Football season is in full swing, and our campus is buzzing with gridiron talk and jersey-wearing. Many of us are cheering for the Vikings or the Packers, and thanks to services like RedZone and NFL Sunday Ticket, students can now indulge in the thrilling spectacle of league-wide football every week.

In this article, we’ll focus on former Gophers making their mark in the NFL, exploring their current roles, and celebrating their contributions to the University of Minnesota’s football program during their college years. While our university has a rich history of NFL contributions, from legends like Eric Decker to Bronko Nagurski, we’ll zero in on the active players of 2023.

Standout Studs Who Are Returning to the NFL

While there are familiar names with smaller roles on highly competitive teams, there are also Gopher legends poised to make a significant impact in the NFL this year.

One such star is Antoine Winfield Jr., who played for the Gophers from 2016 to 2019. As a student, Winfield was a unanimous All-American, a first-team All-Big Ten player, the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year winner, and a pivotal figure in the historic victory against the 5th-ranked Penn State. In the NFL, he not only secured a starting spot in the Buccaneers’ secondary but also earned a Pro Bowl selection and won Super Bowl LV in his rookie season. Keep an eye on Winfield as he shines again in the Buccaneers’ NFC South campaign.

Another player to watch is Rashod Bateman. Although injuries have impacted his professional career, scouts still admire this talented receiver and predict significant growth and impact. The Baltimore Ravens have a gem in Bateman, a former first-team All-Big Ten receiver. The Ravens will certainly benefit from his skills in the near future.

Bateman and Winfield shared the stage during their time at UMN, and they’re not the only former teammates turning pro. Players like TE Ko Kieft (Buccaneers) and CB Benjamin St-Juste (Commanders) may have smaller roles, but their talent keeps them competing and making the Gopher football program proud. Johnson was part of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning squad with Winfield, making their collective resume impressive.

Forgotten Legend, Star Veteran

A bit older but still a force for the Packers, De’Vondre Campbell is worth keeping an eye on. After seven years in the league, Campbell has become a solid defensive presence for Green Bay, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and a lucrative contract the following year. As a somewhat under-the-radar veteran, Campbell deserves attention from current students who might fail to realize that he is a U of M alum.

Full Breakdown

While many other Gophers are fighting for spots on rosters, these are the key names that current students will recognize and who are set to see significant playing time. Here’s a quick rundown of the 2023 Gophers in the NFL:

• Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens WR, Active Roster, UMN 2018-2020)
• Daniel Faalele (Baltimore Ravens OT, Active Roster, UMN 2018-2021)
• Terell Smith (Chicago Bears CB, Active Roster, UMN 2018-2022)
• De’Vondre Campbell (Green Bay Packers ILB, Active Roster, UMN 2013-2015)
• Blake Cashman (Houston Texans LB, Active Roster, UMN 2015-2018)
• Eric Murray (Houston Texans S, Active Roster, UMN 2012-2015)
• Jordan Howden (New Orleans Saints S, Active Roster, UMN 2018-2022)
• Carter Coughlin (New York Giants ILB, Active Roster, UMN 2016-2019)
• John Michael Schmitz Jr. (New York Giants C, Active Roster, UMN 2017-2022)
• Boye Mafe (Seattle Seahawks OLB, Active Roster, UMN 2017-2021)
• Ko Kieft (Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE, Active Roster, UMN 2016-2021)
• Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers S, Active Roster, UMN 2016-2019)
• Jack Gibbens (Tennessee Titans ILB, Active Roster, UMN 2021)
• Benjamin St-Juste (Washington Commanders CB, Active Roster, UMN 2019-2020)
• Esezi Otomewo (Jacksonville Jaguars DE, Practice Squad, UMN 2017-2021)
• Tyler Johnson (Los Angeles Rams WR, Practice Squad, UMN 2016-2019)
• Thomas Rush (Tennessee Titans OLB, Practice Squad, UMN 2018-2022)

Total Active Players: 14

Total Practice Squad Players: 3

Lastly, some Gopher legends who were household names on campus may not make it to the professional field. We’re referring to QB Tanner Morgan and RB Mohammad Ibrahim. Although Ibrahim briefly joined the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, injuries led to his release. Tanner Morgan initially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent and later briefly joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, but his time in the NFL has been challenging. While their NFL careers might not mirror their college success, one thing is certain: if they ever visit The Kollege Klub or Sally’s Saloon, they’ll never have to buy a drink for their part in the iconic 2019 win against Penn State.