Vikings Work Out RB from South Dakota
Even though the Minnesota Vikings’ season probably won’t result in a playoff trip, the club is still using day-to-day operations to improve the roster, including a tryout of University of South Dakota alumnus Travis Theis, a running back.
The Minnesota Vikings worked out a running back from South Dakota — who also has CFL ties — signaling interest in adding depth at RB ahead of 2026.
Theis headlined a group of men who auditioned for the Vikings’ roster this week, and with any luck, Theis will eventually get a practice squad nod.
USD’s Travis Theis Works Out for Vikings
A CFL stint did the body good for Theis.
Theis Gets a Look from Vikings
Minnesota hosted a handful of men for tryouts this week, including Theis, a player somewhat well-known in South Dakota. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Tuesday, “The Vikings worked out CFL running back Travis Theis today.”
Theis had not signed a practice squad contract at the time of this article’s publication, but there’s a chance that a deal could come together by the end of the week. Or, at very least, the Vikings now have his name on file. For example, an injury could beset Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason, making Theis one of the first men called.
Career at USD
Theis produced a colossal career at the University of South Dakota, especially as a senior in 2024.
All told, he tabulated 4,616 yards from scrimmage in 56 games with 42 touchdowns. As a senior, Theis rushed for 1,172 yards in 13 games, complete with 19 rushing touchdowns. He has 4.4 speed and is 5’11 and 215 pounds.
He attended high school in Kansas: Pratt Senior High School.
USD summarizes his achievements:
- Second Team All-American (AFCA, 2024)
- First Team All-MVFC (FB) (2024)
- Second Team All-MVFC (2023)
- Honorable Mention All-MVFC (2021-24)
- Team Captain (2023)
- MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award (2022-23)
- MVFC Honor Roll (2022-23)
Not bad.
The CFL Experience
How about the CFL? Well, Theis does it all there, serving as the Montreal Alouettes’ offensive and special teams Swiss Army knife. He’s a running back at heart who catches the ball out of the backfield — and also returns kicks and punts.
He ran the rock 70 times in 12 games for 365 yards this season, along with 19 receptions for 162 yards. Theis also returned 32 kicks and punts for 539 yards and a touchdown.
His Alouettes finished 10-8 in 2025, losing in the championship (Grey Cup) to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
UFL News Hub‘s Patrick Rifino on Theis last spring: “Theis earned first-team All-MVFC honors in 2024 after rushing 187 times for 1,172 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s a physical runner who despite having the appearance of ‘Mauler’ can beat you with his speed with reports stating he runs in the high 4.4’s during his 40-yard dash.
“Theis has eclipsed 3,000 rushing yards and 950 receiving yards giving UFL teams a mix of Max Borghi and De’Veon Smith in their backfield. Currently Theis has a workout with the Denver Broncos at their Mini-Camp.”
Theis is a bit like a poor man’s version of Cam Skattebo for those just getting to know his profile.
Vikings Current RB Room
If Theis parleys his tryout into a contract, he’ll join this purple RB room:
- Aaron Jones
- Jordan Mason
- Zavier Scott
- Ty Chandler
- C.J. Ham (Fullback)
The Vikings recently lost running backs Corey Kiner (stolen from the practice squad by the Arizona Cardinals) and Cam Akers (released and picked up by the Seattle Seahawks).
More on Theis
NFL writer Max Dible on Theis: “Minnesota hosted several players on Tuesday, December 9, mostly on the defensive side of the football. However, the team also gave a look to a wildly successful FCS running back out of South Dakota.”
“Theis rushed for 3,668 yards and 40 TDs as a member of the Coyotes, boasting a career clip of 5.0 yards per carry. He rushed for 365 yards on 70 carries (5.21 yards per attempt) across 12 games, including four starts, for the Montreal Alouettes in 2025.”
The former Coyote will turn 25 next month.
“Currently a member of the Canadian Football League, the 24-year-old Theis is a player of particular note given the potential that the Vikings could part ways with Aaron Jones next offseason in the interest of salary cap savings. Minnesota is facing a $36 million cap deficit in 2026 and cutting Jones would save the team $7.2 million against the cap, which is 20 percent of the debt the Vikings must make up,” Dible concluded.
The Vikings travel to Dallas this weekend for a Sunday Night Football showdown with the Cowboys. A Vikings loss, Bears win, or Lions win would eliminate Minnesota from postseason contention.
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