Under The Helmet: Rashod Bateman

One month ago, it was unknown whether junior wide receiver Rashod Bateman would be able to compete in the 2020 season after previously opting out on Aug. 4. However, on Sept. 30, Bateman's eligibility was restored by the NCAA and the All-American receiver was a Gopher once more.

Coupled with Bateman's return was his decision to change his jersey number from 13 to zero, making him the first-ever Gopher player to sport the number. Bateman is wearing zero this season because there is zero tolerance for racism in Minnesota's culture and it is a call to action to end racism in our society.

Prior to 2020, Bateman established himself as one of college football's most dynamic wide receivers. Last season, the Tifton, Ga. native hauled in 60 passes for 1,219 yards (tied for third most in a single season in program history) and scored 11 touchdowns. As a result, Bateman was named the Big Ten's Richter-Howard Receiver, a Third-Team All-American and was one of 12 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award.

With 120 receptions for 2,024 yards and 17 touchdowns already in his career, Bateman will look to make even more noise – both on and off the field – in 2020 before taking his talents to the next level.

GopherSports: What was that first conversation like between you and Coach Fleck after you were cleared to compete in 2020?
Rashod Bateman: It was pretty cool. I was at practice one day and he came up to me and told me the news before practice started. We went through that and then shared it with the team.

GS: Discuss what went into the decision to change your number to zero and what you hope to achieve.
RB: It's bigger than me. It's bigger than football. It's about life. I feel like I have a platform that I was blessed with and I can use to spread positive change. There's zero tolerance for racism here in Minnesota. There should be zero tolerance in the United States and in the world when it comes to racism. I feel like I could use my jersey number for positive change.

GS: This week, the Gophers go on the road to face Maryland, the place where you caught your first college touchdown back in 2018. Talk about your growth since then and what it is like to return to the place where it all began.
RB: Just being a freshman, shout out to my teammates and coaching staff. They have all developed me and pushed me to be the player that I am today. Going back to where I caught my first touchdown, it'll definitely be special to me. I just want to thank my coaches and teammates for pushing me to be the best I can be.

GS: How did not having any non-conference action to open the season change the way the team prepares?
RB: Football is football, no matter who you play. Our first non-conference games last year were probably some of our closest games that we had all year. It doesn't really matter the team that you play, you just have to be prepared to play every week. That's what we need to focus on and that's what we'll do.

GS: Where is the best place to eat in Dinkytown?
RB: I have to go with Raising Cane's, probably. I used to get a box combo, but I upgraded to the Cainiac Combo. It's one more chicken tender for you, so that's usually what I get.

GS: Have you spoken with former Gopher wide receiver Tyler Johnson since his breakout games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
RB: I talked to him after the Green Bay game and I just texted him and was like, 'Keep setting an example for us here. We're all looking up to you.' Things like that. I just remember watching him playing that night. He caught the first pass and I jumped up, threw the remote, all that type of stuff. I was just really excited to see him back on the field and doing what he does.

GS: What is the most interesting thing you did during quarantine over the past several months?
RB: I bonded with friends more. I feel like quarantine gave us an opportunity to connect more with our friends. During quarantine, one person I hung out with was Chris Autman-Bell… he started skateboarding. He kind of misses it, too, to be honest, because he doesn't have time for it anymore.

GS: If you had to be one teammate for a day, who would it be?
RB: I would probably say Tanner Morgan, because I'm not bald-headed yet, so I kind of want to know how it feels to be bald-headed as a young adult. So, I'm going to have to say Tanner.

GS: What professional wide receiver do you try to emulate?
RB: It's kind of a mixture of the two right now, as I've gotten to watch the NFL this year. Number one, I would definitely have to say Odell Beckham Jr. On top of that, I would have to say D.K. Metcalf. I feel like both of them play their game with so much passion and both of them have been slandered by the media constantly before. They've overcome it and I look up to both of them a lot when it comes to being a receiver.

GS: What are your goals in the NFL after your Gopher career is over?
RB: Beyond this, I'm just looking forward to proving myself that I can play at the next level. It's not up to me. It's in NFL scouts' and GMs' hands. This season, I just want to go out and make memories with my brothers and I'm going to let everything else take care of itself.

GS: What are your overall expectations for the Gophers this season?
RB: We just need to go and play our best ball and focus on ourselves and execute the game plan. If we do that, I feel like we'll have a successful season

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Players Mentioned

Chris Autman-Bell

Rashod Bateman

Tyler Johnson

Tanner Morgan