Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who rebounded from an injury-filled 2023 season to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors this year, announced Friday he will forgo his senior season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.
Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg declares for NFL draft
Cody Lindenberg, who has one year of college eligibility remaining, is leaving the Gophers after a standout junior season.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
December 20, 2024 at 9:34PM
Lindenberg, a fifth-year junior from Anoka, announced his intentions on the X platform, thanking “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” coach P.J. Fleck and his staff, his teammates, family and Gophers fans.
“Representing this university, this program and this state means more to me than anyone will ever know,” he said. “I hope I was able to show my gratitude and pride for this program and for you all in the way that I have played the game on the field and carried myself off it.”
Lindenberg played all 12 games in the regular season, leading the Gophers with 94 tackles (45 solo, 49 assisted), adding five tackles for loss, six pass breakups, one interception, one sack and six quarterback hurries. All for a defense that ranks seventh nationally in total defense (290.9 yards allowed per game) and tied for 11th in scoring defense (17.5 points allowed per game).
His productive 2024 season followed an injury-plagued 2023 campaign in which he was limited to four games. The 6-3, 240-pounder earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference’s coaches and second-team honors from media members this season. He had back-to-back games of 14 tackles against Rutgers and Penn State, and his tackles total ranked sixth in the Big Ten.
Lindenberg closed his statement with, “See you in Charlotte,” an indication that he will accompany the Gophers to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3, though it is unclear whether he will play.
Ersery makes it official
Gophers offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, the Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, also announced that he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Ersery’s decision was all but sealed when he accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Also declaring for the draft Thursday was cornerback Justin Walley, who does not have eligibility for the 2025 season. Though he didn’t say he won’t play in the bowl game, Walley’s announcement is an indication he’ll concentrate on preparing for the draft.
Dawson Garcia’s 20 points and Femi Odukale’s 18 led Minnesota to its first victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 2015.
