Three Gophers football players fulfilled lifelong dreams of being NFL draft picks last week. They will be paid handsomely for their accomplishments.
The Houston Texans drafted left tackle Aireontae Ersery with the 48th overall pick in the second round Friday night. He will have a four-year contract worth approximately $8.6 million, including $1.5 million in 2025, according to Spotrac.com.
As a second-round pick, Ersery misses out on the rarified air afforded to first-round picks, who get a fifth-year option on their deals.
Cornerback Justin Walley, drafted 80th in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts, has a four-year deal estimated at $6.3 million, while linebacker Cody Lindenberg, selected No. 222 in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts, will have a four-year deal projected to pay $4.32 million.
Top overall pick, Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward, received a four-year contract from the Titans worth $43 million and a rookie salary of $7.8 million. Mr. Irrelevant, the 257th and final pick, is estimated to receive a $4.29 million contract over the life of that deal.
‘The best’
Ersery was the sixth offensive tackle drafted after five went in the first round Thursday. But that didn’t stop the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder from Kansas City, Mo., from putting together his own draft order.
“You got the best tackle in the draft,” Ersery said on the phone with Houston coach DeMeco Ryans on Friday night.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard paid a compliment to Walley when they chatted Friday night.
“You stand for everything we want to stand for,” Ballard said. “You know what fires me up the most? You worked out and did everything with a cast.”
Walley did as much as he could during the pre-draft process while recovering from a broken right wrist.
Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan called Lindenberg “a great fit.”
“He’s a high-character, high-intangible guy,” Yeargan said. “He’s tough, he’s competitive. I think he’s got really good value in the kicking game, too.”
Double shot
On Sunday, two more Gophers received shots in the NFL as free agents: Tight end Nick Kallerup, a Wayzata native, signed with the Seahawks, and running back Marcus Major, a one-year transfer from Oklahoma, signed with the Ravens.
Minnesota now up to nine undrafted players latching onto NFL teams.
Drought continues
While quarterback Max Brosmer received a free-agent chance with the Vikings, his undrafted status adds another year to the Gophers’ drought without a QB picked in the NFL Draft. This year, 13 QBs were selected.
Craig Curry was the last Gophers QB drafted, in 1972, going in the eighth round to the Dolphins.
Former U quarterback Tanner Morgan was the last long-shot in 2023. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Steelers but was waived that August. He then had a brief stint on the Vikings practice squad later that fall.
Rankings
The Gophers’ total of three draft picks was tied for eighth-most in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (14), Oregon (10), Michigan (seven), Maryland (six), Iowa, Penn State and UCLA (five apiece).
Like Minnesota, Rutgers and Southern Cal had three picks each. Rival Wisconsin had two, while Northwestern was the only Big Ten school without a selection this year.
Leave a Reply