Sep 9, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on during the first quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Ranked 2025 In-State Football Recruit Emmanuel Karmo Commits to Gophers

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Eric Strack | Last updated 4/12/24

Emmanuel Karmo is the No. 1 ranked recruit in the state of Minnesota for the class of 2025. Don’t trust recruiting rankings? If you want to know how elite this kid really is, look at his final list of seven schools, which included Oregon, Ohio State, Wisconsin and USC.

Minnesota Gophers get commitment from top-ranked in-state football prospect

So, when the all-state linebacker (and wide receiver) from Robbinsdale Cooper (Minneapolis) committed to his home state Minnesota Gophers on Friday night, it was a really big deal.

I appreciate all the schools that have recruited me through this process. It’s been an amazing process for sure but with that said, I have made my decision. @77williehoward @TPatt17 @Coach_DeBo46 @Coach_Fleck @AllenTrieu #RTB #AGTG pic.twitter.com/59GfaSsvFH
— Emmanuel Karmo (@EmmanuelKarmo28) April 13, 2024

Karmo totaled 48 tackles (10 TFL) and 2 sacks as a junior (according to 247Sports). He returned a couple of turnovers for touchdowns too. But there really aren’t any numbers that do this 6’3″ 225 lb athletic freak justice for the impact he makes on Friday nights.

We’ll leave that to his HUDL highlight film, which shows the exact traits that you would expect out of someone who is ranked as the No. 1 player in the state of Minnesota. 247Sports head recruiting analyst Allen Trieu, projects Karmo as an impact defender and a guy who the Gophers can build a defense around.

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

If Karmo remains the top player in the state and he keeps his commitment through National Signing Day, it’d be the second-straight season that PJ Fleck has landed the top-player in the state. In 2024, he signed Esko, Minnesota’s Koi Perich, who also plays defense (safety).

They’re off to a hot start for the class of 2025, in general. PJ got commitments from one of the top quarterbacks in the state of California, Jackson Kollock, recently; along 6’6″ Ohio tight end, Cross Nimmo, along with two others.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: