By james art 
Washington transfer offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai chose Minnesota over top offers from Alabama, Southern Cal and North Carolina. As the Gophers look to replace longtime starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery, Tafai could be the favorite to fill his spot.
Tafai is a native of Lawndale, California and he played his prep football at Leuzinger High School. He was the 1,047th best recruit in the class of 2023. according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and he was heavily pursued by Oregon, Utah and Arizona, among others, before choosing the Huskies.
After redshirting in 2023, Tafai got a shot in 2024. with new head coach Jed Fish. He started four games at left tackle and played 280 total snaps at the position. He struggled to find consistency and compiled a 38.5 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He allowed 11 pressures and two sacks on 160 blocking snaps.
Despite the struggles, 247Sports still ranked him as the 23rd best offensive tackle in its winter transfer portal. ON3 is significantly lower for him, ranking him as the 903rd best transfer in the country.
Ersery has been Minnesota’s starting lefty for each of the past three seasons. Tafai is the only player on the roster to start games at left tackle at the Division I level last season. There are many differing opinions on his potential, but the Gophers giving him a shot to left in 2025 could make a lot of sense.
UCF transfer Marcellus Marshall also has experience at the left tackle position, but that was during the 2022 season. at Kent State. Minnesota’s other option would be redshirt freshman Nathan Roy, but he hasn’t started a Division I game at any position. Offensive line coach Brian Callahan has plenty of options with flexibility
Plays multiple positions, but Tafai looks like the clearest choice to be their left tackle in 2025.