Two Minnesota Gophers Officially Become Freaks

The Minnesota Gophers football team plays its first game in just three weeks and there are a lot of unknowns, going in. They have a brand new, grad transfer FCS quarterback under center and a fresh face running the defense, among other things.

Two Minnesota Gophers make Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list

But there are few doubts surrounding the left tackle position, where Minnesota have one of the most solid blind side protectors in the country, with 6’6″ 325 lb senior , Aireontae Ersery, out of Kansas City, MO. A 3-star prospect out of high school, Ersery has developed into an absolute freak.

25. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, left tackle

That’s a good thing, in this case. When you make Bruce Feldman’s (The Athletic) annual “College Football Freaks List “, it means you’re also catching the eyes of just about every NFL scout and front office executive in the NFL. That’s especially true when you land in the top 25, which Ersery did, slotting into the 2024 list right at No. 25.

Once rated the No. 77 offensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2019 class, Ersery has grown into a 6-6, 330-pound standout in the Big Ten. His 86.7 PFF run-blocking grade is the highest among all returning FBS tackles (only Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga,a first-round pick this spring, was rated higher in 2023). According to PFF, Ersery only allowed one pressure on 23 pass-blocking snaps against Ohio State and its two star edge rushers: Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.

Ersery squatted 640 pounds, bench pressed 412 and did a 409-pound hand clean this offseason, but his wheels are the most impressive aspect of his game. His 1.52-second 10-yard split is a program record for offensive linemen, and he clocked 18.34 mph on the GPS. Ersery posted a 27.5-inch vertical and a 9-2 broad jump along with a pro shuttle time of 4.61.

Bruce Feldman – The Athletic

Related: Minnesota Gophers May Have Stumbled Upon Another Stud Running Back

But Aireontae Ersery wasn’t the only Gopher to make Feldman’s 2024 Freaks list. Nearly 50 spots down the article, at No. 72, sits senior outside linebacker, Cody Lindenberg, a hometown kid from Anoka, MN.

72. Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, linebacker

Cody got onto campus one season after Ersery, as part of the 2020 recruiting class. The 6’3″, 235 lb freak battled a lot of injuries throughout his four years in Dinkytown. And Lindenberg’s rise to defensive leader didn’t happen overnight.

According to Gophers coaches, the 6-3, 240-pounder topped out at 21.46 mph; his pro shuttle time was 4.00 — no linebacker has moved that quick at the NFL combine since 2019, when WVU’s David Long did it in 3.97 seconds. Lindenberg broad-jumped 10-0 and vertical-jumped 36 inches. His 10-yard split was 1.51. His hang clean was 387 pounds, and he benched 350.

Bruce Feldman – The Athletic

With a good (healthy) 2024 season, has a chance to rocket himself up 2025 NFL Draft boards. Being named on this list is certainly a good start in making that dream come true. He certainly has all the tools to make it happen.

Related: Gophers Were Spying on Fans at Practice… to Make Sure They Weren’t Being Spied On

Minnesota Gophers wide receiver, Le’Meke Brockington was named by Feldman as a Freak honorable mention. Brockington is a 6’0″, 195 lb junior who squats over 600 lbs. Of course, his season will largely depend on the competence of new QB Max Brosmer, and his ability to get his offensive freaks the football.

More must-reads:

• Gophers Were Spying on Fans at Practice… to Make Sure They Weren’t Being Spied On
• Minnesota Gophers May Have Stumbled Upon Another Stud Running Back
• Koi Perich is Trying to Make Up for Late Start with Gophers