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University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Eight Former Gophers on NFL Playoff Team Rosters
1/12/2023 1:14:00 PM | Football
Tampa Bay has three former Gophers, while Baltimore has two
The NFL Playoffs start this weekend and eight former Gophers (including practice squad and reserve / injured) are on rosters of competing teams.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the most former Gophers on their roster with three. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr,. and tight end Ko Kieft are on the active roster, while receiver Tyler Johnson is a member of the practice squad. Winfield was a unanimous All-American at Minnesota, while Kieft was a punishing run-blocker and Johnson ended his Gopher career as the school's all-time leading receiver.
The Baltimore Ravens have two former Gophers on the roster in Daniel Faalele and Rashod Bateman (Bateman is injured and is not eligible for the playoffs). Faalele was Minnesota first offensive lineman to be drafted since 2006 when both Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom were selected. Bateman, who played three years for the Gophers, was the 2019 Big Ten Receiver of the Year for the Gophers.
The Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks each have one former Gopher on their team and they all starred on the defensive line for the Maroon and Gold.
Esezi Otomewo had 7.5 sacks as a Gopher and was the first U player to be drafted by the hometown Vikings since 2010 when he was selected in the 2022 draft.
Carter Coughlin is in his third year with the Giants. The Minnesota native ended his collegiate career ranked third in school history in sacks (22.5) and fourth in tackles for loss (40.0).
Boye Mafe is in his rookie season in Seattle. The Minnesota native finished his time as a Gopher with 15.0 sacks, which ranks ninth in school history.
Gophers in the 2023 NFL Playoffs
Baltimore Ravens
Daniel Faalele
Rashod Bateman (reserve / injured)
Minnesota Vikings
Esezi Otomewo
New York Giants
Carter Coughlin
Seattle Seahwaks
Boye Mafe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ko Kieft
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tyler Johnson (practice squad)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the most former Gophers on their roster with three. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr,. and tight end Ko Kieft are on the active roster, while receiver Tyler Johnson is a member of the practice squad. Winfield was a unanimous All-American at Minnesota, while Kieft was a punishing run-blocker and Johnson ended his Gopher career as the school's all-time leading receiver.
The Baltimore Ravens have two former Gophers on the roster in Daniel Faalele and Rashod Bateman (Bateman is injured and is not eligible for the playoffs). Faalele was Minnesota first offensive lineman to be drafted since 2006 when both Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom were selected. Bateman, who played three years for the Gophers, was the 2019 Big Ten Receiver of the Year for the Gophers.
The Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks each have one former Gopher on their team and they all starred on the defensive line for the Maroon and Gold.
Esezi Otomewo had 7.5 sacks as a Gopher and was the first U player to be drafted by the hometown Vikings since 2010 when he was selected in the 2022 draft.
Carter Coughlin is in his third year with the Giants. The Minnesota native ended his collegiate career ranked third in school history in sacks (22.5) and fourth in tackles for loss (40.0).
Boye Mafe is in his rookie season in Seattle. The Minnesota native finished his time as a Gopher with 15.0 sacks, which ranks ninth in school history.
Gophers in the 2023 NFL Playoffs
Baltimore Ravens
Daniel Faalele
Rashod Bateman (reserve / injured)
Minnesota Vikings
Esezi Otomewo
New York Giants
Carter Coughlin
Seattle Seahwaks
Boye Mafe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ko Kieft
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tyler Johnson (practice squad)
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