Former Minnesota, NFL receiver discusses alma mater's challenges in new NIL era amid homecoming weekend

Eric Decker, who starred at Minnesota, discusses the school's homecoming weekend and how the university can compete in the NIL era of college athletics.

Eric Decker will be back in Minneapolis on Saturday night for his Minnesota Golden Gophers' homecoming game, reliving the glory days.

The former NFL receiver starred for Minnesota, playing three years at the Metrodome before spending his senior season at the outdoor Huntington Bank Stadium.

"Just to be around that energy, reliving the memories, I love P.J. [Fleck], he's done a great job with the program and has gotten the best out of his guys. Fun to be back, especially in the fall, that's the best time of year anywhere. But football season on campus, a lot of great memories I've built through my career now," Decker said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

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Eric Decker celebrates after a first half Minnesota touchdown. (Marlin Levison/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Decker will be in the building on behalf of Duke Cannon, which will have its "Big A-- Keg of Soap" to keep fans clean throughout the long day ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

"All the fans are welcome to come, take a little shower, get a little refresh after a long day of tailgating and smell fresh walking into the stadium…" Decker said. "The keg is relative to the college lifestyle, so it’s a fun activation, completely different than anything I’ve seen. Really excited for them to do it on campus during homecoming." 

It's been well over a decade since Decker donned the gold and maroon, and he's seen the change in college athletics from the outside.

Eric Decker of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates his touchdown reception in the first overtime