The Minnesota Gophers finished the 2024 season with an 8-5 record that included a win over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Now it’s March and the college football world has turned its focus to 2025 spring practices.

Oh, and don’t forget about Minnesota’s Pro Day, which takes place this week. Multiple 2024 Golden Gophers are looking to get drafted this cycle, including QB Max Brosmer, LB Cody Lindenberg, CB Justin Walley and WR Daniel Jackson, among others. If drafted, Brosmer would become the first Gophers QB selected since 1972.

Minnesota Gophers star wide receivers have excelled in NFL

Draft droughts haven’t been a problem at other positions, though, like safety, cornerback, running back and wide receiver, where the U of M has seen a few Dinkytown stars turn into productive NFL wideouts.

Ron Johnson broke the WR mold for Minnesota, during the Glen Mason era (1998-2001), breaking every Gopher receiving record on the books, at the time. Ron was selected in the 4th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Ravens. Then, there was Eric Decker from 2007-2011.

Decker still sits atop the U of M record books in receptions (227) and receiving yards (3,119). He was taken in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft, and stands as the most NFL productive Gopher WR to ever play at the next level (8 seasons, 439 receptions, 5,816 yards).

But nobody’s forgotten about Tyler Johnson, who played four years in maroon and gold from 2016-2019. Johnson, a 2020 5th round pick, is right up there as one of the best receivers in Minnesota Gophers history.

Minnesota Gophers star WR lands in New York

Late Friday night, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers legend agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Jets. It will be Johnson’s fourth team in six NFL seasons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 2019, where he spent the first two years of his pro career (and where he won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady).

Great to see former Minneapolis North do-it-all and #Gophers WR Tyler Johnson getting a 6th NFL season. Jets bound: pic.twitter.com/Wh46Khg7VO

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 15, 2025

After the Bucs cut TJ loose between the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, the Minneapolis North native signed with the Texans. After one year in Houston, he landed with the LA Rams. He spent two seasons in blue and yellow, before hitting the open market again this spring.

In four years as a Minnesota Golden Gopher, Tyler Johnson put up truly gaudy receiving numbers. The former high school QB came out of his WR shell as a junior on campus, racking up 1,169 yards — the most of his collegiate career — to go along with 12 touchdowns, which led the Big Ten.

Related: Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota

One year later (2019), with phenom sophomore Rashod Bateman by his side, Johnson put up another 1,107 yards and 10 more touchdowns, leading Minnesota to an 11-2 record, one of the best seasons in program history.

When the dust settled on TJ’s career at the University of Minnesota, he had racked up 3,094 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns on 199 receptions, all of which rank top three all-time for Gopher Football.

How is Tyler Johnson always so open…

……… oh. pic.twitter.com/SvwWKikeln

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) June 25, 2019

Tyler Johnson lengthens his NFL career again

The terms of TJ’s deal have not been disclosed, but it stands to reason that Johnson could figure prominently into the Jets plans. As things stand currently, only Garrett Wilson is the only high-end WR talent in New York. Davante Adams left for TJ’s old team, the LA Rams. Allen Lazard remains on the roster, as a lingering favor to Aaron Rodgers.

Johnson was featured prominently due to injuries for both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. In 15 games (two starts) Johnson hauled in 26 receptions for 291 yards and a touchdown. The former Super Bowl champion and Minneapolis native is just 26 years old. He continues to grab opportunities to show what he can do.

Oh my Tyler Johnson!

He goes 63 yards to put the @RamsNFL in Detroit territory.

📺: #LARvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cHhMjfwph4

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024

New York’s roster is hardly overflowing with playmaking talent, and Johnson could finally get a chance to carve out a prominent part of the offense. How well Justin Fields fares during his first season in New York will play prominently into how well Tyler Johnson fairs in the Big Apple.

Related: Four-Star CB Commits to Gophers Over Big Money Helmet Schools

The Jets are taking a chance on a player that started six games for Pittsburgh, and posted a 4-2 record, before Russell Wilson took over. The former Ohio State Buckeye has familiarity with Wilson, but he’ll need to establish other rapport to be successful.

If Johnson can quickly integrate himself with his new quarterback, he could earn the favor of new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. At this point it seems like a relatively small move, but there is a potential for the Minnesota Gophers former standout to truly have a breakout season.

More must-reads:

• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills
• Minnesota Gophers Hire Fresh Face as New RB Coach

The Minnesota Gophers 2024 season didn’t go as well as planned, but many would argue the program itself took a big step in the right direction. The offense stepped into the 21st century, easily passing the most of any football team in University of Minnesota history.

On defense, the Gophers proved they were more than just Joe Rossi, who left at the end of 2023, to take the defensive coordinator job at Michigan State. Under one-and-done DC Corey Hetherman, the 2024 Golden Gophers defense ranked No. 9 in points allowed (16.9 PPG) and No. 5 in total yards allowed (285.7 YPG).

PJ Fleck coined the phrase “Row the Boat” long before he arrived at the University of Minnesota. But he doesn’t just wear those words out with his mouth. He lives by his favorite motto, and expects the same out of his football players.

The culture PJ has built in Dinkytown, and the way he lives his life, may rub haters the wrong way. But the now eight-year head coach has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows how to develop kids with football talent into responsible, hard-working men who excel on the football field.

This week at the NFL Combine, multiple Minnesota Gophers are trying to prove to NFL scouts, coaches and executives that they should spend one of their April draft picks on their football future. When asked about PJ Fleck or the Golden Gophers football program, they’ve gushed over the man and the program that helped raise them into them men they are today.

Justin Walley speaks highly of Minnesota Gophers culture

Justin Walley is one of a record six Minnesota Gophers prospects who received an NFL Combine invite this offseason. The U of M CB1 should hear his name called by the end of the draft on April 27. Once drafted, Walley will have the opportunity to be the next key former Gopher wreaking havoc for an NFL defense.

Walley played his entire collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, a rare feat for any college football player these days. After hearing him talk abou Fleck and the Gophers program at the combine, you can see why he never left, even though he was one of the top cornerbacks in the Big Ten since his sophomore season.

#Gophers Justin Walley talking about the impact of P.J. Fleck. pic.twitter.com/EkQcATR6s3

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) February 28, 2025

“It’s great. I mean, he really creates a brotherhood. I know in this day and age with NIL and the portal it’s really hard to have a team that’s all in for each other. The culture there just creates that.”

Justin Walley on playing for P.J. Fleck

The premise of a slogan like Row the Boat can’t be hollow. If something like that becomes a goofy tagline then P.J. Fleck immediately struggles with a level of credibility. Walley suggesting that the culture and brotherhood at Minnesota is amazing truly means the players grab an oar and willingly row right alongside their head coach.

Related: Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

Fleck’s MN Gophers program will never have the same NIL funds or lucrative avenues to land talent against premier schools. That forces the team into a blueprint of development and buy in. The more that Fleck can create a culture where players stay and grow, the better his teams will be for it.

Walley played 49 games for the Gophers across a four-year collegiate career. He racked up 113 tackles along with seven interceptions, two of which came this season. Walley scored his first pick six and had a career-best ten passes defensed as well.

The Minnesota standout showed well in the speed department at the combine as well. Despite sporting a cast on his hand, Walley ripped off a 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash. NFL teams will certainly enjoy utilizing that speed in their secondary.

Justin Walley 4.40 unofficial 40 pic.twitter.com/lDhmN0PNKU

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2025

Related: Four-Star CB Commits to Gophers Over Big Money Helmet Schools

As a defensive back, he will be looking to make an impact at the next level. Minnesota has fared well with their safeties at the highest level, but Walley can generate a name for the cornerbacks.

Next season presents a schedule that P.J. Fleck and his team should feel good about. The Minnesota Gophers can compete in virtually every contest they have lined up, and it could result in a double-digit winning record.

Max Brosmer felt Minnesota Gophers culture too

Walley had played for the P.J. Fleck in each of his four collegiate seasons. Minnesota recruited Max Brosmer as a transfer player and he felt the same culture Walley discussed, despite his time being brief. When asked what stuck out to him about his time at the University of Minnesota, Brosmer again pointed to PJ Fleck and the unity his culture breeds.

QB Max Brosmer on Minnesota putting together a good stretch during the season pic.twitter.com/rbarKlsBII

— Damon Wolfe (@NFLinMotion) February 28, 2025

“Unity I think. After the Michigan game. I think the unity piece was there, but actually proving to ourselves that we can do it. I remember coach Fleck’s postgame speech after Michigan was the most incredible postgame speech I’ve ever heard in my life…The feeling you had in the locker room, after a loss, was nothing that I had ever been a part of. After that we just hit the ground running.”

Max Brosmer on the Gophers unity this season

It’s not at all surprising that Brosmer gets it. He displayed a high level of leadership all season and should have a long NFL career because of his ability between the ears.

The ability to come into a new environment and immediately set a higher standard for your teammates, while also earning their trust, allin a short period of time shows the type of leader the NFL is getting in the Gophers’ one and done QB.

Max Brosmer’s 2,800 yards passing, and 18/6 TD/INT ratio, will go down as one of the best QB seasons in University of Minnesota history. He won’t be day one pick, and could even slip to day three, but there’s no doubt he can add a lot of talent, brainpower and work ethic to whatever NFL locker room he joins.

Culture shows in MN Gophers staying as well

Walley briefly touched on the ever-changing landscape of college football. With NIL money and the transfer portal being prevalent now, players have more opportunities than ever. When guys like Koi Perich and Darius Taylor stick with the program that has begun to build them, it speaks to P.J. Fleck’s culture as well.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Hire Fresh Face as New RB Coach

The Minnesota native Perich racked up accolades and quickly earned playing time at Minnesota. He certainly would have had opportunities to play elsewhere. That didn’t happen. Taylor has been a standout in his first two seasons with the Gophers. He could have had other opportunities but isn’t leaving either.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills
• Minnesota Gophers Hire Fresh Face as New RB Coach

It is NFL Combine week in Indianapolis, which is a very important part of the NFL offseason. As teams continue their draft preparation for the marquee April event, front offices and coaching staffs also get face time with prospects and agents. That includes players coming from the Minnesota Golden Gophers squad.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in future NFL stars choosing to skip drills at the Draft Combine. In the current sports landscape, self-preservation is key as athletes are increasingly focused on avoiding injuries that could jeopardize their careers. Naturally, top quarterbacks often prefer showcasing their skills in the familiar, controlled setting of their university’s Pro Day. Meanwhile, players at other positions have their own compelling reasons for bypassing the Combine’s drill sessions, also opting instead to shine at their Pro Day events.

Cody Lindenberg is among the new school record, of six Minnesota Gophers attending the NFL Combine. Lindenberg had a very nice showing during the Senior Bowl, but he won’t be participating during the drills portion in Indianapolis.

Minnesota Gophers Cody Lindenberg underwent surgery

Standout MN Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg was invited to the NFL Combine, after capping a strong collegiate career. He will talk with evaluators and undergo physical testing, but hernia surgery keeps him out of individual drills, reports Star Tribune journalist Andrew Krammer.

“Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg will not run drills Thursday with other linebackers at the NFL scouting combine. Lindenberg, the Gophers’ leading tackler last season as a redshirt senior, is recovering from Dec. 2 sports hernia surgery, his agent, Blake Baratz, told the Star Tribune on Wednesday. Lindenberg said he plans to run every drill at Gophers pro day March 19.”

Krammer on Lindenberg’s participation (Star Tribune)

It’s pretty impressive that Lindenberg was able to play in the Senior Bowl, despite still recovering from his surgery. The Mobile, Alabama Senior Bowl spectacle took place on February 1, which means that Lindenberg was playing just two months after going under the knife.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Hire Fresh Face as New RB Coach

The Anoka, Minnesota native honed his skills over five years as a standout linebacker for the Minnesota Gophers. This isn’t Lindenberg’s first brush with injury, though. His ability to bounce back time and again showcases the kind of grit and determination that’s sure to catch the attention of NFL reps this week. As he meets with them, he’ll likely highlight that resilience, while working to ease any concerns about his injury history.

Last season Lindenberg played 12 games for P.J. Fleck’s 7-5 Gophers squad, but he sat out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory to prepare for the Draft. He led the team in tackles over the season with 94, and he generated five tackles for loss. He also picked up just the second sack of his career, along with his first interception.

2023 was a tough season for Lindenberg, as he played just four games for the Minnesota Gophers during his junior season. The difficult part for Lindenberg is that was after starting 13 games the year prior, as a sophomore. Lindenberg understands what he has been through, and knows it will help him to push through this injury, avoiding a setback.

“The hardships, the good times, everything has prepared you for this whether you know it or not or whether you’re being intentional with it or not. It all builds up to this moment…It’s the work that really sets you apart.”

Lindenberg on his journey (Star Tribune)

“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.”

Proud of you, @cody_lindenberg 〽️ #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/mcScj9V6fp

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) February 26, 2025

Minnesota has remained home for Lindenberg as he played college football just minutes from where he took the field in high school. The Vikings don’t necessarily have a pressing need at linebacker, but it would be neat to see him paired up with another former Gopher and Minnesota native Blake Cashman.

Wherever Lindenberg winds up, an NFL team will get a battle-tested prospect who holds 38 games of college experience under his belt. He helped to elevate the Minnesota Gophers defense this past season, and should have a good shot to contribute at the next level.

Related: Four-Star CB Commits to Gophers Over Big Money Helmet Schools

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Minnesota Gophers Hire Fresh Face as New RB Coach

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell saw a handful of his coaching staff interview for open jobs this offseason. Grant Udinski wound up being the only loss main loss. That same fortune hasn’t been afforded to Minnesota Gophers coach P.J. Fleck, who’s seen his staff stolen away left and right.

First, Defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman went to the Miami Hurricanes for that same job, out of the blue. Next, former standout player Winston DeLattiboudere was hired away by the Arizona Cardinals, to be their defensive line coach. Then, Nic McKissic-Luke left a vacancy at the running backs coach spot, when he was hired for the same position by the New York Jets.

Fleck has been somewhat of a machine on the recruiting trail this offseason, but he has needed to replace some important staff as well. Jayden Everett, who was previously with South Alabama, now gives him a fresh face to coach Darius Taylor and the rest of the RB’s group.

Jayden Everett joins MN Gophers as RB coach

Max Brosmer gave the Minnesota Gophers a legitimate passing attack last year. The hope is that whoever is under center this season will follow in his footsteps. That said, P.J. Fleck has always leaned on the running game, and has made sure he has a solid stable of talent. Over the past handful of years, the RB rooms has hosted Mohamed Ibrahim, Rodney Smith, David Cobb, Darius Taylor, Shannon Brooks, and Bucky Irving. Jayden Everett now gets the opportunity to help them develop.

Everett is pretty well-traveled. He joins Minnesota after such a brief stop at South Alabama that it may not even be recorded. His last full season job was in the Big Ten, having coached running backs at Michigan in 2024. The tandem of Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings ran for over 1,500 yards and bolstered an offense that had little quarterback direction.

Related: Gophers Draft Prospect Won’t Fully Participate at NFL Combine

A linebacker during his time in college with Indiana State, Everett has an small, but interesting Minnesota connection. His first coaching job came at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. There, he coached former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson prior to his one season at Tennessee.

The Minnesota Gophers represent Everett’s ninth coaching stop, and it will be the eighth time he has been employed as the lead running backs coach.

Minnesota Gophers can lean on running backs again

Darius Taylor is among the most talented running backs in the country. In 12 games last season he rushed for 986 yards and ten touchdowns. He also hauled in 54 receptions for an additional 350 yards (2nd in NCAA for RB) and two more touchdowns.

DARIUS TAYLOR CANNOT BE STOPPED 🏃‍♂️

His 3️⃣rd TD of the day is an 80-yard rushing TD 💨#B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/lso5BHrt9m

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2024

As the Gophers break in a new starting quarterback (Redshirt Freshman Drake Lindsay or Redshirt junior Zach Pyron, it seems logical that Fleck will lean heavily on his veteran runner. Behind Taylor, the Gophers have two transfers in the form of A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cam Davis (Washington). Each has just a single season of eligibility remaining.

Younger depth options include Fame Ijeboi, Jaydon Wright, Cortez LeGrant, and Kaedon Johnson. That group all has four years of eligibility remaining, aside from LeGrant who has three.

Related: Four-Star CB Commits to Gophers Over Big Money Helmet Schools

Everett can continue to make his mark on impacting young runners and helping to elevate their game. The Minnesota Gophers group should be excited to work with a coach that had his fingerprints on future NFL talents like Mullings and Edwards.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

It’s NFL Combine week. For what it’s worth, this annual gathering in Indianapolis has become much more about offseason news and the ever-churning NFL rumor mill than it has the draft prospects who are there trying to get the attention of scouts, coaches and executives in attendance.

But that doesn’t mean the scouting portion of the combine doesn’t happen. Already on Monday, NFL teams started meeting with draft prospects. One of those prospects in attendance this week is Minnesota Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who is homegrown out of Anoka, MN.

Minnesota Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg sitting out parts of NFL Combine

Cody will be in Indy, meeting with coaches and executives around the league, but he will not be a full participant. According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP), Lindenberg will not take part in any of the physical drills or tests at the NFL Combine late this week. It sounds like he is nursing some sort of injury…

Former #Gophers LB Cody Lindenberg (Anoka HS) will wait until Pro Day March 19th to do on-the-field testing. He’ll still do interviews this week at the Combine. The extra 3ish weeks give him a chance to be 100 percent. pic.twitter.com/rKtNNtOAYT

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 24, 2025

Cody Linenberg played five seasons of college football (2020-2024), all of which were played at home with the Minnesota Gophers. After dealing with injuries that plagued much of his collegiate career, Lindenberg played 38 games, totaling 209 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble.

This season was only the second in which Lindenberg has stayed healthy throughout, and the numbers show that. In his final season as a Golden Gopher, Cody Lindenberg easily led Minnesota in tackles, with 94.

Related: Record Number of Minnesota Gophers Invited to NFL Scouting Combine

The second-most prolific tackler for Minnesota last season was Maverick Baranowski, who totaled 65 tackles. For those who struggle in the math department, that’s 29 less than his middle linebacking partner.

What will Lindenberg bring to NFL?

Lindenberg, a late-round projected pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, posted a 72.2 defensive PFF grade last season. His 79.3 run defense grade was good for 3rd on the team, behind only freshman safeties Kerry Brown and Koi Perich.

Every NFL team is looking for big 'backers who can run and Minnesota's Cody Lindenberg (6030e, 240e) is one of 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞/𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬 in this year's LB class.

Checkout #45 run with shallow crosser here👇and then attack downhill with perfect timing for the sack… https://t.co/zHF79GkPhm pic.twitter.com/OJKO77gGlE

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 17, 2024

Lindenberg is one of those linebacker prospects that reminds me a lot of Blake Cashman or Jack Gibbens, who have both found regular roles at the NFL level, after being drafted out of Minnesota.

Related: Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Gets THE Invite

Cody Lindenberg is a smart football player who will work hard to make himself the best possible linebacker he can be at the next level. As long as he stays healthy, there’s no reason to bet against Lindenberg making an NFL roster out of camp, no matter where he ends up being selected.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

With March approaching and the offseason in full swing, P.J. Fleck and his staff are back to work on the recruiting trail for the Minnesota Gophers. After wrapping up last season with a win over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on January 3rd, the focus has shifted to building for the future.

In 2025, coaches are recruiting out of the transfer portal even more often than they are out of high school. And without a doubt Fleck and his staff have evolved the Gophers’ NIL standing to a point where the football program gained way more talent than it lost to the portal this offseason.

But high school recruiting still needs to improve if Minnesota wants to try and hang with the big boys of the Big Ten. On Monday, the Golden Gophers took a step in the right recruiting direction when they landed a commitment from high school junior Justin Hopkins, a talented 4-star cornerback out of Nashville.

4 star CB Justin Hopkins commits to Minnesota Gophers

Justin Hopkins announced Monday on social media that he’s committing to over offers from now conference rival, and cemented CFB helmet school, USC, a program known not just for its history, but also for the stacks of NIL cash it has to throw around.

Tennessee, another program already known for outspending even the richest SEC schools, was also a finalist. Other schools that had previously offered Hopkins included Auburn, Texas, Iowa, Ole Miss, and over 20 other FBS schools, many of which are Power Four programs.

COMMITTED‼️‼️ #agtg pic.twitter.com/1ukQBlzndV

— Justin “J-Hop” Hopkins (@JustinHopkins26) February 17, 2025

Hopkins, still just a junior, has one more season at Ensworth High School in Nashville before heading up to Dinkytown to join the Gophers. Last season, he made a big impact for Ensworth, racking up 16 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six), seven pass breakups, and two tackles for loss.

Justin Hopkins ranks No. 303 overall in the Class of 2026 — No. 22 CB nationally | No. 9 overall recruit in TN — according to the 247Sports composite rankings, which combines 247’s rankings with that of ESPN, On3 and Rivals.

Related: Record Number of Minnesota Gophers Invited to NFL Scouting Combine

The 6-0, 160 lb CB also saw action during his junior season at wide receiver, where he gained over 700 yards receiving on more than 16 yards per catch.

Related: Record Number of Minnesota Gophers Invited to NFL Scouting Combine

Justin Hopkins becomes the fourth commitment in the 2026 Minnesota Gophers high school recruiting class and already their second Composite four-star recruit, joining top-260 prospect, offensive tackle Andrew Trout. For context, Minnesota had just one 4-star composite commit sign a National Letter of Intent for the entire 2025 class, which included 22 total signees.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

Both the 2024 Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota Vikings seasons are long over. And now, for a few months, the two local squads will share a couple of news cycles, as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft. The first such media event is coming up fast, too.

The 2025 NFL scouting combine will be held from February 27 to March 2 at Indianapolis. While these days many see it as more of a gathering for top front office executives to mingle amongst each other and media members about how the NFL offseason will unfold, it’s important to remember that there are still college football players trying to prove to teams around the league that they should be on their draft boards.

Minnesota Gophers receive SIX NFL scouting combine invites

And in 2025, six Minnesota Gophers players received invites to the scouting combine, including QB Max Brosmer, DL Jah Joyner, CB Justin Walley, WR Daniel Jackson and OT Aireontae Ersery. That’s more Golden Gophers to attend a scouting combine than in any other year in program history.

A program record 6️⃣ @NFL Scouting Combine Invitees! Minnesota is one of just 13 programs to have at least six invitees at six different positions 〽️#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/u5Y1WPGnWZ

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) February 13, 2025

Quarterback, Max Brosmer | 6’2″, 225lb

A graduate transfer out of New Hampshire, Max Brosmer started all 13 games for the Minnesota Gophers in 2024. He set a single-season school record with 268 completions (403 attempts). His passing efficiency was remarkable, completing 66.5% of his passes for 2,828 yards (third most in school history) and 18 touchdowns (tied for eighth most) to just 6 interceptions.

Related: Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Gets THE Invite

Brosmer’s performance earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors once and a spot in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he impressed scouts and evaluators in attendance. Max’s transfer in last season transformed the Golden Gophers’ offense faster than anyone thought humanly possible. In 2024, Minnesota averaged 31.7 pass attempts per game, significantly higher than any previous season under PJ Fleck.

Max Brosmer (Minnesota) is probably my favorite Day 3 QB. Absolute machine on intermediate throws and is by far the best anticipatory passer that I’ve watched. I’d draft him just to specialize as my 3rd & medium QB.pic.twitter.com/wJCRgekYKi

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 17, 2025

Defensive End, Jah Joyner | 6’5″, 250lb

Jah Joyner’s combination of speed, power, and technique made him one of the most disruptive defensive linemen on the Minnesota Gophers last season. The junior defensive end racked up 4.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss (32 total tackles) in 2024. He also forced 2 fumbles and 7 pass breakups.

Joyner’s impressive performance earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team, which helped get him his invite to the combine. According to PFF, Joyner hurried opposing quarterbacks 22 times in 2024, which led the team. He also posted an overall defensive grade of 76.7. Even more impressive is his consistency in both the run and pass — 75.4 both rush defense and pass rush grades.

Wide Receiver, Daniel Jackson | 6’0″, 200lb

The senior Minnesota Gophers wide receiver played in all 12 games, hauling in 75 receptions for 863 yards and 4 touchdowns. He averaged 6.2 receptions per game and 71.9 receiving yards per game, proving himself as far and away the best receiver on the Golden Gophers roster in 2024.

Jackson can play inside, outside and he’s determined in the block game. Daniel is a guy who will go into this draft very much underrated, but his hands and ability to get open will make him a viable candidate for whatever roster he ends up on.

Continuing our top 10 moments of the season countdown, we have our No. 3 moment… when @GopherFootball's Daniel Jackson had this absolutely unreal catch 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/85zSEFYPPl

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 29, 2024

Offensive Tackle, Aireontae Ersery | 6’6″, 320lb

Aireontae Ersery anchored the Minnesota Gophers offensive line at left tackle in 2024, showcasing his strength and athleticism. He started all 13 games last season for the Gophers and he was a key part of an offensive line that helped the Gophers average over 400 yards of total offense per game.

The senior LT posted a 77.5 overall PFF grade, which included a 73.6 grade. He was even better in pass pro, where he posted a 77.3 grade, which demonstrates probably Ersery’s best skill as a blocker. According to PFF, Aireontae allowed just one sack, one QB hit and 10 hurries all season.

Related: Gophers Finish Way Higher than Projected in Final Top 140 of 2024

Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Ersery is projected as a potential first or second round draft pick. Mel Kiper (ESPN) has him as his 7th best offensive tackle in the class. Kiper notes Ersery’s ability to “drive defensive ends off the ball with his power and uses his movement skills to keep quicker pass rushers in check”.

Linebacker, Cody Lindenberg | 6’3″, 235lb

Cody Lindenberg was another huge cog in the efficient Minnesota Gophers defense machine in 2024. He tallied 94 total tackles, including 45 solo and 49 assisted, which easily led the team. The closest Gopher behind him was Maverick Baranowski, with 65. Lindenberg also contributed 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Every NFL team is looking for big 'backers who can run and Minnesota's Cody Lindenberg (6030e, 240e) is one of 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞/𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬 in this year's LB class.

Checkout #45 run with shallow crosser here👇and then attack downhill with perfect timing for the sack… https://t.co/zHF79GkPhm pic.twitter.com/OJKO77gGlE

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 17, 2024

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Lindenberg earned an overall grade of 72.2, with an impressive run defense grade of 79.3 to go with a 66.2 tackle grade and 65.4 pass rush grade. PFF does have him riding the struggle bus in coverage last year, with a 61.1 grade.

Linebacker, Justin Walley | 5’11”, 185lb

Justin Walley had yet another impressive season in 2024, as No. 1 cornerback for the Minnesota Gophers. He recorded 42 total tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack, to go with his 2 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and 10 pass breakups.

PFF liked Walley (70.7 overall grade), who played more defensive snaps than any other CB on the Minnesota roster (549). He was especially when he came up to support the run (71.4 grade) and when he dropped back in coverage (70.8 grade).

Related: Another Gophers Football Coach Plucked by NFL Team

Justin Walley will have to improve his tackle skills (56.5 grade) to produce at the next level but there’s no doubt Walley holds all the talent and skills necessary to be a starting CB in the league.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

The 2024 Minnesota Gophers football season is long over. Last year’s draft eligible players are preparing for the NFL Draft while others who ran out of eligibility are preparing for the real world.

Meanwhile, Golden Gophers underclassmen are already preparing for next season, while PJ Fleck and his coaching staff fly around the country recruiting high school prospects and transfer portal targets from coast-to-coast.

Speaking of the Golden Gophers coaching staff, it’s been in flux this offseason, much more so than the roster. Minnesota lost another defensive coordinator, when Corey Hetherman was hired by Miami. They replaced him with defensive backs coach Danny Collins.

Fleck also lost running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke, who was hired by the New York Jets for the same position. That after they lost top young assistant, Winston DeLattiboudere, who coached the defensive line and held the position of assistant head coach to the Arizona Cardinals.

Minnesota Gophers football hires C.J. Robbins as Rush Ends Coach

But on Monday, PJ Fleck moved to fill part of the coaching vacancy left by DeLattiboudere by hiring Central Michigan DL coach C.J. Robbins as the Golden Gophers’ new Rush Ends coach. Robbins isn’t a stranger to PJ’s program, though. He was a member of the MN coaching staff in 2020 and 2021.

Sources: Minnesota is expected to hire Central Michigan defensive line coach C.J. Robbins as the school's new rush ends coach. Robbins coached previously at Kent and South Dakota. He was also on the staff at Minnesota for two seasons in 2020 and 2021 and is a Northwestern grad. pic.twitter.com/0RorjumzYD

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 11, 2025

C.J. Robbins is from the small town of Peru, Illinois. He was a three year starter for the Northwestern Wildcats from 2014 to 2016 where he wore the captains patch as a senior and where he was named academic All-Big Ten twice.

When Robbins’ playing career ended, he started his coaching career at the University of Miami (Ohio) in 2019 as an assistant defensive line coach. From there, he left for the University of Minnesota, where he worked mostly with Rush Ends, just like he will now.

Related: Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Gets THE Invite

After he left Dinkytown in 2021, C.J. Robbins landed at the University of South Dakota where he also worked with outside linebackers for two seasons. In 2023, he moved on to Kent State University, where he also coached Rush Ends under former U of M running backs coach, Kenni Burns for the past two seasons.

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

Anyone who watched Max Brosmer play quarterback for the Minnesota Gophers last season knows that he is one of the best to ever lineup under center in maroon and gold. But with only one season of division one football under his belt, the former FCS New Hampshire standout entered the 2025 pre-draft process a relative unknown.

Brosmer had a good 2024 season — 66.5% CMP | 2,828 YDS | 18 TD | 6 INT — one that now sits in the top 5 most prolific passing records in Gopher football history. Of course, Minnesota — who hasn’t had a QB drafted to the NFL since 1972 — isn’t exactly known as a QB hotbed, especially in the modern era.

But the closer we get to the draft, the more it appears that unfortunate 50 year streak is about to end. Since the completion of Minnesota’s 2024 season, Max Brosmer has slowly been creeping up big boards across the NFL Draft world.

A couple of weeks ago, Brosmer impressed at the East-West Shrine Bowl, which is considered the second-best All-Star bowl game for draft-eligible college football players. His impressive week came after he originally accepting an invite to the lower-tiered Hula Bowl. Now, he has parlayed those opportunities into his biggest one yet

Max Brosmer receives invite to 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

On Monday, local insider Darren Wolfson (KSTP) is reporting that Max Brosmer has received an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine from February 27 to March 2 in Indianapolis.

Great to hear that former #Gophers QB Max Brosmer received an invite to the Combine later this month. He’ll also have a chance to impress #NFL scouts at MN Pro Day on March 19th. pic.twitter.com/l4G3PFBSpH

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 10, 2025

What will scouts and evaluators learn about Max Brosmer in a few weeks? Off the field, they will interview one of the better leaders and smarter football players in Indianapolis during that week.

Remember, this is a kid who — in just a matter of weeks/months — convinced about one hundred 18-25 year old kids that falling in line with his leadership would benefit every player on the roster. But what’s even more impressive is how Brosmer somehow got his incredibly stubborn (and overly safe by nature) head coach to hand him full control of the Minnesota Gophers offense.

Related: Accolades Raining Down on Gophers QB Max Brosmer

By the midway point of 2024, the former FCS superstar had earned so much trust from the Golden Gophers coaching staff that he had full autonomy at the line of scrimmage to change plays and adjust protections. For context, that is something Fleck has never allowed a quarterback to do during his eight seasons in Dinkytown.

Minnesota Gophers QB will impress on the field too

On the field, I expect Max Brosmer to test off the charts. Not only can he go through reads and make every throw, but the right-hander’s talent combined with his unmatched preparation is almost guaranteed to put the Golden Gopher QB at the top of all QBs at the combine.

At the East-West Shrine Bowl, Brosmer posted what the bowl game’s director of football operations Eric Galko called “highly impressive” metrics including release time (0.40 seconds), throw velocity (50 MPH) and spin rate (600+ RPM).

#Minnesota’s Max Brosmer hit a highly impressive trio of QB metrics per @WilsonFootball during our throwing session.

He had a release of 0.40 seconds on average (NFL Avg: 0.45), had an average velocity of 50 MPH (NFL avg: 44.8), and average 600+ RPM (NFL Avg: 592) per throw.… pic.twitter.com/mnV8KFUh0Q

— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) February 5, 2025

As someone who has covered and followed Brosmer very closely since he committed to the Minnesota Gophers over one year ago, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t impress at least one team enough to draft him in late April. In fact, I’m starting to wonder if he could creep into day two (rounds 3 and 4).

If Max Brosmer is selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, as mentioned previously, he will be the first Golden Gophers QB drafted to the NFL since 1972, when Craig Curry was taken in the 8th round (No. 207 overall) by the Miami Dolphins.

Related: Another Gophers Football Coach Plucked by NFL Team

Through the course of University of Minnesota history, which goes back to pre-1900, there have been only three Gophers drafted to play QB in the NFL, a draft tradition that goes back to 1936. The other two were Bobby Cox (1957 – 4th round – LA Rams) and John Hankinson (1965 – 8th round – Vikings).

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

If there has been a constant for P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers coaching staff this offseason it’s that they are on to bigger and better things. After an up and down season ended with a victory in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the 8-year head coach has seen multiple assistant coaches exit for other jobs.

In January, defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman was hired away by the Miami Hurricanes for the same job, and a pay raise. The Gophers replaced him internally with defensive backs coach, Danny Collins. But that wasn’t the only coaching loss Minnesota has suffered this offseason.

Nic McKissic-Luke leaving Minnesota Gophers for NFL

Earlier this week, Fleck lost one of the fastest rising young defensive coaches in football — former U of M defensive lineman turned D-line coach Winston DeLattiboudere — when the 27-year-old Gophers assistant head coach was hired by the Arizona Cardinals.

Then on Friday, running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke became the second Gopher coach leave for the NFL, when he accepted a job with the New York Jets.

The #Jets are targeting University of Minnesota’s Nic McKissic-Luke for their running backs coach job, sources tell me and @RyanBurnsMN for @CBSSports/@247Sports.

At Minnesota, he’s coached standout running back Darius Taylor, who rushed for 10 touchdowns this season.… pic.twitter.com/wvOgu18vkS

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 7, 2025

The New York Jets recently hired Aaron Glenn as their next head coach. Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is also part of the organization. McKissic-Luke will be looking to get the most out of Breece Hall and former Wisconsin Badger Braelon Allen.

McKissic-Luke joined the Gophers coaching staff in January of 2023 after working for Northern Illinois. He worked as the Gophers running back coach the past two seasons and helped star running back Darius Taylor to blossom.

Over two seasons with the Gophers, Taylor has played in 18 games rushing for 1,785 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2024 as a Sophomore, Darius piled up 54 receptions for 350 yards and 2 more touchdowns. This after just 11 receptions and 92 receiving yards as a freshman.

DARIUS TAYLOR CANNOT BE STOPPED 🏃‍♂️

His 3️⃣rd TD of the day is an 80-yard rushing TD 💨#B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/lso5BHrt9m

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2024

Related: Gophers QB Max Brosmer Rewarded for Big Week at East-West Shrine Bowl Practice

Fleck’s assistant losses have been thanks to large pay raises and/or significant promotions. It remains to be seen where Fleck will turn for McKissic-Lukes’ replacement. Gophers legend Mohamed Ibrahim just took a coaching opportunity with Kent State, so he’d assumedly be out of the running (pun intended).

More must-reads:

• Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets
• Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota
• Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills