Zeke Bates is a freshman running back for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, standing 5'11" and weighing 215 pounds. The native of Haverford, Pennsylvania, attended Malvern Prep, where he wore No. 2 and earned two first-team all-league selections while helping the Friars capture two league titles. As a senior, Bates rushed for 909 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 15.3 yards per carry. A consensus three-star prospect, he was ranked by national outlets as the No. 48 running back nationally and the No. 23 player in Pennsylvania. Bates is the son of Eddie Bates and Iris Crespo-Bates and has a cousin, Jimi Mitchell, who played football at Penn State and Chattanooga.