The anticipation is palpable as the Gophers Football team could potentially set a new benchmark in its program’s history for the number of participants in the forthcoming NFL Draft. The existing modern-set record of five picks was established in 2020 when players Antoine Winfield Jr., Tyler Johnson, Carter Coughlin, Kamal Martin, and Chris Williamson received their calls. The current year ushers in optimism with top prospects being Aireontae Ersery, Jay Joyner, Justin Walley, Cody Lindenberg, Max Brosmer, and Daniel Jackson.
An exciting precedent was established earlier this year when the aforementioned six received invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine, establishing a new school record. Although this doesn’t provide a direct correlation, as the event invited 329 aspirants to Indianapolis, while only 257 picks are anticipated for the draft taking place in Green Bay.
Upon being queried about the number of expected selections for the team, the Gophers’ Head Coach, P.J. Fleck responded with an aspiration for having as many picks as possible, even indicating hopes for setting a new record. Banners adorning the second-story balcony of the weight room in the Larson Football Performance Center celebrate the team’s ongoing series of first- and second-round picks.
The list includes renowned names like safety Winfield for the Buccaneers in 2020, receiver Rashod Bateman for the Ravens in 2021, defensive end Boye Mafe for Seattle in 2022, center John Michael Schmitz for the Giants in 2023, and safety Tyler Nubin for the Giants in 2024. This honoring tradition instills a great sense of pride within the team, emphasizing the importance of player development.
Unfortunately, the Gophers lack a first-round pick for Thursday’s event. However, a handful of their players stand good chances for selection during Friday’s second and third rounds, with the rest hopefully finding their names called during rounds four through seven on Saturday. During these rounds, the players will also enter into subsequent free agency.
Now, let’s have a look at where our hopeful Gophers might land based on mock drafts from reputable sources like The Athletic and Pro Football Focus, coupled with data from NFL.com and the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) from the combine and their Pro Day.
The 2024 Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year, Aireontae Ersery, stands high among the top picks. Blessed with an impressive stature of 6-foot-6 and a weight of 331 pounds, Ersery is projected to be a valuable asset as a starting tackle in the NFL. Although not considered as part of the top tier, Ersery’s fast time of 5.01 seconds over a 40-yard dash assures he’s a formidable contender.
Jay Joyner, the defensive end possessing an appealing physique of 6-4, 262 pounds, represents the next pick. He will be an intriguing choice for teams looking for an EDGE player, despite seeing a dip in his production last year. After topping the team in 2023 with 7.5 sacks and 46 pressures, Joyner finished 2024 with 4.5 sacks and 31 pressures.
Featuring next on the list is cornerback Justin Walley. Since his induction as a starting cornerback, Walley has emerged as a consistently reliable player. Coach Fleck speaks highly of Walley’s ability. Although on the smaller size, standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds, Walley’s career statistics highlight his skills and longevity with 155 tackles and seven interceptions logged.
Cody Lindenberg, who overcame injuries to top the U’s tally with 94 total tackles, is another potential pick. The studious player, drawing inspiration from five-time All-Pro Luke Kuechly, could make his mark in the NFL. Daniel Jackson, who ended his time as a Gopher as one of the most productive receivers, and Max Brosmer, an intelligent quarterback hailing from Georgia, also promise potential.
The chances for other Gophers like cornerback Ethan Robinson, guard Tyler Cooper, defensive end Danny Striggow, guard Quinn Carroll, receiver Elijah Spencer, tight end Nick Kallerup, kicker Dragan Kesich, punter Mark Crawford, running backs Marcus Major, and Jaren Mangham, still hang in the balance.
A sleeper to watch for in the drafts could be Jack Henderson. Although he joined as a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, his RAS score ranked an impressive 78 out of 1235 strong safeties from 1987 to 2025. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he showcased versatility and a successful leap from FCS over two seasons.
Hence, the draft week brings immense excitement for the Gophers football team as they hope to exceed their best-ever record in the NFL Draft of five players, set in 2020. The ethos of hard work, dedication, and the relentless endeavor towards achieving greater goals that Coach Fleck has instilled in the players will indeed be a driving factor in their performance. Regardless of the final outcome, it is clear that the Gophers’ legacy will carry forward and continue to inspire future generations on and off the field.