Three Gophers who recently completed their senior seasons – defensive back Adekunle Ayinde, running back Kobe McCrary and tight end Nate Wozniak – will participate in the College Gridiron Showcase from Saturday through Jan. 10 in Addison, Texas.
The showcase provides exposure and education for top college seniors from around the country. The players are selected by a panel of football experts and will be evaluated by professional scouts from the NFL and CFL.
Ayinde, a former walk-on from Blaine, completed his senior season with 51 tackles, 2.5 for loss, five pass breakups and one interception while playing both safety and cornerback. For his career, he had 117 tackles, 14 for loss, two interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 41 games.
McCrary, of Chipley, Fla., is a transfer from Butler (Kan.) Community College who rushed 94 times for 496 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns in 2017. In his two-year Minnesota career, he rushed 133 times for 738 yards and 11 TDs.
Wozniak, who at 6-10 was the tallest skill-position player in college football last season, had seven catches for 104 yards as a senior and was an accomplished blocker. The Greenwood, Ind., native had 28 catches for 314 yards in his Gophers career.
Register picks school
Former Gophers wide receiver Hunter Register, who announced after the 2017 season finale that he would transfer, posted on Twitter that Southern University will be his new school. Register, who played mainly on special teams last year for the Gophers and did not have a reception, will have two years of eligibility remaining and will be able to play in 2018 at the FCS school in Baton Rouge, La.
