Imago
November 1, 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States: Minnesota quarterback DRAKE LINDSEY walks out to the field with his teammates. The University of Minnesota and Michigan State faced off at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 1st.The University of Minnesota was victorious by a score of 23-20 in overtime. Minneapolis United States - ZUMAt166 20251101_zsp_t166_009 Copyright: xMichaelxTurnerx
May 4, 2026, 6:15 AM CUT
Big Ten QB Arrested Over Illegal Activity
The Minnesota Golden Gophers' starting quarterback is in hot water after his latest run-in with the law.
Drake Lindsey was arrested early Friday in his hometown, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is accused of underage possession of alcohol and possession of fake identification. Lindsey, 20, is set to turn 21 in August later this year.
"We are aware of the situation and will address it internally," a Minnesota spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN.
According to a preliminary report from the Fayetteville Police Department, the staff at the YeeHawg Bar alerted a police officer shortly after midnight about receiving a possible fake identification document.
The staff later directed the officer toward Lindsey, who then admitted to having the fake identification and also admitted to having alcohol prior to coming to the bar.
Drake Lindsey was taken into custody at the Washington County Detention Center, where a copy of his fake ID was discovered in his wallet.
The quarterback proceeded to sign a form that stated that he was a minor who was in possession of alcohol and had attempted to use a fraudulent or altered identification document.
Lindsey was released about seven hours later after paying a $470 bond. The quarterback has two hearings on June 1 and June 29 at Fayetteville District Court.
What Will Happen to the Minnesota QB Room?
P.J Fleck, the head coach of the Golden Gophers, would hope to have Lindsey back by the season opener against Eastern Illinois on September 3 at home.
Lindsey played only three games in his freshman season to maintain his redshirt status in the 2024 season and started as a redshirt freshman in 2025, when he threw for 2,382 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a QBR of 61.3, which is well above average.
Depending on how the court hearings go, the Golden Gophers could also be in hot water. Jackson Kollock (freshman), Max Shikenjanski (sophomore), and Dylan Wittke (sophomore) make up the rest of the QB room, which screams inexperience and youth.
None of the quarterbacks has had actual playing time compared to Drake Lindsey.
Jackson Kollock has not played a single snap in his career, while Shikenjanski has had five attempts and completed four of them, and even has one touchdown. Meanwhile, Wittke has barely played in any games at all.
Despite also being a sophomore, Lindsey is the most experienced QB of them all. For HC Fleck, the hope is to have him for that game against Eastern Illinois on September 3.
