Three Gophers went in the 2025 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery was selected in the second round. (48th overall) by the Houston Texans, who the Vikings play this weekend in week one of the preseason. Ersery is listed as a starter on the Texans week one preseason depth chart.

Minnesota Gophers CB Justin Walley out for Indianapolis Colts

Cornerback Justin Walley was the Gopher player taken, going in the third round to the Indianapolis Colts (80th overall). He too was eyeing up a starting role with his new team.

Unfortunately, he left the Colts’ joint practice Tuesday vs the Baltimore Ravens with an injury. After Indy’s first preseason game of the year on Thursday, head coach Shane Steichen revealed the season-ending injury to Colts reporters during his postgame press conference.

Colts HC Shane Steichen said rookie third-round pick Justin Walley, who was challenging to start at cornerback, suffered a season-ending torn ACL.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2025

Walley’s torn ACL derails what was unfolding as an impressive rookie training camp for the four-year Minnesota Gopher, who was vying for a starting spot on the Colts defense. The Indianapolis Colts went just 8-9 last season and were pumped to get such a secondary upgrade in the 3rd round of the draft.

As a senior in Dinkytown last season, Walley played in 10 games, totalled 25 tackles, and collected a pair of interceptions, one of which he housed. Mostly, opposing QBs avoided Walley as often as possible. He was the CB1 for a top-10 ranked passing defense in the nation.

Support, Love & Family 〽️@JustinWalley_ chose Minnesota for all the right reasons and it led him to the @NFL and the @Colts‼️ #pROWGophers pic.twitter.com/qpiJgn0vZw

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) April 26, 2025

Colts organization extremely high on Walley’s NFL future

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait before we see him make NFL waves. Instead, the road ahead for Walley will be one of rehab. ACL injuries are not uncommon in the league, and knowing Walley, he will quickly get his oar back in the water. More than likely, PJ Fleck was one of the first people he talked to, following the diagnosis.

When Justin Walley returns to the Colts secondary next season, he will have three years remaining on his rookie deal. This injury won’t define the young CB’s career, but how much of a footnote it becomes will be up to him.

Given what those in the Colts organization have said about Walley since he arrived in Indy, I’d bet on him making a full recovery and making an impact in the NFL sooner than later.

#Colts GM Chris Ballard on CB Justin Walley:

“He's freaking good. He's really good. He broke his wrist, and in a time where people don't want to workout, he does everything.. with a cast on. 40 game starter in B1G. He's athletic, fast, can play outside and in.”

🎥: @Colts pic.twitter.com/k4wxOxbJ3w

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) April 26, 2025

Related: New Gophers QB Tasked With More Responsibilities at LOS

Justin Walley is standing out early at #Colts Training Camp, even with twice the usual workload.#ForTheShoe | @CBS4Indy pic.twitter.com/DJHbxJ54d8

— Caleb Spinner (@CalebSpinner) July 25, 2025

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.

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.

The University of Minnesota Gophers football team picked up a big time commitment for their top-25 2021 recruiting class on Sunday afternoon! Justin Walley is a 5’10” cornerback out of D’Iberville high school in Mississippi. He’s also a track star, making him a two sport athlete. This kid can flat out fly (video below).

Walley committed to Minnesota over big name (and much more local) schools like Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Baylor and Arkansas, to name a few.

100% committed to the University of Minnesota #RowtheBoat @Haynes_Gophers @Coach_Fleck @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/ErpKwxk1It

— Justin Walley? (@JustinWalley_) August 23, 2020

The Gophers 2021 class currently ranks 23rd in the nation (according to 247Sports. The Gophers have built some impressive depth in the defensive backfield with the 2021 class. Two of their top three recruits, Avante Dickerson and Steven Ortiz Jr, are also cornerbacks.

What’s this? Could Walley even bring a friend with him to the Twin Cities, because this friend happens to be pretty good at football himself.

Congrats lil bro …I might come join u ? https://t.co/6CtnUJ7kxZ

— MJ (@MjDaniels11) August 23, 2020

MJ Daniels is another highly-rated defensive back out of Mississippi, who already announced a top four that didn’t include the Minnesota Gophers… (Mississippi State, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M). But hey, we didn’t say it. He did.

No matter, the addition of Walley just makes one of the best recruiting classes we have seen from this program, even better. There is a lot to be excited about around the U of M campus even if we don’t know when football will actually be played.

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan