The Gophers boasts one of the oldest programs in college football. Since 1882, college prospects have turned out for the University of Minnesota and there has been a long line of Gophers stars making it big in the NFL as a result. Five former Gophers graduates have been inducted into the Hall of Fame of five separate NFL franchises. This prestigious list includes Bobby Bell, Carl Eller, Leo Nomellini and Charlie Sanders.
The current crop of Gophers graduates looking to emulate these stars will soon be beginning their pre-season preparations, with NFL 2019 beginning in earnest in September. Let’s take a look at some of the latest Gophers grads set to appear in NFL 2019 and their chances of success in 2019/20.
Marcus Sherels – Cornerback and return specialist
One of the most successful graduates from the Gophers in recent times has been cornerback Marcus Sherels. As a Minnesota-born player, Sherels was delighted to sign for the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since, playing a key role in the last eight seasons. Sherels has made franchise history for the Vikings by recording a 10.4-yard career punt return average and also holds the franchise record for five career punt return touchdowns. Sherels and the Vikings aren’t tipped as a leading Super Bowl LIV contender, but their odds suggest they will be very competitive.
Ryan Santoso – Placekicker and punter
23-year-old Ryan Santoso was snapped up by the Detroit Lions in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. Since redshirting in the 2013 season for the Gophers, Santoso has not looked back. He became the Gophers’ kicker in 2014 and was then moved to punter in 2016, averaging 43 yards per punt in the 2017 college season. Santoso has since signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions as of January 3, 2019, so it remains to be seen whether he can cement a place in the Lions’ main roster. The sportsbooks don’t rate the Lions’ chances of Super Bowl success in 2019, so Santoso could be part of their future plans.
Nate Wozniak – Offensive tackle
24-year-old powerhouse Nate Wozniak became another NFL prospect after signing a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints earlier this year. This is a deal that must surely inspire the next generation of the Gophers offense in the years ahead. At 6ft 10”, Wozniak is truly a man-mountain and very much caught the eye at the Gophers’ Pro Day when he ran the 40-yard dash in a little over five seconds and was capable of recording a 32-inch vertical leap. Wozniak played tight end for the majority of his career with the Gophers, but is being groomed to play offensive tackle, with the Saints’ coaching staff keen to see him get his weight close to 300 pounds. With the Saints deemed fourth-favorites to win Super Bowl LIV, there are few better places for Wozniak to learn the ropes.
Jaylen Myrick – Cornerback
Speedster Jaylen Myrick was capable of running the 100 meters in just 10.61 seconds in high school, which made him an ideal cornerback for the Gophers. Between 2013 and 2016, Myrick posted two touchdowns, five interceptions and an impressive 93 tackles. He appeared at the 2017 NFL Combine looking to catch the eye with his short-distance acceleration making him capable of running a 40-yard dash in just 4.28 seconds. His attributes saw him snapped up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was waived in September 2018 to join the Minnesota Vikings. He has signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings for 2019 and will be looking to work his way in to play alongside the likes of Marcus Sherels.
De’Vondre Campbell – Linebacker
De’Vondre Campbell enjoyed a successful college career with the Gophers between 2013 and 2015. In his final season with the Gophers, he recorded an impressive 92 tackles, catching the eye of the Atlanta Falcons who made Campbell their second linebacker to be drafted in 2016. In 2018, Campbell was a regular in the Falcons’ roster as the starting strongside linebacker, recording a team-high 94 tackles over the course of the season. Campbell, along with Sherels, would appear to be the most established former Gopher in the NFL right now.
Gophers grads Blake Cashman and Donnell Greene both appeared at the 2019 NFL Combine, looking to become the first Gophers to be drafted since Jalen Myrick in 2017. Cashman posted some of the best marks in his position group during testing but, as yet, does not appear to have done enough to earn a reserve/future contract. Watch this space.