Gophers miss out on transfer linebacker Larry Worth

Originally posted on Athlon Sports Nation All Gophers | Last updated 4/21/24

The Minnesota Golden Gophers' defense has benefitted greatly through the first few days of the transfer portal window but it missed out on adding another piece in former Jacksonville State linebacker Larry Worth.

The Gophers offered Worth a scholarship according to Bring Me The Sports' Tony Liebert, but Worth chose Arkansas over Minnesota along with fellow Power Four programs Duke, Oregon and Cincinnati.

Worth is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker who had 51 tackles, three sacks and an interception as a sophomore last season and could have been another interesting piece for a Gophers defense that has been rebuilt through the transfer portal and recruiting.

Former Robbinsdale Cooper standout and edge rusher Jaxon Howard committed to Minnesota after spending his freshman season at LSU and four-star safety Koi Perich will also join the Gophers this season after he was ranked as the state's No. 1 prospect in the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports.

After ranking 10th in the Big Ten by allowing 26.7 points per game last season, the Gophers defense will be a focal point after defensive coordinator Joe Rossi took the same position at Michigan State. But while the Gophers must improve, it appears that P.J. Fleck and his staff are trying to gather the personnel to do it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports Nation All Gophers and was syndicated with permission.

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