Gophers land 3 on All-Big Ten First Team, 1 on 2nd team

Three first-team nods for the 5-7 Gophers

Four Minnesota Golden Gophers football players earned Associated Press All-Big Ten honors, including three first-teamers.

Safety Tyler Nubin, tackle Aireontae Ersery and kicker Dragan Kesich were named All-Big Ten First Team, with receiver Daniel Jackson making All-Big Ten Second Team.

4️⃣ Gophers earn @AP All-Big Ten honors!#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/TLtKYnaq9w

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 6, 2023

Nubin is a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He hs five interceptions for Minnesota this season. The fifth-year safety has registered 53 tackles, four passes defensed, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery with one more game to go as the Gophers face Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26. 

Ersery was a monster for the Gophers at left tackle, allowing just two sacks all season. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound tackle has announced his return for a fifth-year in Minnesota, giving transfer quarterback Max Brosmer a high-end protector. 

Ersery was one of just two tackles to finish with top-five Pro Football Focus pass and run block grades, the other being Wisconsin's Riley Mahlman. Ersery's 80.6 run block grade was the best in the Big Ten while his 79.0 pass block grade was fourth best in the conference.

Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) celebrates his 7-yard touchdown reception against the Wisconsin Badgers with offensive lineman Tyler Cooper (75), offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69), and running back Jordan Nubin (30) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium / © Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Kesich was first in the Big Ten in both field goal attempts and makes, going 22-of-26 this season.

Jackson, like Ersery, announced his return for another season. He's caught 57 passes for 832 yards, good for fourth and third best in the conference, respectively. The senior receiver's eight touchdowns ranks third most in the Big Ten.