Eric Decker hauled in a Minnesota school record 67 receptions in 2007.  He also racked up 909 yards and 9 touchdowns.  The dangerous passing tandem of freshman quarterback Weber to sophomore receiver Decker was a ray of hope for the Gophers in a down year.  Once again, recruiting services had overlooked rural Minnesota talent as both Rivals and Scout ranked Eric Decker from Cold Spring as a two star recruit in 2005.

Decker is a gifted athlete, and excels at both football and baseball.  Last Spring he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 39th round of the MLB draft and hit .329 for the Gophers in Division I baseball.  He’s probably a good boxer, but moving forward should practice his jabs on a punching bag  rather than Jack Ikegwuonu’s punching sack.  Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune wrote this article back in August about Decker’s choice between the NFL and Major League Baseball.

After three games versus non-conference teams, Decker already has 25 receptions for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He has also rushed for 57 yards with a touchdown.  If he can maintain the same rate of production for the rest of the season, he will have 125 receptions for 1328 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Will that happen?  Probably not.  Entering Big Ten play, the Gophers will be facing better defenses.  The projected 125 receptions is troubling.  Decker is a tough player and a great talent, but the Gophers need to have another solid threat emerge at wide receiver.  As a comparison, the most receptions that NFL Hall of Fame member Jerry Rice ever had in a 16 game season was 122.  125 projected receptions in 12 games?  The Gophers need to make sure that Decker doesn’t wear out and sustain an injury.

Expect Eric Decker to be a candidate for the 2008 All-Big Ten team.  Recently Decker stated that he plans on returning in 2009 for his senior year and the first football season in TCF Bank Stadium.  Although a long shot, it would be great to see him play during the opening of the Twins’ new stadium in 2010.  How many athletes get the opportunity to open two new stadiums in their home state?  Meanwhile, enjoy these videos of my favorite two-sport athlete:

This one’s from his Heisman Trophy winning career at Auburn: