Minnesota OT Aireonate Ersery Completes 2025 NFL Draft Visits
Aireontae Ersery’s path to the NFL is far from typical. The towering offensive tackle didn’t even start playing football until his junior year of high school. What began as a late pursuit has turned into a legitimate professional opportunity. Now, the former Minnesota Gopher is one of the most intriguing offensive linemen entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ersery recently wrapped up pre-draft visits with 10 NFL teams, including teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. With his blend of athleticism, toughness, and durability, Ersery is drawing serious attention. Some evaluators believe he could even sneak into the first round if there’s an early run on offensive linemen.
From Late Start To Star Tackle
Born and raised in Kansas City, Ersery began his athletic career in track and field. He showed early promise in events like the shot put and javelin before ever putting on a football helmet. It wasn’t until his junior year at Ruskin High School that he joined the football team, and it didn’t take long to see his natural potential.
Despite his late start, Minnesota took a chance on him as a three-star recruit. Ersery used that opportunity to his full advantage. After redshirting and navigating the challenges of a COVID-shortened freshman year, he eventually earned the starting left tackle job in 2022 and never gave it up.
Over the next three seasons, Ersery started 38 consecutive games for the Gophers. His consistency and growth stood out, especially in his senior season when he earned Second Team All-American honors and was named the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman. He opted out of the team’s bowl game to begin preparing for the NFL.
Pro-Ready Frame and Skill Set
Ersery’s size and strength immediately jump off the tape. At 6-foot-6 with long arms and a thick base, he checks all the boxes physically. He excels in run blocking, using his powerful hands to create movement and open rushing lanes in Minnesota’s zone-based scheme.
He also has shown moments of dominance in pass protection, especially with his ability to anchor against bull rushes. Ersery’s understanding of stunts and blitzes has improved over time with experience, and his explosiveness off the line gives him an edge against slower defenders.
While he still needs refinement, particularly with his hand timing and body control, his strengths are undeniable. He’s a punishing finisher who plays through the whistle and consistently wears down defenders throughout a game.
Areas Needing Refinement
Ersery’s technique, while improving, still requires polish. At times, he plays too high in his pass sets, giving smaller edge rushers a leverage advantage. This occasionally leads to him getting pushed off balance or beaten with finesse moves.
His punch timing also needs work. He is sometimes late engaging defenders. That hesitation opens the door for quick swim moves and counters. Additionally, while he is powerful in space, his lower body stiffness makes redirecting against speed rushers a challenge.
NFL defenses often disguise their pressure, and Ersery occasionally struggled with delayed blitzes and complex schemes. That suggests he will need time to adapt to the speed and complexity of professional defenses, particularly early in his rookie season.
Draft Stock and Best Fit
Despite his imperfections, Ersery has the look of a high-upside tackle who could develop into a dependable NFL starter. His physical traits and three years of starting experience give him a solid foundation to build upon. He impressed scouts during the Senior Bowl and confirmed he can hold up against elite competition.
Ersery’s draft stock has been trending upward, with multiple analysts projecting him as a second-round pick. If there’s a run on tackles in the first round, he could even sneak into the final few selections on Thursday night.
Teams that run heavy play-action schemes and emphasize zone-running concepts may see him as a perfect fit. He could begin his career at right tackle while developing his pass-blocking consistency. With the right coaching, Ersery could eventually transition to the left side.
Final Thoughts
Ersery is more than just a developmental prospect. He’s a tough, athletic lineman who overcame a late start in football to become one of college football’s most reliable tackles. His background in track and field gave him explosive traits, while his experience at Minnesota honed his technique and toughness.
With that being said, it’s more likely than not that Ersery may not be a plug-and-play left tackle, even still his upside is clear. He has the tools, mentality, and work ethic to become a long-term starter in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if his name is called sooner than expected this week.
