EAGAN, Minn. — Domonique Orange ran the gamut of emotions Friday night waiting to get the biggest call of his life to date.

And when his phone rang and it was the Vikings? He ran through every room of his house—and then through his backyards.

"I almost fell in the pool," Orange laughed, still out of breath while speaking to Twin Cities media members via virtual call. "Upstairs, downstairs, I was running everywhere. I mean, I lost my mind.

"I'm so happy," he added.

The Vikings continued adding to their defense Day 2 of the NFL Draft by nabbing Orange, a former Iowa State defensive lineman, with the 82^nd overall pick — continuing to strengthen the position after picking Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks 18^th overall Thursday.

"We found it really incredibly valuable to add, really, a big-bodied nose tackle," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said. "[He's] a very, very difficult guy to move in there — taking double teams, doing some of the dirty work and played a ton of snaps."

As a starter for the Cyclones last season, "Big Citrus" recorded 18 tackles, one-half tackle for loss and a pass defensed. He has 50 collegiate games (24 starts) under his belt and totaled 66 tackles, 1.0 sack, seven tackles for loss and two passes defensed.

O'Connell expressed confidence that Orange can "grow his pass-rush repertoire, especially that pass rush transition off an early down run-stopping technique." He emphasized Orange has the traits to see development there while working with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and Running Game Coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

That being said, there's no denying Orange's athletic prowess and ability to make an impact on the game in multiple ways.

"I know it's different at this level [than college], but I can be that dominant force. Be that guy that when push comes to shove, I'm making plays. I'm disrupting every play," Orange said. "Not only being that on the field but being that guy in the locker room that's able to push everybody to their [potential].

"I'm the guy willing to come in and do whatever it takes to win," he added.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranked Orange as this year's No. 6 defensive lineman. He said Orange has room to grow in the pass rush game but is "powerful and immovable" on the line's interior.

"A two-time 'Freaks List' alum, Orange translates his weight-room strength (450-pound bench, 650-pound squat) to the field, where his impact is felt on tape more with disruption than production," Brugler wrote. "Using his long extension, he creates powerful knockback, controls the point and eventually discards blockers, although his shed timing must improve."

Orange demonstrated commitment to conditioning over his collegiate career.

By his freshman season at North High School (North Kansas City, Missouri), Orange had weighed 300 pounds. He surpassed 400 pounds as a senior. Orange saw college teams withdraw from recruiting him due to his weight, however, and he dedicated himself to improving nutrition and training, dropping to 325 pounds by his junior season at Iowa State.

His official NFL Draft bio lists him at 6-foot-2 3/8 and 322 pounds.

Though he didn't initially appreciate the nickname that originated on social media, Orange said he's come to embrace it.

"At first I'm like, 'Nah, I don't like that.' … But fans started calling me Big Citrus. My coaches started calling me Big Citrus," Orange said, "and I'm like, 'You know what?' It is kind of sticking to me, so that's rock with it. I love the name now."

Orange is excited to return to Minnesota, where he had a Top 30 visit with the Vikings earlier this spring.

He admitted when Vikings coaches told him they planned to draft him if he was available Day 2, he wasn't sure how seriously to take them.

"Anybody could say that," Orange said. "But the fact they actually stood on it and kept their word, I'm forever grateful."

As is his family, who celebrated alongside Orange Friday night.

Orange joins a Minnesota defensive line group that has changed significantly over the past couple of seasons. The Vikings last spring signed veteran free agents Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen but have parted ways with both players; Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez garnered attention last season and are returning to help lead the room that also includes returnees Elijah Williams, Taki Taimani and 2025 draft selection Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

"When you can add two really unique players with the type of size and ability [Banks and Orange] have, we see these guys growing together," O'Connell said. "Not to mention Jalen Redmond and him bursting on the scenes and continuing to be a guy we're really excited about. And in addition to that, the depth that we have at the position."

It's a group that Orange cannot wait to be part of. Waiting to hear his name called was difficult — but it all paid off in the end.

"I was so sick to my stomach, I didn't know what to do," Orange said. "And when that call came in, the room went dead silent. It was unbelievable. It was just like, 'No way.'

"At first I thought it was a prank," he added with a laugh. "[But then] he was like, 'Are you ready to be a Viking?' And I just lost it. Emotions were high. Family all cheering, my mom crying, I'm crying. So many emotions that went throughout the night, and I wouldn't change it for the world."

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