On the last day of the NFL Draft a trio of Gophers: Daniel Faalele, Esezi Otomewo and Ko Kieft were all selected. With these three players being drafted, the Minnesota football program now has 12 players taken in the last four years of the NFL draft, the most selections in school history since the draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994.
Offensive Lineman Daniel Faalele: Round 4, Pick 110
The first Minnesota offensive lineman to be drafted since 2006 comes in the form of 380-pound Faalele. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens, Faalele will be reunited with his former collegiate teammate and roommate Rashod Bateman. Faalele participated in the Senior Bowl alongside Boye Mafe and during his Gopher career, Minnesota went 23-11 in games that he competed in and started 31/34 games at right tackle.
Defensive Lineman Esezi Otomewo: Round 5, Pick 165
Otomewo is the first Gopher to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings since 2010 when linebacker Nate Triplett was taken in the fifth round. After winning Defensive Scout Player of the Year in 2017, Otomewo started 20 of 46 games, making 81 tackles, including 7.5 sacks during his career donning the maroon and gold.
Tight End Ko Kieft: Round 6, Pick 218
Kieft played in 49 career games and caught 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He also won Academic Big Ten honors every year in the Gophers program besides the year he redshirted (2017-2021). Kieft will be reunited on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with former collegiate teammates Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Johnson.
Offensive Lineman Blaise Andries: Undrafted free agent, (UFA) signing with the Miami Dolphins. Started and competed in 46 games where the Gophers finished 30-16.
Linebacker Jack Gibbens: UFA, signing with the Tennessee Titans. Led Minnesota with 92 tackles in 2021 after transferring from Abilene Christian.
Offensive Lineman Sam Schlueter: UFA, signing with the San Francisco 49ers. Started every game from 2019-2021.
Defensive Lineman Michah Dew-Treadway: Chicago Bears Minicamp Tryouts Invitee. Competed in Division I football for seven seasons (four at Notre Dame, three at Minnesota).
Defensive Back Coney Durr: Chicago Bears Minicamp Tryouts Invitee. Started every game from 2019-2021 and made 144 career tackles, broke up 30 passes (tied for fourth-most in school history) and picked off four interceptions.
Defensive Lineman Nyles Pinckney: New Orleans Saints Minicamp Tryouts Invitee. Started 12/13 games for the Gophers after transferring from Clemson and made 29 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, while forcing one fumble.
