Gophers left tackle Aireontae Ersery is out to prove he’s ‘the best’

Gophers left tackle Aireontae Ersery will play against the best of the best edge rushers in the country during the Senior Bowl on Feb. 1.

The 6-foot-6, 330-pounder from Kansas City, Mo., accepted an invitation on Sunday to the top college football all-star showcase in Mobile, Ala., with the goal to prove that “I’m the best and I want to go out there a compete against the best.”

But Ersery, a projected higher NFL draft pick next April, won’t have to wait nearly that long to see how he measures up. Fourth-ranked Penn State and top edge rusher Abdul Carter come to Huntington Bank Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Carter, the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2025 draft, per Pro Football Focus, has 36 pressures and eight sacks this season. While exuding confidence in himself, Ersery wasn’t about to say something bombastic about the matchup with Carter and the Nittany Lions.

“My approach each week never changes — no matter who the opponent (is),” Ersery said Wednesday. “I can say Penn State is a great team. They got athletes everywhere.”

Ersery headlines a group of approximately 20 Gopher players expected to participate in Senior Day on Saturday afternoon. The Gophers didn’t official list as of Wednesday as some players are still determining their futures. Some that participate with eligibility remming, still might come back to the U.

The collection of seniors at the end of their careers constitute a deep, talented and impactful group, including Ersery, cornerback Justin Walley, receiver Daniel Jackson and kicker Dragan Kesich. “Some of the best players that ever played here,” head coach P.J. Fleck said.

It also holds stalwarts in defensive end Danny Striggow, offensive linemen Quinn Carroll and Tyler Cooper, tight end Nick Kallerup, punter Mark Crawford, special teamer Derik LeCaptain and others. Plus, key transfers in quarterback Max Brosmer, receiver Elijah Spencer and defensive backs Ethan Robinson and Jack Henderson.

Ersery technically has one year of eligibility remaining for 2025, but he’s not expected to use it. “Don’t hold your breath,” Fleck said. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg and defensive end Jah Joyner also have one possible year remaining, but are both on the NFL radars and will likely pursue playing at the next level. The Senior Bowl has expressed interest in the pair as well.

Ersery is the 10th player across Fleck’s era (since 2017) to be invited to the Senior Bowl and its third offensive lineman, following Daniel Faalele (Baltimore Ravens) and John Michael Schmitz (New York Giants).

“Carry (on) the pipeline,” Ersery said about his opportunity in the Senior Bowl.

Ersery has started 36 consecutive games going into this weekend; it’s one of the biggest attributes Fleck has communicated to NFL scouts.

“Consistency is what people want to see on the O-line,” Fleck said. “It’s such a physical position, a nasty position, and who’s staying on the field longer? I think a lot of scouts look at: injury prone, not injury prone.”

The NFL also factors in what injuries players such as Ersery battling through to stay on the field.

“I take pride on that because the best ability is your availability,” Ersery said about 36 straight starts. “It’s good to be durable … even when you are probably hurt and still be able to play through injuries.”

Ersery, who has shown a charismatic personality in interviews, is also expected to display eye-popping athleticism during the Gophers’ Pro Day and/or the NFL Scouting Combine. Fleck said there are similarities between Ersery and tackle Taylor Moton, who Fleck coach at Western Michigan. Moton has played in 123 total NFL games with the Carolina Panthers since 2017, including eight this season.

“They’re very similar,” Fleck said. “But Aireontae, the athleticism he has is very different than most people I have ever coached. It’s on a completely different level. He’s going to run fast, going to jump high, he’s going to bend, he’s going to lift a lot.”

The massive presence of Ersery at tackle and the quarterback’s blind side gives offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh piece of mind.

“It kind of makes it so you don’t have to worry about the left side of the line,” Harbaugh said. “I’m excited for him. This week, obviously, is a challenge: he’s going up against a top five, top 10 pick (in Carter).”

No senior discount

Position — Name, games as Gopher

TE — Nick Kallerup, 54
P — Mark Crawford, 54
K — Dragan Kesich, 53
WR — Daniel Jackson, 52
DL — Danny Striggow, 49
CB — Justin Walley, 47
LB — Derik LeCaptain, 47
DL — Jah Joyner*, 41
OL — Aireontae Ersery*, 38
DL — Logan Richter, 38
LB — Cody Lindenberg*, 36
OL — Quinn Carroll, 36
OL — Tyler Cooper, 26
NB — Jack Henderson, 23
WR — Elijah Spencer, 23
DL — Darnell Jefferies, 20
QB — Max Brosmer, 10
CB — Ethan Robinson, 10
RB — Marcus Major, 10
RB — Jaren Mangham, 4

* — one year of eligibility remaining