EAGAN, Minn. — The first day of football is in the books for Vikings 2025 rookies.
Minnesota's five-player draft class and group of 20 undrafted free agents hit the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center practice fields on a gorgeous, sun-splashed Friday for the first practice of rookie minicamp. They were joined by 20 players invited on a tryout basis, as well as six players who have spent time with NFL teams.
Prior to hitting the field in practice jerseys, shorts and helmets, the group heard from Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2008. He wanted the group to appreciate how far each player has made it so far and encourage them.
"I always congratulate them. I want to honor the fact that these guys are going to be wearing Minnesota Vikings helmets and NFL uniforms," O'Connell said.
The fourth-year coach said he asks the players to think back to a high school, junior high or youth league championship, pointing out how few people progress to this level of football.
Occasionally there are instances where teammates from a previous level have continued as teammates, including this weekend. Fifth-round pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and undrafted rookies Chaz Chambliss and Ben Yurosek teamed together at Georgia. Four undrafted rookies this year most recently played at Auburn.
"It's something these guys have been working their whole lives for," O'Connell said. "But at the same time, two things: it's just football, and your real journey is actually just beginning. And then I get into a lot of the stories of C.J. Ham or Ivan Pace, or Gabe Murphy, or Bo Richter.
"I think it hits home when you show them a clip of Ivan Pace making an interception at rookie minicamp, and then picking a ball off to seal an explosive 3-nothing win in Vegas a few years ago," said O'Connell, quipping that he tried to hide the score on the clip he showed the group.
"I want those guys to know that it matters to me, matters to our coaches," O'Connell added. "They're going to get the best of what we've got to coach them up this weekend, and then we'll let the chips fall where they may, but don't have a fear-based outcome of 'If I don't do this, then my career is going to be over. I better not drop the ball, or I better not throw an interception.' That's not what this weekend is for. Hopefully we can evaluate a little stronger than that to be able to project what these guys can hopefully become."
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Familiar faces from a Max to a Moss
This year's gathering had a couple of interesting connections, including quarterback Max Brosmer, who suited up last fall for the Golden Gophers and joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent.
O'Connell noted he had observed Brosmer during 2024 and 2025 Minnesota Pro Day workouts and liked several of the mechanics Brosmer implemented with his throws. The coach also appreciated that Brosmer, who had participated in limited meetings was able to make some adjustments on the fly in 7-on-7 activity.
One of the players Brosmer targeted during the 90-minute session was Montigo Moss, son of Vikings Ring of Honor and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Brosmer and Montigo have known each other since the former played for New Hampshire, and Montigo suited up for the Maine Black Bears. They gladly set aside the college rivalry.
Montigo spoke with media members after the session, describing what the opportunity of being invited for a tryout by the team that drafted his father in 1998 means to him. He said his father has been his quarterback in the lead up to minicamp as the two have been working on Montigo's route running.
Adding to the local flavor, QB Zach Zebrowski (Woodbury) and RB Hope Adebyo (Inver Grove Heights and St. Thomas) also participated.
2. Intended and INT pass catchers
Third-round pick Tai Felton showed elements of his game that piqued Minnesota's interest, even if the action was limited to individual receiver drills and 7-on-7 work.
Felton showed a smooth body control that accompanies his high-speed potential (he was previously clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.37 seconds) and natural catch ability. He calmly throttled down for an adjustment on one pass and accelerated into another.
Undrafted rookie receiver Silas Bolden showed good strength at the catch point on a pass across the middle. His feet got a little tangled going into the football, but he secured the catch and held on as he toppled.
Beyond intended pass catchers, there also were back-to-back interceptions recorded. The first was by undrafted rookie Zemaiah Vaughn, which prompted O'Connell to walk over and congratulate him. The second was by sixth-round pick Kobe King, a linebacker out of Penn State.
3. That o-line life
First-round pick Donovan Jackson seemed to live that o-line life of relative anonymity. O'Connell opts to not have rookie minicamps include full-team action out of a spirit of wanting to take care of the players, prevent injuries and have the rookies ready to join the veterans next week.
Jackson and other linemen worked through drills that emphasized hand placement, movement and footwork in what O'Connell jokingly called the "Chris Kuper and Keith Carter Invitational."
He's already participated in multiple interviews with media members and has been quite engaging and effective in his communication. On Friday, he wound up being able to glide from the field to the locker room.
