University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Wrestling Signs Transfer Drayden Morton
5/15/2026 12:29:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher wrestling has added Minnesota native Drayden Morton to its roster, head coach Brandon Eggum announced Friday.
Hailing from Winthrop, Minn., Morton spent the past three seasons at Cal Baptist where he competed at both 157 and 165 pounds and finished with an overall record of 33-25 for the Lancers. He is expected to compete at 165 pounds for the Golden Gophers.
"We are excited to bring Drayden back to his home state," Eggum said. "As a two-year starter at Cal Baptist, he brings valuable experience, strong character, and a work ethic that will fit extremely well within our program and culture here at the University of Minnesota."
Competing solely at 157 pounds this past season as a redshirt sophomore, Morton went 15-11 overall – leading the team in wins – and was 8-6 in duals. He posted one win by major decision and three by tech fall. At the Big 12 Championships, Morton went 3-2 to earn a seventh-place finish. Other season highlights included a third-place finish at the Cyclone Invitational and a win over then-No. 16 Jared Hill of Wyoming in Cal Baptist's dual against the Cowboys.
Morton began his redshirt freshman campaign in 2024-25 at 165 pounds, competing there until late January before moving down to 157. He was 8-7 overall at 165 and 4-3 in duals, while at 157 he posted a 4-3 record overall and 3-1 mark in duals. For the season, he was 12-10 overall and 7-4 in duals. Morton posted two wins each by major decision and fall, while one came by tech fall. Morton went on to represent the Lancers at the Big 12 Championships as the No. 8 seed, sporting a 1-2 record. He also earned a third-place finish at Wranglemania and a fifth-place result at the Cliff Keen Invitational.
Off the mat, he garnered NWCA Scholar All-American honors.
As a true freshman in 2023-24, Morton competed almost entirely at 157 pounds, except for a pair of duals where he started at 165. He went 6-4 on the season and 2-2 in duals, including a 1-1 split in those matches at 165, highlighted by an upset of South Dakota State's then-No. 26 Tanner Cook. Two of Morton's six wins on the season came by fall.
Morton attended Sibley East High School and was a three-time state champion and four-time state finalist. He won his first title at 106 pounds in 2019 before adding championships at 120 in 2020 and 132 the following season. He also spent time training with the Gopher Wrestling Club.
Morton becomes the ninth newcomer set to join the Gophers for the 2026-27 season, joining eight incoming freshmen.
Hailing from Winthrop, Minn., Morton spent the past three seasons at Cal Baptist where he competed at both 157 and 165 pounds and finished with an overall record of 33-25 for the Lancers. He is expected to compete at 165 pounds for the Golden Gophers.
"We are excited to bring Drayden back to his home state," Eggum said. "As a two-year starter at Cal Baptist, he brings valuable experience, strong character, and a work ethic that will fit extremely well within our program and culture here at the University of Minnesota."
Competing solely at 157 pounds this past season as a redshirt sophomore, Morton went 15-11 overall – leading the team in wins – and was 8-6 in duals. He posted one win by major decision and three by tech fall. At the Big 12 Championships, Morton went 3-2 to earn a seventh-place finish. Other season highlights included a third-place finish at the Cyclone Invitational and a win over then-No. 16 Jared Hill of Wyoming in Cal Baptist's dual against the Cowboys.
Morton began his redshirt freshman campaign in 2024-25 at 165 pounds, competing there until late January before moving down to 157. He was 8-7 overall at 165 and 4-3 in duals, while at 157 he posted a 4-3 record overall and 3-1 mark in duals. For the season, he was 12-10 overall and 7-4 in duals. Morton posted two wins each by major decision and fall, while one came by tech fall. Morton went on to represent the Lancers at the Big 12 Championships as the No. 8 seed, sporting a 1-2 record. He also earned a third-place finish at Wranglemania and a fifth-place result at the Cliff Keen Invitational.
Off the mat, he garnered NWCA Scholar All-American honors.
As a true freshman in 2023-24, Morton competed almost entirely at 157 pounds, except for a pair of duals where he started at 165. He went 6-4 on the season and 2-2 in duals, including a 1-1 split in those matches at 165, highlighted by an upset of South Dakota State's then-No. 26 Tanner Cook. Two of Morton's six wins on the season came by fall.
Morton attended Sibley East High School and was a three-time state champion and four-time state finalist. He won his first title at 106 pounds in 2019 before adding championships at 120 in 2020 and 132 the following season. He also spent time training with the Gopher Wrestling Club.
Morton becomes the ninth newcomer set to join the Gophers for the 2026-27 season, joining eight incoming freshmen.
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