PJ Fleck and his staff secured Avon defensive end Enoch Atewogbola’s verbal commitment just a week after receiving an offer from the Gophers. Minnesota went to see the Avon defensive end work out earlier this week and instantly offered, making it his first Big Ten and power-four offer. The 6-4 defensive end will most likely be a five-technique end in Minnesota’s defense, and he’ll work well with Emmanuel Karmo on the other side at rush end.
Atewogbola is Minnesota’s eighth verbal commitment in the 2025 class, behind California quarterback Jackson Kollock, in-state receiver Cameron Begalle, Ohio tight end Cross Nimmo, defensive lineman Torin Pettaway, in-state EDGE Emmanuel Karmo, and corner Zachry Harden.
247Sports caught up with Enoch to learn more about why he jumped on his Minnesota offer so quickly.
“Honestly, it wasn’t that difficult of a decision to make,” Atewogbola said about his Minnesota commitment. “It was a no brainer for me, I definitely appreciate the coaches who offered me and have shown interest, but Gopher coaches Dottin-Carter, DeBo and head coach PJ Fleck made quite an impression on me. It wasn’t the things they said that influenced my decision, although it definitely helped, it was everything they did in their actions, way before they offered me. Before I even got the offer, I knew Minnesota was somewhere I could imagine myself playing at. These days, it’s rare for prospects to find genuine coaches that aren’t about the business side of things. I was lucky to find coaches like that early in my recruiting process. I talked to my family, and we made the decision.”
There is one analogy that the Gopher coaches have repeatedly made that excites Atewogbola.
“Minnesota has mentioned Boye Mafe more times than I can count,” Atewogbola explained. “They used him to characterize my ceiling and potential, and I’m not afraid to put in the work to make it a reality. I appreciate that they think so highly of me.
The Indiana defensive end is overjoyed to have the recruiting process behind him.
