Gophers add FIU defensive tackle Jordan Guerad from transfer portal

The Gophers football program will stay older and more experienced in the middle of its defense next season with the transfer commitment from defensive tackle Jordan Guerad on Sunday. Minnesota is coming off success in the NCAA transfer portal with defensive lineman Kyler Baugh, who joined the Gophers in January 2022 from FCS-level Houston Baptist, but the two-year starter is at the end of his run at the U. Enter Guerad, a Florida International (FIU) player named a Conference USA first-team selection in 2023 season.

The U added an option at defensive end with the Sunday addition of Eddy Toussom, a junior college transfer from Navarro College. He will help be a depth player behind starting rush end Danny Striggow next season. Backup defensive end Chris Collins will be done after this season.

Guerad, who appears to have two years of eligibility remaining, had transfer offers from South Carolina, Louisville and Kansas State in the past week. Guerad, who is listed a 6-foot-3, 295-pounds, posted a team-best grade of 83. 3, according to Pro Football Focus.

He recorded 26 pressures and had steady grade improvement in his three seasons at FIU. He posted 38 total tackles, two sacks, five more tackles for lost yards and one forced fumble in 616 snaps for 4-8 FIU last season. Toussom, who is listed at 6-5 and 230 pounds, had eight sacks and 57 tackles for the JUCO in Corsicana, Texas.

.