4-star LB Emmanuel Karmo commits to Minnesota

Minneapolis Robbinsdale Cooper four-star linebacker Emmanuel Karmo has committed to Minnesota.

He chose the Golden Gophers while also holding offers from Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Iowa and others.

Karmo is the No. 353 overall prospect and No. 40 LB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked player in Minnesota.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder also checks in as the No. 275 recruit and No. 29 linebacker in the updated 2025 On300.

Karmo is the fifth addition to Minnesota’s 2025 class and now headlines as the top-ranked pledge. He’s the second four-star in the mix, alongside Laguna Beach (Calif.) four-star quarterback Jackson Kollock. The Gophers’ class ranks No. 38 in the nation and No. 10 in the Big Ten, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Other commits in the fold for PJ Fleck include Covington (Ga.) Newton three-star safety Zachry Harden, Middleton (Wisc.) three-star defensive lineman Torin Pettaway and Mentor (Ohio) Lake Newton tight end Cross Nimmo — who committed earlier this week on April 11. All five prospects in the mix have pledged since March 23.

More on Minnesota Recruiting

Last cycle, Fleck and Co. hauled in a top-35 class, headlined by three four-stars. Like Karmo, Esko (Minn.) Lincoln Secondary four-star safety Koi Perich was the top-ranked player in Minnesota. Despite a push from Ohio State, Perich signed with the Gophers as the No. 58 overall prospect and No. 4 safety in the cycle.

Mukwonago (Wisc.) four-star interior offensive lineman Nathan Roy was a top-150 recruit, top-10 IOL and the No. 1 player in Wisconsin, while Kindred (N.D.) four-star defensive lineman Riley Sunram was the top-ranked player in North Dakota.

Other top signees in the class include Olathe (Kan.) East three-star IOL Brett Carroll, Eden Prairie (Minn.) three-star DL Mo Saine, Aurora (Ill.) Waubonsie Valley three-star tight end Julian Johnson, Johnston (Iowa) three-star TE Jacob Simpson and Fayetteville (Ark.) three-star quarterback Drake Lindsey.