Minnesota WR Malachi Coleman Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

The Golden Gophers star receiver is seeking a new opportunity after two seasons with the team.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of maroon, gold, and navy blue representing the Minnesota Golden Gophers.The departure of star receiver Malachi Coleman leaves the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a fractured roster, forcing the team to quickly rebuild its offensive identity.Miami Gardens Today

Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Malachi Coleman has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal, shaking up the team's roster ahead of the upcoming season. Coleman, who played for the Golden Gophers for the past two seasons, is now looking to continue his college career elsewhere.

Why it matters

Coleman's departure is part of a larger trend, as he is the 12th player from Minnesota to announce their intention to enter the transfer portal this offseason, including five receivers. This exodus of talent poses a significant challenge for the Golden Gophers as they work to fill these crucial positions on their roster.

The details

During the 2025 season, Coleman showcased his skills with five catches for 85 yards. Before joining Minnesota, he began his college career at Nebraska in 2023, where he made eight catches for 139 yards and scored a touchdown. Coleman was a highly regarded four-star prospect coming out of Lincoln East (NE) High School in the 2023 recruiting cycle, ranked as the No. 60 overall player and the No. 10 receiver according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

  • Coleman played for the Golden Gophers for the past two seasons, including eight games in 2025.
  • The upcoming transfer portal window opens on January 2nd and closes on January 16th, with athletes on College Football Playoff teams having five days after their final game to enter the portal.
  • The CFP semifinals are scheduled for January 8th and 9th, with the national championship game on January 19th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The players

Malachi Coleman

A wide receiver who played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the past two seasons, including eight games in 2025, and is now entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Pete Nakos

A reporter for On3 who revealed Coleman's intention to enter the transfer portal.

PJ Fleck

The head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who has led the team to eight-win seasons in five of the past eight years.

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What they’re saying

“Malachi Coleman is the 12th player from Minnesota to announce their intention to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Notably, he's the fifth receiver to do so, joining Cristian Driver, Legend Lyons, Kenric Lanier, and Quentin Redding.”

— Pete Nakos, Reporter, On3

What’s next

The upcoming transfer portal window opens on January 2nd and closes on January 16th, with athletes on College Football Playoff teams having five days after their final game to enter the portal. This concentrated timeline adds another layer of complexity to the transfer portal process, as Minnesota will need to work quickly to fill the void left by Coleman's departure and the exodus of other key players.

The takeaway

Malachi Coleman's decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal is part of a larger trend at Minnesota, as the Golden Gophers have seen a significant number of players, particularly at the receiver position, announce their intention to explore new opportunities. This poses a significant challenge for the program as they look to maintain their recent success and fill these crucial roster spots ahead of the upcoming season.