Vikings Acquire Rookie Running Back
The 2025 NFL Draft had a reputation for months regarding running back depth, and the Minnesota Vikings departed the event with precisely zero rookies at the position.
Vikings Acquire Rookie Running Back
But moments after Round 7 concluded, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah effectuated his modus operandi, using undrafted free agency for a haul of unsung rookies, including a new running back — Tre Stewart.
The small-school runner is now a part of the Vikings’ spring and summer roster and will hope to earn a spot with the team in September.
Tre Stewart Bio
Stewart is 22 and 5’8″ + 185 pounds. The North Carolinian began his collegiate career at Limestone University in South Carolina. He transferred to Jacksonville State for the 2024 campaign, where he tabulated 1604 rushing yards on 264 carries for 23 touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry.
Born in North Carolina, Stewart has 4.5 speed, which is fairly average for a halfback entering the pros. His overall volume production at Limestone and Jacksonville State was more than commendable, but at such tiny comparative institutions, it’s tough to gauge if his skill set will translate to the NFL.
He also wasn’t asked to pass protect much at either school, creating another mystery.
Scouting Report for Tre Stewart
Draft analyst Josh Carney on Stewart: “I didn’t know much about Jacksonville State running back Tre Stewart outside of him being a late addition to the Shrine Bowl and having a great season in Conference-USA. His tape is intriguing, without a doubt. Great vision, good burst with the ball in his hands, contact balance is impressive all over his tape, and he has a knack for creating explosive plays.”
“The real concern with him though is that he has just the one year of Division-I experience. Though he was good at Limestone, there’s not much to take away from Division II football. He has a heavy workload over four seasons though, too, which can be a concern. But for a guy that profiles as a worthwhile flier as a UDFA, Stewart is a guy that could carve out a role for an NFL team at the running back position.”
The Vikings ranked 20th leaguewide in 2024 per DVOA.
Carney added, “Stewart’s vision and ability to pick through defenses without losing any speed to find that opening was quite intriguing on tape. He’s able to navigate and find the lanes quickly while still working downhill. His eyes are always searching and he makes the right decision often. Once he’s in space, good luck. That’s home-run speed right there. Stewart is shot out of a cannon at the snap and is in high gear immediately. He does a great job of getting to the sideline, turning the corner and outrunning any angles defenders may have on him.”
“He’s a one-cut runner and can create explosive plays. He is going to find green grass, and you’re not going to get him down with arm tackles. He’s good at staying on his feet and running through tackle attempts on his lower half, like he does here to get into the end zone against Liberty.”
NFL.com on the New Viking
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com also profiled Stewart: “Stewart played only one season at Jacksonville State after starring at Limestone University, but he maintained his level of performance, posting 1,000-plus rushing yards for the third consecutive year. He’s undersized but processes lane development quickly and is efficient in getting to his action as a runner.”
“He’s below average as a third-down option and his fumbles in 2024 were a concern. He has natural talent as a runner but without better versatility, it will be tough for him to make a roster.”
The Vikings’ Current RB Room
Stewart is the fifth running back in the mix for the Vikings this offseason, a standard number for the franchise entering the summer. Here’s the group:
- Aaron Jones
- Jordan Mason
- Ty Chandler
- Tre Stewart
- Zavier Scott
Realistic Chances for 2025 and Beyond
Many will hope Stewart transforms into the small-school exception to the rule, but folks shouldn’t possess lofty plans for his trajectory. At best, he’d steal a roster spot from Ty Chandler in late August, possibly nominating him as the RB3 in 2025.
More realistically, Stewart will likely be attached to the Vikings’ practice squad indefinitely, not unlike wide receivers such as Trishton Jackson or Lucky Jackson from recent memory.
Another UDFA Gem at OT
Stewart turned purple in a ginormous class of 19 UDFAs. Two others notably headlined the group, starting with a hometowner in quarterback Max Brosmer, the Minnesota Golden Gophers QB1. Brosmer will vie for a QB3 or QB4 assignment this summer.
The real gem, however, was Kansas offensive tackle Logan Brown. He was undrafted this week, although the Consensus Big Board ranked him at No. 160. Draft heads believed Brown would fly off the draftboard in Round 4 or 5, but he fell out of the event altogether.
Now, he’s a Viking.
You can watch the YouTube stuff from Tre Stewart here.
5 Losers from the Vikings Draft
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