On Wednesday, New Boston, Texas, four-star running back Ashton Rowden became the latest 2026 recruit to schedule an official visit with the Gophers. He will be on campus for their second Summer Splash weekend next month.
Let’s go!! @GopherFootball @CoachJ_Everett pic.twitter.com/zfsE4mlNxO
— Ashton “Ace” Rowden (@ashrowden) May 7, 2025
Listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Rowden is a consensus four-star recruit. He was incredibly productive as a junior at New Boston High School, running for 1,337 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's the 287th-ranked player in the class of 2026, the 19th-ranked running back and 36th-ranked player in Texas according to the latest 247Sports Composite.
Minnesota has a lot of competition in his recruitment. He holds offers from 18 other programs. His June 13 official visit with the Gophers will come after stops at Kansas State and Arkansas, but before stops at Texas Tech and Michigan State.
The Gophers have Ezekiel Bates as their lone RB commit in the 2026 class, but Rowden now joins Deuce Alston and Ryan Estrada as the fourth running back to lock in an official visit for this cycle.
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