SerpApi.Org
A pair of depth pieces for the Minnesota Golden Gophers will not be available for the 2026 season, including one player medically retiring.
Mo Omonode retires
Former Purdue transfer Mo Omonode, who came to Minnesota in the spring of 2025, is medically retiring. Omonode’s decision to medically retire comes after missing the 2025 spring with Purdue and the 2025 season with the Golden Gophers. The West Lafayette, Indiana native attempted a comeback this past spring, but those efforts have now been extinguished.
In three seasons with Purdue, Omonode played in 33 games, recording 32 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Omonode wasn’t expected to have a major role for Minnesota at defensive tackle even if healthy this upcoming season, likely serving as a depth piece after missing significant time.
Elisha West out for the season
Michigan State transfer defensive back Elisha West is out for the 2026 season due to a lower body injury, P.J. Fleck announced.
Like Omonode, West was expected to be a depth and special teams piece in the 2026 season for the Gophers, although his brother Aydan West projects to be a starting cornerback across from John Nestor.
Elisha West came to the Twin Cities after time both at Michigan State and Merrimack College. He served as a scout team player for the Spartans while also appearing in a pair of games.
Stay tuned
Stay tuned to Gophers Nation for more updates following Minnesota’s 2026 internal media days on Wednesday. Big Ten Media Days are set to begin next week in Chicago from Monday, July 28 through Thursday, July 30 at the Hilton Chicago. P.J. Fleck and the Gophers will take part in the festivities on Day 2, July 29.
