The Minnesota Golden Gophers had a pair of prospects turn some heads at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Tyler Nubin and Brevyn Spann-Ford headline the group of draft-eligible players entering the professional ranks, but are there any other players who can make a legitimate case to hear their name called on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft with a standout performance at Minnesota’s Pro Day?
Minnesota Pro Day 2024
Tyler Nubin, S
Nubin has a legit case for the best safety prospect in the 2024 class with his ball skills, ideal size and length, and instincts to drift into passing lanes when reading the eyes of greedy quarterbacks wanting to attack the middle of the field.
Nubin’s impressive reps on tape have put him into the late Day 1 conversation. Still, questions remain surrounding his top speed, which is the biggest concern regarding his prospect profile entering the league.
Nubin’s career production totals at Minnesota are certainly very encouraging. During his time as a member of the Golden Gophers, the talented safety prospect logged 207 total stops, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and 13 interceptions.
The decision not to run at the Combine certainly will make his performance at Minnesota’s Pro Day very important. A faster-than-expected 40-time could convince many NFL personnel evaluators that he is the top safety prospect in this draft. At the same time, a disappointing performance could seal his fate as a Day 2 selection.
Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE
The battle for the TE2 in this class behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers feels like an open competition. Ja’Tavion Sanders may be the front-runner for that spot, but Brevyn Spann-Ford is in the mix after showing significant development over his five years on the college gridiron.
Spann-Ford’s best season came in 2022 when he caught 42 balls for 497 yards and two scores but admittedly took a big step backward regarding receiving production in his final collegiate year in 2023.
His 4.77 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine likely wasn’t enough to move the needle significantly in his favor, which makes this Minnesota Pro Day performance an important one for Spann-Ford.
He has the tools to be a versatile tight end in the NFL, who can flex outside as a pass catcher but has the size to compete as an in-line tight end as a blocker. However, he’s not a finished product yet in either category.
Chris Autman-Bell, WR
Chris Autman-Bell perhaps has more to gain from this pro day than any other player taking the field. He didn’t receive an invitation to the NFL Combine, which makes Minnesota’s Pro Day his best chance to catch the eye of NFL personnel evaluators.
Autman-Bell first appeared on the Golden Gophers’ football roster back in 2018, which makes him an unordinary prospect entering the league at an older age but doesn’t have a season with standout production during his lengthy collegiate career.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Watchlist
Autman-Bell, who is listed at 6’1” and 205 pounds, displayed some strong hands at the catch point and functional fluidity as an athlete who can create as a ball carrier. But these moments have been very far and few between, making his path to an NFL roster an uphill one.
Other players who could work out during the Minnesota Pro Day include Sean Tyler, Karter Shaw, Cole Kramer, Nick Kallerup, Tyler Cooper, Quinn Carroll, Nathan Boe, and Corey Crooms Jr.
2024 Minnesota Pro Day Results
2024 Minnesota Pro Day results will appear here when available.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!