How will Winston DeLattiboudere’s departure impact Gophers’ defensive line?

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota football team already lost Corey Hetherman to be the defensive coordinator Miami, just days after he had signed a contract extension with the Gophers.
P.J. Fleck lost another assistant coach over the weekend, as defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere left for the same job with the Arizona Cardinals. DeLattiboudere was also Fleck’s assistant head coach, and the newcomers coordinator.
DeLattiboudere was a defensive end on the 2019 Gophers’ squad that finished 11-2 with a win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl. It was Minnesota’s best season in more than 100 years. He’ll be reunited with Cardinals’ defensive coordinator Nick Rallies. The two were Gophers’ teammates in 2015 and 2016.
Could changes be coming on the defensive line?
What we know: The Gophers are in the conditioning phase of spring football, and barring any surprises in the transfer portal window, they should be returning a majority of their talent from 2024. Jalen Logan-Redding has already announced he’s returning, as has Anthony Smith. Jaxon Howard should return, as will Deven Eastern among impact players.
Eastern had 27 tackles and two sacks, Logan-Redding had 27 tackles and two tackles for loss and Smith had 27 tackles, six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.
What we don’t know: If any of them will change their mind with DeLattiboudere’s departure, and what impact incoming transfers can make.
DeLattiboudere’s impact
Why it matters: You can’t blame DeLattiboudere leaving the Gophers for an NFL job, that’s an opportunity you can’t say no to. He came back to Minnesota in 2023 after stints at Charlotte, Oregon and Akron. The Gophers had 26 sacks in his first season, then 28 this year. The defensive line went from 10.5 sacks in 2022 to 20 in DeLattiboudere’s first season.
DeLattiboudere also had two standout defensive ends in Danny Striggow and Jah Joyner play in last weekend's Senior Bowl, a showcase for NFL Draft prospects.
The Gophers were top five in total defense in 2024, and top 10 in scoring defense in the country. DeLattiboudere’s energy and leadership will be tough to replace.