Over the years, the Minnesota Gophers have enjoyed plenty of success in the college football world. While they have never won a major championship, they’ve certainly prepared a number of top stars for the National Football League. With the 2016 NFL Draft fast approaching, we take a look at some of the more recent ex-Gophers to make it in the NFL.
ISAAC FRUECHTE
Fruechte is living the local boy’s dream. After leading Caledonia High School to two state championships, he made it into the University of Minnesota and got onto the Gophers side. During his first year, the wide receiver enjoyed plenty of success – making 19 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns on his way to winning the Gophers’ Wide Receiver of the Year award. In his senior year in 2014, he won this accolade once again and set various Gophers records. During his senior season, he became the first Gopher to record a 100-yard game since Derrick Engel in the 2012 Texas Bowl, which is a great achievement in itself.
And last year, he made it onto the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He was signed as an undrafted free agent and, who knows, Fruechte may break into the Vikings side this season. Mike Zimmer’s offense had its fair share of receiving problems last season and the former Gopher may get his chance to shine on the biggest stage of all as Minnesota, who are at the time of writing priced at 25/1 with 32Red Canada to win the Super Bowl next season, look for a budding star to line-up opposite Stefon Diggs after the release of Charles Johnson.
ERIC DECKER
Without a doubt, Eric Decker is one of the greatest stars to graduate from the University of Minnesota and it was a privilege to see him feature in the Gophers uniform in his formative years. Decker was a starter throughout his four years as he racked up a very impressive 228 receptions for 3,119 receiving yards. And since Decker was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, he’s gone on to bigger and better things. He helped Denver to reach the Super Bowl in 2013 as part of the Broncos’ potent offense but they fell short against the might of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom”.
Over the years, he’s achieved plenty in the NFL and the New York Jets, who signed Decker on a five-year deal in 2014, have improved considerably on offense since he arrived at the AFC East side. He’s scored 17 touchdowns in the last two years and, alongside veteran receiver Brandon Marshall, has broken various franchise records in 2015 – including the single season touchdown record for the Jets. At just 28 years old, he still has plenty to give and Gophers fans will be keeping a close eye on their ex-star throughout the campaign as the Jets continue to grow and mature into a potential Super Bowl-winning side.
MARION BARBER III
Remember Marion Barber III? Alongside Laurence Maroney, he helped to bring some relevance and structure to Minnesota’s rushing attack. He was an excellent football player back in the day and remains second on the school’s all-time list of rushing touchdowns with 35. Barber was nothing short of phenomenal and, on his day, he could beat anyone. His “north-south” style of aggressive running caught the attention of various NFL franchises and it was no surprise to see Barber selected in the fourth round of the 2005 Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After losing DeMarco Murray last year, the Cowboys, who are priced at 25/1 to win the Super Bowl with 32Red and 188Bet, could do with someone like Barber in this year’s draft if they aim to win football’s most illustrious trophy.
Barber enjoyed plenty of success in the NFL, notching 4,780 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns during his career. In 2007, Barber was selected for the Pro Bowl which was a proud moment for Gophers supporters. It truly was a pleasure to see Barber play and there aren’t that many running backs in today’s game who adopt that old-fashioned style of hard running anymore. At the end of his NFL career, Barber had a 4.1 rushing average which is a reasonable tally for an ex-Gopher. He’s certainly gone on to do the franchise proud both during his playing days and during his time in the National Football League.