The Wake

With the annual spring football game approaching for the current Gopher football team, a few former Gophers are looking to continue their football careers in the professional ranks.

In preparation for the draft, The Wake takes a look at three Gopher alumni with a good chance to find themselves in a NFL uniform next year and talks with their former coaches, Guards and Centers Coach Gordon Shaw and Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mitch Browning, to learn more about the former players and what their futures may hold.

Greg Eslinger

A four-year starter from 2002-2005 who started 49 straight games, Eslinger is predicted to go in the third or fourth round. This Bismarck, N.D. native racked up awards throughout his collegiate career. He was a two-time All-American (2003, 2005) and a three-time, first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2003, 2004 and 2005. As a senior, Eslinger was named the 2005 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and won the Outland Trophy, given to college football’s best interior lineman, as well as the Dave Rimington Trophy, awarded to college football’s top center.

Mark Setterstrom

A four-year starter from 2002-2005 who also started 49 straight games, Setterstrom is predicted to be selected in the fourth or fifth round. He was a first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2004 and 2005.

The Wake: What was your experience like working with both Eslinger and Setterstrom?

Shaw: It was really a great journey. They came in here as true freshman and really didn’t know the system or the techniques; but just watching those two players grow in that first year and how much better they got from week to week, game to game, was really rewarding as a coach knowing that you were helping those guys achieve the goals that they wanted. The one thing that was unique about both Greg and Mark was that a lot of people would think that after starting for two years that they would kind of take a rest and say ‘well I’ve seen this, I’ve seen that, I’ve done this, I’ve done that,’ but they never had that mindset. They always continued to work to become better football players and just kept the gas pedal at full throttle throughout their entire careers

The Wake: What were their best assets/strengths when playing for the University?

Shaw: Greg’s was his first-and-second step quickness and speed. He also had a great ability to block players in the open field. Mark had tremendous lower-body strength and great balance. He always knew where to push and where to pull when he was engaged with a defender to get the job done.

The Wake: What do you think Eslinger brings to an NFL team? Setterstrom? And what do you think their prospects are for the draft?

Shaw: Greg has all the things that make a tremendous football player. A great work ethic, unquestionable character, a burning desire within himself to always be a better football player, and (he is) a very coachable individual. A lot of people are going to look at the package and say ‘well, [his numbers don’t] fit in the NFL.’ But there’s a lot of guys walking around on a muscle beach in California and on the East Coast that can bench the world or run a 4.5 [sec. 40 yard], but if they don’t have those intangibles, then they’re not going to make it in the NFL, because it’s a very competitive business.

Mark has all those same characteristics. He’s a tireless worker, very coachable, and a very good student, not only in the classroom, but on the football field. Mark’s not going to run a fast 40 or vertical jump 35 inches, but when the play’s over with, very seldom are you going to see the guy he was suppose to block in on the play. I’ve been coaching for 31 years now and I learned a long time ago the draft is a funny, fickle thing. I feel very comfortable in saying they’re draftable players. My only hope for them is that whatever team does take them, they’re taking them knowing those other things about [intangibles] and not taking them just to take a spin around the block to see if they’re a good player or not.

The Wake: How are they feeling about the draft?

Shaw: Both of them have a really good perspective on it. Greg’s always been a very realistic individual. Mark has the added advantage of having a brother [Chad Setterstrom] that’s currently in the NFL, who has kind of filled him in, let him know how fickle things can be.

Laurence Maroney

Maroney is a likely first-rounder who finished second in Minnesota rushing history behind Darrell Thompson with 3,933 yards. He also racked up 32 touchdowns in his Gopher career. Maroney set the single-season rushing record with 1,464 yards in 2005 when he was named third-team All-American. He, along with Marion Barber and Gary Russell, helped Minnesota become the first team in NCAA history with two running backs gaining over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Maroney was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2004, and 2005, after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2003.

The Wake: What was your experience like working with Laurence Maroney?

Browning: It was definitely rewarding. He’s a good honest kid with a great work ethic and came ready to practice everyday.

The Wake: What was his strongest asset/strength when playing for the University?

Browning: Just his great work habits; he was always looking to become a better football player.

The Wake: What do you think Maroney brings to an NFL team and what do you think his prospects are for the draft?

Browning: He has tremendous football ability. In my opinion, he’s the best pure running back in the draft. He’s the total package; he can run inside, he can run outside, he can pass-protect and he can catch the ball in the open field and by draft time I think he’ll be running at a solid 225-230 lb. [Maroney was listed at 205 lb. last season for the Gophers.] His draft stock is definitely rising.

The Wake: How is he feeling about the draft?

Browning: Well, he’s been visiting six, seven, eight teams, and he’s visiting another one today. He’s really making an impression. Right now, he’s just anxious for draft day to get here, but he’s very confident.

The NFL draft takes place on April 29 to 30 in New York City. It consists of seven rounds with 261 players being snatched up by 32 teams. Tune into ESPN for full coverage. Other former Gophers to keep a watch on include Jared Ellerson, Jakari Wallace, Anthony Montgomery, and Kyle McKenzie.