EAGAN, Minn. — J.J. McCarthy helped introduce the newest Michigan Man to Minnesota.

The Vikings selected former Wolverines fullback Max Bredeson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, providing the team a replacement for two-time Pro Bowl FB C.J. Ham, who retired in March.

When Bredeson hopped on a video call with Twin Cities media members afterward, McCarthy was there in the background, congratulating one of his best buddies in Bredeson's hometown Hartland, Wisconsin.

"For him to be here is definitely special," Bredeson said, smiling. "Really cool that it timed up like that."

Bredeson mentioned he told McCarthy about getting family and friends together as the draft rolled along. About five hours from Minneapolis, the news arrived with McCarthy there to shout "Let's goooo!"

"We came [to Michigan] in the same recruiting class," Bredeson said of his close relationship with McCarthy. "It's actually crazy, we threw with the same quarterback coach in high school. He turned out to be a better quarterback than I am, unfortunately. But known him for a while. Best friends through playing at Michigan, the great wins we got to have together. Just grew close to [him] through all that."

Bredeson, 23, began his college career in 2021 as a walk-on tight end. He appeared in 14 games with one start in 2022, catching five passes for 78 yards, before taking on an expanded role for the Michigan squad that won the 2023 National Championship and was led by McCarthy, the 10^th overall pick in 2024. Bredeson was named Michigan's Most Improved Player on Offense in 2023 and was used as a TE/H-back.

Bredeson was chosen as a team captain in 2024 and 2025, and he ended his college career as a Third-Team All-Big Ten honoree, starting eight of 11 contests last season and catching two passes for 11 yards.

Although Bredeson did not log any rushing stats over five seasons, he earned a reputation as a supreme blocker. He won the LowMan Trophy in 2025 as the top fullback in college football, and the Wolverines distinguished him with the Toughest Player Award and Blue Collar Award — neither need an explanation.

"I take a lot of pride [in] pass protection, like, [on] third downs at Michigan, I would come in and play running back sometimes, too," Bredeson said of his mindset. "I had to pass protect in all different types of ways. We always had a quote, 'You got to meet him in the trees.' If a linebacker is blitzing, go meet him in the trees, go meet him by the offensive line. Never catch anything. Go deliver that first punch."

The Athletic's Dane Brugler included Bredeson in his running back rankings and rated him 17^th at the position, and his 276^th prospect overall. Brugler said he "fits the mold of a smashmouth, no-nonsense blocker that was an integral part of NFL football 30 years ago — but not as much in the modern game."

Bredeson knows the framework of the position has evolved, but his versatility is universally coveted. At 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, he's plenty big enough to hold up in-line, and athletic enough to move around.

"The fullback position is all about versatility," Bredeson offered. "Guys who play fullback can play a lot of different positions, [including] on special teams. You can line up all over the field. So I think the more versatility that a guy brings with the fullback position, the more ability he has just to help his team win."

It's beneficial that Michigan "overly emphasized" the importance of contributing in the third phase.

"I took a lot of pride in being on the punt team, like knowing everybody's job, knowing what I can bring from the blocking background that I have playing fullback, but then just being a football player on the second part of the play, like, 'Gotta go make a tackle,' " Bredeson shared, adding his flexibility on offense required him to be studious, so he could be a "plug-and-play guy" in a pinch. "Always worked hard in those [four special teams] phases because it was something you had to master in our time at Michigan."

Eric Galko, the Director of Football Ops and Player Personnel for the East-West Shrine Bowl, posted on X that Bredeson "wowed" teams with his intelligence, and he has the speed to threaten as a pass-catcher.

Being a "Midwest kid" Bredeson was grateful to take a Top 30 visit to Minnesota earlier this month and spend time with Vikings leadership, including running backs coach Curtis Modkins. He took note of everyone in the building "having a good time," which endorsed what he heard from numerous people.

"They talked to me a lot about, like, they wanted to make this a place where everyone wanted to be," Bredeson said, "and that was something I could notice right away. … I think that was pretty cool to see.

"The time I spent with anybody in the Vikings organization, it always felt real," Bredeson continued. "I mean, you're being interviewed, you're being evaluated. But with them, it just felt sincere, just felt like good people to be around, so it was always like a special place [to potentially be drafted to]. It was cool."

Bredeson's older brother, Ben, was picked by Baltimore in the fourth round (143rd overall) of the 2020 draft. An offensive lineman, he spent a season with the Ravens and two with the Giants before joining the Buccaneers in 2024; Ben has started 53 of 73 NFL games. They are the only brothers in Michigan history to be two-time team captains. Another brother, Jack, works in the New York Mets front office.

"Having [Ben] is such a nice thing to have because he's somebody who's walked that path before 'cause you only do it once, there's nobody who's a vet and doing the draft process," Bredeson said. "Him being able to help me out with that was super special. Great older brother. I've got two great older brothers."

Vikings history in NFL Draft

Bredeson is the eighth Michigan player picked by Minnesota: McCarthy, Joshua Metellus (2020), Ben Gedeon (2017), Tripp Welborne (1991), Jerry Meter (1979), Brian Healy (1970) and Tom Keating (1964).

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