Gopher Star Aireontae Ersery Selected by Texans in Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft

The former University of Minnesota standout offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery was chosen by the Houston Texans as the 48th overall selection in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. To secure this pick, the Texans made a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

This is the sixth consecutive year that P.J. Fleck and the Gophers have had a player taken in the top two rounds of the draft. Ersery joins Tyler Nubin (2024), John Michael Schmitz (2023), Boye Mafe (2022), Rashod Bateman (2021), and Antoine Winfield Jr. (2020) in that regard. Before that run began, the Gophers only had three players drafted in the first two rounds between 2002 and 2019, which is a sign of the program's current strength.

This marks the first time since 1974 that a Minnesota offensive tackle has been selected within the top 100 picks.

Erserer played for Minnesota over a span of five years and started on the left side for three seasons. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors twice and was named both the 2024 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a third-team Associated Press All-American.

Standing at 6'6" and weighing 330 pounds, offensive tackle Ersery showcased his athleticism impressively at this year’s scouting combine, clocking a 40-yard dash time of 5.01 seconds and achieving a broad jump exceeding nine feet. Additionally, he participated in the Senior Bowl, leaving a lasting impact on NFL scouts during their evaluations.

During the recent off-season, the Texans traded their long-time left tackle Laremy Tunsil and subsequently signed former Jaguar and Viking tacklesman Cam Robinson as a free agent. Erser might vie for that role or potentially play at another position instead.

The Gophers might have an opportunity to possibly set a new program mark this weekend concerning the overall count of their team members chosen in a single contemporary draft era. Ever since the draft expanded to include seven rounds back in 1994, Minnesota’s highest recorded selection tally within one draft stands at five players, which they achieved in 2020. This year, they may increase that figure to six should Ersey be accompanied by teammates such as Jah Joyner, Justin Walley, Max Brosmer, Cody Lindenberg, Daniel Jackson, and Tyler Cooper being picked come Saturday—or maybe even through some unforeseen choice.

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The article was initially posted on www.si.com/college/minnesota as Aireontae Ersery from the Gophers was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. .