Minnesota Gophers DL Deven Eastern Hits the NFL Combine

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota defensive lineman Deven Eastern (DL10) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this weekend in Indianapolis, and the lone Gopher to get an invite will take part in the opening day on Thursday. Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Deven Eastern is in Indy and met with the media on Wednesday before being slated to participate in drills with the rest of the defensive linemen on Thursday beginning at 2 PM.

Eastern met with the media on Wednesday and confirmed he has had informal meetings with several NFL teams including the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and his former teammate Aireontae Ersery’s squad the Houston Texans. Eastern is currently being projected as a potential late Day 3 pick in either the sixth or seventh round.

Minnesota defensive lineman Deven Eastern had a lot of praise for former teammate now Texans left tackle Aireontae Ersery.

Eastern said he shows relentlessness that other linemen have trouble showing.

Informal meeting with the Houston Texans. pic.twitter.com/xYoPac6E8d
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) February 25, 2026

He also talked about now Michigan State DL coach and former Minnesota DL coach Winston DeLattiboudere and playing for him.

Deven Eastern also spoke about now-MSU DL Coach Winston DeLattiboudere III at the NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/mR348Sebt2
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) February 25, 2026

Thursday morning Eastern went through the official measurement process.

Deven Eastern

Height: 6’5”
Weight: 315
Arm Length: 34”
Hand Size: 10”
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) February 26, 2026

He then participated in the broad jump putting up an impressive mark.

NFL Combine DT Broad Jump Leaders:

Albert Regis: 9'8"
Caleb Banks: 9'6"
Garcen Halton: 9'6"
Kaleb Proctor: 9'5"
Zane Durant: 9'4"
Bryson Eason: 9'4"
Deven Eastern: 9'4"
Tyler Onyedim: 9'3"
Cameron Ball" 9'1"
Chris McClellan: 9'0"
Nick Barrett: 9'0"
DeMonte Capehart: 8'11"
Lee…
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) February 26, 2026

He also would add a 27.5” vertical jump before the rest of the athletic drills later Thursday afternoon.

You can watch Eastern and the rest of the DL go through the drills on the NFL network beginning at 2 PM on Thursday.

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