One of Minnesota’s key defensive pieces has made up his mind for 2022.

Boye Mafe has been a leader along the front line of the Gophers. Each of the past 2 seasons, Mafe led Minnesota in TFL and sacks. This season, Mafe finished with 9 TFL and 6 sacks.

Monday evening, Mafe announced that the Guaranteed Rate Bowl would be the final game of his Gophers career. After the bowl, Mafe is leaving for the NFL.

“It has been a long and glorious journey at the University of Minnesota,” wrote Mafe. “Lots of ups and downs, and so many great moments that I’d absolutely never change.

“It has meant the world to me to be able to play in front of you in my home state…going into my last game as a Gopher, I’m so happy I can have one last go around with our fans and my teammates. As I leave Minnesota, it means so much to me to leave this program with the Axe being where it belongs: home.”

A member of Minnesota’s 2017 recruiting class, Mafe has posted 83 tackles, 18.5 TFL, and 14 sacks with the Gophers. Best of luck to Mafe in the bowl game and beyond as he continues his career.