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Tyler Johnson is trying to be faster. His perceived lack of speed has been the one knock on his portfolio entering the NFL draft. But that doesn't mean he's just been sprinting the 40-yard dash again and again and again for the past four months. Squats. Dead lifts. Bench pressing. Exploding from the three-point stance. Gliding through his first 10 strides. Leaning into the finish. The former Gophers standout receiver has honed those skills and more ahead of learning his professional fate in a week. "It's crazy because your arms correlate with your legs. Nobody even thinks that, but that's something I learned over the past few months," Johnson said. "You don't just do the speed work. That's not where you get faster."

All that effort, and it turns out, Johnson will enter the NFL without ever publicly running the 40-yard dash. He decided to skip the measurement at the scouting combine in Indianapolis back in late February, opting to continue training and debut his time at the Gophers' pro day March 25. But then the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down, leaving Johnson without an opportunity to quash one of his biggest critiques - one that could potentially drop his draft stock. Most experts consider him a Day 3 pick, during Rounds 4 through 7. "It is a little upsetting, honestly, putting in all that hard work throughout the past [months] and was very excited for the progress that I was making," Johnson said. "I felt good, I felt comfortable about what I was going to end up doing on pro day. … But then again, it's out of my control." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#22 WR) Sr/2020

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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04/09/20 - Rodney Smith, rSr/2020, Minnesota, 5-10, 210 (DS#27 RB) + More +

As soon as the Outback Bowl ended Jan. 1, Rodney Smith went back to work. The former Gophers running back ended his six-year college career as the program's all-time leader in all-purpose yards. And despite grinding to those 5,441 yards, he didn't take a break or rest in the offseason. He had NFL dreams to pursue. But that hasn't been a straightforward process. First, he "got a little banged up" in that bowl game, meaning he couldn't compete in front of scouts at the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 23. So he instead turned his focus to the NFL scouting combine at the end of February. But when no invite came, he again shifted attention, to the Gophers' March 25 pro day. Then the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down and, well … "It is definitely frustrating," Smith said.

Smith, back home in Jonesboro, Ga., is trying to make the best of this non-ideal situation. He participated in a "virtual pro day" with Chip Smith, a trainer well-known in NFL circles, and afterward Rodney Smith's agent circulated that video to teams. It included Smith doing everything but the bench press or jumping measurements because of his injury. "It was basically just like training. No adrenaline because you're not performing for anybody. It's basically just a workout," Smith said. "But it was still an opportunity for me to show how I move, how fast I can run." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#27 RB) rSr/2020

RB Rodney Smith, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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04/02/20 - Tyler Johnson, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-1, 206 (DS#22 WR) + More +

Tyler Johnson made a strategic decision to postpone running the 40-yard dash for NFL teams at the combine and instead wait for the Gophers' pro day scheduled for March 25. The COVID-19 pandemic scuttled those plans, forcing teams to evaluate Johnson almost strictly on how he performed in games. What a novel concept. Draft previews knock Johnson's top-end speed. Auburn's defense probably doesn't share that opinion after Johnson torched them repeatedly in the Outback Bowl. Sometimes, the NFL pre-draft buildup becomes mind-numbing because every single aspect of a prospect gets picked apart. Information is vital in decisionmaking, of course, but the degree to which players get judged (and dinged) by their measurements often feels like a case of missing the forest for the trees. Will more draft mistakes happen because teams aren't able to gain extra insight into prospects? Seems likely, especially if there are medical questions. But teams also might avoid falling in love with a player by overvaluing his measurables. Or vice versa. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#22 WR) Sr/2020

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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03/05/20 - Mariano Sori-Marin, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-2, 236 (DS#16 ILB) + More +

As the Gophers prepare to start spring football next week, coach P.J. Fleck said the coaches know there will be some rebuilding, even as they carry the momentum from one of the best seasons in program history - an 11-2 finish, capped by a 31-24 victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl. "We might even get a little younger on defense. As we have gotten older on offense, now we're coming back to be able to build that defense," Fleck said. "We may be a little younger, a little more inexperienced than we were last year. But as a whole, we have to find a way to be better."

The club lost 15 players to graduation last year, nine on defense. "That's where we're going to need a lot of guys to fill in depth," Fleck said. "The Carter Coughlins are not here anymore, the Kamal Martins and Blake Cashmans and Antoine Winfields are gone, Thomas Barber is gone," Fleck said. "Who are going to be the guys that fill in for those roles? A guy like [junior linebacker] Mariano Sori-Marin, who played last year, is going to have a huge role in what we're going to do. [Redshirt sophomore linebacker] Braelen Oliver, who played a lot last year, is going to have a huge role for us as we continue to go this year. He has matured and stepped up. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#16 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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02/10/20 - *Antoine Winfield Jr., rSo/2020, Minnesota, 5-09, 203 (DS#2 FS) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Antoine Winfield Jr., FS, Minnesota,...Winfield played in 33 career games and registered 177 tackles. He made seven tackles for loss and four sacks, while also grabbing nine interceptions, breaking up 15 passes, forcing two fumbles and recovering three fumbles. He also returned a punt for a touchdown in 2018 and was named a Unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2019 after carding 88 tackles and seven interceptions. - Minnesota Football

(DS#2 FS) rSo/2020

FS *Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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02/10/20 - Tyler Johnson, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-1, 206 (DS#22 WR) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota,...Johnson competed in 49 games and made 213 career catches, which ranks second in school history. He ranks first in school history in receiving yards (3,305), receiving touchdowns (33) and 100-yard receiving games (16). Johnson owns 22 school records and was named All-Big Ten First Team twice. - Minnesota Football

(DS#22 WR) Sr/2020

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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02/10/20 - Kamal Martin, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-3, 240 (DS#21 OLB) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Kamal Martin, OLB, Minnesota,...Martin saw action in 45 career games and made 177 tackles. He also totaled 13.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, while breaking up nine passes, forcing four fumbles and recovering three fumbles. Martine had four career interceptions, with two coming during his senior season. - Minnesota Football

(DS#21 OLB) Sr/2020

OLB Kamal Martin, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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02/10/20 - Carter Coughlin, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-3, 236 (DS#16 OLB) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Carter Coughlin, OLB, Minnesota,...Coughlin played in 49 career games and ranks third all-time in sacks (22.5) and fourth all-time in tackles-for-loss (40.0). Coughlin also broke up four passes - all in his senior season - and forced seven fumbles and recovered one. - Minnesota Football

(DS#16 OLB) Sr/2020

OLB Carter Coughlin, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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01/08/20 - *Antoine Winfield Jr., rSo/2020, Minnesota, 5-09, 203 (DS#2 FS) + More +

Gophers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. announced Wednesday he will leave college early for the NFL Draft. The redshirt sophomore had two years of eligibility remaining at Minnesota, but after overcoming two injury-shortened seasons to be unanimous All-American in 2019, Winfield said he has nothing left to prove in the college ranks. Antoine Winfield Sr. despite being 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback in a 14-year career with the Vikings and Buffalo Bills from 1999-2012.

At Ohio State, Winfield Sr. was a consensus All-American, won the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back in 1998 and was drafted by the Bills in the first round. Winfield Jr., who is 5-10 and 205 pounds, was named the Big Ten’s defensive back of the year and was a finalist for the Bronko Naguarski Award, given to the best defensive player in the country. He led Minnesota in two key categories: 88 total tackles and seven interceptions, while contributing three sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. Winfield Jr., who spent part of his childhood in Eden Prairie, came to Minnesota from The Woodlands, Texas, in 2016. He was a freshman All-American that season. - The Pioneer Press

(DS#2 FS) rSo/2020

FS *Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
News Source: The Pioneer Press
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01/01/20 - Tyler Johnson, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-1, 206 (DS#22 WR) + More +

Tyler Johnson had 12 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns Wednesday to become Minnesota's career receiving leader and propel the 16th-ranked Gophers to a 31-24 victory over No. 9 Auburn in the Outback Bowl. Johnson broke Eric Decker's school record for receiving yards on his second catch of the day and became Minnesota's all-time leader for scoring receptions on a one-handed, 2-yard TD catch that put the Gophers (11-2) up 24-17 at halftime. His 73-yard catch-and-run put his team ahead for good early in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota, which began the season with nine straight victories before losing two of its last three to Big Ten rivals Iowa and Wisconsin, finished with more than 10 wins for the first time since 1904. Auburn (9-4) concluded a season in which all four of its losses came against opponents ranked in the Top 25. Tanner Morgan completed 19 of 29 passes for 278 yards, one interception and both of the TDs to Johnson, who finished with 3,305 receiving yards and 33 TD catches in his career. Receiver Seth Green tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Witham on fourth-and-inches midway through the second quarter. - AP College Football

(DS#22 WR) Sr/2020

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
News Source: AP College Football
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12/17/19 - *Antoine Winfield Jr., rSo/2020, Minnesota, 5-09, 203 (DS#2 FS) + More +

Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton, Minnesota defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr., and Kentucky linebacker Josh Paschal are among the major college football finalists for the Comeback Player of the Year award. The other finalists in FBS are Georgia Southern offensive lineman Drew Wilson and Notre Dame cornerback Shaun Crawford. The winner of the Comeback Player of the Year, which is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic, is determined by a vote of AP college football poll voters, along with input from sports information directors. It will be announced Thursday. There will also be a winner chosen among non-Division I players. Winners will be honored at the Fiesta Bowl between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Clemson in Glendale, Arizona on Dec. 28. Luton and Winfield have both had multiple seasons interrupted or ended early by injuries. Winfield has bounced back to be an All-American and help the Gophers to a 10-2 season. Luton threw 28 touchdown passes and only three interceptions this season for Oregon State. Paschal is a cancer survivor who missed most of last season but returned at full strength this year after finishing treatments in the offseason. - AP College Football

(DS#2 FS) rSo/2020

FS *Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
News Source: AP College Football
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12/08/19 - Matthew Trickett, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 5-11, 190 (DS#23 K) + More +

2019 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): Placekicker - Matt Trickett, Kent State,...Trickett has enjoyed a phenomenal sophomore campaign, setting a school record and leading the MAC with 24 made field goals so far, this season. He is currently one of five players in the FBS to have made at least 24 field goals this season. Trickett has two games this season where he went 4-4 on field goal attempts (Kennesaw State, TSDTR) and two more where he hit three field goals (Miami, Buffalo). The sophomore had two walk-off game winners (Kennesaw State, Buffalo) and hit the game-winner against Ball State with under 20 seconds remaining. Away from the place kicking, Trickett has 28 touchbacks on kick-offs this season and recovered his own on-sides kick against Buffalo. - Kent State Football

(DS#23 K) rSr/2023

K Matthew Trickett, Minnesota
News Source: Kent State Football
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12/05/19 - *Rashod Bateman, Jr/2021, Minnesota, 6-0, 190 (DS#6 WR) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota,...Bateman, who was also one of 12 semifinalists for he Biletnikoff Award, has 57 catches this year for 1,170 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 1,170 yards is a single-season school record, eclipsing the previous record set by Johnson last season with 1,169 yards. His 11 touchdowns is one shy of the record 12 set by Johnson last season. - Minnesota Football

(DS#6 WR) Jr/2021

WR *Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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12/05/19 - Tyler Johnson, Sr/2020, Minnesota, 6-1, 206 (DS#22 WR) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota,...Johnson, who is the lone receiver from a Power Five conference to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, has 74 catches this year for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 74 catches and 1,114 yards are school records for a senior and rank third and fourth, respectively in the Minnesota record book. He is one touchdown shy of tying the record he set last season with 12. - Minnesota Football

(DS#22 WR) Sr/2020

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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12/05/19 - Tanner Morgan, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-0, 204 (DS#21 QB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (COACHES): QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota,...Morgan is the first Minnesota quarterback to be on a Big Ten postseason team since the coaches voted Adam Weber All-Big Ten Second Team in 2008. Morgan has had one of the best seasons in school history for a Minnesota quarterback ever. He has set single-season records in passing yards (2,975), touchdowns (28) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (13, dating back to last season). - Minnesota Football

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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