Kent State kicker Matthew Trickett to transfer to Minnesota

Bolstering their kicking game has been a priority for the Minnesota Golden Gophers this offseason and the latest specialist to climb into the boat is Kent State kicker Matthew Trickett, who announced on Friday that he will transfer to Minnesota.

He is a grad transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.

Trickett was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2019, leading the Mid-American Conference and tying for the NCAA lead with 29 field goals. As a true freshman, he was named First-Team All-MAC while handling both kicking and punting duties for the Golden Flashes. Trickett was 14-of-17 on field goal attempts and punted 35 times for an average of 38.7 yards per punt, dropping 11 of those punts inside the 20-yard line.

He is the second kicker to transfer to Minnesota this offseason, joining Temple placekicker Will Mobley, who officially signed with the Gophers earlier this week. Redshirt sophomore Brock Walker is the only kicker on the roster confirmed to be returning. Anders Gelecinskyj graduated, Grant Ryerse will not return, and the status of Michael Lantz for next season is uncertain. The starting kicker spot would appear to be up for grabs.