Malvern, Pennsylvania, 2026 running back Ezekiel Bates posted on X Wednesday that he has verbally committed to the Gophers, giving them their first RB pledge in the class.
“1000% committed! Let’s Work!! #RTB #SkiUMah,” he wrote.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 210 pounds, Bates committed to Minnesota despite receiving offers from 16 other Division I programs, including notable schools like Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Wake Forest. He is currently unranked by major recruiting services such as 247Sports, On3, and Rivals.
Virginia Tech extended his first Power Five offer in May of last year, while Minnesota entered the mix with a scholarship offer on February 19. Bates visited the Gophers unofficially on March 25 and gave his verbal commitment just over a month later. Although he had previously planned an official visit to Boston College, it’s unclear whether he will still take that trip in June.
Bates becomes the first high school commitment for new Minnesota running backs coach Jayden Everett and the first pledge in their 2026 recruiting class. His junior season at Malvern Prep was cut short due to injury, but he scored eight touchdowns as a sophomore in 2023. A strong senior year could help elevate his status among college recruiters.
Leave a Reply