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Record Number of Minnesota Gophers Invited to NFL Scouting Combine
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- Record Number of Minnesota Gophers Invited to NFL Scouting Combine
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
