The Gophers garnered their first commitment in the 2022 class with Ohio defensive end Trey Bixby.

Bixby announced his decision on social media Thursday. The 6-5, 245-pound D-lineman is a four-star recruit, per 247Sports.com. 

The St. Edward High School junior is a Minnesota native, which might have helped with his decision since the coronavirus pandemic has halted recruiting travel and visits. Another connection was Gophers defensive line coach Chad Wilt, who offered Bixby at Cincinnati before offering him again with the Gophers when he took the job in early 2020.

He chose the Gophers despite several other offers from programs including Penn State and Michigan State.

First, Happy Birthday to my Mom! I’m not here today without you! ❤️ya

Second, thank you to every single school that showed interest in me or gave me an opportunity at a college education and to play at the next level.

With that said... 👀〽️#RTB #SkiUMah #GoGophers #HYP22 pic.twitter.com/sN4wPqfinP

— Trey Bixby (@TreyBixby_91) August 13, 2020

A recent preseason poll predicted the Gophers would finish second in the Big Ten West this upcoming season.

The results, released Friday from an annual Cleveland.com poll of Big Ten conference media members, revealed a near-unanimous pick for Ohio State to win the conference. But the Gophers received 14 first-place votes in the Big Ten West, finishing behind Wisconsin.

Subsequently, the second-most predicted Big Ten championship game was the Gophers against Ohio State, with the Buckeyes prevailing. There was also one vote for Penn State beating the Gophers in the final.

Check out the entire poll here. 

The poll also favorites to win the Big Ten's postseason awards for offensive and defensive player of the year. The Gophers didn't have any representatives on the defensive side, with Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons the unanimous top pick, but two made the offensive rankings. 

Gophers receiver Rashod Bateman finished third, including one first-place vote, with quarterback Tanner Morgan right behind in fourth. Every other first-place vote went to Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Purdue receiver Rondale Moore was second. 

Bateman is the reigning Big Ten Receiver of the Year with 1,219 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 60 catches last season. Morgan set single-season passing records for yards (3,253), touchdown passes (30) and completion percentage (66%, 210-of-318) in the Gophers' 11-2 year.

Here is the whole list.