Breaking Down Ade Aruna

The Vikings used a late sixth-round pick to acquire DE Ade Aruna from Tulane. Aruna is a traits pick, having all the desired measurables and athleticism for a defensive end in the NFL, but still very raw otherwise.

Aruna is a Nigerian immigrant who came to the US for high school and to play basketball. But a coach at his high school convinced him to play football, which he did his senior year. That was enough to get him a scholarship at Tulane, where he red-shirted his first year, and played eight games the next. From there, he played nearly every game his last three years. His sack numbers are not outstanding- only 3 his sophomore and senior year, and 5 his junior year. He had 15 TFLs as well during his career at Tulane.

But looking at his tape, he is a prospect that would need some time on the practice squad- probably a couple years - before he would be ready to see the field in the NFL. How well he takes to coaching, how determined and competitive he is, and how committed he is to the work necessary to get up to NFL-speed will be big factors in determining if, and how soon, he could compete for a roster spot.

In any case, at 6’5”, 262 lbs., 34” arms, 4.6” 40, 38.5” vertical and 128” broad jump, Aruna has the physical tools to be successful. Time will tell if he has the other things necessary too.