Gophers Send Fewest Players to NFL Scouting Combine Since 2018

Minnesota has only one player invited to this year's combine in Indianapolis.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The University of Minnesota football team will have only one player, defensive tackle Deven Eastern, invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the fewest under head coach P.J. Fleck since zero players were invited in 2018. Eastern was one of 319 draft prospects officially invited to the event, which will take place from February 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis.

Why it matters

The Gophers have had an impressive streak of sending players to the NFL combine and getting them drafted, which has been a key part of Fleck's recruiting efforts. This year's low number of invitees breaks that trend and raises questions about whether it is an anomaly or the start of a new pattern.

The details

Defensive tackle Deven Eastern was the lone Gophers player invited to this year's combine. After a productive redshirt senior season in 2025 with 38 total tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks, Eastern will look to use the combine to boost his draft stock, which currently projects him as a Day 3 pick or undrafted free agent.

  • The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will take place from February 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis.
  • Eastern competed in last month's Senior Bowl event.

The players

Deven Eastern

A defensive tackle for the University of Minnesota who was the lone Gophers player invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

P.J. Fleck

The head coach of the University of Minnesota football team, who has overseen the Gophers' recent success in sending players to the NFL combine and draft.

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What they’re saying

“One year after having a program-high six players invited to last year's combine, the Gophers will have their fewest since P.J. Fleck's first full offseason as head coach.”

— Tony Liebert, Sports reporter (si.com)

What’s next

It has not yet been disclosed if Eastern will participate in on-field drills or athletic testing at the combine, but the interviews with NFL personnel are often the most important aspect of the event for draft prospects.

The takeaway

The Gophers' low number of combine invitees this year breaks their recent streak of sending a strong contingent of players to the event, which has been a key part of their recruiting success under Fleck. The program will need to prove that this is an anomaly rather than the start of a new trend in order to maintain their momentum in developing NFL talent.