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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Send Five To NFL
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
The picks just kept on coming.
Minnesota saw four of its player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, which is the most the school has produced since 2006 when it also had four players tabbed to play in the NFL.Â
Damien Wilson, David Cobb and Cedric Thompson all heard their name called at the NFL Draft a day after Maxx Williams went No. 55 overall to Baltimore.
Wilson was selected in the fourth round at No. 127 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. He is the first Minnesota linebacker to be drafted since Nate Triplett went No. 167 overall to the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.
Wilson played two years for the Gophers and saw action in 26 games. The linebacker ended his career with 197 tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. As a senior he led the team with 119 tackles (most by a Gopher since Kim Royston made 123 in 2011) and with 10.5 tackles-for-loss. He was tied for the team lead with 4.0 sacks and was named to the media's All-Big Ten First Team and the coaches' All-Big Ten Second Team.
"Damien is an athletic player who runs extremely well side-to-side," said Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill. "He makes plays. I feel like his biggest attribute is chasing the football and the speed that he possesses. He is a strong kind who can get off the block well."
Cobb, who is Wilson's cousin, was the next Gopher selected, as he went in the fifth round, No. 138 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Cobb is the first Minnesota running back to be drafted since Laurence Maroney went No. 21 overall to New England in 2006.
"David is a guy everybody wants to evaluate by speed, but I evaluate him by production," said Kill. "He is a big back who has great vision. He can break tackles and is a physical blocker. He is a well-rounded back and is a guy who is going to be a steal for Tennessee."
Cobb rushed for 2,893 career rushing yards, which ranks seventh all-time in program history and his 562 rushing attempts rank seventh as well. He rushed for 100 yards in 13 games (Gophers were 9-4 in those games) and rushed for 200 yards in two games (Gophers were 2-0). He set a career-high with 220 rushing yards (most he has ever had in any game at any level) against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 6, 2014 and rushed for 207 yards against San Jose State on Sept. 20, 2014. He ended career with 20 rushing touchdowns (13 in 2014 and 7 in 2013), which tied him for tenth all-time. As a senior, he rushed 314 times (single-season record) for 1,626 yards (single-season record) and 13 touchdowns (tied for third most in a season). He had seven 100-yard rushing games (tied for second most in a single season), caught 16 passes for 162 yards and completed one pass for 9 yards. Cobb was named All-Big Ten Second Team by the coaches and media.
Thompson is headed to Miami after the Dolphins took him in the fifth round with the 150th pick. Thompson joins fellow safety Brock Vereen in the NFL who was selected by Chicago last season at No. 131.
"You won't find anybody who wants to succeed more than Cedric," said Kill. "He has great speed, is very athletic and can play a physical game. He can also play special teams, which I think that is important. I think he will be a great fit for the Dolphins."
Thompson played in 45 games and made 221 career tackles (137 solo). As a senior captain, he started all 13 games at safety and was second on the team with 83 tackles. He made 3.5 tackles-for-loss, intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and broke up two passes.
After the draft was over, free agent Cameron Botticelli signed with the San Diego Chargers.
Botticelli is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship at Minnesota en route to playing in 51 games. He made 79 tackles and 4.5 sacks as he helped anchor a staunch defensive line. He started all 13 games as a senior and made 29 tackles. Botticelli was second on the team with 9.0 tackles-for-loss, which included 3.0 sacks as he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention from the media and coaches.
"Cameron is my type of guy," said Kill. "He is a walk-on player who worked his way up. He is a working class guy who will come to work every day and do what you tell him. He is going to be in the right gap and give you 110 percent. He is the kind of guy you want on your team."
