Each Monday, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has a sheet comes across his desk with information on how former Minnesota players performed in the NFL.
Last week, that piece of paper included Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman ’s stat line against the Vikings. The former Big Ten receiver of the year didn’t have the biggest game — one catch for 10 yards and a two-point conversion. But Bateman texted Fleck about the welcome back he felt back during Baltimore’s 27-19 win at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025.
Jeffrey Becker / Imagn Images
Bateman texted Fleck: “I had no idea how loved I still was in Minnesota.’”
Fleck replied: “‘You’ll always be loved here. You’re a legend.”
“Pretty cool that our crowd with the Vikings, was so receptive to Rashod Bateman,” Fleck said. “So that is really heartwarming to hear that.”
Fleck regularly checks in via text message with his NFL players and the Gophers always welcome back former players into the Larson Football Performance Center and Huntington Bank Stadium. This year, the U has seen alums currently in the NFL come back in droves during their bye weeks.
“Your former players are either back or they’re not,” said Fleck, who has had 19 players drafted while at Minnesota. “I love that our players are always back. It shows where the program is at, where the culture is at. It’s really positive.”
With the NFL season over half done, here’s a look at how all 20 Gophers currently in the NFL have played this season:
Antoine Winfield Jr. — Tampa Bay safety
The sixth-year veteran has posted a solid 75.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. One of the highest-paid safeties in the league has put up 42 total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in nine games for the NFC South-leading Buccaneers.
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Boye Mafe — Seattle edge
The fourth-year player from Hopkins High School has 26 pressures and a quality grade of 68.9 from PFF, but only one sack through nine games. He averaged six sacks per season in his first three years with the Seahawks.
Aireontae Ersery — Houston tackle
The second-round pick in the 2025 draft has started all nine games for the Texans this season, beginning at right tackle and moving to left tackle. With 620 snaps of experience, he has posted two of his better PFF grades in recent weeks.
Jack Gibbens — New England linebacker
New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel appreciates Gibbens so much he brought him over from Tennessee. Now in his fourth pro season, the former U linebacker and FCS transfer (Abilene Christian) has put up 46 tackles in 11 games for one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Rashod Bateman — Baltimore receiver
The former first-round pick earned a second contract (a three-year extension worth $36 million) in June. He posted career bests a year ago — 45 grabs, 756 yards and nine TD — but has 16 grabs for 194 yards and two TDs so far this fall.
Eric Murray — Jacksonville safety
Now in his 10th season, the U’s longest-tenured NFL player has 34 tackles and one interception in seven games, but ended up on injured reserve at the end of October with a neck injury.
Blake Cashman — Vikings linebacker
The seventh-year vet from Eden Prairie has had an injury interrupted season, but returned in recent weeks. He has posted 43 tackles in five games, with a solid 73.8 grade from PFF. He had a great 90.8 mark in the Detroit win in Week 9.
Max Brosmer — Vikings quarterback
As a backup quarterback with local ties, the rookie signal caller has become a very popular player as the Vikings have had issues at the all-important position. The un-drafted QB has completed 5 of 8 passes for 42 yards in spot duty across three games.
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Tyler Nubin — Giants safety
The second-year free safety is coming off a homecoming game at Solider Field in Chicago last weekend. On the season, he has 58 total tackles in 10 games; he had 98 stops in 13 games as a rookie.
John Michael Schmitz — Giants center
The third-year lineman has made progress each year, according to his PFF grade. While banged up, the second-round pick has a 62.5 mark through 10 games.
New Orleans safety Jordan Howden’s biggest highlight so far was an 86-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a win over the Giants. … Baltimore guard Daniel Faalele has played 527 snaps at right this season, with a PFF grade of 56.2 and two sacks allowed. … Cody Lindenberg, a 2025 seventh-round pick, has been contributing on special teams in Las Vegas. … Un-drafted tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford is in his second year with the Cowboys and has three catches for 14 yards. The St. Cloud native played in all 17 games a year ago. … Un-drafted rookie defensive end Danny Striggow has three tackles in four games for Jacksonville. … Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste has moved from Washington to San Diego for his fifth year and has one INT in 10 games this season. … Tampa Bay placed fourth-year tight end Ko Kieft on the season-ending injury list with a leg injury in September. … Now with the Jets, Minneapolis receiver Tyler Johnson continues to hang around, now on his fourth NFL team. He has 10 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown. … D-lineman Esezi Otomewo, who was drafted by the Vikings in 2022, has one tackle in four games for Pittsburgh. … Tight end Nick Kallerup of Wayzata made the Seattle roster despite being an un-drafted free agent and has played in two recent games.
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