The Gophers football team will have significant holes to fill for the 2025 season — especially in consideration of the 20-plus seniors leaving the program at the end of this year. Outside of the development of current underclassmen, and the rare true freshman who can make the leap to the Big Ten level, Minnesota has a handful of primary needs once the NCAA transfer portal opens Dec. 9. But first, a disclaimer. While head coach P.J. Fleck is confident the U will be able to retain its current players, needs can shift if some key current pieces decide to enter the portal after Friday’s regular-season finale against Wisconsin. Right now, here are three position groups set to have the biggest needs for veteran reinforcements via the portal: Wide receiver Minnesota’s top two receivers are exiting: Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer. Their 110 combined catches represent 46% of the team’s receptions through 11 games. It’s going to be mighty hard to replace Daniel Jackson, who has developed into one of the top wideouts in program history with 202 receptions for 2,624 yards and 17 touchdowns. Spencer has improved from an underwhelming campaign in 2023 to produced 41 grabs for 528 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. LeMeke Brocking is the top returning WR, but has been a bit player with 14 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown. While there is a group of younger wideouts like Cristian Driver, Kenric Lanier and Georgia transfer Tyler Williams, veterans will be needed to bridge the gap. Also, Minnesota is dead last in the nation (134th) with only seven scrimmage plays over 30 yards this season. So what the U really needs are more speed and athleticism to help take the top off a defense, which will coax/force coaches to take more shots downfield. Cornerback Fleck has called Justin Walley one of the best players he has ever coached. And since his true freshman year in 2021, Walley has been a sound tackler and reliable safety blanket covering his side of the field across 48 total games. Last offseason, Minnesota went to portal to add Ethan Robinson as a replacement for TreVon Jones — another transfer corner. In his own right, Robinson, of Bucknell, has been an ultra-reliable, consummate professional with big-play ability. Nickelback Jack Henderson stacked two strong years after coming in from Southeastern Louisiana, but he is also out of time. The Gophers filtered in sophomore Za’Quan Bryan and fifth-year Jaointae McMillian in the secondary this fall, with each earning more than 200 snaps. They should play bigger roles next season. But those three exits — plus nickel Craig McDonald entering the portal during the season — means the U likely will need multiple DBs to help replace them. Minnesota has shown a knack to be successful in the portal at this position, so there should be a higher level of confidence they can do it again. Offensive line Minnesota will wave goodbye to left tackle Aireontae Ersery and guards Tyler Cooper and Quinn Carroll. While the O-line has struggled with consistency this season, the absence of those three vets will be felt next season. Center Greg Johnson and guard Ashton Beers each played more than 560 snaps up front through 11 games, and potential left tackle of the future, Phillip Daniels, has cut his teeth at right tackle for more than 200 plays this fall. Tony Nelson is another candidate to factor in more next fall. But a couple more big boys up front should be on the wish list next month. Elsewhere Minnesota might lose its top linebacker, Cody Lindenberg, to the NFL after this season, and you can’t teach that level of athleticism and tackling ability at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. So that might become another area of need. … Backups to standout RB Darius Taylor will be required with No. 2 Marcus Major out of eligibility. The U added three via the portal last offseason, so it’s likely they will do so to some degree again. … Three and maybe four contributing defensive lineman are exiting, possibly including Jah Joyner, so multiple new additions might be necessary up front. A defensive tackle anchor would be exquisite to free up Deven Eastern to play 3-technique. Related Articles College Sports | How does P.J. Fleck feel about Gophers football’s roster building for 2025? College Sports | Gophers football QB Max Brosmer commits to play in bowl game College Sports | On top of Axe rivalry, Gophers’ bowl destination on line against Wisconsin College Sports | Gophers suffer excruciating 26-25 loss to No. 4 Penn State College Sports | Gophers coach P.J. Fleck explains trick play call on game-defining drive in Penn State loss