Minnesota Wide Receiver, Rashod Bateman Named Preseason All-American
Minnesota Gophers wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, was named a 2020 Preseason 2nd Team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, on Thursday.
The Walter Camp Foundation has just two preseason All-American teams and they consist of four WR’s, total. In other words, the foundation thinks of Bateman as a top-4 wide receiver, nationwide, entering the 2020 season. He was joined on the 2nd team by Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State). 1st Team selections went to Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) and DeVonta Smith (Alabama).
First of many.
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) June 11, 2020
Congrats to @R_bateman2 on being named a preseason All-American today by the @WalterCampFF! https://t.co/6dQDeDhkRA#Gophers // #SkiUMah // #RTB pic.twitter.com/J1YqvaNeER
For Bateman, this is just another feather in the cap of an already illustrious career. He’ll look to continue his rise within the all-time Gopher receivers, in 2020. It’s unlikely we see him in maroon and gold for his senior year, as long as his junior season goes as planned.
Not only has he been receiving other 2020 preseason honors, which will continue, but the Tifton (GA) native has also been a darling in preseason 2021 NFL mock drafts… where he is often being taken in the first round.
Stats, stats. stats… come get your stats!
Having set the school’s freshman record in receptions (51) and yards (704) in 2018, while also eating a pass in all 26 games he has played, Rashod Bateman broke out as a sophomore in 2019. Just look at where he stands headed into 2020.
Career Receptions | 111 (12th) |
Career Yards | 1,923 (7th) |
Career Touchdowns | 17 (5th) |
Single Season Yards | 1,219 (2nd) |
Single Season Touchdowns | 11 (3rd) |
Single Game Yardage Record | 203 vs . Penn State (1st) 147 vs. Wisconsin (2nd) |
Freshman Receptions | 51 (1st) |
Freshman Yards | 704 (1st) |
This honor does not come as surprise, as he was named the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year along with being a Biletnikoff Award Finalist and AP Third-Team All-American, in 2019.
If Bateman can continue his stellar production this fall, Gopher fans should have plenty to look forward too, while cleaning their row boats for a 2020 season that can’t come soon enough!
Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan