The Minnesota Golden Gophers began the rebuilding of their running back room with the addition of Indiana Hoosiers ‘ leading rusher Trent Howland.
The Illinois native will have two years of eligibility. Howland is a 6-foot-3 239-pounder, and his stature will likely result in him taking a power back role with Minnesota. Howland was recruited by Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck in high school along with other midwestern teams like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa State Cyclones and Purdue Boilermakers to name a few.
Howland’s Sunday commitment was joined by three other players from the transfer portal. Navarro College edge rusher Eddy Toussom, Florida International defensive lineman Jordan Guerad and Bucknell cornerback Ethan Robinson.
Trent Howland was a Much-Needed Addition to the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ Running Back Room
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck had no choice but to hit the transfer portal this offseason to beef up his running back room. At this point, the only Gopher running back on scholarship known to be returning is true freshman Darius Taylor, who shares the running back room with Jordan Nubin. Howland and Taylor will be joined by recruits Jaydon Wright and Ohifame Ijeboi in the spring.
The Gophers’ running back room was left thin after four scholarship running backs left the team after the 2023 season. Running backs Bryce Williams and Sean Tyler exhausted their eligibility. Fellow running backs Marquese Williams and Zach Evans entered the transfer portal.
Howland will not only bring size to the Gopher running back room, but he will also bring necessary experience. After redshirting his freshman year, the sophomore has three years of experience at the Big Ten level.
Howland was originally recruited by now-fired Indiana Hoosiers’ head coach Tom Allen, which likely played a significant role in his departure from the program. Fleck recruited him coming out of high school, and according to an article from 247sports that played a role in his decision to transfer to Minnesota.
“I know Coach Fleck is big on culture and I like what they have going on over there. I had an offer from them coming out of high school, but I am open to any part of the world it doesn’t matter for me, it’s all about adjusting to your environment.” – said Howland
Minnesota Golden Gophers’ New Running Back Trent Howland led the Indiana Hoosiers in Rushing
While Howlands 354 yards and two touchdowns on 75 carries was only good enough for 24th in the Big Ten, he still managed to be the leading rusher for Tom Allen’s Indiana Hoosiers. His 4.7 yards per carry would’ve been the second most on the 2023 Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Howland’s size makes him a power back and he didn’t receive the majority of the carries in the eight games in which fellow running back Josh Henderson played. Henderson got the ball six more times than Howland throughout the season, despite playing in eight games to Howland’s 10. The two backs ranked 24th and 25th in the Big Ten in rushing.
Howland’s best performance with the Hoosiers came in week 12 when they took on the Michigan State Spartans. Howland began to take on more carries later in the season, and he led the team in carries this game. He rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and the touchdown was his second of the year with his first coming the week prior.
The Hoosiers will replace Allen with incoming Wake Forest transfer Justice Ellison, who has gathered nearly 2,000 yards in his four years with the Demon Deacons. Ellison is the only incoming transfer so far on a team where 26 players have entered the portal following Tom Allen’s firing.
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