Since the end of the NFL Draft on April 29th, all NFL teams have been looking at and signing college players that weren’t drafted. These Undrafted Free Agents or UDFAs will participate in their respective team’s rookie minicamps, OTAs, training camps, and preseason games, hoping to make the final 53-man or practice squad roster at the beginning of the regular season in September.
Since the draft, the Vikings have officially signed 15 UDFAs to the team. Often, UDFAs are names not known to the typical NFL fan, so let’s look at each of the UDFAs that the Vikings have signed.
OL Alan Ali, TCU
Ali played his senior season at TCU, playing his other years at SMU. Ali made every start for the Horned-Frogs, helping them to the College Football National Championship Game. Ali is a versatile player, having played center, guard, and tackle when at SMU. No collegiate stats are available for Alan Ali.
Vikings Player Comparison: Ezra Cleveland / Pat Elflein
DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
Avery played in every game for the Illinois Fighting Illini this season, helping them to an 8-5 record on the season. Avery typically lined up at the NT position, also playing DT in a four-set defensive line. In his collegiate career, Avery recorded 75 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked kicks.
Vikings Player Comparison: Jonathan Bullard / Michael Pierce
ILB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall
Beauplan was a redshirt senior at Marshall, passing on offers from colleges such as Georgia Tech, Pittsburg, FAU, and Indiana to try his luck at Marshall. Beauplan was Marshall’s leading tackler last year while leading them to a 9-4 record. In his collegiate career, Beauplan recorded 218 tackles, 23 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 interception, 4 passes defended, and 5 forced fumbles.
Vikings Player Comparison: Troy Dye / Eric Kendricks
OLB Andre Carter II, Army
Carter might be one of the biggest steals that the Vikings got as a UDFA. In 2021, Carter was Army’s first All-American selection in 31 years, and broke the Army record for most sacks in a season, with 15.5 in 2021. He is an extremely talented player that probably would have been drafted if he didn’t go to a military university. In his collegiate career, Carter recorded 99 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, 20 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 blocks. Carter only played one full season, with his sophomore and senior years being cut short due to injury, and not playing in his freshman year.
Vikings Player Comparison: DJ Wonnum / Anthony Barr
OL Jacky Chen, Pace
A very impressive offensive lineman, Chen is the only UDFA that the Vikings took from a DII school this season. Standing at 6’6”, 310 lbs, Chen was a force to be reckoned with at Pace University. Chen would start every game of his sophomore, junior, and senior at Pace. No collegiate stats were available for Jacky Chen.
Vikings Player Comparison: Oli Udoh / Alex Boone
CB C.J. Coldon, Oklahoma
Coldon played his senior year at Oklahoma, playing his other years at Wyoming. Coldon spent 4 years at Wyoming, redshirting his first year, and spending a 5th year at Oklahoma. Coldon was never a regular starter at either school, but when he was in the game, he made in presence felt. In his collegiate career, Coldon recorded 160 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6 interceptions, and 23 pass breakups.
Vikings Player Comparison: Akayleb Evans / Duke Shelley
ILB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati
Huber played all 4 seasons at Cincinnati, earning captain honors in the process. Huber played in every game for the Wildcats as they went 9-4. Huber was also a 2 time Academic All-American. In his collegiate career, Huber recorded 85 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 4 blocks.
Vikings Player Comparison: Jordan Hicks / Eric Wilson
WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana
Johnson will be a wide receiver in the Vikings’ system. Johnson split time between receiver and quarterback at Southeastern Louisiana. When Johnson became a full-time starter, he mainly split time between quarterback and running back, however, he never had that break at wide receiver. In his collegiate career, Johnson recorded 797 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs, 1449 passing yards, 11 passing TDs, and 5 interceptions.
Vikings Player Comparison: Jalen Nailor / Jarius Wright
WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State
Knowles spent his whole career at Kansas State and earned numerous 2nd Team All Big 12 nods for wide receiver and kick returner. Knowles is top 10 in Kansas State history for both receiving yards and touchdowns. In his collegiate career, Knowles recorded 1867 receiving yards, 14 receiving TDs, 440 rushing yards, and 4 rushing TDs.
Vikings Player Comparison: KJ Osborn / Adam Thielen
ILB Ivan Pace, Jr., Cincinnati
Pace started his collegiate career at Miami (Ohio) before heading to Cincinnati. Pace would then go on to have what is regarded as the greatest defensive season in Cincinnati Bearcats’ history. Pace would get nods from all 5 recognized NCAA organizations (Walter Camp, Sporting News, FWAA, AFCA, AP). In 2022, Pace recorded 137 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, 4 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. And yes, that tackle number is correct. Through 13 games, Ivan Pace Jr. had 137 tackles. Pace played only 4 fewer games than NFL players and would tie Eric Kendricks for 14th in the league for tackles.
Vikings Player Comparison: Jordan Hicks / Eric Kendricks
K Jack Podlesny, Georgia
Podlesny played every game he could at Georgia for three years straight. Podlesny is a consistent kicker who is extremely reliable from a short distance. Podlesny doesn’t have much experience kicking from 50+ yards, his longest kick made is 53 yards, but that was back in 2020. In his collegiate career, Podlesny recorded 61/74 field goals made (82.43%), and 182/184 PATs made (98.9%).
Vikings Player Comparison: Greg Joseph / Blair Walsh
TE Ben Sims, Baylor
Sims spent five years at Baylor, redshirting in his freshman year. Sims has received honorable mentions for the All-Big 12 Team for the past 2 years, as well as being an Academic All-American. In his collegiate career, Sims recorded 785 receiving yards, and 12 receiving TDs.
Vikings Player Comparison: Johnny Mundt / Tyler Conklin
WR Thayer Thomas, N.C. State
Thomas is a receiver who will remain in the record books of NC State for a while. Despite not breaking any school records, Thomas ranks 2nd in NC State history with 24 career TD receptions and 215 receptions. Thomas also ranks 5th in receiving yards, with 2,484 receiving yards.
Vikings Player Comparison: Brandon Powell / Adam Thielen
CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern
Thompson played in almost every game he could at Georgia Southern. Thompson was First Team All-American in 2021, and All-Sun Belt Conference Team in 2021. Thompson was a bright spot on a rather lackluster Georgia Southern team that struggled to a 6-7 record. In his collegiate career, Thompson recorded 85 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 14 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 3 blocks.
Vikings Player Comparison: Andrew Booth Jr. / Mackensie Alexander
CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana
Out of 57 possible games, Williams appeared in 54 career games. The 3 games Williams missed in his career were all due to injury. Williams gained honorable mentions for the All-Big Ten Team in 2020. In 2022, Williams was a bright spot on a struggling Indiana team that went 4-8. In his collegiate career, Williams recorded 152 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 6 interceptions, 30 passes defended, and 1 block.
Vikings Player Comparison: Camryn Bynum / Patrick Peterson
*The player comparisons are one current and one former Vikings player each.
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