The Gophers start the summer with a splash
Head coach P.J. Fleck and co. hosted their annual “Summer Splash” recruiting event this past weekend. There are always a handful of verbal commitments coming out of the weekend and this year’s was no exception, with Utah offensive lineman Mataalii Benjamin the first to grab an oar.
After much consideration and a talk with my parents, after the visit this past weekend I’m super excited to announce that I have COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA!!#RTB #GOGOPHERS
HOME!! pic.twitter.com/yv5mePo3H6
— Mataalii Benjamin (@LiiBenjamin) June 1, 2025
Get to know Mataalii Benjamin
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 305
Power 4 Scholarship Offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Nebraska, NC State, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Texas A&M, Utah, and Washington
247 Sports Composite Rating: .8759
247 Sports Scouting Report
Benjamin is one of the top offensive lineman out West and a true tackle prospect. He has been a steady climber for us over the last year and every time we see him, we like him even more. He was one of the standouts at the Polynesian Bowl Combine and Showcase in Las Vegas in March and has the kind of frame you love to see in a next level lineman. He has a long 6-foot-6, 305 pound frame and wears it well with room to add plenty of good weight and mass. He uses his length well in pass-pro, is light on his feet and does a nice job moving laterally and shadowing opposing speed rushers. He’s strong at the point of attack, shows a solid base, can sit and stone opposing bull rushers who try and run through him. He has the necessary mean streak you have to have to excel in the trenches as well and is a complete tackle who we could see end up on either side of the line at the next level.