ESPN EXCITING NEWS; Gophers Football Recruiting: Minnesota Lands 2025 Commitment from Louisiana’s Record-Breaking Running Back

 

The Minnesota Gophers have secured a major addition to their 2025 recruiting class with the commitment of Xavier Ford, a standout running back from Louisiana. Ford announced his decision on Sunday, joining head coach P.J. Fleck’s program.

 

A three-star recruit, Ford was named Louisiana’s Mr. Football after an exceptional senior season at Leesville High School. He rushed for an astounding 3,461 yards and scored 52 touchdowns, setting records and cementing himself as one of the top high school players in the state.

Ford received an offer from Minnesota during his recent visit over the weekend. Despite also holding offers from Tulane and Houston, the 5-foot-9, 210-pound running back chose to join the Gophers.

 

His commitment bolsters Minnesota’s running back depth, which is currently led by standout Darius Taylor. Ford’s addition is particularly timely, as the program looks to strengthen its backfield following the decommitment of a couple of other running back recruits late in the cycle.