Minnesota’s offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery, defensive back Justin Walley and linebacker Cody Lindenberg are going pro.
At the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ersery, Walley and Lindenberg were the 48th, 80th and 222nd picks, respectively.
This year, nine Gophers agreed to deals with NFL teams as undrafted free agents, including former starting quarterback Max Brosmer.
Brosmer will not need to travel far. The Minnesota Vikings signed Brosmer to a deal guaranteeing him $250,000, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on X.
With the signing, Minnesota’s quarterback room grows to four members. JJ McCarthy, Sam Howell and Brett Rypien will also be competing for the QB1 role.
Last year, the only drafted Gopher was safety Tyler Nubin. Nubin was selected by the New York Giants with the 47th pick and even attended this year’s Gophers Pro Day.
Ersery, who was projected to be drafted 31st overall by ESPN’s Field Yates, was drafted by the Houston Texans. Last season, the Texans won the AFC South division.
The 48th pick originally belonged to the Las Vegas Raiders, who traded their 48th pick for Houston’s 58th and 99th picks.
Texans General Manager Nick Caserio explained the decision to draft Ersery to Houston Chronicle staff writer Jonathan M. Alexander.
“You need three tackles, three or four tackles, that you can feel can go out there and play,” Caserio said in the article.
In the interview, Caserio complimented Ersery’s size, skill and on-field physicality.
Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson is also joining Ersery in Houston after being picked up by the team as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
The Indianapolis Colts used their 80th pick on Walley, whose 27 pass breakups with the Gophers rank fifth in school history.
In an April 26 interview with his hometown news station, WLOX in Biloxi, Mississippi, Walley said being drafted to the NFL was a childhood dream come true.
“It’s a blessing,” Walley said. “I woke up this morning, checked my phone and I was like ‘Please let this not be a dream.’”
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Lindenberg in the seventh round. At Minnesota, Lindenberg made 238 tackles and earned an All-Big Ten First Team nod last season.
With the Raiders’ selection, Lindenberg became the fifth Gopher linebacker since 2019 to be drafted. The four previous linebackers were Blake Cashman, Carter Coughlin, Kamal Martin, and Boye Mafe.
Lindenberg turned to social media to announce his decision to declare for the NFL Draft in December.
“Every single day for the past five seasons has been a dream come true playing for and in front of you all in the maroon and gold,” Lindenberg said.
According to Pelissero, edge rusher Jah Joyner is following Lindenberg to Las Vegas after signing with the Raiders.
Danny Striggow, Lindenberg’s fellow linebacker at Minnesota, agreed to a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars per the sports agency Priority Sports.
Minnesota’s other UDFA moves include the Miami Dolphins signing cornerback Ethan Robinson, the Baltimore Ravens signing running back Marcus Major, the Seattle Seahawks signing tight end Nick Kallerup, guard Tyler Cooper joining the Green Bay Packers and Jack Henderson heading to the Carolina Panthers.
The NFL preseason begins Thursday, July 31, with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions.