Notre Dame Insider Connects Minnesota to Top Transfer Portal Quarterback in Potential Move
As the college football landscape continues to shift with the rise of the transfer portal, quarterback movement remains one of the most compelling storylines of the offseason. Programs across the country are either bracing to lose key players or scrambling to secure talent at the game’s most important position. In the latest twist, a Notre Dame reporter has spotlighted Minnesota as a possible destination for one of the more intriguing quarterbacks currently available in the portal, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal acquisition for the Golden Gophers.
The quarterback in question has not been publicly named by Notre Dame, but insiders suggest that the Fighting Irish’s current evaluations of the transfer portal include a careful eye on ripple effects around the country. In doing so, a trusted Notre Dame beat reporter floated Minnesota as a team that might benefit from the current flux—one with both a need and the system to accommodate a quarterback looking for a fresh start.
Minnesota enters the 2025 season with questions at the quarterback position following a rocky 2024 campaign. Head coach P.J. Fleck, now in his ninth season in Minneapolis, has maintained a consistent, physical identity for the Gophers built around run-heavy offense and defensive resilience. But recent seasons have exposed the limitations of a one-dimensional offensive approach, especially with uncertainty under center. The departure of Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred out of the program after an up-and-down tenure, opened the door to a new era. Redshirt freshman Drew Viotto and sophomore Cole Kramer have shown flashes, but neither has fully convinced the coaching staff they are ready to lead the team in the Big Ten’s new-look 18-team gauntlet.
Enter the transfer portal. The quarterback carousel has become an offseason tradition in college football, and this year is no different. The influx of talent has presented opportunities for programs like Minnesota to address glaring positional needs without waiting on unproven youth. According to Notre Dame sources, Minnesota may already be working behind the scenes to secure a commitment from a transfer QB who could stabilize the offense and lead the program into a new era.
The name that has repeatedly surfaced in conversations is former four-star recruit and current portal entry, Tyler Shough. Though not officially linked to Minnesota by the Gophers’ coaching staff, his name was brought up in connection with the program by the Notre Dame reporter, citing “mutual interest” and an “ideal fit” between the veteran quarterback and Minnesota’s offense. Shough, who began his college career at Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech, has battled injuries and inconsistency, but when healthy, he has shown the tools to succeed in a balanced offense.
Shough’s potential interest in Minnesota is said to stem from two key factors: scheme fit and opportunity. P.J. Fleck’s system places a premium on ball security and strategic decision-making. While the offense may not be as explosive as others around the country, it offers a quarterback stability, a defined identity, and a chance to play meaningful football in a conference with high visibility. For Shough, who has NFL aspirations but needs a full season of consistent play to boost his draft stock, Minnesota could offer a stage without the suffocating pressure that comes with top-tier programs.
From Minnesota’s standpoint, the appeal is obvious. Shough brings maturity, experience, and leadership—traits that are hard to come by in college quarterbacks, especially ones who are immediately eligible. With a rebuilt offensive line, an experienced running back room, and several rising receivers, the Gophers believe they’re only a quarterback away from competing in the new Big Ten. That belief has placed a premium on finding the right signal-caller, even if it means taking a gamble on a player with past injuries.
The connection with Notre Dame adds an intriguing layer to the story. The Irish, who have gone through their own portal QB adventures in recent years with players like Jack Coan and Sam Hartman, are well-versed in evaluating portal talent. When a Notre Dame insider brings up a school like Minnesota in the transfer conversation, it’s not just idle speculation—it suggests that coaching staffs, player representatives, or even the players themselves have begun exploring those connections. The fact that the Notre Dame beat writer mentioned Minnesota by name—despite no formal announcement—may indicate that something is already in the works behind closed doors.
Minnesota fans have taken notice. Online message boards and social media circles have lit up with speculation, analyzing Shough’s game film, injury history, and compatibility with Fleck’s philosophy. Some are skeptical of adding another veteran quarterback with a history of injuries, pointing to past failures to land impact transfers. Others see it as a necessary risk, especially with the 2025 schedule featuring matchups against Ohio State, Michigan, USC, and Oregon.
One aspect working in Minnesota’s favor is the culture Fleck has cultivated. Despite being considered one of the more unconventional coaches in the FBS—with his “Row the Boat” mantra and high-energy sideline demeanor—Fleck has built a program that players enjoy being a part of. The locker room, by all accounts, is tight-knit and welcoming, and Fleck has a strong reputation for player development. That environment can be a major draw for transfers looking for both a competitive setting and a supportive structure.
If Minnesota is able to land a quarterback like Shough—or another top-tier portal option—they would instantly become a more compelling team in the Big Ten pecking order. The Gophers have hovered in the middle tier of the conference for much of Fleck’s tenure, with brief flashes of promise, like their 11-2 season in 2019. A quarterback upgrade could give the team the consistency needed to make another run at a double-digit win season, especially as the league adapts to its new format and scheduling model.
However, the path is not without obstacles. Minnesota is far from the only program in search of a quarterback. With portal players being heavily recruited by teams with more NIL flexibility and national clout, the Gophers must sell their program’s vision with clarity and conviction. While Fleck’s track record is solid, competing for top talent in the portal means going up against the likes of Miami, Auburn, Michigan State, and other QB-hungry teams that may be willing to spend more aggressively to fill their needs.
Yet, in this new era of college football, relationships and reputation often matter as much as resources. Minnesota’s pitch centers on opportunity and alignment—a chance to start right away in a power conference, within a stable program, and with a coach known for maximizing talent. For a player like Shough or a similar transfer, that might be exactly the right combination.
As spring practice wraps up across the country and coaching staffs reassess their rosters, the transfer portal is expected to heat up again before the summer. Minnesota’s position in that conversation could become clearer in the coming weeks, especially as top-tier quarterbacks begin to trim their lists and make visits. For now, the Gophers are being talked about as a legitimate player in the portal QB market, thanks in part to the Notre Dame connection and the growing chatter around their quarterback search.
It remains to be seen whether this smoke turns into fire. But the buzz generated by a single mention from a well-connected Notre Dame reporter has already elevated expectations in Minneapolis. In a sport where fortunes can change overnight with the right quarterback, Minnesota fans are hoping this rumor leads to a signature that can shift the program’s trajectory—and possibly, its ceiling—in the year ahead.
