Joe Christensen: Players reaching NFL fueling U

Putting kids in the NFL and getting players to graduate are major selling points in recruiting for any college coach.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill touched on both subjects Tuesday in a speech before 100 fans at the Garvin Heights Vineyard on the annual Gopher Road Trip. Seven members of last fall's Gophers team are currently on NFL rosters. That includes four draft picks (Maxx Williams, Damien Wilson, David Cobb and Cedric Thompson) and three who signed as free agents (Cameron Botticelli, Derrick Wells and Isaac Fruechte).

"I can talk about individuals, but you're only as good as your team," Kill said. "We preach that. This day and age, that's difficult. We tell kids, if you play together as a team, you're going to get rewarded at the end of the day."

Kill said the Gophers will probably have five more players drafted next year on defense and maybe one on offense. He didn't mention names but candidates would include Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Damarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, De'Vondre Campbell, Theiren Cockran, Josh Campion and punter Peter Mortell.

Gridiron Gold: startribune.com/gophers