WR Rashod Bateman re-enrolled at U of M, eyes return to Gopher football

Chris Long
Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis.[(Stacy Bengs/Associated Press)]

KSTP Sports confirmed reigning Big Ten Receiver of the Year Rashod Bateman is enrolled in classes at the University of Minnesota and hopes to re-join the Gopher football team for his junior season this fall.

Bateman was among several high-profile NFL Draft prospects nationwide who withdrew from college when it appeared the pandemic would push college football into the spring.

Bateman withdrew from the U in early August and signed with a professional agent.

RELATED: Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman opts out of 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns

The Big Ten initially announced the fall season was postponed to spring, but reversed its decision earlier this week and now plans to resume play in late October.

Typically, college players lose NCAA eligibility upon signing with an agent. It’s not clear if the NCAA will grant special consideration for athletes under the unusual circumstances caused by the pandemic and the Big Ten’s decision to reverse course.

Bateman signed with the locally-based Institute for Athletes agency and was represented by agent Blake Baratz.

"We love Bateman and support the Gophers and anything we can do to help get him reinstated we will certainly do," Baratz said in a text message exchange with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.

Bateman was one of the biggest stars in Gopher football’s historically-successful 2019 season. He caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns – among the best seasons by a receiver in program history.