NFL rosters are heavy with ex-Gophers, heavier now in the P.J. Fleck era than ever

Jalen Logan-Redding, a sixth-year defensive tackle for the Gophers, knows a little bit about Aireontae Ersery. After all, Logan-Redding spent many a practice over the past three seasons lining up opposite the 6-6, 330-pounder who was selected in the second round (48th overall) by the Houston Texans the 2025 NFL draft.

Ersery impressed the Texans coaches in training camp so much that not only did they move him from right tackle to left tackle, they also made the rookie a starter for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. That surprises Logan-Redding not one bit.

“He’s been putting in the work and being the sponge, like any Gopher would when you go to the league,” said Logan-Redding, who talks occasionally with Ersery by phone. “He’s taking all the coaching that you can take.”

Ersery isn’t the only one.

He’s part of 24 former Gophers players who were on NFL rosters or practice squads as of Wednesday, ahead of Thursday night’s season opener between the Eagles and Cowboys in Philadelphia. Seven of those 24 Gophers in the NFL come from last year’s team — Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer of the Vikings, defensive back Jack Henderson of Tampa Bay’s practice squad, tight end Nick Kallerup of Seattle, linebacker Cody Lindenberg of Las Vegas, defensive end Danny Striggow of Jacksonville and Indianapolis cornerback Justin Walley, who’s injured and out for the season.

“We take a lot of pride in coaching in terms of developing guys to get to that level, and then it’s awesome for our current guys to see the process of it,” Gophers defensive coordinator Danny Collins said. “Hey, maybe it didn’t start off the greatest when that guy was a freshman, right? And the young guys right now get to see the growth, and they get to see, ‘Hey, that’s what it looks like if you just continue to change your best every single day.’ ”

The total of 24 Gophers on NFL rosters is the most under coach P.J. Fleck, and it shows the coaching staff has pushed the program forward in development. In 2024, the Gophers had 20 players on opening-day NFL rosters or practice squads. In 2023, that total was 17. In 2022, it was 14.

Here’s a look at the Gophers in the NFL:

Cashman, a 2019 Jets fifth-round pick, is in his second year as a Vikings starter. Brosmer went undrafted this spring but beat out veterans Sam Howell and Brett Rypien to earn the third-string job.

The Ravens took Bateman in the first round in 2021 and Faalele in the fourth in 2022, and both play key roles. Bateman has 138 receptions for 1,923 yards and 13 TDs in his career, while Faalele is entering his second year as a full-time starter.

A fifth-round pick in 2023, Smith is out for the season because of a knee injury.

Listed as third-string tight end, Spann-Ford caught nine passes for 88 yards as a rookie last year.

A third-round pick, he suffered a torn ACL in training camp and will miss the season.

Murray, a fourth-round pick in 2016, played under Jerry Kill with the Gophers. He’s entering his 10th NFL season. Striggow, an undrafted free agent, is listed as a third-stringer.

A seventh-round pick, Lindenberg is listed at third-string middle linebacker.

A third-round pick in 2032, he’s listed as a second-string cornerback.

An undrafted free agent, Gibbens is a backup at right inside linebacker.

Schmitz, a second-round pick in 2023, is entering his third year as a starter. Nubin, a second-rounder in 2024, is a two-year starter at strong safety.

Johnson, picked in the fifth round by Tampa Bay in 2020, is on the Jets’ practice squad.

Otomewo is a third-stringer, while Baugh is on the practice squad.

Mafe, a 2022 second-rounder, starts and has 18 career sacks. Kallerup is an undrafted free agent who can block.