey turned attention back to the 2026 Gophers.
“I’m ultimately just focused on my guys,” he said Wednesday. “I think when you start putting your head in those kind of areas, I don’t think you’re the person and the player you want to be. I’m genuinely focused on my teammates, my coaches and being the best leader I can for them. I think ultimately everything will handle itself.”
Others in the draft industrial complex aren’t gangbusters for Lindsey just yet. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler put him 29th overall and in the outlet’s Tier 3 as one of the “rising up-and-comers who have bright futures.”
“Lindsey is one of the more underrated quarterback prospects in college football,” Brugler wrote. “A good-sized passer, he has a strong arm and delivers with touch. And he anticipates well to put the ball where his receiver will be, not where he is. His 2025 tape is littered with decisions he would like back, which is to be expected of a first-year starter in the Big Ten. But scouts are excited to see what Year 2 looks like.”
ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Lindsey outside of his top 10 QBs in an honorable mention category.
“He has the downfield arm strength that makes you sit up in your chair,” Reid wrote. “Lindsey isn’t shy with making risky throws and trusting his targets to haul them in. They aren’t showcased much in the Golden Gophers’ scheme, as his 6.9 air yards per pass attempt ranked 119th in the FBS.”
That stat indicates how cautious the Gophers were with Lindsey during his first year as the signal caller. The experience he gained in 2025 should lead to more trust from offensive coordinator Greg Harbuagh and Fleck, with more intermediate and deep throws to come this fall.
“When you’re a freshman, you’re almost trying to stay above water and focus on yourself and those kind of things,” Lindsey said. “Now, it’s like you can add to the cup. I’m really comfortable within the offense, and now it’s building everybody up and getting us to the level that we need to be.”
With the help of a personal chef, Lindsy has slimmed down from more than 245 pounds when he came to campus as a true freshman, and was backup to Max Brosmer in 2024, to under 230 pounds.
In his first year, Lindsey, Brosmer and assistant quarterbacks coach Keegan O’Hara would regularly go to Tacos Locos for big burritos. That has since been cut from Lindsey’s diet.
“That was probably my one cheat meal that I loved,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey is not considered a dual-threat quarterback, but a more svelte version this year has led to him setting a personal speed record, ticking up from 18 to 20 mph. Ultimately, Lindsey is most concerned with staying in the pocket to deliver passes.
“I think I can do a better job for my O-line,” Lindsey said. “I think there’s times where I step up or I get out of the pocket too fast, or don’t trust up front. I think our O-line does a phenomenal job, so I think I’ve got to stand in there more, trust my guys and trust my wideouts to make plays and throw some more contested balls for them.”
For Lindsey’s draft stock to collectively rise, the Gophers’ running game will need to improve. The U averaged 3.57 yards per carry last season, 116th in the nation.
Lindsey acknowledged he didn’t do a good enough job of getting the offense in the right run check.
“Having my center (Ashton Beers) back is one of the biggest things because we have that trust with each other,” Lindsey said. “He knows what I’m going to say most of the time. I know when he’s going to talk. I know when I’m wrong because he’s going to look at me and tell me.”
Lindsey grew up a Vikings fan because his late grandfather Jim played for them in the 1970s. Going to the NFL is a dream for Lindsey and something he continued to build toward by attending the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La., in June.
“We had (an NFL) scout come in and talk about the draft process and all that kind of thing, which I thought was super interesting to see his perspective on things and what they look (for) in college quarterbacks,” Lindsey said. “You learn so much from them, and on the field, teaching is on another level. So, it was super fun to get to do that.”
Briefly
Gophers defensive tackle Mo Omonode has medically retired from football, Fleck said. The Purdue transfer missed 2025 season with back injury. … Defensive back Elisha West is out for the year with a leg injury, Fleck added. The Michigan State transfer was a depth addition out of the portal last window. His brother Aydan West, another transfer from the Spartans, is a projected starter at cornerback this fall.
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