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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Former Gophers Impacting NFL Season
12/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
While the Golden Gophers prepare to cap off their tremendous turnaround season at the Insight Bowl on New Year’s Eve, many former Minnesota football players are looking ahead to an NFL Playoff run and a possible Super Bowl berth.
It seems that success at Minnesota is translating to success in the pros. There are currently 17 former Gophers players on NFL rosters. Of those players, 13 are on playoff-contending teams. Familiar names such as Marion Barber III (Dallas Cowboys) and Matt Spaeth (Pittsburgh Steelers) have made big contributions to their current teams as they head toward the playoffs.
Statistically, running back Marion Barber has made the biggest impact in the NFL this season, rushing for 872 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Tight end Matt Spaeth has contributed 17 catches for the first-place Steelers. Defensively, Greg White has put up the biggest numbers with 28 tackles and five sacks for the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Looking across the NFL it shouldn’t be hard to spot a former Gopher. There is at least one player from Minnesota in each NFL division, with 15 different teams and five of the eight division leaders sporting at least one former Minnesota student-athlete.
Apparently some Golden Gophers travel in packs as well. Dom Barber and Greg Eslinger both play for the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, Matt Spaeth, Gary Russell and Tyrone Carter are all on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster.
Here is an overall list of Gophers currently listed on NFL team rosters:
Marion Barber III Dallas Cowboys
Tyrone Carter Pittsburgh Steelers
Greg Eslinger Houston Texans
Ben Hamilton Denver Broncos
Michael Lehan Miami Dolphins
Rhys Lloyd Carolina Panthers
Laurence Maroney New England Patriots
Anthony Montgomery Washington Redskins
Logan Payne Seattle Seahawks
Darrell Reid Indianapolis Colts
Gary Russell Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Setterstrom St. Louis Rams
Matt Spaeth Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Utecht Cincinnati Bengals
Greg White Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dom Barber Houston Texans
Ernie Wheelwright Baltimore Ravens
- Ben Flattum, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
