Six Gophers headed to combine







I don't know shit about how people rate throws but Max's looked pretty great aside from the one out route that looked a little loppy
The go routes were great, but yeah I did notice the out and even the circus looked like picks waiting to happen in the pros. Happy to hear the good things we’ve seen after the season has ended. It’s been so long since we’ve had a QB show up in the pros. Would be fun (even if only a long term backup).
 












Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle from Minnesota, showcased his exceptional talent at the 2025 NFL Combine, solidifying his status as a likely first-round pick. Measuring 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, he recorded a remarkable 5.01-second 40-yard dash, marking the fastest time for a player of his size since 2003. With an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.89, he ranks among the top-20 offensive tackles recorded at the combine since 1987, highlighting his elite athleticism and skill set.
By the Numbers
  • 40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds, fastest for an offensive lineman over 330 pounds since 2003.
  • Relative Athletic Score: 9.89, ranking 16th out of 1,379 offensive tackles since 1987.
Yes, But
Some analysts remain skeptical about Ersery's tape, likening him to an oversized guard at tackle. His performance at the combine may not fully address concerns regarding his suitability for tackle position compared to projected needs of NFL teams.
State of Play
  • Mock drafts currently predict Ersery could be picked late in the first round, with teams like the Ravens, Commanders, and Chiefs showing interest.
  • Earlier predictions suggested he might even be selected within the top 10 picks, indicating fluctuations in his projected draft position.
What's Next
Ersery has the Gophers' Pro Day coming up, providing another opportunity to enhance his draft stock. Depending on his performance, he could further solidify or reshape expectations as the draft approaches on April 24.
Bottom Line
Ersery's impressive combine performance has positioned him as a top prospect; however, the final draft outcome will depend on his forthcoming Pro Day performance and teams' evaluations of his gameplay tape.

 



Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle from Minnesota, showcased his exceptional talent at the 2025 NFL Combine, solidifying his status as a likely first-round pick. Measuring 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, he recorded a remarkable 5.01-second 40-yard dash, marking the fastest time for a player of his size since 2003. With an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.89, he ranks among the top-20 offensive tackles recorded at the combine since 1987, highlighting his elite athleticism and skill set.
By the Numbers
  • 40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds, fastest for an offensive lineman over 330 pounds since 2003.
  • Relative Athletic Score: 9.89, ranking 16th out of 1,379 offensive tackles since 1987.
Yes, But
Some analysts remain skeptical about Ersery's tape, likening him to an oversized guard at tackle. His performance at the combine may not fully address concerns regarding his suitability for tackle position compared to projected needs of NFL teams.
State of Play
  • Mock drafts currently predict Ersery could be picked late in the first round, with teams like the Ravens, Commanders, and Chiefs showing interest.
  • Earlier predictions suggested he might even be selected within the top 10 picks, indicating fluctuations in his projected draft position.
What's Next
Ersery has the Gophers' Pro Day coming up, providing another opportunity to enhance his draft stock. Depending on his performance, he could further solidify or reshape expectations as the draft approaches on April 24.
Bottom Line
Ersery's impressive combine performance has positioned him as a top prospect; however, the final draft outcome will depend on his forthcoming Pro Day performance and teams' evaluations of his gameplay tape.


Ravens draft another Gopher? Don't see why not.
 

Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle from Minnesota, showcased his exceptional talent at the 2025 NFL Combine, solidifying his status as a likely first-round pick. Measuring 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, he recorded a remarkable 5.01-second 40-yard dash, marking the fastest time for a player of his size since 2003. With an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.89, he ranks among the top-20 offensive tackles recorded at the combine since 1987, highlighting his elite athleticism and skill set.
By the Numbers
  • 40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds, fastest for an offensive lineman over 330 pounds since 2003.
  • Relative Athletic Score: 9.89, ranking 16th out of 1,379 offensive tackles since 1987.
Yes, But
Some analysts remain skeptical about Ersery's tape, likening him to an oversized guard at tackle. His performance at the combine may not fully address concerns regarding his suitability for tackle position compared to projected needs of NFL teams.
State of Play
  • Mock drafts currently predict Ersery could be picked late in the first round, with teams like the Ravens, Commanders, and Chiefs showing interest.
  • Earlier predictions suggested he might even be selected within the top 10 picks, indicating fluctuations in his projected draft position.
What's Next
Ersery has the Gophers' Pro Day coming up, providing another opportunity to enhance his draft stock. Depending on his performance, he could further solidify or reshape expectations as the draft approaches on April 24.
Bottom Line
Ersery's impressive combine performance has positioned him as a top prospect; however, the final draft outcome will depend on his forthcoming Pro Day performance and teams' evaluations of his gameplay tape.

I don't follow pre-draft musings like I used to do, but Ersery has been all over the board from late-1st to late-2nd. Daniel Jeremiah at nfl.com doesn't have him in his top 50 and Dan Brugler at The Athletic has him a #50. Those rankings were pre-combine and maybe his combine numbers push him up a bit. One thing I've read is that some think his technique needs a lot of work. From the first time I saw him in a Gopher game, it was obvious that he moves very well and I frankly don't know enough about offensive line technique to make a judgment regarding that.

It will be interesting to see when and where he goes. He's been fun to watch.
 

With everything I ever read they (the draft experts/coaches) say the Senior Bowl is where it’s at to determine where prospects are in relation to everyone else. Combine is the athleticism needed to confirm what they saw at those practices. Everything I read said Ersery was really good that week as was Jah Joyner…
https://www.ncadvertiser.com/gameti...senior-bowl-nfl-draft-danbury-ct-20063393.php

 



Awesome shuttle and 3 cone for Daniel Jackson. That was a very pleasant surprise for me.
I think he competed in the two events that were best for him to compete in for sure.

He's not going to show well in the 40, but what he has is very good short area quickness. And you can see that on film too. What that does for him is he's going to be better at short to moderate depth routes and when he catches the ball he'll be able to make a move get free. He's not going to be a guy that's going to take the top off the defense but you can get him the ball and he can make things happen.

Also, some of that short area quickness will help overcome not being as fast as you'd like for the NFL. If I had a guess I would say he has a solid 10 yard split and pairing that with the short area quickness he can be a Cooper Kupp style WR. Not sure he will be that good but he is a similar type of WR. He's going to win with route running, good hands, and short area quickness.
 

Did Cody and DE even attend? Max looked good, Walley is going to be a steal
Cody had surgery and Joyner did well in the drills he participated. in.

Although Cody not competing due to injuries which is a knock on him already isn't probably helping his draft stock.
 

I think he competed in the two events that were best for him to compete in for sure.

He's not going to show well in the 40, but what he has is very good short area quickness. And you can see that on film too. What that does for him is he's going to be better at short to moderate depth routes and when he catches the ball he'll be able to make a move get free. He's not going to be a guy that's going to take the top off the defense but you can get him the ball and he can make things happen.

Also, some of that short area quickness will help overcome not being as fast as you'd like for the NFL. If I had a guess I would say he has a solid 10 yard split and pairing that with the short area quickness he can be a Cooper Kupp style WR. Not sure he will be that good but he is a similar type of WR. He's going to win with route running, good hands, and short area quickness.
That's a lot of sentences in a row that make sense.

You sure you're not lost? This is Gopherhole -- sensible thought is frowned upon in these parts.
 




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