Q&A: Rashod Bateman on Gophers Pro Day, draft status, and a new charity initiative

Former Gophers WR Rashod Bateman will hear his name called during the NFL Draft later this month, likely among the top-50 players selected.

We caught up with Bateman to review his Gophers Pro Day, look ahead to the April 29-May 1 Draft, and hear about a new charitable intiative he’s spearheading.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Bateman***

Bateman caught 147 passes for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Gophers. He had a great sophomore campaign with 60 grabs for 1,219 yards (20.3 average) and 11 touchdowns to earn first-team all-conference and third-team All-American honors. He helped lead the Gophers to their first New Year’s Day bowl win — Outback Bowl over Auburn — since the 1960s.

Bateman ran a rock-solid 4.39 40-yard dash at his April 1 Pro Day, with general managers from the Packers and Titans watching closely. Those two teams are among many showing great interest in Bateman.

The charitable initiatve is a connection Bateman has formed with young cancer patient Braxton Battaglia. Bateman starts the interview with how it works. For more information, click here.