Minnesota Adds Highly-Ranked OL Transfer to Bolster O-Line

Bennett Warren, a former 4-star recruit, joins the Gophers from Tennessee to help rebuild their offensive line.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The University of Minnesota football team has added offensive lineman Bennett Warren to their roster via the transfer portal. Warren, a former 4-star recruit from Houston, Texas, played limited snaps in two seasons at Tennessee but is expected to compete for a starting job on the Gophers' offensive line in 2026 as they look to replace several departing starters.

Why it matters

Minnesota's offensive line has been an area of concern in recent seasons, and the team is hoping that adding a highly-touted transfer like Warren can help solidify the unit. The Gophers lost several key starters from last year's line, so Warren's arrival provides an opportunity for him to step in and make an immediate impact.

The details

At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Warren was the 140th-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class according to 247Sports. He played in just a handful of games over two seasons at Tennessee, logging 40 snaps as a true freshman and 162 snaps last year. Despite his limited playing time, the Gophers are hopeful that Warren's size and potential can help solidify their offensive line, which is a critical component of their offense.

  • Warren played 40 offensive snaps as a true freshman in 2024.
  • In 2025, Warren's role grew to 162 offensive snaps.

The players

Bennett Warren

A 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman who transferred to Minnesota from Tennessee, where he was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2024.

Nathan Roy

Minnesota's returning starting left tackle, who was the 183rd-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to have Bennett join our program and compete for a starting job on the offensive line. His size and potential make him a valuable addition as we look to rebuild that unit.”

— P.J. Fleck, Head Coach, University of Minnesota (Minnesota Daily)

What’s next

Warren will compete for the starting right tackle job during spring and fall practices, with the goal of solidifying the offensive line ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Minnesota's addition of Bennett Warren from the transfer portal represents a high-upside move as the Gophers look to address their ongoing issues along the offensive line. If Warren can live up to his recruiting pedigree, he could be a key piece in helping Minnesota's offense return to its previous level of production.