Minnesota DB reportedly hits transfer portal as graduate transfer

Minnesota’s defense could be losing a defender that appeared in 11 games this past season.

According to Adam Rittenberg with ESPN, cornerback Phillip Howard has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. According to Ryan Burns with 247 Sports, Howard has one year of eligibility remaining.

Transfer portal additions today include #Stanford's Trevor Speights (graduate), #Seminoles Kyle Meyers (graduate), #Gophers Phillip Howard (graduate), #Cincinnati's Roosevelt Potts, #OkState's Patrick McKaufman.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 10, 2020

Per a source, #Gophers redshirt junior corner Phillip Howard has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Howard played in 11 games for Minnesota this past season and appears to be looking elsewhere for his final year of eligibility. https://t.co/FZY2WsBVEK pic.twitter.com/Hd34bj3pMH

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) January 10, 2020

Howard originally joined the hometown Gophers as a member of the 2016 recruiting class. He went to high school at Robbinsdale Cooper High School in Minneapolis and was rated the No. 58 ATH nationally in 2016.

Howard began his career as a receiver for the Gophers before switching to the defense. This season, he recorded five tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.

As always, the addition to the portal does not necessarily mean Howard is moving on. He could always withdraw his name and return to play for the Gophers. Either way, best of luck to Howard as he looks for the best way to continue his career.