.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
U Sends Eight To NFL In Last Three Drafts
5/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 2, 2016 
The 2016 NFL Draft was held this past weekend and two Gophers - Eric Murray and De'Vondre Campbell - heard their name called. Both players were selected in the fourth round, with Murray going to the Kansas City Chiefs and Campbell going to the Atlanta Falcons.
Their selection is another sign of progress at Minnesota, as the Gophers have now had eight players drafted in the last three years. In addition to Murray and Campbell, Minnesota had four players selected in 2015 (Maxx Williams, Damien Wilson, David Cobb and Cedric Thompson) and two players taken in 2014 (Ra'Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen). In contrast, Minnesota did not have a player drafted in 2011, 2012 or 2013.
The eight Gophers taken in the last three years is the most since Minnesota also had eight players drafted from 2001-03. Minnesota had four players selected in 2001 (Willie Middlebrooks, Karon Riley, Ben Hamilton and Adam Haayer), three in 2002 (Ron Johnson, Matt Anderle and Greg White) and one in 2003 (Michael Lehan). Even more impressive is that the eight most recent Gophers drafted were all taken in the top 150 picks. In contrast, four of the eight players from 2001-03 were taken in the first 150 picks.
Minnesota's current eight-consecutive top 150 picks is the longest stretch in program history since the pre-scouting era 1944 draft, when the Gophers had 10 players (Paul Mitchell, Rudy Sikich, Bill Garnaas, Bob Graiziger, Vic Kulbitski, Herm Frickey, Herb Hein, John Perko, John Bicaninch and Bill Aldworth) selected in the first 105 picks. Minnesota had seven players taken in the first 150 picks in the 1950 draft and seven combined players taken in the 1960-62 drafts.
Minutes after the 2016 draft ended, the Gophers had four more players scooped up as undrafted free agents in Briean Boddy-Calhoun (Jacksonville Jaguars), Theiren Cockran (Minnesota Vikings), KJ Maye (New York Giants) and Peter Mortell (Green Bay Packers).
Their selection is another sign of progress at Minnesota, as the Gophers have now had eight players drafted in the last three years. In addition to Murray and Campbell, Minnesota had four players selected in 2015 (Maxx Williams, Damien Wilson, David Cobb and Cedric Thompson) and two players taken in 2014 (Ra'Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen). In contrast, Minnesota did not have a player drafted in 2011, 2012 or 2013.
The eight Gophers taken in the last three years is the most since Minnesota also had eight players drafted from 2001-03. Minnesota had four players selected in 2001 (Willie Middlebrooks, Karon Riley, Ben Hamilton and Adam Haayer), three in 2002 (Ron Johnson, Matt Anderle and Greg White) and one in 2003 (Michael Lehan). Even more impressive is that the eight most recent Gophers drafted were all taken in the top 150 picks. In contrast, four of the eight players from 2001-03 were taken in the first 150 picks.
Minnesota's current eight-consecutive top 150 picks is the longest stretch in program history since the pre-scouting era 1944 draft, when the Gophers had 10 players (Paul Mitchell, Rudy Sikich, Bill Garnaas, Bob Graiziger, Vic Kulbitski, Herm Frickey, Herb Hein, John Perko, John Bicaninch and Bill Aldworth) selected in the first 105 picks. Minnesota had seven players taken in the first 150 picks in the 1950 draft and seven combined players taken in the 1960-62 drafts.
Minutes after the 2016 draft ended, the Gophers had four more players scooped up as undrafted free agents in Briean Boddy-Calhoun (Jacksonville Jaguars), Theiren Cockran (Minnesota Vikings), KJ Maye (New York Giants) and Peter Mortell (Green Bay Packers).
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
Running Back
/ Football
Defensive End
/ Football
Defensive End
/ Football
Athlete
/ Football
Punter
/ Football
Defensive Back
/ Football
Defensive Back
/ Football
Defensive Back
/ Football
Tight End
/ Football
LB
/ FootballF.A.M.I.L.Y. Night
Monday, May 04
Cinematic Recap: 2026 Spring Game
Monday, May 04
Film Room: Kerry Brown
Tuesday, April 28
Deven Eastern Drafted by Seattle
Sunday, April 26