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University of Minnesota Athletics
2026 Football Roster
Jersey Number 12
Michael Merdinger
- Position:
- QB
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-1 / 205
- Hometown:
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- High School:
- Cardinal Gibbons
- Prev School:
- Liberty / North Carolina
- Years in College / At Minnesota:
- 3 / 1
- Class:
- Redshirt Sophomore
OVERVIEW: Enrolled at Minnesota in January 2026 • spent the 2025 season at Liberty and the 2024 season at North Carolina.
PREVIOUS SCHOOLS: Played one season at Liberty (2025) and one season at North Carolina (2024). LIBERTY: Played in five games and completed 12-of-21 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown • rushed 19 times for 28 yards and one touchdown. NORTH CAROLINA: Redshirted • played in one game, completing 9-of-12 passes for 86 yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida • wore No. 14 for the Chiefs and was coached by Matt DuBuc • as a senior, threw for 2,850 yards and 26 touchdowns and helped his team advance to the third round of the playoffs • as a junior, threw for 721 yards and nine touchdowns • played his first two years of high school football at Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida • led Deerfield Beach High School to the third round of the playoffs as a sophomore • consensus three-star recruit • Rivals ranked him the No. 34 quarterback in the nation and On3 ranked him the No. 136 player in Florida • also competed in track and field in the 4x400 and the 200 and 400 meters.
PERSONAL: Son of Naama and Doron Merdinger • has one brother (Rafael) and one sister (Ariel) • born in Tel Aviv, Israel and moved to the United States when he was eight • believed to be the first Israeli-born athlete to play at the FBS level.
PREVIOUS SCHOOLS: Played one season at Liberty (2025) and one season at North Carolina (2024). LIBERTY: Played in five games and completed 12-of-21 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown • rushed 19 times for 28 yards and one touchdown. NORTH CAROLINA: Redshirted • played in one game, completing 9-of-12 passes for 86 yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida • wore No. 14 for the Chiefs and was coached by Matt DuBuc • as a senior, threw for 2,850 yards and 26 touchdowns and helped his team advance to the third round of the playoffs • as a junior, threw for 721 yards and nine touchdowns • played his first two years of high school football at Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida • led Deerfield Beach High School to the third round of the playoffs as a sophomore • consensus three-star recruit • Rivals ranked him the No. 34 quarterback in the nation and On3 ranked him the No. 136 player in Florida • also competed in track and field in the 4x400 and the 200 and 400 meters.
PERSONAL: Son of Naama and Doron Merdinger • has one brother (Rafael) and one sister (Ariel) • born in Tel Aviv, Israel and moved to the United States when he was eight • believed to be the first Israeli-born athlete to play at the FBS level.
Barber & Maroney III Highlights
Thursday, January 29
Coach Fleck Postgame at Rate Bowl
Tuesday, January 06
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Win Ninth Straight Bowl
Friday, January 02
Anthony Smith - Rate Bowl
Monday, December 29
