After originally opting out of the 2020 season and declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft Rashod Bateman announced on Wednesday that he is cleared to play football again for the University of Minnesota. The Gophers star receiver also announced that he is switching to the number zero for what is likely his final collegiate season.
In 2019 Bateman totaled 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. This is elite news for the Gophers as they get the best player on their roster back for the nine game Big Ten schedule.
Most of the NFL Draft analysts have Bateman going off the board somewhere in the first round. With some of the bigger named wide receivers opting out of 2020, such as Ja’Marr Chase, Bateman has the chance to work his way up draft boards with a solid performance this season.
The Gophers open the season with a historic matchup against the Michigan Wolverines. The Little Brown Jug will be up for grabs on Oct. 24 as the two schools fight to rise up the college football rankings.
The state of Minnesota desperately needed some positive sports news, and they got exactly that with the announcement of Bateman’s return.