Rashod Bateman is the first B1G wide receiver selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Despite being a second-round projection by multiple outlets, Bateman snuck into the late first round Thursday night, selected with the No. 27 overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens. He was the sixth player from the conference to hear his name called on the first day of the event.

Bateman initially opted out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but ultimately opted back in. He appeared in five games for Minnesota and caught 36 passes for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns in his final year with the program. The Gophers finished with a 3-4 record.

Though Bateman was consistent throughout his three-year career with the Golden Gophers, his best season came in 2019. During the team’s 11-2 year, the wide receiver hauled in 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. After that big year, he was considered a first-round selection.

In three seasons at Minnesota, Bateman piled up 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns while catching 147 passes. He averaged an impressive 16.3 yards per reception and proved to be one of the top receivers in the B1G every year he was on the field.

Bateman will now be suiting up for an offense that’s one of the most explosive in the NFL.