Senior running back Deleon Eskridge has been granted a release from his scholarship and will transfer, according to head coach Jerry Kill.

Eskridge, who led the Gophers with 689 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, is leaving the team for personal reasons and will transfer to a school that is closer to his native San Fransisco, Calif.

Senior reserve tight end Tiree Eure will be leaving the program as well. 

“DeLeon has a family situation and he needs to be able to get closer to home,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “He and I both felt it was in his best interest to make this decision. Things just didn’t work out for Tiree. We wish them both the best of luck in the future.”

Eskridge’s departure leaves senior Duane Bennett, and redshirt freshmen Donnell Kirkwood, Devon Wright and Lamonte Edwards as running backs in play for the starting job.

Bennett is the most experienced of the bunch, having started 24 games in his career.

However, Kill has historically used multiple backs and Eskridge’s transfer will create more opportunities for other backs to make plays in Kill’s run-heavy pistol offense.

The moves were announced concurrently with the official announcement that quarterback Dexter Foreman and wide receiver Malcolm Moulton have signed to play with Minnesota.

Sports reporter Sam Gordon contributed to this report.