Gophers’ NFL Aspirants Shine as Season Progresses

As the college football season approaches its midpoint, several players from the University of Minnesota Gophers are garnering significant attention from NFL scouts. The standout among them is defensive end Anthony Smith, who currently shares the Big Ten Conference lead in sacks. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound edge rusher has recorded seven sacks over seven games, positioning himself as a potential first- or second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft scheduled for April 2024.

If Smith secures a spot among the top 64 picks, Minnesota will maintain its streak of having at least one player selected in the first two rounds for seven consecutive years, a trend that began in 2020. Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck highlighted Smith’s prominence during a recent discussion about NFL interest in his players.

In addition to Smith, several other Gophers have emerged as potential draft candidates. Darius Taylor, a running back, has also caught the attention of scouts. Taylor is coming off a strong performance against then-No. 25 Nebraska, where he rushed for 148 yards and scored a touchdown, contributing to a 24-6 victory. Both Smith and Taylor have one year of eligibility remaining for 2026, although Smith is expected to declare for the draft.

Fleck identified LeMeke Brockington, tight end Jameson Geers, and defensive tackles Deven Eastern and Jalen Logan-Redding as players who are drawing interest from NFL teams. “Those are usually the top six right away,” Fleck noted, indicating the Gophers’ growing reputation as a talent pool for professional football.

Particularly noteworthy is fifth-year linebacker Devon Williams, who has seen an increase in attention from NFL personnel this season. Williams leads the Gophers with 56 total tackles and ranks third with 4.5 tackles for loss. Fleck remarked on the heightened interest in Williams, noting, “They’re way more curious about Devon Williams now than they were last year because he’s playing at a very high level right now.” Pro Football Focus has awarded Williams a commendable overall grade of 74.1, placing him third among Gophers starters.

In terms of draft prospects, the Shrine Bowl 1,000 watch list for top draft-eligible college players included nine Gophers, with both Smith and Taylor featured prominently. Other recognized players included Greg Johnson, Marcellus Marshall, Jeff Roberson, and Jaylen Bowden. While Johnson and Marshall have faced challenges this season, Roberson and Bowden have seen limited action.

In contrast, Eastern, the only Gopher on the Senior Bowl’s Top 300 list, has received an average overall grade of 61.9 from Pro Football Focus based on 249 snaps. Logan-Redding has struggled with a lower grade of 54.3 in his 174 snaps.

Fleck emphasized the importance of college performance in determining NFL draft prospects. “What people don’t realize is 90 to 95% of where and how you get drafted and if you play in the NFL is all based on college film,” he explained. He highlighted that while events like the NFL Combine and Pro Days are valuable, they account for only a small portion of a player’s evaluation. “Tape doesn’t lie,” Fleck stated, underscoring the significance of consistent performance over the course of the season.

As the Gophers continue their campaign, the spotlight on their potential NFL draftees is set to intensify, reflecting both the players’ hard work and the growing reputation of the Minnesota program in producing professional talent.