New head coach Jerry Kill made the announcement Friday.
“DeLeon has a family situation and he needs to be able to get closer to home,” Kill said. “He and I both felt it was in his best interest to make this decision.”
Eskridge, who is from San Francisco, gained 698 yards on 193 carries and scored seven touchdowns last season.
Kill also disclosed that tight end Tiree Eure, who had just three catches for 47 yards and a TD last season, is leaving the program.
The Golden Gophers added wide receiver Malcolm Moulton and quarterback Dexter Foreman to the team. Moulton is a transfer from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, while Foreman is from Manvel High School in Texas.
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