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Gophers football: Small-town Oklahoman Kyler Baugh goes big at Pro Day

andy greder, pioneer press
·5 min read

Gophers defensive tackle Kyler Baugh has already overcome long odds, and he’s betting big on himself yet again.

The small-town Oklahoma kid made the jump from FCS-level Houston Baptist to all-Big Ten honorable mention in the last two seasons at Minnesota. Now he’s shooting for the NFL, participating in the Gophers’ annual Pro Day at the Larson Football Performance Center on Thursday.

Baugh, who measured 6-foot-1 and 302 pounds, posted a broad jump of 9 feet, 5 inches, with a vertical jump of 33 1/2 inches, with 34 bench press reps of 225 pounds.

“I felt really good about today,” Baugh said about his performance.

Baugh grew up in Talihina, Okla., which has a listed population of 915, and he dreamt of playing in the NFL since he was in the third grade.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to make it happen,” said Baugh, who has been training in Atlanta this offseason. “I never thought I would be in this position right now. I’m just really grateful that I am.”

Baugh posted 41 total tackles and three sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble last season. He had 36 tackles and one sack in 2022.

“I’ve talked to quite a few teams; they got some interest in me,” shared Baugh, adding that NFL franchises have mentioned how they like his athleticism and that he’s impressive on an every-snap basis.

Baugh’s Pro Day showing might move him into consideration for a late-round pick.

Nubin on mend

Safety Tyler Nubin opted to have a meniscectomy on his right knee after the 2023 regular season, and the recovery process has hampered his pre-draft activities.

“It kind of bit me in the butt a little bit,” Nubin said of not being 100 percent at the NFL scouting combine earlier this month. “I was dealing with some residual stuff from that.”

Listed at 6-1 and 205 pounds, Nubin said he’s currently 90-95 percent healthy but still ran the 40-yard dash at the U’s Pro Day. His times weren’t shared, but are believed to be in the range of high 4.5 to low 4.6 seconds.

Nubin’s recovery might be affecting his draft stock, but his body of work on the field is strong. He has been considered a potential first-round pick, but that might now become a second-round status.

Nubin said he was invited to the NFL draft in Detroit in late April, but he will watch from his family’s home in Illinois.

“I wanted to be around my family,” Nubin said with a smile. “I got too many family members that I want to invite. I think they would get mad at me if I pick and choose. I don’t want to have to go through that.”

Fleck’s pride

Coach P.J. Fleck did not speak with reporters Thursday but issued a statement.

“It was an elite morning watching our players compete at pro day in front of all 32 NFL teams today,” he said. “As a coach, there are few things better than seeing your players — who have worked extremely hard to get to this moment — continue their journey and reach for their dreams.”

Fleck plans to meet with media members before the start of spring practices next week.

Maxed out

Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, who scored a touchdown in the Senior Bowl, said he has met with the Jets, Broncos and Cowboys and will continue to visit with NFL franchises as the draft approaches.

Ex-U tight end Maxx Williams, an eight-year NFL veteran, came out to the U’s indoor facility to support Spann-Ford, but, in turn, had to deal with some flak.

Spann-Ford made it a point to say he ran a faster 40-yard dash than Williams did in 2015.

“I just want to get that out to the media, so everybody knows that,” Spann-Ford joked. “I’m sure he’s going to love seeing that.”

Briefly

Long snapper Brady Weeks, who had a near-perfect track record over a school-record 59 games, was satisfied with his performance Thursday. He had a vertical jump of 34 1/2 inches, a 9.6 board jump and a bench press of 18 reps. “I’m a sneaky athlete,” Weeks said. “… Snappers are athletes, too.” … Nubin said he has consulted with former U defensive backs now in the NFL, including Jordan Howden, Terell Smith and Benjamin St-Juste, but not so much Antoine Winfield Jr. “I know he’s a busy man; he’s a money man now,” said Nubin in reference to the Buccaneers placing a franchise tag on Winfield worth $17.1 million next season. … Two of the premier candidates for the Gophers’ Pro Day next year include left tackle Aireontae Ersery and edge rusher Jah Joyner. Spann-Ford also mentioned new transfer quarterback Max Brosmer, who helped throw on Thursday to pass catchers, including Chris Autman-Bell and Corey Crooms Jr. “Max is a great dude,” Spann-Ford said. “High character guy. Can’t wait to see what he does for the Gophers this year. He’s a tremendous leader. There is definitely big things coming and you will definitely see him at this Pro Day next year working out.”

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