EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings added a running back with their final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Minnesota selected Alabama-Birmingham's DeWayne McBride Saturday with the 222nd overall pick.

Listed at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds, McBride was rated as the No. 5 running back in this year's class by ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., and Pro Football Focus.

He played in 30 games at UAB, totaling 484 carries for 3,523 rushing yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 36 touchdowns from 2020-22.

McBride rushed 233 times for 1,713 yards and 19 scores last season, leading FBS with an average gain of 7.35 yards per carry.

Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest running back:

1. Impresses with YAC

According to Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated, a whopping 1,072 of McBride's 1,713 rushing yards in 2022 came after contact.

McBride credited his father, with whom he shares the nickname "Debo," for fueling the effort.

"He always told me, 'Never let one man take you down,' " McBride told Twin Cities media members via videoconference Saturday. "I just love this sport, so I'm gonna give it all I've got. I hate getting tackled by two or three, man. My dad says one; I hate two or three. I just hate getting tackled."

2. Shared alma mater with Culpepper

McBride was born in Starke, Florida, and went on to play football at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida.

As a senior, he recorded 936 yards and racked up 12 touchdowns.

McBride shares his high school alma mater with former Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper (1999-2005) and WR Kenny Clark, who played in one game for Minnesota in 2003.

3. Hidden gem?

Yardbarker.com assembled a list of 25 "diamonds in the rough" who could prove excellent value picks for teams.

Seth Trachtman included McBride on the list and wrote the following:

"McBride had [more than] 1,700 yards rushing last season at UAB and has the potential to be an excellent three-down back at the next level. He has the power to make his own space in short-yardage and will help his stock even more if he can prove a capable pass catcher."

Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did address McBride's limited receiving opportunities during his draft-end press conference Saturday.

"[Vikings running backs coach Curtis] Modkins has been doing this a long time and coached some really good ones, and he kind of knows what to look for in those limited opportunities when you get a chance," Adofo-Mensah said. "And he is super connected with running back coaches, so we had some good intel that he's got more pass game value than he showed."

4. Conference USA champ

McBride was part of UAB's 2020 shortened campaign in which the Blazers finished 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference to win the Conference USA championship.

5. 3 Blazers in a row

The selection of McBride marked the third straight year of UAB Blazers being tabbed in the NFL Draft. He joined DE Alex Wright (78th overall to the Browns in 2022) and OLB Jordan Smith (121st overall to the Jaguars in 2021).

McBride is the 15th Blazer drafted directly from UAB in the school's history.