Seven new wrestlers signed with the Minnesota program on National Signing class day for the 2027-28 season, head coach Brandon Eggum announced on Wednesday, [University of Minnesota Athletics reported].
The incoming group features state champions and national placewinners from across the region. The Gophers added depth across multiple weight classes with signees from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado.
“We’re really excited about this group of young men and what they’re going to bring to our program,” Eggum said. “We’ve added some outstanding talent, but just as importantly, we’ve added great people who come from strong families and understand what it takes to be successful.”
Zane Engels of Northfield, Minnesota, is a two-time state placewinner who reached the Class AAA 172-pound finals last season. He went 95-9 over the last two seasons and earned Fargo All-American honors after placing fifth at USA Nationals in the summer of 2025. Ranked 200th overall by MatScouts, Engels projects at 184 or 197 pounds.
“Zane is a young man with a tremendous upside,” Eggum told University of Minnesota Athletics. “He’s continued to improve throughout his high school career, and we really like his size, athleticism and the way he competes.”
Bennett Kujawa joins from Becker, Minnesota, carrying four state tournament medals and a runner-up finish in the Class AA 139-pound finals last season. He also claimed seventh in freestyle and fourth in Greco-Roman at the USA Nationals last summer. MatScouts ranks Kujawa 103rd overall, and he is expected to wrestle at 149 or 157 pounds.
Landon Thoennes of St. Cloud, Minnesota, is a two-time defending state champion for St. Michael-Albertville High School, posting a 50-2 record last season to win the Class AAA title at 114 pounds. He is a five-time Fargo All-American across folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman, and is rated 119th overall by MatScouts for 125 or 133 pounds.
Max Gonzalez of East Troy, Wisconsin, is a two-time state placewinner who took fifth at 150 pounds last season. He was a 16U Fargo All-American in 2024 and is expected to compete at 149 or 157 pounds.
Carson Neubert brings a 163-8 prep record from Luxemburg-Casco High School in Wisconsin. He won Division I state titles in 2025 at 126 pounds and last season at 144 pounds, alongside a 2025 NHSCA national championship at 132 pounds. Ranked 67th on the MatScouts Big Board, Neubert projects at 157 pounds.
Bryston Scoles of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, is a two-time state finalist and the reigning Division II state champion at 157 pounds.
Holding a 143-4 career prep record, Scoles is ranked 45th overall by FloWrestling and is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds.
Drake VomBaur rounds out the class from Greeley, Colorado, following his older brother Vance, who is a two-time All-American for the Gophers. VomBaur is a three-time state champion who won titles at 106, 113, and 120 pounds for Severance High School.
He is expected to compete at 125 or 133 pounds.
“We’re excited to welcome another VomBaur into the Gopher Wrestling family,” Eggum told University of Minnesota Athletics. “Drake has a tremendous passion for wrestling and a strong work ethic, and is constantly dissecting his wrestling.”
Keep reading