2021 Week 1 - Which College Players Are Future Vikings?

It’s that time of year again! College football has started for most teams. Now we can begin watching the players we feel would be good future Vikings. For all of you wanna be scouts, please let us know which players you are most interested in seeing this year and why you think they would be good “fits” for the Vikings.

There are a lot of games listed here and throughout the year there could be less depending on the matchups. Since this is the first week we will show more games but not all of course.

There are pretty good matchups like #4 Ohio State vs Minnesota, #19 Penn State vs #12 Wisconson, #1 Alabama vs #14 Miami, #17 Indiana vs #18 Iowa, #23 Louisiana vs #21 Texas, and #5 Georgia vs #3 Clemson.

There are some games with players that may be worth following this year like Chris Olave WR, Merlin Robertson LB, Brandon Joseph S, Perrion Winfrey DT, Brandon Smith LB, Treylon Burks WR, Jordan Battle S, Bubba Bolden S, Ahmad Gardner CB, Desmond Ridder QB, Try Fryfogle WR, Charlie Kolar TE, Drake London WR, Nolan Smith LB, Derion Kendrick CB, Justyn Ross WR, Kaiir Elam CB, Demarvin Leal DT, Jaxson Kirkland OT, Ed Ingram OG, Jalen Wydermyer TE, Cade Otton TE, Trent McDuffie CB, Romeo Doubs WR, Carson Strong QB, & Kyle Hamilton S. There are more but too many to list. We will highlight the players we find interesting at this time. It does not mean others are not interesting though.

Wednesday, September 1

UAB vs Jacksonville State 7:30 PM

Trae Barry - Jacksonville State - TE - 6’6” - 245 - RSR

Thursday, September 2

Temple at Rutgers 6:30 PM

Jadan Blue - Temple - WRS - 6’0” - 185 - RSR

Ifeanyi Maijeh - Rutgers - DL5T - 6’2” - 285 - RSR

Olakunle Fatukasi - Rutgers - ILB - 6’2” - 240 - SR

The Citadel at #22 Coastal Carolina 7:00 PM

Jerrod Clark - Coastal Carolina - DL1T - 6’3” - 335 - RJR

D’Jordan Strong - Coastal Carolina - CB - 5’11 - 175 - SR

Isaiah Likely - Coastal Carolina - TE - 6’3” - 245 - SR

Jaivon Heiligh - Coastal Carolina - WR - 6’1” - 190 - SR

Boise State at UCF 7:00 PM

Khalil Shakir - Boise State - WRS - 6’0” - 191 - SR

Cole Schneider - UCF - OG - 6’3” - 312 - RSR

Big Kat Bryant - UCF - EDGE - 6’4” - 250 - SR

Weber State at #24 Utah 7:30 PM

Devin Lloyd - Utah - ILB - 6’3” - 232 - RJR

Nick Ford - Utah - OT - 6’5” - 315 - RSR

South Florida at NC State 7:30 PM

Ikem Ekwonu - North Carolina State - OG - 6’4” - 325 - JR

Cory Durden - North Carolina State - DL1T - 6’4” - 315 - RSR

Trent Gill - North Carolina State - P - 6’4” - 216 - SR

Emeka Emezie - North Carolina State - WR - 6’2” - 220 - SR

East Carolina vs Appalachian State 7:30 PM

Shaun Jolly - Appalachian State - CB - 5’9” - 180 - RSR

Demetrius Taylor - Appalachian State - DL3T - 6’1” - 295 - RSR

Jalen Virgil - Appalachian State - WR - 6’1” - 205 - SSR

#4 Ohio State at Minnesota 8:00 PM

Zach Harrison - Ohio State - EDGE - 6’6” - 265 - JR

Garrett Wilson - Ohio State - WR - 6’0” - 203 - JR

Chris Olave - Ohio State - WR - 6’1” - 188 - SR

Sevyn Banks - Ohio State - CB - 6’1” - 200 - SR

Marcus Hooker - Ohio State - S - 5’11” - 200 - RJR

Haskell Garrett - Ohio State - DL3T - 6’2” - 299 - SR

Thayer Munford - Ohio State - OT - 6’6” - 315 - SR

Tyreke Smith - Ohio State - EDGE - 6’3” - 267 - SR

Taron Vincent - Ohio State - DL3T - 6’2” - 303 - RJR

Nicholas Petit-Frere - Ohio State - OT - 6’5” - 300 - RJR

Master Teague III - Ohio State - RB - 5’11” - 220 - RJR

Chris Autman-Bell - Minnesota - WR - 6’1” - 215 - RSR

Mohamed Ibrahim - Minnesota - RB - 5’9” - 210 - RSR

Boye Mafe - Minnesota - EDGE - 6’4” - 265 - RSR

Esezi Otomewo - Minnesota - DL5T - 6’6” - 275 - SR

Daniel Faalele - Minnesota - OT - 6’8” - 400 - SR

Tanner Morgan - Minnesota - QB - 6’2” - 215 - RSR

Bowling Green at Tennessee 8:00 PM

Cade Mays - Tennessee - OT - 6’6” - 318 - RSR

Alontae Taylor - Tennessee - CB - 6’0” - 198 - SR

Southern Utah at #25 Arizona State 10:30 PM

Chase Lucas - Arizona State - CB - 6’0” - 175 - SR

Jayden Daniels - Arizona State - QB - 6’2” - 200 - JR

Dohnovan West - Arizona State - OC - 6’3” - 315 - JR

D.J. Davidson - Arizona State - DL1T - 6’4” - 320 - RSR

Merlin Robertson - Arizona State - OLB - 6’3” - 250 - JR

Friday, September 3

#10 North Carolina at Virginia Tech 6:00 PM

Sam Howell - North Carolina - QB - 6’1” - 230 - JR

Lecitus Smith - Virginia Tech - OG - 6’3” - 320 - RSR

Jordan Williams - Virginia Tech - DL3T - 6’4” - 310 - RSR

Tre Turner - Virginia Tech - WR - 6’2” - 190 - SR

Raheem Blackshear - Virginia Tech - RBC - 5’9” - 194 - RSR

Michigan State at Northwestern 9:00 PM

Kenneth Walker III - Michigan State - RBC - 5’9” - 206 - JR

Brandon Joseph - Northwestern - S - 6’1” - 192 - JR

Saturday, September 4

#2O Oklahoma at Tulane 12:00 PM

Spencer Rattler - Oklahoma - QB - 6’2” - 205 - RSO

Perrion Winfrey - Oklahoma - DL3T - 6’4” - 305 - SR

Wanya Morris - Oklahoma - OT - 6’5” - 318 - JR

Nik Bonitto - Oklahoma - EDGE - 6’3” - 235 - RJR

Jadon Haselwood - Oklahoma - WR - 6’2” - 206 - JR

Austin Stogner - Oklahoma - TE - 6’5” - 262 - JR

Marquis Hayes - Oklahoma - OG - 6’5” - 332 - RSR

Theo Wease - Oklahoma - WR - 6’3” - 211 - JR

Delarrin Turner-Yell - Oklahoma - S - 5’10” - 198 - SR

Eric Gray - Oklahoma - RBC - 5’10” - 205 - JR

Tyrese Robinson - Oklahoma - OG - 6’3” - 328 - RSR

Kennedy Brooks - Oklahoma - RB - 5’10” - 214 - RSR

Jeremiah Hall - Oklahoma - FB - 6’2” - 253 - RSR

Jaden Davis - Oklahoma - CB - 5’10” - 182 - JR

Ryan Wright - Tulane - P - 6’3” - 245 - SR

#19 Penn State at #12 Wisconsin 12:00 PM

Rasheed Walker - Penn State - OT - 6’5” - 313 - RJR

Jaquan Brisker - Penn State - S - 6’1” - 210 - SR

Jahan Dotson - Penn State - WRS - 5’11” - 180 - SR

Ellis Brooks - Penn State - ILB - 6’1” - 233 - RJR

Brandon Smith - Penn State - OLB - 6’3” - 240 - JR

Tariq Castro-Fields - Penn State - CB - 6’0” - 191 - SR

Logan Brown - Wisconsin - OT - 6’6” - 311 - RSO

Jack Sanborn - Wisconsin - ILB - 6’2” - 235 - RSR

Jake Ferguson - Wisconsin - TE - 6’5” - 246 - RSR

Logan Bruss - Wisconsin - OG - 6’5” - 310 - RSR

Fresno State at #11 Oregon 2:00 PM

Kayvon Thibodeaux - Oregon - EDGE - 6’5” - 260 - JR

Mykael Wright - Oregon - CB - 5’11” - 190 - JR

C.J. Verdell - Oregon - RBC - 5’9” - 210 - RSR

Rice at Arkansas 2:00 PM

Treylon Burks - Arkansas - WR - 6’3” - 232 - JR

Jalen Catalon - Arkansas - S - 5’10” - 198 - RSO

Myron Cunningham - Arkansas - OT - 6’6” - 325 - RSR

Grant Morgan - Arkansas - ILB - 5’11” - 230 - RSR

Trey Knox - Arkansas - WR - 6’4” - 207 - JR

John Ridgeway - Arkansas - DL1T - 6’5” - 325 - RSR

Bumper Pool - Arkansas - OLB - 6’0” - 230 - SR

#1 Alabama vs #14 Miami 3:30 PM

Evan Neal - Alabama - OT - 6’7” - 360 - JR

Christian Harris - Alabama - ILB - 6’2” - 232 - JR

John Metchie III - Alabama - WRS - 6’0” - 195 - JR

Josh Jobe - Alabama - CB - 6’1” - 194 - SR

Jordan Battle - Alabama - S - 6’1” - 206 - JR

D.J. Dale - Alabama - DL3T - 6’2” - 306 - JR

Emil Ekiyor Jr. - Alabama - OG - 6’2” - 324 - RJR

Henry To’o-To’o - Alabama - ILB - 6’2” - 225 - JR

Christopher Allen - Alabama - OLB - 6’4” - 252 - RSR

Phidarian Mathis - Alabama - DL1T - 6’4” - 317 - RSR

LaBryan Ray - Alabama - DL5T - 6’4” - 295 - RSR

Daniel Wright - Alabama - S - 6’0” - 195 - RSR

Jahleel Billingsley - Alabama - TE - 6’4” - 230 - JR

Justin Eboigbe - Alabama - DL5T - 6’5” - 285 - JR

Shane Lee - Alabama - ILB - 6’0” - 240 - JR

Jameson Williams - Alabama - WR - 6’2” - 188 - JR

Zion Nelson - Miami - OT - 6’5” - 312 - JR

Bubba Bolden - Miami - S - 6’2” - 200 - RSR

Cam’Ron Harris - Miami - RBC - 5’9” - 210 - SR

Charleston Rambo - Miami - WR - 6’0” - 175 - RSR

Corey Gaynor - Miami - OC - 6’3” - 300 - RSR

Dee Wiggins - Miami - WR - 6’2” - 195 - SR

Al Blades Jr. - Miami - CB - 6’1” - 195 - SR

Nesta Jade Silvera - Miami - DL3T - 6’2” - 305 - SR

Lou Hedley - Miami - P - 6’4” - 225 - SR

Miami (OH) at #8 Cincinnati 3:30 PM

Desmond Ridder - Cincinnati - QB - 6’4” - 225 - RJR

Ahmad Gardner - Cincinnati - CB - 6’2” - 190 - JR

Myjai Sanders - Cincinnati - EDGE - 6’5” - 263 - SR

Coby Bryant - Cincinnati - CB - 6’0” - 198 - SR

Ja’Von Hicks - Cincinnati - S - 6’2” - 205 - SR

#17 Indiana at #18 Iowa 3:30 PM

Ty Fryfogle - Indiana - WR - 6’2” - 214 - SR

Tiawan Mullen - Indiana - CB - 5’10” - 185 - JR

Matt Bedford - Indiana - OT - 6’5” - 314 - JR

Peyton Hendershot - Indiana - TE - 6’4” - 255 - RSR

Micah McFadden - Indiana - ILB - 6’2” - 227 - SR

Tyler Linderbaum - Iowa - OC - 6’2” - 289 - RJR

Sam LaPorta - Iowa - TE - 6’4” - 249 - JR

Tyler Goodson - Iowa - RBC - 5’9” - 200 - JR

Northern Iowa at #7 Iowa State 4:30 PM

Isaiah Weston - Northern Iowa - WR - 6’3” - 208 - RSR

Breece Hall - Iowa State - RB - 6’1” - 210 - JR

Charlie Kolar - Iowa State - TE - 6’5” - 257 - RSR

Mike Rose - Iowa State - ILB - 6’4” - 245 - SR

Brock Purdy - Iowa State - QB - 6’1” - 212 - SR

Greg Eisworth II - Iowa State - S - 5’11” - 198 - SR

#23 Louisiana at #21 Texas 4:30 PM

Keondre Coburn - Texas - DL1T - 6’2” - 348 - RJR

DeMarvion Overshown - Texas - ILB - 6’4” - 217 - SR

San José State at #15 USC 5:00 PM

Drake Jackson - USC - EDGE - 6’4” - 255 - JR

Kedon Slovis - USC - QB - 6’2” - 200 - JR

Drake London - USC - WR - 6’4” - 210 - JR

Isaac Taylor-Stuart - USC - CB - 6’1” - 195 - RJR

Bru McCoy - USC - WR - 6’3” - 220 - RSO

Isaiah Pola-Mao - USC - S - 6’3” - 205 - RSR

Chris Steele - USC - CB - 6’1” - 190 - JR

Jalen McKenzie - USC - OT - 6’5” - 315 - RSR

Nick Figueroa - USC - EDGE - 6’5” - 260 - RSR

Oregon State at Purdue 7:00 PM

Avery Roberts - Oregon State - ILB - 6’1” - 233 - RJR

Omar Speights - Oregon State - ILB - 6’1” - 237 - JR

George Karlaftis - Purdue - EDGE - 6’4” - 270 - JR

David Bell - Purdue - WR - 6’2” - 210 - JR

Zander Horvath - Purdue - FB - 6’2” - 230 - SR

Texas Tech vs Houston 7:00 PM

Tyler Shough - Texas Tech - QB - 6’5” - 221 - RJR

Jaylon Hutchings - Texas Tech - DL3T - 6’0” - 300 - RJR

#5 Georgia vs #3 Clemson 7:30 PM

George Pickens - Georgia - WR - 6’3” - 205 - JR

Jordan Davis - Georgia - DL1T - 6’5” - 330 - SR

Nolan Smith - Georgia - OLB - 6’3” - 235 - JR

Tykee Smith - Georgia - S - 5’10” - 198 - SR

Zamir White - Georgia - RB - 5’11” - 215 - RJR

Adam Anderson - Georgia - EDGE - 6’5” - 230 - SR

Derion Kendrick - Georgia - CB - 6’0” - 190 - SR

Jamaree Salyer - Georgia - OG - 6’4” - 325 - SR

Nakobe Dean - Georgia - ILB - 6’0” - 225 - JR

Devonte Wyatt - Georgia - DL3T - 6’3” - 301 - SR

Quay Walker - Georgia - ILB - 6’4” - 240 - SR

J.T. Daniels - Georgia - QB - 6’3” - 210 - RJR

James Cook - Georgia - RBC - 5’11” - 190 - SR

Lewis Cine - Georgia - S - 6’1” - 190 - JR

Kearis Jackson - Georgia - WRS - 5’11” - 200 - RJR

Justyn Ross - Clemson - WR - 6’4” - 210 - RJR

Andrew Booth Jr. - Clemson - CB - 6’0” - 195 - JR

Tyler Davis - Clemson - DL3T - 6’2” - 300 - JR

Frank Ladson Jr. - Clemson - WR - 6’3” - 205 - JR

Sheridan Jones - Clemson - CB - 6’0” - 185 - JR

Joseph Ngata - Clemson - WR - 6’3” - 220 - JR

Lyn-J Dixon - Clemson - RBC - 5’10” - 200 - SR

Braden Galloway - Clemson - TE - 6’4” - 240 - RJR

Nolan Turner - Clemson - S - 6’1” - 205 - SR

Xavier Thomas - Clemson - EDGE - 6’2” - 265 - RSR

Florida Atlantic at #13 Florida 7:30 PM

Kaiir Elam - Florida - CB - 6’2” - 192 - JR

Ventrell Miller - Florida - ILB - 6’1” - 225 - RSR

Brenton Cox Jr. - Florida - EDGE - 6’3” - 250 - RSR

Zachary Carter - Florida - EDGE - 6’4” - 268 - RSR

Trey Dean III - Florida - CB - 6’3” - 199 - SR

Jacob Copeland - Florida - WR - 6’0” - 203 - RJR

Amari Burney - Florida - S - 6’2” - 224 - SR

Lorenzo Lingard - Florida - RBC - 5’11” - 203 - RJR

Stewart Reese - Florida - OG - 6’5” - 345 - SR

Jeremiah Moon - Florida - EDGE - 6’5” - 250 - SR

Kent State at #6 Texas A&M 8:00 PM

DeMarvin Leal - Texas A&M - DL5T - 6’4” - 290 - JR

Jalen Wydermyer - Texas A&M - TE - 6’5” - 260 - JR

Kenyon Green - Texas A&M - OG - 6’4” - 330 - JR

Demani Richardson - Texas A&M - S - 6’1” - 210 - JR

Isaiah Spiller - Texas A&M - RB - 6’1” - 225 - JR

Aaron Hansford - Texas A&M - ILB - 6’4” - 236 - GR

Tyree Johnson - Texas A&M - EDGE - 6’3” - 240 - RSR

Luke Matthews - Texas A&M - OC - 6’3” - 320 - RJR

Montana at #20 Washington 8:00 PM

Cade Otton - Washington - TE - 6’5” - 251 - RSR

Trent McDuffie - Washington - CB - 5’11” - 190 - JR

Edefuan Ulofoshio - Washington - ILB - 6’1” - 240 - RJR

Zion Tupuola-Fetui - Washington - DL5T - 6’2” - 280 - RJR

Jaxson Kirkland - Washington - OT - 6’6” - 295 - RSR

#16 LSU at UCLA 8:30 PM

Derek Stingley Jr. - LSU - CB - 6’1” - 200 - JR

Ed Ingram - LSU - OG - 6’4” - 314 - SR

Ali Gaye - LSU - EDGE - 6’6” - 262 - SR

Dare Rosenthal - LSU - OT - 6’7” - 327 - RJR

Chasen Hines - LSU - OG - 6’3” - 349 - SR

Damone Clark - LSU - ILB - 6’3” - 245 - SR

Trey Palmer - LSU - WR - 6’0” - 180 - JR

Cade York - LSU - PK - 6’2” - 200 - JR

Sean Rhyan - UCLA - OT - 6’5” - 318 - JR

Kyle Philips - UCLA - WRS - 5’11” - 177 - RJR

Paul Grattan - UCLA - OC - 6’3” - 300 - RSR

Nevada at California 10:30 PM

Romeo Doubs - Nevada - WR - 6’2” - 200 - SR

Carson Strong - Nevada - QB - 6’3” - 215 - RJR

Sunday, September 5

#9 Notre Dame at Florida State 7:30 PM

Kyle Hamilton - Notre Dame - S - 6’4” - 210 - JR

Kyren Williams - Notre Dame - RB - 5’9” - 194 - RSO

Jarrett Patterson - Notre Dame - OC - 6’5” - 305 - RJR

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa - Notre Dame - DL5T - 6’2” - 282 - RSR

Drew White - Notre Dame - ILB - 6’0” - 227 - GR

Robert Cooper - Florida State - DL1T - 6’2” - 332 - SR

Amari Gainer - Florida State - OLB - 6’3” - 232 - RSO

Monday, September 6

Louisville vs Ole Miss 8:00 PM

Bralen Trahan - Louisville - S - 6’0” - 191 - RJR

Malik Cunningham - Louisville - QB - 6’1” - 195 - RSR

Nick Broeker - Ole Miss - OT - 6’4” - 305 - JR

Matt Corral - Ole Miss - QB - 6’1” - 205 - RJR

Jerrion Ealy - Ole Miss - RB - 5’9” - 190 - JR

Ben Brown - Ole Miss - OG - 6’5” - 315 - RSR

Sam Williams - Ole Miss - EDGE - 6’3” - 265 - SR

Lakia Henry - Ole Miss - ILB - 6’0” - 235 - SR

Tariqious Tisdale - Ole Miss - DL5T - 6’4” - 295 - SR

Keidron Smith - Ole Miss - CB - 6’2” - 200 - SR

As always, we will provide a mock that will surely get the most attention for some strange reason.

I think the first step when trying to do a mock is to come up with an idea of what you think the team will/should do next offseason with their own free agents and outside free agents. Right now, spotrac has the Vikings with 1.9M in cap space in 2022 while overthecap has them with negative 5.7M. Yikes. Must be some very large 45M cap hit that is tough to absorb. Never fear though, they will handle it. But what players will they want to keep?

The key free agents next year will be ...

Brian O’Neill

Patrick Peterson

Xavier Woods

Bashaud Breeland

Mackensie Alexander

Anthony Barr?

Tyler Conklin?

... Obviously, O’Neill should get extended soon and maybe before the season starts. Peterson will get a new deal if he plays well as could Breeland or Alexander but none will get too much IMHO.

Considering the age of some players, their contracts, and looking towards the future, I came up with these two ...

Trade

Seattle Seahawks

Sent: Round 3 Pick 12

Received: Round 3 Pick 24, Round 4 Pick 24

12: R1 P12 S Kyle Hamilton - Notre Dame 6’4” 219 4.40

Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

44: R2 P12 WR John Metchie - Alabama 6’0” 195 4.36

Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

88: R3 P24 CB Zyon McCollum - Sam Houston State 6’4” 200 4.43

Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

114: R4 P12 G Zion Johnson - Boston College 6’3” 310 5.14

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

126: R4 P24 TE Charlie Kolar - Iowa State 6’5” 257 4.67

Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

170: R5 P28 LB Merlin Robertson - Arizona State 6’2” 250 4.63

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

206: R6 P27 DL Devonte Wyatt - Georgia 6’3” 301 4.87

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

210: R6 P31 C Ben Brown - Ole Miss 6’4” 315 5.24

Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

251: R7 P32 S Isaiah Pola-Mao - USC 6’3” 205 4.42

Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Why take a safety when you just gave Smith a top contract? Well, Smith is 32 and may not see all of that contract. Plus, safeties taken in the first round have a high All-Pro rate based on this article from 2015.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2441018-which-positions-are-the-safest-riskiest-at-the-top-of-the-nfl-draft

Hamilton is a stud and would give the Vikings a pretty nice pair of safeties until Smith retires.

The receiver depth is not very good and Thielen will turn 32 next August so his time remaining is limited most likely.

I think a cornerback will be needed as will another interior lineman (they need to get one every year).

Tight end could be necessary regardless of whether or not they keep Conklin or Herndon.

Defensive tackle may not be a need but it does not hurt to add more depth.

I like grabbing a center because Bradbury still needs a backup and maybe they wont keep Cole.

The alternate mock.

Trade

Indianapolis Colts

Sent: Round 3 Pick 12

Received: Round 3 Pick 17, Round 5 Pick 36

12: R1 P12 OT Evan Neal - Alabama 6’7” 350 5.27

44: R2 P12 QB Carson Strong - Nevada 6’4” 215 4.82

81: R3 P17 WR Drake London - USC 6’5” 210 4.40

114: R4 P12 LB Brandon Smith - Penn State 6’2” 244 4.44

170: R5 P28 DL Haskell Garrett - Ohio State 6’2” 299 4.92

178: R5 P36 S Jaquan Brisker - Penn State 6’1” 210 4.42

191: R6 P12 WR Romeo Doubs - Nevada 6’2” 200 4.36

210: R6 P31 TE Isaiah Likely - Coastal Carolina 6’4” 245 4.54

Taking Neal would signal that they could not extend O’Neill. The line could be Darrisaw, Cleveland/Davis, Bradbury/Davis, Udoh, Neal.

Another QB is a good idea especially if they make the decision to not extend Kork.

I doubled up on wide receiver due to the less than impressive current depth and Thielen’s age.

Well, there it is. The first post about the college games this year. Please let us know what teams and players you will be watching this season!