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

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.

Well, most of the healthy Minnesota players will be playing vs the Hokies. That includes quarterback Max Brosmer, who will be playing in the final game of his collegiate career on Friday. So will sophomore running back Darius Taylor, who can push his rushing totals on the season over 1,000 yards, if he can gain 130 yards on the ground in the season finale.

Minnesota Gophers will be missing lots of talent at Duke’s Mayo Bowl

That’s the good news. The bad news is that some of the other most important Gophers players will not be participating. According to Ryan Burns (247Sports), most of the Gophers who are hoping to hear their name called during the 2025 NFL Draft will not play.

Those names include (LT) Aireontae Ersery, (LB) Cody Lindenberg, (WR) Daniel Jackson, (RB) Marcus Major, (C) Tyler Cooper and (OL) Phillip Daniels. That’s a lot of beef to be missing off of an offensive line that underperformed for much of the 2024 season.

“Minnesota is likely going to be without Marcus Major, Daniel Jackson, Aireonae Ersery, Tyler Cooper, Phillip Daniels. I mean, you’re going to be without quite a bit there.”

Ryan Burns (247Sports) – Gopher Gridiron Podcast (41:20 mark)

The Star Tribune’s Randy Johnson added a couple more guys to the list, noting that the Gophers “might be without” (DL) Jah Joyner and (CB) Justin Walley, as well. As you can see, Minnesota will be far from 100% in Charlotte.

Even with these expected absences, the Minnesota Gophers remain -9 favorites. Why? Well, PJ Fleck is 5-0 in bowl games as head coach at the U of M. Additionally, the Gophers are probably a better team than the Hokies, even with both squads at full strength. But if you think we have an opt-out problem, Virginia Tech has it much worse.

Related: Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Lands on NFL Draft Hot Board

As Burns also notes, the Virginia Tech Hokies will be without two 1st Team All-ACC defensive linemen, “essentially their entire secondary” and two starting linebackers. Good luck stopping Max Brosmer and Darius Taylor with that going on…

What are Gophers missing without Jackson, Ersery, Lindenberg, others?

Nonetheless, Minnesota’s absences will certainly hurt, too. Aireontae Ersery is expected to be a first round draft pick, come April. Daniel Jackson was by far the Gophers most prolific pass catcher, posting 75 receptions for 863 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was also the biggest All-Conference snub of the 2024 class.

Screw fox, that's a Gophers TD and I'm posting it pic.twitter.com/dQOnD9o9Fz

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) September 28, 2024

On defense, Minnesota will lose Cody Lindenberg, who easily leads the team in tackles, with 94. The 2nd highest leading tackler? Kerry Brown and Maverick Baranowski are tied at 59 each. That type of production isn’t easily replaced.

Related: CFB Expert Confidently Picks Minnesota Gophers to Win Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Good thing Virginia Tech is missing their two stud big men up front, on defense, because most of the Gophers offensive line is sitting this game out. Nonetheless, this will be a great opportunity for PJ Fleck and his coaching staff to get a look at some of the linemen who have not gotten a lot of run yet this season, then adjust their post bowl game transfer portal plans, as necessary.

Quarterback Max Brosmer led the 2024 Minnesota Gophers offense, after transferring from FCS New Hampshire. He made quick friends with left tackle Aireontae Ersery, who’s been a projected as a late day 1 pick for months.

Minnesota Gophers LT Aireontae Ersery declares for 2025 NFL Draft

The standout bookend was among the best tackles in the country, and still has one season remaining of college eligibility. But he won’t use it. On Friday, Ersery announced that he is heading to the NFL.

Met god halfway 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾#KCMO pic.twitter.com/QyLtKr8rsF

— Aireontae L Ersery (@Aireontae_69) December 20, 2024

Over the last three years, Ersery has started 37 games for the Gophers. He excels as a pass blocker, but can run block too. No doubt, Aireontae’s presence on the left side made life a lot easier on Brosmer, during his one-and-done season in Dinkytown.

Ersery, who will not be participating in the Duke Mayo Bowl, carried a 79.7 PFF grade this season, which included a 80.0 pass block grade and 75.2 run block grade. If he’s drafted in the 1st round, as projected, Aireontae Ersery will become the second Gopher drafted on day one, under PJ Fleck.

Related: 49ers Suspend Former Minnesota Gopher for Conduct Detrimental to the Team

The only 1st round draft pick PJ’s produced, since taking over as Gophers head coach in 2017, is Rashod Bateman (27th overall – 2021). Other offensive linemen who have been drafted, since Fleck took over, are Daniel Faalele (4th round – 2022) and John Michael Schmitz (2nd round – 2023).

One of Us Cody Lindenberg also declaring for draft

Cody Lindenberg joined Ersery Friday, in declaring for the NFL Draft. The Anoka, Minnesota native will also forego his final season of college eligibility. This decision wasn’t as cut and dry, as Ersery’s, who everyone knew was leaving after this season.

All glory to God! pic.twitter.com/ESQmKi5Z5X

— Cody Lindenberg (@cody_lindenberg) December 20, 2024

There was some late steam that Cody may stay in Dinkytown for his final season of eligibility, but in the end, he’s decided to take his talents to the NFL, and that is probably the right decision. Just because you’re a draft prospect this year, doesn’t mean next year will be the same thing. Strike while the iron is hot.

Over his five year collegiate career, Lindenberg played in just 38 games for Minnesota, thanks to injury issues. In 2024, however, the homegrown Minnesota linebacker racked up 94 total tackles in just 12 games, which easily led the team. He also recorded his second career sack, and intercepted the first and only pass of his Gophers career.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Land One All-American… Barely

It remains to be seen where Lindenberg will be selected, but he has great size and high-end football IQ. Given the success Minnesota has had with producing NFL linebackers, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him rise up draft boards, as we inch closer to April.

Two Minnesota Gophers make Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list

But there are few doubts surrounding the left tackle position, where Minnesota have one of the most solid blind side protectors in the country, with 6’6″ 325 lb senior, Aireontae Ersery, out of Kansas City, MO. A 3-star prospect out of high school, Ersery has developed into an absolute freak.

25. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, left tackle

That’s a good thing, in this case. When you make Bruce Feldman’s (The Athletic) annual “College Football Freaks List“, it means you’re also catching the eyes of just about every NFL scout and front office executive in the NFL. That’s especially true when you land in the top 25, which Ersery did, slotting into the 2024 list right at No. 25.

Once rated the No. 77 offensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2019 class, Ersery has grown into a 6-6, 330-pound standout in the Big Ten. His 86.7 PFF run-blocking grade is the highest among all returning FBS tackles (only Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga,a first-round pick this spring, was rated higher in 2023). According to PFF, Ersery only allowed one pressure on 23 pass-blocking snaps against Ohio State and its two star edge rushers: Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.

Ersery squatted 640 pounds, bench pressed 412 and did a 409-pound hand clean this offseason, but his wheels are the most impressive aspect of his game. His 1.52-second 10-yard split is a program record for offensive linemen, and he clocked 18.34 mph on the GPS. Ersery posted a 27.5-inch vertical and a 9-2 broad jump along with a pro shuttle time of 4.61.

Bruce Feldman – The Athletic

Freaks list Minnesota LT Aireontae Ersery had a strong game against Ohio State last season. Listed at 6'6 330 and his run blocking is a strength, but he showed he could hang in pass pro against the Buckeyes EDGEs pic.twitter.com/OmRdjtjG8m

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 7, 2024

Related: Minnesota Gophers May Have Stumbled Upon Another Stud Running Back

But Aireontae Ersery wasn’t the only Gopher to make Feldman’s 2024 Freaks list. Nearly 50 spots down the article, at No. 72, sits senior outside linebacker, Cody Lindenberg, a hometown kid from Anoka, MN.

72. Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, linebacker

Cody got onto campus one season after Ersery, as part of the 2020 recruiting class. The 6’3″, 235 lb freak battled a lot of injuries throughout his four years in Dinkytown. And Lindenberg’s rise to defensive leader didn’t happen overnight.

According to Gophers coaches, the 6-3, 240-pounder topped out at 21.46 mph; his pro shuttle time was 4.00 — no linebacker has moved that quick at the NFL combine since 2019, when WVU’s David Long did it in 3.97 seconds. Lindenberg broad-jumped 10-0 and vertical-jumped 36 inches. His 10-yard split was 1.51. His hang clean was 387 pounds, and he benched 350.

Bruce Feldman – The Athletic

With a good (healthy) 2024 season, has a chance to rocket himself up 2025 NFL Draft boards. Being named on this list is certainly a good start in making that dream come true. He certainly has all the tools to make it happen.

Here's what you need to know about Minnesota, which returns All-B1G talent everywhere.

> Solid WR room
> TE Brevyn Spann-Ford is the whole package
> Watch Danny Striggow at DE/OLB
> Cody Lindenberg is explosive at ILB
> DB Tyler Nubin is a problem

🔗: https://t.co/v6G809lFJR pic.twitter.com/JFOQ3zZvom

— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) August 30, 2023

Related: Gophers Were Spying on Fans at Practice… to Make Sure They Weren’t Being Spied On

Minnesota Gophers wide receiver, Le’Meke Brockington was named by Feldman as a Freak honorable mention. Brockington is a 6’0″, 195 lb junior who squats over 600 lbs. Of course, his season will largely depend on the competence of new QB Max Brosmer, and his ability to get his offensive freaks the football.

Season on the line for Minnesota Gophers, in Iowa

Related: Michigan Delivers Embarrassing 52-10 Knockout Blow to Minnesota Gophers 2023 Season

Not only is Fleck trying, yet again, for his first win (in 7 tries) ever, vs Kirk Ference & Co, but the Gophers’ season is legitimately on the line. If Minnesota were to win, they’d enter the softest portion of their Big Ten schedule with a 4-3 (2-2) record, coming off one of the biggest wins in PJ Fleck’s tenure. The positive vibes within the program would be more palpable than anything we’ve felt since their 5-0 start in 2022.

But lose, and the PJ Fleck haters are going to come out in droves. With another failure at Kinnick Stadium next weekend, Minnesota would drop to 3-4 (1-3) to start the 2023 season, including a 7th straight loss to Iowa and an indefensible L vs a reeling Northwestern already on their resume.

Darius Taylor, Cody Lindenberg trending toward return vs Hawkeyes

Again, Minnesota vs Iowa won’t happen for another week but we did get a good news update on Thursday, via Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), who told “MN Sports w/Mackey & Judd” that phenom freshman running back, Darius Taylor, and upperclassman leader on defense, (LB) Cody Lindenberg, are both trending toward a return to the Gophers active roster against the Hawkeyes.

“Heading into the Iowa game, a week from Saturday… it’s trending towards Cody Lindenberg and Darius Taylor being back, for that game, barring some sort of setback, because Lindenberg should have been back by now — hamstring, tricky injury, setback, right — He wasn’t able to play in that North Carolina game on September 16. But, it looks like it’s trending in the right direction for Lindenberg and Taylor to play on October 21, in Iowa City.”

Darren Wolfson – MN Sports w/Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

This is big news. Cody Lindenberg came into the 2023 season with NFL aspirations and someone defensive coordinator, Joe Rossi, was hoping he could rely on to lead his defense in multiple statistical categories. Instead, they’ve played 6 games and he hasn’t logged a snap. Lindenberg returning vs Iowa would be a nice jolt for an underperforming defense.

Related: Gophers Top 2024 Football Commit Koi Perich Moves into National Top-100

Gophers offense needs Taylor back

If you’ve had your head out of the Big Ten sand, during the first 6-7 weeks of the college football season, then you know who Darius Taylor is. The game-breaking true freshman, out of Detroit, has won the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award ever week he’s received more than one carry.

Still unimpressed? Taylor has only played in 3 of the Gophers 6 games this season. Yet, his 532 yards on the season still leads the Big Ten and ranks 24th across college football. Redshirt sophomore, Zach Evans, has been pretty good, in Darius’ absence. But when a dude is different, like Darius Taylor is, there’s no replacing that talent.

Since his injury, the Minnesota offense has been absolutely brutal on offense, mostly thanks to an unexpected regression by QB, Athan Kaliakmanis. Through six games, it’s become clear that this Gopher offense will go, yet again, as its running backs do. And without Taylor, their backfield is way too mediocre for that type of responsibility.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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