Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg had to wait unto the start of the seventh round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, but the Las Vegas Raiders selected the Anoka product with the 222nd overall pick.
Lindenberg, the sixth pick in the final round, was an all-Big Ten first teamer after leading the Gophers with 94 total tackles in 2024. The 6-foot-2, 236-pound middle linebacker overcame injuries in 2021 and 2023 and stayed healthy last fall and get a premier shot at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick was big on the “competitive character” of Lindenberg, who amassed 209 tackles across 38 career games at the U.
“It’s about key and diagnose with this guy,” Riddick said on the air. “Very rarely does he miss a gap in terms of his run fits. … He can play with his hands and get off blocks. … He’s a good tackler and a good zone drop guy. He can match some patterns in man coverage. Just a good, solid football player.”
Left tackle Aireontae Ersery was the Gophers’ highest draft pick, going 48th overall in the second round to the Houston Texans on Friday. Cornerback Justin Walley then went 80th in the third round to the Indianapolis Colts later Friday night.
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Apple Valley native Bilhal Kone was drafted in sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-2 cornerback took the long route, from Iowa Central Community College to Indiana State to Western Michigan, where he stood out the last two seasons.
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