But the Minnesota Gophers football program has still rolled out some impressive NFL players over the past 50 years, some eras more than others. Since PJ Fleck took over in 2017, the path from Dinkytown to the league has been busier than any other time in modern program history (20 drafted players).

But just like the athletic facilities at the University of Minnesota, the professional pipeline project on campus started with PJ’s predecessors, Jerry Kill and Tracy Claeys, who were hired on in 2011 and sent eight players to the NFL via the draft, from 2014-2016. That’s 28 players drafted to the NFL in 11 years (2014-25).

For context, the Minnesota Gophers had just 14 guys drafted to the NFL, in the 11 years prior from 2002-2013. In that tumultuous time, Glen Mason was fired (after 2006), Tim Brewster was hired (2007) and fired (2010), before Kill came along.

Some of the most notable names drafted over the last decade include (DB) Antoine Winfield Jr., (C) John Michael Schmitz, (T) Daniel Faalele, (EDGE) Boye Mafe, (LB) Blake Cashman and (WR) Rashod Bateman — who caught 147 passes for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in 31 games as a Gopher from 2018-2020 — including one season that only lasted five games, due to a shortened season and opt-out controversies.

Baltimore Ravens lock up Minnesota Gophers legend, Rashod Bateman

Rashod Bateman entered the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was selected No. 27 overall by the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the only 1st round pick out of Minnesota since Laurence Maroney was drafted No. 21 overall in 2006 and just the 18th Gopher ever picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

After a successful start to his NFL career, the Ravens ripped up Rashod’s rookie contract two years early, when they signed the Minnesota Gophers legend to a $12.8 million extension last offseason, good through 2026.

Now, just one year later, Bateman has agreed to another contract extension in Baltimore, this time worth three years, $36.75 million ($20M guaranteed), according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

We have signed @R_bateman2 to a contract extension!! pic.twitter.com/y7NtI8vFjc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 5, 2025

While everyone was focused on what Derrick Henry did for the 2024 Ravens offense, last year, it was Rashod Bateman who gave Jackson a reliable touchdown target through the air, something he has struggled to find in a wide receiver, throughout his MVP career.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Add Talented Big Ten Lineman to Defense

In total, Bateman has played 51 games for Baltimore, piling up 1,923 yards and 13 touchdowns on 138 receptions. Last season, the Tifton, GA native posted a career-high 756 receiving yards on 45 receptions. He also exploded for NINE touchdowns.

LAMAR JACKSON TO RASHOD BATEMAN FOR AN INCREDIBLE 40-YARD TOUCHDOWN 😱

WHAT A CATCH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hGwcQsz8Cb

— ESPN (@espn) November 26, 2024

Bateman and the Ravens visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. The former Minnesota Gophers standout will have a homecoming of sorts on November 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Bateman’s 1,219 yards and 20.3 yards per reception in 2019 as a sophomore with Minnesota both led the Big Ten.

NFL rookie mini camps are in full-swing this weekend and that means coaches across the league are seeing their 2021 draft picks practicing under organizational umbrellas for the first time. Some of those rookies are everything they’ve been cracked up to be, and more. Others will be a disappointment from day 1. Well, Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh, spoke with media on Saturday and appeared relieved to find out that his first round draft pick, Rashod Bateman, fell into the “as advertised” category.

"@R_bateman2 is as advertised." pic.twitter.com/WkpkXnpQ0E

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2021

First impressions are very positives. You know, he’s a no-nonsense guy, he’s got a nice demeanor about him and he’s a quick learner. Everything we thought he would be in terms of the athleticism and the skill set. You know, that’s usually the case but not always the case. What you see isn’t always what you get. You don’t know until you get him out there in, really, the first rookie mini camp. And I would say he’s ‘as advertised’ from a talent standpoint..

Jim Harbaugh talking about rookie WR Rashod Bateman

From Gopher to Raven

Rashod Bateman was drafted 27th overall by the Ravens last month and he’s been all over their social media scene since. Agent Zero will wear 12 on his uniform and the Baltimore staff hopes he can help the growth of their young QB, Lamar Jackson.

Bateman left the University of Minnesota with the 6th most yards, 5th most touchdowns and 6th most receptions in school history. He played just three seasons, one of which was shortened and thrown into a blender by COVID-19. Rashod is the first Gopher to be drafted in the first round since Laurence Maroney was taken #21 overall in 2006 by the Denver Broncos.

Bateman is universally seen as a top-4 wide receiver in school history, mentioned in the same conversations as Tyler Johnson, Eric Decker and Ron Johnson.

????@R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/1462qAFZJM

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 14, 2021

First look @R_bateman2 ❗️ pic.twitter.com/VhdHb4vd3W

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 14, 2021

Smooth. ????@R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/oVne0antRq

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2021

"I have high expectations for myself." @R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/BwSM1QOpUP

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2021

"My goal is to be the best I can be for this team." @R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/Zm0FaoDGJU

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It’s official. Rashod Bateman is going to the NFL after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens #27 overall. That means the Minnesota Gophers have their first 1st-round draft pick since Laurence Maroney back in 2006. Bateman owns the 6th most receiving yards as a Gopher and 5th in touchdowns but he only played for 2.5 seasons.

He’ll now join a very good Baltimore Ravens team with Lamar Jackson as his quarterback.

With the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 @NFLDraft, the @Ravens select WR Rashod Bateman!

????: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/bKkJVZLJBh

— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021

Ravens select Minnesota's Rashod Bateman pic.twitter.com/98HlXGcmAQ

— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 30, 2021

Congrats @R_bateman2!! The @Ravens got an ELITE person!! Love ya!! #RTB #HYPRR #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/h5pXkcABps

— P.J. Fleck (@Coach_Fleck) April 30, 2021

The Gophers have one player left on the draft board and Benjamin St-Juste is espected to be drafted sometime tomorrow.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

There was a lot of questions surrounding Rashod Bateman, after his opt-out, opt-in, opt back out 2020 season but most of them surrounded his explosiveness. He popped those worry balloons last week, however, when he showed out at his pro day, touting a 4.40 40-yd-dash and a chiseled body that ran through football drills with easy athleticism and elite agility.

Even before he impressed at his pro day, Bateman was apparently climbing up draft boards across the league. Some scouts (according to Michael Giardi – NFL Network) even have Bateman jumping fellow wide receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Waddle, which would be a big deal.

Rashod Bateman was getting a lot of buzz from scouts/execs I spoke with over the last couple weeks & that was before he tested as well as he did at his pro day (4.41 40). A couple believe he's the best WR in this draft, better than Chase, Smith or Waddle. Bold.

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 8, 2021

NFL Draft: Thursday, April 29 – Saturday, May 1

Ultimately, we’ll find out very soon who has Rashod Bateman where on their draft boards and what’s a smokescreen vs what isn’t. But, when you take a gander around NFL mock drafts today, you’ll find his stock climbing. You’d be hard pressed to find mocks with him leaking too deeply into the second round and many have him going has high as #19 to the Washington Football Team.

But, that would still leave him a half-round behind the top wide receivers in this class.

2021 NFL Mock Draft (@PFF_Linsey):

4. Broncos (via ATL): Trey Lance

6. Dolphins: Kyle Pitts

19. Washington: Rashod Bateman

32. Bucs: Rondale Moore

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 5, 2021

NEW MOCK

19 WAS WR Rashod Bateman
—
12 PHI WR Devonta Smith
—
10 DAL OT Rashawn Slater
9 DEN QB Mac Jones
8 CAR QB Trey Lance
—
6 MIA OT Peni Sewell
5 CIN WR Ja'Marr Chase
4 ATL TE Kyle Pitts
3 SF QB Justin Fields

1-32 w analysis via @Ryan_McCrystalhttps://t.co/wQ8ERSzPMe

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 4, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers are holding their NFL pro day workouts today at their practice facility on campus, where Rashod Bateman, Benjamin St-Juste and a variety of smaller-level collegiate players from area schools are trying to impress pro scouts. Bateman just complete his 40-yard dash and you can bet he eased a lot of minds with his 4.39 second time. He also jumped 36 inches, according to Daniel House (GophersGuru.com).

Minnesota WR Rahod Bateman ran a scorching 4.39 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Really intriguing player. Crisp route runner, excellent hands, great catch radius. A lot to like.pic.twitter.com/VWUoukAxi3

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 1, 2021

Times on Rashod Bateman’s 40 are around 4.39-4.40. Should put the questions about his long speed to bed after his laser-timed 4.39 in February. #Gophers

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) April 1, 2021

Per @MathBomb’s database since 1987:

• Bateman’s 36-inch vertical ranks No. 688 out of 2,469 WRs.
•Bateman’s broad jump of 10-3 ranks No. 601 out of 2,443 WRs.
• @TomPelissero put out a 4.39 to mid-4.4 range. 4.39 would rank 134 out of 2,505 WRs. #Gophers https://t.co/Ax2AG1I1s4

— Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL) April 1, 2021

Rashod Bateman is expected to go anywhere in the first three rounds of next month’s NFL Draft but a solid 40-time should push him up closer to the front of that expectation. Here are his measures from today.

#Gophers WR Rashod Bateman’s pro day measurements:

Ht 6-0 3/8
Wt 190
Hand 9 1/2
Arm 33
Wing 76 1/2

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, is known for a lot of things. What he did to help put the Minnesota Gophers football program on the map from 2018-2020, will never be forgotten. And his name is all over the U of M record books to prove it. Now, the Georgia native is preparing for April’s NFL Draft.

Without the normal NFL Combine activities and testing numbers to carefully comb through in 2021 (thanks COVID), prospects like Bateman will be left to their individual pro-days to showcase their skillset in front of NFL scouts.

Well, there are other creative ways to get your name and testing numbers out there. Like, when a little birdie tells ESPN’s Field Yates that you ran a laser-timed 4.39 40-yard dash recently.

Few wide receivers in this year's draft know how to just get open better than Minnesota's Rashod Bateman, who is also so physical and plays with an edge.

He recently ran a laser-timed 4.39 40 at 6-2 and 210 pounds too. He's a big play waiting to happen. pic.twitter.com/VMfE2YJs5W

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 3, 2021

Receipts?

This tweet came out of left field and has me in need of receipts. I really hope Bateman can run a sub 4.40 40-yd-dash and I’ve covered Rashod and seen him make a lot of big plays, but he’s never stuck out as that type of receiver.

How fast is Rashod Bateman’s reported time? It would have put him into a tie for a top-5 spot in last year’s NFL combine. In 2019, wide receivers ran the 40-yd-dash at a 4.50 average clip.

At the end of the day, Bateman can prove me wrong when he runs at his pro day. Rashod is active on his Instagram account so I’d love to see the video posted there. If it is, I’ll be sure to add the evidence into this blog and apologize for ever doubting Agent Zero. I’m sure scouts would love to see such proof too…

Bateman’s ability to track the football and win at the catch point flash just as much as his smooth breaks and easy acceleration off the line of scrimmage. While he’s not a true burner, there should be no concerns regarding separation ability thanks to a diverse release package and effectiveness at the top of route stems in a number of ways.

The Draft Network

If I had to guess, I’d say this info was “leaked” by his agent and you’d think a camera would have been rolling when it happened. If he proves us wrong and runs a 4.40 with proof, I’ll file an official request to have “burner” added to his profile at TheDraftNetwork.com, among others.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers are coming off of 2 weeks-worth of canceled football games, due to a COVID-19 outbreak. PJ Fleck told media earlier this week that 20+ players would be out for Saturday’s game vs the (2-4) Nebraska Cornhuskers.

We still don’t know who those players are but Tanner Morgan, Chris Autman-Bell, Mohamed Ibrahim, Phillip Howard and Mariano Sori-Marin all met with media via Zoom this week.

Meanwhile, are you a gambling man or woman? If so, have you checked the betting spread on tomorrow’s game? Even if the above players weren’t going to play, these odds might knock you off your chair.

Yes, this seems to be a lesser version of the Nebraska team Minnesota beat last season by a score of 34-7… but in most books, the (2-3) Gophers are +10.5 point underdogs in Lincoln (with no crowd).

I'm not laughing you're laughing. pic.twitter.com/xIxvn4Z0ll

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 11, 2020

Every year is different, I understand that, but this isn’t a Huskers team who has pulled a Northwestern-style 180 in 2020. They hold a 2-4 record and one of those losses came vs Illinois, who the Gophers stomped. Their wins are vs Purdue, who Minnesota also beat right before COVID shut things down, and a 2-5 Penn State team.

Rashad Bateman

Rashod Bateman opting back out amidst the COVID outbreak that shut down the football program to close November, is factoring into the Vegas odds, but don’t let that tip your scale. Bateman isn’t overhyped, and the Gophers will miss him, but the young depth at wide receiver is being underplayed and so is Chris Autman-Bell.

In Bateman’s absence, we’ll see more of Daniel Jackson, Mike Brown-Stephens and possibly a bevy of others. But what I really want to see, is Chris Autman-Bell run his hype train into the clouds. Every time CRAB touches the ball, big plays happen.

Rashod Bateman caught a lot of passes this season but he was also targeted A LOT more than any of his teammates. Nobody, however, made better catches than Autman-Bell, even with limited opportunities.

Chris Autman-Bell, though ???? pic.twitter.com/fG6yVfv01V

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 21, 2020

Even if you don’t think Minnesota wins…

Neither of these teams are very good, especially with a depleted Minnesota roster, but the Gophers still win this game because PJ Fleck is 172x the coach Scott Frost is. But even if you think Nebraska climbs over the Gophers, can you honestly say it will be by more than a touchdown + FG?

If so, you’re lying or delusional.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Rashod Bateman has opted back out of the 2020 college football season and will not play in anymore games with the Minnesota Gophers. Bateman made his announcement in a social media post.

Thank you Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/ANVtBYnCdr

— Rashod Bateman (@R_bateman2) November 25, 2020

Good for Rashod… but…

Rashod Bateman is destined for the NFL and will likely return to his former agent, Blake Barantz, right here in Minnesota. I hope the dude gets drafted in the 1st round and goes on to become an NFL Hall of Famer. Following him from his epic recruitment and through a record-breaking sophomore season, will be something I never forget.

But I’m not going to celebrate this move. I don’t blame him for making a business decision to leave the Gophers early again, but that doesn’t mean I have to respect what he’s doing either.

Be ready to finish what you start…. or don’t start.

There’s a lot of money on the line and an injury could cost Bateman millions of dollars. I’ve never had that kind of money on the line when making a decision based on my own moral code… but why opt-in if you’re just going to bail as soon as things go poorly?

I was taught to finish things you start. This season is now 5 games in and your teammates are going through a disappointing and difficult year. Opting back out early just because the Gophers aren’t competitive in the Big Ten West anymore? Is he opting out right now if Minnesota’s 5-0…? Probably not.

But again… I’ve never had millions of dollars on the line so who the fuck am I to talk? I hope Rashod takes the NFL by storm in 2021 and becomes a football legend.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers walked into Champaign Illinois’ Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, hoping to turn the page on an 0-2 start. Well, if putting up a 40-piece on the road in a 27-point blowout is “turning the page”, then I’d say the effort was a success.

#Gophers get the win in Illinois! pic.twitter.com/PW8rpoUjby

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 7, 2020

Mohamed Ibrahim had another record game, scoring four more touchdowns for Minnesota on over 200 yards rushing. Mo’s been great all season, though. This was a well-rounded team victory and the most exciting part was the Gopher defense.

The Gophers can play defense…

It’s true. I watched it with my own two eyes. The Minnesota Gophers have a defense and it’s even capable of playing sound football. They limited Illinois’ big plays, for the most part, and ruined the starting debut of backup Illini QB, Coran Taylor.

The Gopher defense racked up four sacks and only allowed 275 yards of total offense. They held the Illini run game in check and suffocated the pass game, limiting Taylor to 6/17 and 106 yards passing. That’s quite the turnaround from what they displayed over the first two games, where they gave up an average of 575 yards per game.

Mo Knows

The improvements on defense allowed the Gophers to play their game on offense. And their game on offense… is handing the ball to Mohamed Ibrahim. Why? Because Mo knows what to do with the football when it’s in his hands.

The @GopherFootball ground game was busy on Saturday afternoon, accounting for four touchdowns in the win over Illinois.

Highlights: pic.twitter.com/PVEt61o4yr

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 8, 2020

Ibrahim went off for a total of 224 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. He went for 200 and 4 total TD’s last week. That’s the first time a running back has gone for back-to-back 200 yard and 4 touchdown games since Larry Johnson (Penn State) back in 2002.

He has everything you’d want in a running back and the Gophers are ready to ride him to victories in 2020.

Agent Zero

Rashod Bateman had a huge game, too. He brought in 10 receptions and looked as comfortable and explosive as I’ve seen him through three games. He and Tanner really seemed to be clicking. Finished with 10 catches, 154 yards and this beautiful touchdown catch.

Perfection from Rashod Bateman. ?

It’s his first TD of the season for @GopherFootball: pic.twitter.com/HEoHsVGoes

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 7, 2020

Tanner didn’t have the huge game I was hoping for, but he looked confident when he was called on to deliver the football. When Mo is going like Mo is going… why pass more than necessary?

This was the exact victory the Minnesota Gophers needed, before taking back to TCF Bank Stadium where they will host the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Floyd of Rosedale. Let’s see if a win in Illinois can be the turning point on this season.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Minnesota Gophers wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, is a top-3 NCAA wide receiver. At this point, that can’t be argued. The only question about his first round status in next year’s NFL Draft, is how high he will go. When Bateman opted back in for 2020, everything about this season’s expectations changed for the Gophers.

So when Michigan Wolverines coach, Jim Harbaugh, went on record this week and said a redshirt sophomore CB would be on an island with Bateman on Saturday night, everyone was confused.

It doesn’t sound like #Michigan plans on double teaming Rashod Bateman with bracket coverage this Saturday, instead putting Vincent Gray on an island to cover the talented receiver.

That is one way to go about it I suppose.

— Eric Rutter (@EricRutterWD) October 20, 2020

Who is Vincent Gray

Vincent Gray is a 3-star cornerback out of Rochester Michigan, who decided to stay home and try making it with him favorite hometown club. Now, just 2.5 years later, he’s (apparently) Michigan’s best corner. Gray is skinny and lanky, coming in at 6’2″, 185 pounds. He physically looked smaller than the other Wolverine CB’s last season.

His stature and style reminds me a lot of Trae Waynes because he’s not afraid to take his skinny body and launch it into running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers who might have 50+ pounds on him. He doesn’t wrap up or have the speed Waynes did at Michigan State, however.

Nor does Gray have the experience or clout Trae had by the time he was tasked with covering the Big Ten’s best WR’s. When I first saw the tweet about Gray vs Bateman in single coverage (embedded above), I figured the Wolverines had a stud CB who’s already been dominating his competition for a couple of years. Or maybe even a standout redshirt recruit who has limited, but filthy tape in his short time at the University of Michigan.

I found neither of those things.

2019 Vincent Gray

2019 Vincent Gray was a tall, skinny cornerback who didn’t start any games but got plenty of run. He didn’t find the field at all vs Army, Rutgers or Penn State. In the other nine games, he rotated in with other Michigan CB’s and saw the field about 2/3 of the time. He accumulated ZERO interceptions and 5 passes defended on the season. His next interception will be the first of his college career.

When you look past the numbers… Vincent was ok. In complete honesty, I saw some nice things out of Gray and he seems like someone who could develop into a good corner. He just didn’t see the field enough or have the snaps necessary against top wide receivers, to even be thought of as a 1st-tier Big Ten CB.

I just didn’t see much in his 2019 tape that screamed “difference maker”. When he did catch my attention, it seemed to be negative more often than it was positive.

Michigan's defense only allowed two touchdowns vs Notre Dame last year. This is one of them.

#31 in blue is Vincent Gray. ?? pic.twitter.com/5nqQ5s63VX

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 23, 2020

This is Vincent Gray. Jim Harbaugh says he will be 1v1 on Rashod Bateman Saturday night… #Gophers pic.twitter.com/0tJKmD5Q0T

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 23, 2020

These tweets and videos have really triggered Michigan fans and I’m not sure why. Did they even know this guy played on their team last season? Wouldn’t you be concerned if a relatively unknown CB was about to be dropped onto an island with Rashod Bateman?

I’ve been made very aware of the 33% completion he allowed in his coverage (supposedly) last season and numbers are awesome. They’re a lot of fun.

But I spent my Friday watching most of Vincent Gray snaps from 2019 and I’m just telling you what I saw with my own two eyes. Michigan fans better hope that Harbaugh was bluffing or Rashod Bateman might go off for 200 yards and 3 TD’s.

Tomorrow morning I’m deep diving this Vince Gray dude, the Michigan CB who’s supposedly manning-up on Rashod Bateman Saturday.

Can’t imagine it ends well for the away team… but I’m open to change. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/T0u8mTCH3a

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 23, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan