Where Gophers, Minnesotans rank on The Athletic's 'Beast' draft guide

Four Gophers are predicted to be drafted and others are projected as undrafted free agents. UMD and NDSU also made the draft guide.

Four members of the 2022 Minnesota Gophers football team are projected by The Athletic's Dane Brugler to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, while others are predicted to get a shot as undrafted free agents. 

The projections are in Brugler's "NFL Draft 2023 'The Beast' Guide," which features scouting reports on more than 400 players and rankings for nearly 1,900 players. It goes so deep that even players from Division-II schools like Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota-Duluth have players in the guide. 

For the purposes of this story, we've focused on the players with Minnesota ties who are ranked among the top-25 at their position by Brugler. You can get free access to the full draft guide here. The password you have to enter is: Bea$stguide2023!

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan

The Minnesota quarterback ranks 18th among quarterbacks in Brugler's guide. Brugler expects Morgan to be an undrafted free agent. 

"Morgan showed improved pocket movement each season and does a nice job on play action, where he can find his rhythm and deliver. But he CONTENTS [18] struggles to read pre-snap and his lack of passing anticipation puts the football in harm’s way. Overall, Morgan will get NFL looks because he is a gutsy competitor and his ball placement showed improvement in 2022. But defenses aren’t scared of his arm and the further the throw, the more his accuracy suffers."

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim

Ibrahim, who played seven years with Minnesota due to multiple injuries and the pandemic, is ranked 22nd among running backs. He has a 7th round draft grade. 

"Overall, Ibrahim doesn’t have desired elusiveness or explosion as an NFL runner, but teams looking for a physical, no-nonsense presence in the run game will appreciate his decisiveness, vision and power. He will need the right fit to secure a backup role on an NFL depth chart."

North Dakota State tight end Noah Gindorff

The former Crosby-Ironton standout in northern Minnesota played his college football at North Dakota State University. Brugler ranks him 17th among tight ends. He's projected as a 7th round selection. 

"Overall, the medical feedback after back-to-back season-ending ankle surgeries will determine if Gindorff is drafted or not, but when healthy, he catches the ball well and relishes the dirty work as an inline blocker. He projects as a throwback Y tight end capable of winning a No. 2 blocking role."

Minnesota-Duluth guard Brent Laing

The Lakeville native was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school and he wound up developing into a standout blocker at Minnesota-Duluth. He's projected to get a chance as an undrafted free agent. 

"Overall, Laing faces a substantial jump in competition going from Division II to the NFL, but he has a chance to become Duluth’s first NFL Draft pick since 1990 because of his athletic versatility on the interior and competitive profile. After some time on a practice squad, he has the ability to carve out a career similar to Hjalte Froholdt."

Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz

The All-American center starred for the Gophers and now he's expected to be drafted within the first two days of the NFL Draft, likely in the 2nd or 3rd round. Brugler ranks him as the No. 2 center in the draft behind Wisconsin's Luke Tippmann. 

"Overall, Schmitz must do a better job keeping his feet, hands and eyes on the same page, but he has the play strength and finishing attitude to execute at the NFL level. With improved consistency, he can be a functional pro starter."

Minnesota cornerback Terell Smith

Smith is ranked as the 18th-best cornerback in the draft by Brugler. In 13 games this season, Smith led the Gophers with seven passes defensed in addition to a pair of interceptions. His size (6'4''), speed and length make him a possible 4th round pick, per Brugler. 

"Overall, Smith can be baited off course and leaves too much production on the field, but he has an intriguing blend of length, speed and physicality to match up with NFL receivers on the outside. He is a physical press-man corner prospect."

Minnesota safety Jordan Howden

Howden is ranked the 22nd-best safety in the draft by Brugler, who expects him to be selected in the sixth or seventh round of the April 27-29 NFL Draft. 

"Overall, Howden doesn’t consistently play up to his impressive testing numbers, but he is football smart and has a feel for limiting big plays. He is a potential backup and special-teamer."