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University of Minnesota Athletics
Nine Former Gophers On NFL Roster
9/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2015
By Daniel Kobren
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
The NFL season kicked off tonight with former Gopher Matt Spaeth and the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the New England Patriots. Spaeth is one of nine former Gophers who made an active NFL roster.
Matt Spaeth is the oldest of the nine former Gophers taking the field, as he is entering his ninth NFL season. Spaeth won the John Mackey award in 2006 with the Gophers and still holds the school receiving record for Tight Ends with 1,291 yards.
The youngest Gopher in the NFL is Maxx Williams who was drafted in the second round, 55th overall to the Baltimore Ravens this past May. Williams played for Minnesota from 2012-14 and set the single-season record for touchdowns by a Gopher tight end with eight en route to to being named a First-Team All-American. Williams impressed in his first two preseason games recording five receptions for 61 yards and - to nobody's surprise - hurdled a defender in his first game against the New Orleans Saints. Williams and the Ravens travel to Denver to take on the Broncos to open the season.
Former Gopher running back David Cobb drafted in May by the Tennessee Titans. During Cobb's four seasons (2011-14) as a Gopher he notched 2,893 rushing yards and set the single-season rushing record his senior year with 1,626 yards. Cobb, who scored 20 career touchdowns for the Gophers, flashed his talent and potential early in the preseason, rushing 19 times for 79 yards through two games. Cobb is battling a calf injury and has been placed on the injured reserve/designated for return list. He will be eligible to return in the eighth week of the season.
Damien Wilson will take the field with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in the fourth round. The linebacker played for the Maroon and Gold from 2013-14 and he earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors his senior season. Wilson impressed in the preseason, recording 13 total tackles in four games. The rookie linebacker will take the field with the Cowboys as they open the season against at home the New York Giants.
Ra'Shede Hageman returns for his second season with the Atlanta Falcons. Hageman played for the Gophers from 2010-14 and earned Third-Team All-American honors in 2013. The Hageman and the Falcons begin the season on Monday Night Football against Philadelphia.
Former Gopher quarterback Marqueis Gray is transitioning well into his new role as a tight end with the Buffalo Bills. Gray, who led the Gophers from 2009-12, is entering his third NFL season and will be on the field when the Bills open the season against the Indianapolis Colts.
Brock Vereen saw significant playing time as a rookie last season for the Chicago Bears. Vereen, who made one interception last year, saw action in all 16 games last season and made four starts for the Bears. The former Gopher safety played in Minnesota from 2010-13 and was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2013. Vereen and the Bears kick off the season against the Green Bay Packers.
Cornerback and return specialist Marcus Sherels returns to the Vikings and TCF Bank Stadium for his sixth NFL season. Sherels played with the Gophers from 2007-09 and has solidified himself in the Vikings secondary. The Vikings open the season against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night Football.
Eric Decker is entering his second season with the New York Jets and sixth NFL season overall. Decker remains the Gophers all-time leading receiver with 3,119 yards, and he also hauled in 24 touchdowns in his four years in Minnesota. The New York receiver looks to make an immediate impact this year as Jets faces off against Cleveland to open the season.
