Janesville Parker's Gavin Meier picks Minnesota

Meier is rated as a three-star offensive tackle and the No. 1 Class of 2026 recruits in the state. The recruiting-focused 247Sports has Meier rated as the No. 40 offensive tackle nationally. That was only part of the attraction to Minneapolis. Rivalry victories a factor “I love the culture,” Meier said. “Coach Fleck and his philosophy, it’s unbelievable. Until you get there, you never know. It’s just amazing.” “It was truly a blessing,” he said. “I always have to keep that in my head.” Meier is on track to graduate from Parker after the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. He then will enroll at Minnesota in January 2026. He will be redshirted for his freshman season and begin playing in 2027. And now what is left for Meier? “The next step is to bring home the “Rock,” he said of the Monterey Rock trophy that goes to the winner of the game between Parker and Craig. “We want to go to the playoffs next year.” Meier said the recent success the Golden Gophers have had over Wisconsin played a part in his decision. Minnesota has won three of the last four Paul Bunyan Axe games after the Badgers had won 16 of 17 before that. “It definitely exceeded what I thought was going to happen,” Meier said of the recruiting process. “It was the most fun thing I’ve ever been a part of. “It’s a whole different ballgame,” Meier said. “College players can be paid on top of getting a free scholarship. It’s truly incredible what you can do. Meier said NIL (name, image, likeness) money did play a part in his decision. NIL money has been allowed since 2021 when the NCAA changed its rules. “If you think of it as a pyramid, the bottom are freshmen and the top are game-changing players. If you’re a game-changing player, you can make like six figures. It’s unbelievable.” Meier’s cell phone has been abuzz since he made his verbal commitment public Wednesday night on X. As he expected, he is hearing from some disappointed Badger fans. NIL also came into play The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Meier gave his verbal commitment to attend the University of Minnesota and play football for Gophers’ head coach P.J. Fleck. “Obviously, it does play a factor,” Meier said. The 17-year-old did not want to disclose any amounts. While this week has been hectic, Meier is still living in the present. Meier has no illusion what the reaction will be from University of Wisconsin fans. Meier estimated that 50 Division 1 programs actively recruited him. It was reported that 11 schools offered scholarships to him. In the end, his decision came down between Wisconsin and Minnesota. He made up his mind Wednesday during an unofficial visit to Minnesota. Janesville schools are off this week for spring break. “The biggest reasons why were the people—it’s all about the people,” Meier said. “I met the people on the coaching staff. Told Minnesota during visit Wednesday “Coach Fleck told me this, and I knew it, that people in my state might hate me, but over there, people will love me,” Meier said in a phone interview Thursday morning. JANESVILLE — Gavin Meier, the consensus No. 1-ranked class of 2026 college football recruit in the state out of Janesville Parker, made a decision Wednesday that he realizes won’t go over well with University of Wisconsin football fans. “As much as I grew up a Wisconsin fan, Wisconsin football isn’t the same as it used to be,” Meier said. “Coach Fleck has proved to be a winning program. Wisconsin wasn’t the greatest last year.” “I wanted to make a decision before the (high school) season, but I didn’t think it would be this early,” the son of Mathew and Meghan Everhart said. “I just knew in my heart. I felt it in my bones.”