The piece of artwork is prominently displayed inside the home of former Gophers linebackers coach Mike Sherels.

It’s a custom painting that shows Sherels standing alongside a collection of his former players who have gone on to reach the NFL. It was given as a gift by former Gophers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell as a way to express how much Sherels meant to him during his time with the program.

When a visitor asked about the custom painting in his home last year, Sherels was happy to go down memory lane. He spent roughly 30 seconds talking about each player depicted, finishing up with an ode to former Gophers linebacker Blake Cashman.

“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t maybe put a little bit of an added emphasis on him,” Sherels said with a laugh. “I kind of knew what I was doing in that moment.”

Former Gophers linebacker coach Mike Sherels received this painting by artist Ryan Fors as a gift. It commemorates the Minnesota players he helped recruit and develop before they went on to the NFL. From left, Jon Celestin, Damien Wilson, Blake Cashman, Kamal Martin, De’Vondre Campbell and Carter Coughlin. (Courtesy of Mike Sherels)

As he retold the story to the Pioneer Press this week, Sherels confirmed the visitor was none other than Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. They got to know each other last year because their kids go to the same school in Eden Prairie. They have since built a friendship that transcends their shared love for football.

“I’m not texting him, like, ‘Hey great job on Sunday,’” Sherels said. “He did text me on Sunday, though, being, like, ‘Thanks again for the recommendation.’”

The conversation between Sherels and Flores last year set off a chain reaction that led to the Vikings signing Cashman to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract in free agency. After asking Sherels about the custom painting, Flores cued up the film and found himself drawn to the way Cashman played the game.

“I do a little digging I find out he’s going to be a free agent,” Flores said. “I kind of have my eye on him from that point on. You never know what’s going to happen in those scenarios. He was available and now he’s here.”

The impact of Cashman, 28, was palpable last weekend as he finished with 13 tackles, a sack, and a trio of pass deflections to helped lead the Vikings to a 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

That performance from Cashman garnered a ton of praise from his teammates after the game, whether it was safety Josh Metellus saying, “He played a hell of a game,” or safety Cam Bynum saying, “He has been balling ever since he got here.”

Never mind the injuries that slowed Cashman after starting his career with the New York Jets and Houston Texans. The dominant display that he has put forth with the Vikings so far is exactly what Sherels always believed Cashman could become.

The talent was undeniable when Cashman passed on scholarship offers from smaller schools to walk on with the Gophers. After making the switch from safety to linebacker, Cashman slowly started to make a name for himself.

“The biggest thing that set him a part is that he thought he was a scholarship player,” Sherels said. “He thought he was better than other people, and he didn’t hide it. He was almost kind of annoyed that he had to walk on because he believed in himself so much. That’s exactly the type of kid that we wanted.”

There’s an anecdote that Sherels loves to reference that he feels perfectly encapsulates Cashman’s drive. After a heated exchange during practice, Cashman sat down to watch film with Sherels. They came up with a plan that was supposed to result in more playing time.

“I told him if he did everything we were asking him to do I would find a way to get him onto the field,” Sherels said. “That’s exactly what he did, and when I didn’t get him onto the field, he called me on it. I looked at him and I told him he was right. The next game I got him onto the field.”

Naturally, Cashman rewarded Sherels for his belief, finishing with a pair of sacks.

“That was his moment,” Sherels said. “He earned some playing time and he made the most of it.”

Just like how Cashman is making the most of his moment with the Vikings right now.

“He’s a prototypical linebacker roaming the middle,” Sherels said. “He can fly around and control the game.”

As soon as the Vikings signed Cashman in free agency, Flores texted Sherels, essentially thanking him for helping him connect the dots. Thank goodness Flores was listening after he asked Sherels about that custom painting.

“He was right,” Flores said with a laugh. “He’s brought a lot to the team.”

The excitement that Sherels felt for Cashman stemmed from the fact that he knew he was going to play for somebody that was going to maximize his talent.

“It all worked out,” Sherels said. “I’m just happy to have played a very small part in putting those guys together.”

Blake Cashman #51 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks quarterback Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

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