Minnesota lands pair of commitments for 2023 recruiting class

Minnesota is now up to 17 commitments in its 2023 recruiting class after a pair of weekend pledges. PJ Fleck’s staff has received verbal commitments from a Pennsylvania running back and a Florida wide receiver.

The first commitment came from Marquese Williams. The Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) running back announced his pledge to the Golden Gophers late Saturday evening on Twitter.

@GopherFootball I’m ready to work💯@Coach_Fleck @UMcoachburns @KirkCiarrocca @RyanBurnsMN pic.twitter.com/QciYt8yO2i

— Marquese Williams (@QueseWilliams26) June 19, 2022

Listed at 5-8, 175 pounds, Williams is rated 3-stars, the No. 15 Pennsylvania product, No. 33 running back and No. 496 prospect overall nationally in the class of 2023 on the 247Sports Composite. He has 27 scholarship offers, including Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State and Rutgers. Williams’ junior-season highlights can be viewed below, via Hudl:

Sunday morning, Minnesota picked up a Father’s Day commitment from Donielle “Nuke” Hayes.

1000% Committed…Lets Work🤝🏾!!!!!! @CoachMGSimon @Coach_Fleck @GopherFootball @Ryan_Vandervort @PineForestFB @C3Elite7v7 pic.twitter.com/53KIZZbXhb

— Donielle“Nuke”Hayes1️⃣4️⃣⭐️ (@HayesDonielle) June 19, 2022

Out of Pine Forest (Pensacola, Florida), Hayes is a 6-foot, 180-pound. He is rated 3-stars, the No. 105 wide receiver, No. 115 Sunshine State recruit and No. 776 prospect overall nationally in the class of 2023 on the 247Sports Composite. Hayes has 16 scholarship offers, including Florida Atlantic, Florida International, South Florida and Washington State. His highlights can be viewed below, via Hudl:

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.