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P.J. Fleck, Minnesota Gophers Get Commitment from Massive UTEP Transfer Aluma Nkele

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Andrew Buller-Russ | Last updated 4/27/24

The Minnesota Gophers commits just keep rolling in for P.J. Fleck. On Saturday, while over 100 college football prospects were hearing their names called during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Gophers were busy adding talent too.

Minnesota Gophers get transfer portal commitment from Aluma Nkele (UTEP)

They started earlier with a 2025 high school commitment out of Indiana, before adding another commit — this time from the transfer portal — in UTEP right tackle Aluma Nkele. Nkele doesn’t quite have the same size, but he may remind some Golden Gophers fans of former legend Daniel Faalele, who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

B10 BIG DREAMS pic.twitter.com/MISKtNzLWh
— Aluma Nkele (@Aluma_Nkele) April 27, 2024

Nkele, a former 3-star recruit, stands 6-foot-8, 350 pounds, which isn’t quite Faalele size (380 lbs) but pretty darn close. No matter, the now has the potential to be a legit bookend in Dinkytown, and he still has two seasons of eligibility remaining, after playing in 10 games for UTEP last year.

Minnesota has had a handful of offensive linemen hit the transfer portal this offseason so Nkele’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time for PJ Fleck. Nkele should be in the mix to start at right tackle right away, where he’ll be tasked with keeping projected starter Max Brosmer clean in the pocket.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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