On Wednesday night, the Gophers football program received a commitment from athlete Ethan Stendel from Caledonia, Minn. Stendel had attended a camp at the U and had a conversation with head coach P.J. Fleck, who offered him a scholarship. Stendel quickly accepted the offer and took to social media to announce his commitment to the University of Minnesota.

Ethan Stendel is a versatile athlete who has participated in three sports at Caledonia, including quarterback, basketball, and track and field. While he may be projected as a linebacker in college, his athleticism and skills make him a valuable addition to the Gophers football program. Initially considered a two-star recruit, Stendel had offers from North Dakota and Northern Iowa, with interest from Iowa State and North Dakota State as well. With Stendel’s commitment, the Gophers now have a total of eight commitments for their 2025 class, adding depth and talent to their roster for the upcoming seasons.