2025 safety Zachry Harden commits to Minnesota

Covington (Ga.) Newton safety Zachry Harden has committed to Minnesota, he announced on Saturday.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder chose the Golden Gophers over Michigan State and West Virginia. He also holds offers from Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss and more. He is the first commit for P.J. Fleck and Co. in the 2025 cycle.

“I picked Minnesota because of the coaching staff, the atmosphere, the city and the relationships I have here,” Harden told On3. “I have 39 offers and I chose them over Michigan State and West Virginia. Minnesota has really been recruiting me hard for four months.”

Harden, who is on campus this weekend, has ties to the Big Ten program, despite it being far from the Peach State. Current Golden Gophers safety Darius Green and defensive lineman Darnell Jeffries are both Newton High alums. The pair is now set to welcome another Covington prospect to Minneapolis in the future.

“Darius Green and Darnell Jeffries are like my big brothers,” Harden said. “They had a lot to do with the decision.”

More on Minnesota Recruiting

Fleck and Co. signed 19 prospects last cycle, resulting in the No. 34 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Headlining the class is Esko (Minn.) Lincoln Secondary four-star safety Koi Perich, the No. 58 overall prospect, No. 4 safety and top-ranked player in Minnesota in the 2024 cycle. Ohio State made a late charge to flip him from the Gophers, but he opted to stay home and projects to be a major player in the Minnesota secondary down the road.

“Koi Perich is a hyper-athletic, physical safety with a penchant for making big plays. Looks like one of the nation’s best at the position midway through his senior season,” On3’s Charles Power wrote of the DB. “Has unverified size and is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Registers as a top athlete, posting an elite 10.89 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior along with a very strong 42-6 foot triple jump. A truly dominant high school football player who regularly makes big plays in all three phases.”

Perich is flanked by another pair of four-stars in Mukwonago (Wisc.) four-star interior offensive lineman Nathan Roy and Kindred (N.D.) four-star defensive lineman Riley Sunram. Roy is a top-150 recruit and top-10 player at his position, while Sunram is a top-40 DL and the No. 1 player in North Dakota.