Gavin Meier Commits to Minnesota: Offensive Tackle Chooses Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers landed a major recruiting win over rival Wisconsin, securing a commitment from Gavin Meier, the No. 1-ranked recruit in Wisconsin’s 2026 class. The three-star offensive tackle announced his pledge to Minnesota on March 27, as reported by Badgers Wire.
Player Profile
• Position: Offensive Tackle | Hometown: Janesville, WI
• Height/Weight: 6’6”, 295 lbs
• Rankings: Three-star, No. 40 OT nationally (247Sports 2026), No. 1 recruit in Wisconsin, No. 624 overall
Recruitment Context
Meier chose Minnesota over offers from Wisconsin, Auburn, and Indiana. He took an unofficial visit to Minnesota in October 2023 and received an official offer from the Gophers in January 2024. Despite scheduling upcoming official visits to Indiana (May 2), Wisconsin (May 29), and Auburn (June 7), he committed to head coach P.J. Fleck’s program ahead of his Minnesota official visit (June 13) .
Trends in Wisconsin Recruiting
Meier’s decision amplifies concerns about Wisconsin’s ability to retain in-state talent. Three of Wisconsin’s top four 2026 recruits have committed to Big Ten rivals:
- No. 3 OL Sam Simpson (Indiana)
- No. 4 WR Brody Schaffer (Iowa)
This follows the 2025 cycle, where Wisconsin missed on the state’s top three prospects, including four-star TE James Flanigan (Notre Dame) and CB Tre Poteat (Tennessee). Minnesota’s 2026 class now ranks 25th nationally with six commits, while Wisconsin’s sits at 61st with two pledges.
