Minnesota Gophers Legend Signs Another Early Contract Extension with Ravens
They are much fewer and further between than back in the Minnesota Gophers glory days of football yesteryear, when Dinkytown developed NFL Hall of Famers like Bronko Nagurski (1927-29), Carl Eller (1961-63), Bobby Bell (1960-62) and the campus GOAT, Bud Grant (1946-49) — who lettered in three sports at the U of M before he graduated in 1950 and drafted by both the Eagles (NFL – No. 14 overall) and Lakers (NBA – No. 47 overall).
But the Minnesota Gophers football program has still rolled out some impressive NFL players over the past 50 years, some eras more than others. Since PJ Fleck took over in 2017, the path from Dinkytown to the league has been busier than any other time in modern program history (20 drafted players).
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But just like the athletic facilities at the University of Minnesota, the professional pipeline project on campus started with PJ's predecessors, Jerry Kill and Tracy Claeys, who were hired on in 2011 and sent eight players to the NFL via the draft, from 2014-2016. That's 28 players drafted to the NFL in 11 years (2014-25).
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
For context, the Minnesota Gophers had just 14 guys drafted to the NFL, in the 11 years prior from 2002-2013. In that tumultuous time, Glen Mason was fired (after 2006), Tim Brewster was hired (2007) and fired (2010), before Kill came along.
Some of the most notable names drafted over the last decade include (DB) Antoine Winfield Jr., (C) John Michael Schmitz, (T) Daniel Faalele, (EDGE) Boye Mafe, (LB) Blake Cashman and (WR) Rashod Bateman — who caught 147 passes for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in 31 games as a Gopher from 2018-2020 — including one season that only lasted five games, due to a shortened season and opt-out controversies.
Baltimore Ravens lock up Minnesota Gophers legend, Rashod Bateman
Rashod Bateman entered the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was selected No. 27 overall by the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the only 1st round pick out of Minnesota since Laurence Maroney was drafted No. 21 overall in 2006 and just the 18th Gopher ever picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.
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After a successful start to his NFL career, the Ravens ripped up Rashod's rookie contract two years early, when they signed the Minnesota Gophers legend to a $12.8 million extension last offseason, good through 2026.
Now, just one year later, Bateman has agreed to another contract extension in Baltimore, this time worth three years, $36.75 million ($20M guaranteed), according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
While everyone was focused on what Derrick Henry did for the 2024 Ravens offense, last year, it was Rashod Bateman who gave Jackson a reliable touchdown target through the air, something he has struggled to find in a wide receiver, throughout his MVP career.
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Related: Minnesota Gophers Add Talented Big Ten Lineman to Defense
In total, Bateman has played 51 games for Baltimore, piling up 1,923 yards and 13 touchdowns on 138 receptions. Last season, the Tifton, GA native posted a career-high 756 receiving yards on 45 receptions. He also exploded for NINE touchdowns.
Bateman and the Ravens visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. The former Minnesota Gophers standout will have a homecoming of sorts on November 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Bateman's 1,219 yards and 20.3 yards per reception in 2019 as a sophomore with Minnesota both led the Big Ten.
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