Ra’Shede Hageman is a hometown product getting it done for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Minneapolis native is leading the Gophers in tackles for losses and looks like a top ten pick in the NFL Draft in May. It’s a toss-up between Ra’Shede Hageman or Michigan OT Taylor Lewan to be the first Big Ten player taken in the draft. They are also the only guys who could be top ten picks.
Scouts like Hageman’s length and girth, abt 6-6, 311. He’s a nose guard, who makes an interesting 3-technique prospect in the NFL.
“I’m glad he’s a senior,” Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzergald said of Ra’Shede Hageman, who had a big interception and critical pass break-up today as the Gophers upset Northwestern.
“He had a great off week, and we worked out on his fundamentals,” said Gophers Interim Head Coach Tracy Claeys.
“He’s a big part of what we do, because others prepare for him.”
Hageman said he did a lot of drills working on technique and hand-work.
“I saw a lot of double teams. And I can’t get frustrated that’s just football, that’s just life. I need to find another way to make plays,” Ra’Shede Hageman said.
I imagine a lot of teams will be game-planning around him from now on every week. He’s that special of a player. He should be a great 3-technique in the 4-3 base defense. Perhaps he could fit into the Chicago Bears 4-3?
Chicago is decimated at DT, and pretty lean on the DL position group. Plus they run a 4-3 that could plug Hageman in. Of course, Ra’Shede Hageman will likely be long off the boards by the time the Bears pick.
I totally agree with this sentiment expressed by Nick Medline of Fox Sports Next on Twitter. Medline tweeted:
“Ra’Shede Hageman is one of the best players I’ve seen this season. incredible to watch.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also a regular analyst on news talk radio stations across the world; with weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS