Minnesota’s 2021 recruiting class has taken a hit this week. The Golden Gophers lost a pledge from three-star defensive end D’Marion Alexander on Tuesday, dropping the total number of verbal commitments to 16.

Alexander announced his decision with a tweet on Tuesday. The Texas native called it a difficult decision, but made the choice because of recent circumstances that were not detailed.

“This is probably the toughest decision for me to make, because I didn’t plan on doing this at all,” Alexander wrote. “But due to recent situations I am decommitting from the University of Minnesota! I have nothing but love for the city of Minneapolis and I hope that we will meet again later on down the road, but I have to do what’s best for me right now and I hope you all can understand that. I love you guys with all of my heart and the city of Minneapolis will always have a place in my heart!”

Alexander makes the decision to decommit from Minnesota just two months after giving his verbal pledge to the program. He originally committed to P.J. Fleck and company in late April.

Per 247Sports, Alexander ranks as the No. 51 weak-side defensive end in the 2021 recruiting class, but also has the potential to play linebacker. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defender has offers from eight other programs along with Minnesota.

Following Alexander’s decommitment, Minnesota’s 2021 recruiting class ranks 15th nationally and fifth in the B1G.