Minnesota Football stands out among the few 5-7 college football programs participating in a winter bowl game, attributed to their remarkable academic standing. However, their journey to the Quick Lane Bowl faced a hurdle as starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and third-string QB Drew Viotto entered the transfer portal at season’s end.
This left the Gophers with a singular choice for quarterbacking: redshirt senior Cole Kramer, underscoring the team’s resilience amidst challenges leading up to the crucial bowl matchup.
Minnesota football reportedly paying $30,000 for bowl game QB
Minnesota football coach PJ Fleck offered Cole Kramer NIL money, reportedly up to $30,000. The offer was to encourage Kramer to stay for one more month and quarterback for Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl against Bowling Green on Dec. 26.
The news first surfaced through an anonymous post on GopherIllustrated.com by a user named “EdenPrairieGopher.” The source claimed Kramer received $30,000 from Minnesota’s NIL fund for playing in the bowl game.
“I just heard from an A+ source that Cole Kramer got $30,000.00 to play in the bowl game for our NIL fund. He was ready to go, but thought it would be a good way to pay for his February wedding.”
Ryan Burns, the lead Minnesota football recruiting analyst and beat writer for 247Sports, confirmed the report. Burns, through responses to ‘EdenPrairieGopher,’ acknowledged that Minnesota football is indeed using their NIL fund to pay Cole Kramer for the upcoming bowl game.
While confirming, Ryan Burns did not explicitly confirm the $30,000 amount, stating that his numbers differ from those reported by ‘Eden PrairieGopher.’ Burns provided credibility to the initial anonymous report, adding weight to the information. The team is in a crucial situation in college football, where Haley Von Voorhis is creating history; therefore, they offered this huge amount to Kramer.
Why does Minnesota football need QB?
The Golden Gophers are facing a shortage of quarterbacks for the Quick Lane Bowl. Starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and third-string QB Drew Viotto both entered the transfer portal at the end of the season.
With the departure of Kaliakmanis and Viotto, the only remaining option to start in the Quick Lane Bowl is Cole Kramer. But Kramer reportedly had plans to leave before the end of December. Kramer has a house prepared for him in Arizona, a fiance ready for marriage, and is eager to start his adult life.
Minnesota football coach PJ Fleck reportedly intervened by offering Cole Kramer NIL money, rumored to be up to $30,000. Kramer’s decision to stay is attributed, at least in part, to the financial incentive provided through the NIL offer, helping him financially for his upcoming February wedding.
Minnesota Football is in a challenging position, needing a quarterback for a crucial bowl game, and their only hope is Cole Kramer.
