The Minnesota Vikings are hosting their rookie training camp this weekend, and several Midwest football players will get a chance to show what they have to offer. Five of these young men are represented by Greg Johnson of Origin Sports Management in Minneapolis:
“We’re very excited that all of our rookie clients are in an NFL camp this year,” Johnson said. “Our five clients in the Vikings camp have been an extremely dedicated and hard-working group — training at ETS Gym (in Woodbury) and totally changing their nutrition regimen over the past four months. Their ready to take advantage of their opportunity.”
Current Vikings RB Zach Line personally recognizes the honor and significance of being invited to the training camp. He’s been there. In 2013, Line joined the rookie training camp weekend as an undrafted free agent; he proved to the coaches what he could bring to the table, and on Opening Day, Line was the only undrafted rookie from his class to make Minnesota’s roster.
Line experienced an initial shock and disappointment over not finding a team through the Draft, but he knew that wouldn’t be the end for him. “I knew I belonged on the field and had the ability and work ethic to play this game at its highest level,” Line said. “The draft is only the beginning. It’s not where you start — it’s where you finish!”
For Oyloe, Walker, Reierson, Mathis and Wolf, their journey begins today at the start of mini camp. For the next three days, these guys hope to show Minnesota that they have what it takes to make this team better. As Line explains, the rookie camp puts young players on an even playing field and allows coaches to see which players are able to learn the playbook.
Line offers the following advice for these players:
“Accentuate your talents. Whatever it is that you are really good at do it really well every time. Coaches can then depend on you and find a spot for you. If you don’t have talent in other areas you need to be able to learn and not repeat the same mistake day after day. Put the draft behind you, check your pride at the door and play ball […] Once you’re on the field, everyone is an equal. Just because one guy was drafted does not mean he now has more power, more speed, or more heart than you. ‘You earn the right to play this game at its higher level on the practice field.’ Notice — this quote has nothing to do with the draft.”
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To see individual articles on the five prospects, view upcoming Vikings Territory posts.
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rook camp tomorrow, yaay! but these poor guys will be long shots, good luck to them. i hope we find a diamond in the rough
sid hartman actually knew what the vikings were going to do in the draft, must still have a good inside source. he called barr as first pick and said they'd maybe take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd, or in the first if they traded back into the later part of the first round
Thanks for the articles on these guys Lindsey! Wishing them all the best,they have their chance so it would be good to see someone step up.
is this simply a promotional site for Mr. Johnson? Is anyone aware that the "rookie" with the likely greatest upside is Jeff Tow Arnett? The Vikings brought the former U of M starting center and Arena Football league starter in as both a long snapper and potential fullback? The reports are he opened more than just a few eyes. Who "vets" the information here?
He signed with the Bucs.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/93672304.html
Legend,
A 27 year old rookie doesn't excatly fit what the Vikings are doing right now.
The Vikings are also in good shape at the center and fullback positions.
Thank you for reading and for your thoughts, Legend. This story is not to say that these 5 guys are the best--or the only--MN rookies that were invited to the camp. I had an opportunity to get some good contacts and interviews for the five players represented by OSM, and it made for a solid story. Thank you for pointing out an additional promising player!