Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) - AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Next up in the draft process is the Minnesota Pro Day. This is when players can get one more chance to show off their skills to NFL scouts. This is even more important for players who did not receive an NFL Scouting Combine invitation. The Minnesota Pro Day will take place on March 14th.
Minnesota Pro Day Information
Currently, four Minnesota players can be expected to participate in the 2024 Minnesota Pro Day. Of the participants, two were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. This list will have updates if more participants are known to be present. Here is a look at the participants and their draft projections in order of position.
Chris Autman-Bell – WR
After seven seasons playing college football, wide receiver, Chris Autman-Bell is heading to the NFL. Autman-Bell spent all seven seasons playing for the Gophers. In his seven years, he had 131 receptions for 2,058 yards and 14 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. This is after not playing in year one, 2017.
The 6-1 receiver did not receive an invitation to the 2024 NFL Combine and will need to show off his skills at the Minnesota Pro Day. He is a physical player that can be utilized blocking for teams, and breaking tackles when needed. Autman-Bell is expected to go as an undrafted free agent. The Minnesota Pro Day will give him a chance to show teams why they should still sign him.
Brevyn Spann-Ford – TE
Tight end, Brevyn Spann-Ford is also heading to the 2024 NFL Draft. Spann-Ford spent six seasons with Minnesota and did receive an invite to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. In his six years of playing, Spann-Ford had 95 receptions for 1,061 yards and seven touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. His average yards per catch is at 11.2 yards.
Spann-Ford’s draft projection for 2024 is up for debate when it comes to the specific round. The expectation is that he will go on day three of the draft. He is a big player, with a height of 6-7. He is a solid blocker, a crucial quality for that position. As a receiver, his explosiveness could be better. He will not come into the NFL as a starting TE1, but teams that need depth may be eyeing him as a late-rounder. Watch for Spann-Ford’s name to be called on day three of the draft.
Tyler Nubin – S
The final player expected to participate in the Minnesota Pro Day is safety Tyler Nubin. After five years playing with Minnesota, he is heading to the 2024 NFL Draft. In his five seasons, Nubin had 207 total tackles, 143 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks, according to Sports Reference. He also had 13 interceptions, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles. Nubin is a speedy player and a strong tackler.
Nubin did receive an invite to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He will most likely be the first Minnesota player to go in the draft this year. He is currently a second-round draft projection. NFL Draft Buzz has him as the top safety in this year’s draft class. Even if teams rank other safeties higher, Nubin will go quickly in the draft.
Tre’Von Jones – DB
Following his fifth year of college football, defensive back Tre’Von Jones will participate in the Minnesota Pro Day. Jones is a grad transfer from Elon and spent one year with Minnesota. In just one season with the Gophers, Jones had 53 combined tackles, 44 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, according to Sports Reference. He has also defended eight passes and caught two interceptions. This is all in just one year, as Jones was a strong player on this Minnesota defense. According to ESPN, in five years, he has had four interceptions.
Jones did not receive an invite to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine but will get the chance to impress at the Minnesota Pro Day. Despite his talent, Jones may fall to day three of the draft. Perhaps if he had another year at Minnesota his draft stock would be higher. He will get the chance to use the Pro Day to show teams one more time why he belongs on an NFL roster.
The Minnesota Pro Day will take place on March 14th. Players will also have chances to have pre-draft visits with players. After that, it’s the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft will take place April 25th-27th.
