P.J. Fleck has his Minnesota Gophers working through their bowl prep. Before they kick off against Virginia Tech though, award season has to commence. Travis Hunter grabbed the Heisman over the weekend. Now the Associated Press All-American teams are public. Minnesota made an appearance on that front.
Aireontae Ersery gives Gophers an All-American
The Big Ten landed five players as first-team All-Americans. None of them were Minnesota Gophers but P.J. Fleck’s star left tackle landed a spot on the third-team.
HIM. 👑@Aireontae_69, the @bigten Offensive Lineman of the Year is now an @AP All-American! 💪 #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/nn1xc7tsye
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 16, 2024
Ersery won Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year recognition. A selection as an All-American only elevates his status in the final year wearing a Minnesota uniform. He is projected to be a first round pick in the upcoming April draft.
Minnesota rolled out Ersery as their starter in each of their 12 games this season. He allowed only a single sack and has been a mainstay for the program. Pro Football Focus currently has the Gophers tackle as the fourth-best on their big board calling him an “impact zone-run blocker.”
Minnesota LT Aireontae Ersery #69 (nice) with the quick snatch of Abdul Carter pic.twitter.com/tXWyLRFtKm
— Daniel Harms🏈 (@InHarmsWay19) November 26, 2024
It remains to be seen how Ersery will translate at the next level. He joins center John Michael Schmitz as the Gophers to land on All-American teams in the past three seasons. Fleck has coached six All-American’s including Antoine Winfield Jr., Tyler Nubin, Rashod Bateman, and Mohamed Ibrahim.
Related: Former Minnesota Gophers Defensive Lineman Shot
Ersery will represent the Gophers during the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl as part of his pre-draft showcases.