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PJ Fleck, Gophers Make Final-7 for Top In-State Recruit and it’s an Impressive List

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ezra Greenman | Last updated 4/8/24

Emmanuel Karmo, the top-ranked high school football player from Minnesota’s 2025 class and top-400 nationally (according to 247Sports composite ratings), is a 6’3” and 225 pound 4-star monster out of Robbinsdale Cooper.

Rankings will shift a lot over the next six months, as more recruits attend camps across the country this summer and school football starts back up in the fall. But on Monday, the state’s best senior football player cut his list of possible schools down to seven.

Minnesota’s No. 1 high school football player cuts list to seven, including Gophers

The Gophers made the cut… along with six of the best programs in the Big Ten (and country). In his announcement, Karmo’s primary position is listed as linebacker. At Robbinsdale Cooper, he’s an elite talent at wide receiver, too.

Appreciate all the schools that have recruited me and while my recruitment is still open based on the schools that have offered me I’ll be focusing on these 7 schools. Blessed to be in this position @77williehoward @TPatt17 @cooperhawksFB @AllenTrieu @On3Recruits #AGTG pic.twitter.com/BE5VwQ8gXg
— Emmanuel Karmo (@EmmanuelKarmo28) April 8, 2024

Karmo amassed 48 tackles (10 TFL) and 2 sacks. He also returned both an interception and fumble for touchdowns. According to head recruiting analyst at 247Sports Allen Trieu, Karmo “projects as a chess piece that can find a role at any school and be an impact defender”.

Twitchy, athletic defender who has played several positions but as a junior, was largely a stand-up outside linebacker. Shows short area quickness and burst to the ball. Aggressive and makes a good number of plays in the backfield. Has the tools to be able to play in coverage and has defensive back in his background.

Has to find the right fit in a system for his body type and skill set. 3-4 outside backer or a hybrid overhang type of position appear to be the best fits at this point in his development. But given how multiple schools like to be in their defenses, Karmo projects as a chess piece that can find a role in at any school and be an impact defender.
Allen Trieu – 247Sports

Karmo’s dream is to play for homestate Minnesota Gophers

Growing up in Minnesota, it’s a common dream for kids to play for the Gophers, and Karmo is no different. After Minnesota offered him, Karmo told Ryan Burns (247Sports) that it’s been his dream to be a Gopher since he was a youngster. Now, that reality is dependent only on his choice. will he make it a reality and commit to Dinkytown?

If he follows his childhood dream and ends up in Dinkytown, it would be a massive get for PJ Fleck and the future of his Minnesota Gophers program. It’s unclear when he will make his decision.

The #Gophers got on the board with an offer for 2025 Robbinsdale Cooper defender @EmmanuelKarmo28 yesterday.

Did that move the needle for him?

"When I was younger, I remember saying I was gonna play for them. And now I actually can."https://t.co/7X2iJsfsRd pic.twitter.com/AvQDo77bDP
— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) January 28, 2024