There’s a select group of elite high school football players who earn an opportunity to represent their country on the gridiron, but even fewer do it twice. University of Minnesota standout wide receiver Rashod Bateman is one of those special players.

Bateman, a graduate of Tift County (Ga.) High School, played in the 2017 North American Championship for the Under-18 National Team, catching two passes for 38 yards in a 26-0 victory over Team Canada. Bateman came back even stronger in next year’s International Bowl, grabbing five catches for 54 yards and scoring on a reverse from 15 yards out as part of a 47-7 win over the neighbors to the north.

Since joining P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers, Bateman has shattered records. In 2018, he set freshman school records in receptions (51) and receiving yards (704). He followed with a sophomore season that was even more impressive as he was named the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year and one of 12 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award while also earning AP Third-Team All-American and All-Big Ten First Team honors powered by a stat line of 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.

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Bateman has turned heads of scouts and general managers in the NFL over the past two seasons, and many experts have him as a strong prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft. Bateman and the Golden Gophers are certainly in for an outstanding season this fall.