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Gopher Football Signs 7 To Early 2016 Recruiting Class

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- University of Minnesota football coach Tracy Claeys announced Wednesday that seven recruits have signed onto play for the Gophers. Wednesday was National Signing Day for junior college transfers and high school seniors planning to enroll early.

The Gophers signed four junior college transfers, while the other three are incoming freshmen who will enroll early at Minnesota. All seven will be on the Minnesota campus in January and be eligible to participate in spring practice.

The signees include Merrick Jackson, Vincent Calhoun, Garrison Wright, Elijah Battle, Seth Green, Thomas Barber and Tai'yon Devers. They are also part of the Gophers 2016 recruiting class, which will be announced in its entirety on National Signing Day, which is Feb. 3, 2016.

"There is no question that we got better today with the addition of these seven young men," Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys said. "They are all tremendous athletes who can run and have length. I am looking forward to their arrival on campus in January and having them compete in spring practice."

Jackson, Calhoun, Wright and Battle will each have two years of eligibility. Barber, Devers and Green will each have four years to play.

Green and Barber are two of the bigger names in the class. Green was a standout quarterback for East Ridge before transferring to Allen, Texas, for his senior season. Barber was a linebacker at Robbinsdale Armstrong, leading the Falcons to a 7-3 record this season. He led the Falcons defense with 78 tackles.

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