Gophers football players who could be drafted

April 25, 2016 at 4:30AM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Gophers' NFL hopefuls

A thumbnail look at the Gophers who could be drafted or sign as free agents, listed alphabetically:

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, 5-9, 193 pounds

The Delaware native projects as a potential middle- to late-round draft pick. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a junior and a third-team selection as a senior, despite being limited because of a knee injury.

De'Vondre Campbell, LB, 6-4, 232 pounds

Big upside here. He played linebacker in college but could be a pass-rushing defensive end in the pros, utilizing his speed. His 40-yard-dash time (4.58 seconds) ranked third among linebackers at the NFL combine.

Antonio Johnson, S, 5-11, 203 pounds

He was overshadowed by other Gophers defensive backs in recent years but quietly led the team with 102 tackles last year. Coaches thought he was a better college safety than Cedric Thompson, a fifth-round pick last year.

KJ Maye, WR, 5-8, 194 pounds

He wasn't invited to the NFL combine and reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds at Minnesota's pro day. But he emerged as a big-time playmaker last year and still is relatively new at the wide receiver position.

Peter Mortell, P, 5-11, 203 pounds

He was voted Big Ten punter of the year in 2014, when he averaged 45.1 yards per punt. His average slipped to 43.4 as a senior, but he played through a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

Eric Murray, CB, 5-11, 199 pounds

The Milwaukee native is projected to be drafted between the third and fifth rounds. He's a good tackler, and Minnesota based parts of its defensive strategy on his ability to essentially erase an opposing receiver.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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