The Minnesota Golden Gophers football program was well-represented during this past weekend's NFL Draft in Las Vegas as four former football players heard their names called throughout the seven-round, three-day event.
TGR recaps where each former Minnesota player is going to begin their professional careers.
Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks, 2nd Round - No. 40 Overall:
Career Highlights: Played in 42 games; made 87 tackles; tallied 19.5 tackles for loss; 15 sacks (9th in program history); forced three fumbles; broke up three passes
2021 Season: Started nine of 13 games; made 34 tackles (26 solo) and led team in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (7); forced one fumble;
- All-Big Ten Second Team
- Senior Bowl National Team Player of the Game
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Daniel Faalele, Baltimore Ravens, 4th Round - No. 110 Overall:
Career Highlights: Played right tackle; started in 31 of 34 games he participated in; Gophers had a 23-11 record in games he played.
2021 Season: Started 12 of 13 games at right tackle; offense totaled 4,681 yards and 25.5 points per game; rushed for a two-yard touchdown against West Virginia;
- All-Big Ten First Team (coaches)
- First Gopher lineman to be selected since 2006 (Greg Eslinger/Mark Setterstorm).
- Reunited with former Gopher Rashad Bateman on the Ravens.
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Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota Vikings, 5th Round - No. 165 Overall:
Career Highlights: Started 20 of 46 games; made 81 tackles and 7.5 sacks
2021 Season: Started all 13 games; made 30 tackles; 4.5 tackles for loss; 3 sacks; one safety; All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
- First Gopher to be selected by the Vikings since 2010 (Nate Triplett).
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Ko Keift, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6th Round - No. 218 Overall:
Career Highlights: Played in 49 games, recording 12 receptions for 166-yads and two touchdowns.
2021 Season: Started all 13 games; recorded 7 receptions for 101-yards and one touchdown
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2021
- Will join former teammates Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Tyler Johnson in Tampa Bay
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Undrafted Free Agent Deals:
Seven additional Gophers either signed undrafted free agent deals or received rookie mini-camp invites with NFL teams after the Draft ended and will enter rookie mini-camp with the following squads.
Blaise Andries - Miami Dolphins
Jack Gibbens - Tennessee Titans
Micah Dew-Treadway - Chicago Bears (camp invite)
Sam Schlueter - San Francisco 49ers
Coney Durr - Chicago Bears (camp invite)
Nyles Pinckney - New Orleans Saints (camp invite)
Justus Harris - New York Giants (camp invite)