Minnesota Football: Gophers In the NFL--Season Preview

Every week during the NFL Season we will recap how the former Gopher football players who are now in the NFL did each week for their respective teams.  This week we start off with a preseason recap and catch you up on who is playing where.  First we have the players who were on NFL rosters in 2014:

Eric Decker- Wide Receiver New York Jets

Preseason Recap

Decker finished the preseason with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown in three games.  He will be starting for the Jets at receiver this season.

Week 1 Opponent: Cleveland Browns

The Jets open the season by hosting the Browns on Sunday afternoon.

MarQueis Gray- Tight End Buffalo Bills

Preseason Recap

Gray recorded seven catches for 94 yards in the preseason, all coming in the last two games.  Gray will be the backup tight end for the Bills this season.

Week 1 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts

The Bills open at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.

Ra'Shede Hageman- Defensive Tackle Atlanta Falcons

Preseason Recap

Hageman played in three games for the Falcons, starting two.  He recorded one tackle and assisted on another. He is slated to start at defensive tackle for Atlanta this season.

Week 1 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

The Falcons will host the first of two Monday Night Football Games this weekend against the Eagles.

Marcus Sherels- Cornerback/ Punt Returner Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Recap

Sherels recorded five tackles on defense in the five Vikings preseason games.  He returned six punts for an average of 10 yards per return, and returned four kickoffs for an average of 32.8 yards per return.  Sherels will start as the starting punt returner for the Vikings, but will get pushed by rookie Stephon Diggs.

Week 1 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

The Vikings will open by the bay in the late Monday Night Football game.

Matt Spaeth- Tight End Pittsburgh Steelers

Preseason Recap

Spaeth played in four of the Steelers five preseason games and recorded one catch for 14 yards.  Spaeth will back up Heath Miller and will be the primary blocking tight end for Pittsburgh this season.

Week 1 Opponent: New England Patriots

The Steelers get to go  visit the defending champs in Foxborough for the NFL Opener Thursday night.

Brock Vereen- Safety Chicago Bears

Preseason Recap

Vereen played in all four preseason games for the Bears and recorded eight tackles.  Vereen will see time in the nickle packages for Chicago this season.

Week 1 Opponent: Green Bay Packers

The Bears host the Packers Sunday afternoon.

Tramaine Brock- Cornerback San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Recap

Brock recorded two tackles in four preseason games for the 49ers.

Week 1 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

The 49ers host the Vikings on Monday night.

And now for a recap of the Gopher Class of 2015 in the NFL:

Maxx Williams - Tight End Baltimore Ravens

Preseason Recap

Williams played in the first two preseason games for the Ravens and caught five passes for 61 yards.  Maxx is currently listed as the backup tight end for Baltimore going into Week 1.

Week 1 Opponent: Denver Broncos

The Ravens open the season in Denver in a late Sunday afternoon game against the Broncos.

Damien Wilson- Linebacker Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Recap

Wilson played in all four preseason games for Dallas and recorded 13 tackles!  Wilson is currently listed as a 2nd team linebacker for the Cowboys.

Week 1 Opponent: New York Giants

The Cowboys will host the Giants on Sunday Night Football to start the season.

David Cobb- Running Back Tennessee Titans

Preseason Recap

Cobb played in the first two preseason games for the Titan and rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries and caught two ball for nine yards.  Unfortunately Cobb injured his calf in the second game and was recent put in Injured Reserve with the Option to Return by the Titans.  That means Cobb will be on IR until at least Week 8 of this season.

Week 1 Opponent: N/A

Cedric Thompson- Safety Miami Dolphins

Preseason Recap

Thompson recorded several tackles for the Dolphins in the Preseason, but was released by the Dolphins in their final cuts.  He was re-signed to Miami's practice squad.

Week 1 Opponent: N/A

Issac Fruechte- Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Recap

Fruechte had 6 catches for 49 yards for the Vikings in the preseason, but was released in the final cuts.  He was then re-signed to the Vikings practice squad.

Week 1 Opponent: N/A

Cameron Botticelli- Defensive Tackle San Diego Chargers

Preseason Recap

Botticelli played in the first two preseason games for the Chargers, but did not record any stats.  He was cut by the Chargers and has not been signed by any organization.

Week 1 Opponent: N/A

So the Gophers will have nine players playing in NFL games this weekend, with the potential to see three more get in later in the season.  Come back next week for a recap to see how the nine who will dress this weekend did in the first week of the NFL season!