Here’s Where 5 Former Minnesota Golden Gophers Landed During Draft Weekend
Josh Frey
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The 2024 NFL Draft wrapped up last week.
As a result, a large number of college prospects are now getting their chance to make a team at the NFL level. Among those prospects are five Minnesota Golden Gophers. Here is a look at where the former Gophers landed in the NFL.
S Tyler Nubin, New York Giants
Tyler Nubin was the only Minnesota Gopher to be selected during the draft, and he went to the New York Giants with the 47th overall pick. The safety spent five seasons playing for Minnesota throughout his collegiate career, and he piled up 207 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 11 passes defended, and 13 interceptions.
Nubin owns the Golden Gopher’s record for career interceptions. In 2023, Nubin earned the honors of second-team AP All-American and first-team All-Big Ten Conference. With the Giants losing Xavier McKinney to the Green Bay Packers in free agency, Nubin should be on the fast track towards a starting role in New York’s defense this season.
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Dallas Cowboys
Brevyn Spann-Ford is a massive player at 6’7″ and 270 pounds. The tight end spent six seasons at Minnesota and accrued 95 receptions for 1061 yards and seven touchdowns throughout his career with the majority of that production coming from 2021-2023.
Spann-Ford now heads to an interesting situation with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, who selected Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker in back-to-back years during the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts. As a result, Spann-Ford likely is a practice squad candidate.
W Chris Autman-Bell, New York Giants
Another Minnesota Gopher headed to the New York Giants last weekend with an invite to their rookie minicamp. Chris Autman-Bell spent seven seasons with the Gophers, but his career ended on a bit of a disappointing note with injuries cutting his 2022 and 2023 seasons short.
In total, Autman-Bell recorded 131 receptions for 2058 yards and 14 touchdowns throughout his collegiate career, with his best season coming in 2021 with career-highs in receptions (36), receiving yards (506), and touchdowns (six).
DT Kyler Baugh, New Orleans Saints
After spending the first years of his collegiate career at Houston Christian, Kyler Baugh transferred to Minnesota prior to the 2022 season. The defensive tackle struggled a bit in 2022 but saw massive strides in 2023, totaling 41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three passes defended, and a forced fumble.
Baugh now will join the New Orleans Saints and try to earn a roster spot on a team that currently employs six other defensive tackles.
WR Corey Crooms Jr., Dallas Cowboys
Another Gopher joined Spann-Ford in Dallas as WR Corey Crooms signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys. Crooms began his collegiate career at Western Michigan, spending four seasons there before transferring to Minnesota in 2023.
With the Gophers, Crooms totaled 28 receptions for 376 yards. The Cowboys don’t have the most depth at wide receiver right now, so the Minnesota product has a chance to compete for a roster spot.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.