Four-star Texas RB Ryan Estrada commits to Gophers over blue blood programs

Estrada was on campus for an official visit during Minnesota's Summer Splash event last weekend, and he verbally committed to the program on Tuesday. Listed at 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, he was one of the most productive running backs in Texas as a junior. He totaled 79 carries for 2,422 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns at El Dorado High School.

He is a four-star prospect according to the latest 247Sports Composite, ranking as the 310th-best player in the class of 2026. He chose Minnesota over a laundry list of offers from blue blood programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, among others.

Everett was hired as the Gophers' new RBs coach on February 9, and he has recruited a tantalizing duo in the 2026 class with Estrada and Ezekiel Bates, who has been verbally committed since late April.

Estrada joins Andrew Trout, Justin Hopkins and Howie Johnson as Minnesota's fourth verbal commitment in the class who is rated as a four-star recruit by at least one major recruiting service.

Updated 2026 recruiting class: 22 verbal commitments

• Andrew Trout, OL (Rocori, MN)
• Justin Hopkins, CB (Nashville, TN)
• Howie Johnson, DL (Forest Lake, MN)
• Gavin Meier, OL (Janesville, WI)
• Hayden Moore, WR (Newberry, FL)
• Rico Blassingame, WR (Tolleson, AZ)
• Kai Meza, WR (Draper, UT)
• Owen Lansu, QB (Downers Grove, IL)
• Ezekiel Bates, RB (Malvern, PA)
• Daniel McMorris, OT (Norman, OK)
• Mataalii Benjamin, OT (Lehi, UT)
• Hudson Dunn, LB (Peoria, AZ)
• Angel Luciano, LB (Steelton, PA)
• Anthony Charles, DE (McDonald, PA)
• Chance Payne, CB (Jefferson, GA)
• Aaden Aytch, DE (Lafayette, IN)
• Lucas Tielsch, OL (Akron, OH)
• Jordan Lampkins, S (Boilingbrook, IL)
• Jeremiah Benson, DL (West Bloomfield, MI)
• Gabe Weaver, TE (St. Louis, MO)
• Josiah Anyansi, DL (Murrieta, CA)
• Ryan Estrada, RB (El Paso, TX)

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