Sunday Q&A: Former Gopher Isaac Fruechte tracks down dream with Vikings

Caledonia, Minn., native Isaac Fruechte caught 50 passes in his career as a Gophers wide receiver, including 18 as a senior in 2014. Those aren't huge numbers, but he did enough as an undrafted free agent to not only get an invitation to the Vikings' rookie camp but also to get signed. The Star Tribune's Michael Rand caught up with Fruechte during the Vikings' Organized Team Activities this past week.

Q Did you surprise yourself at all when the Vikings signed you out of that rookie camp?

A I don't know, honestly. I didn't really think that I had a chance. I just came out here to try to do my best, and I just got lucky.

Q What did they tell you they liked when they signed you?

A I think my speed and my size, if I can say that humbly. I think I did a good job of showing I was a large target and have pretty decent wheels.

Q It was a circuitous route for you in college, going the junior college route before coming to the University of Minnesota. Was it hard to stay focused on a dream of maybe making the NFL?

A It wasn't hard to stay focused. I just realized that I couldn't get it done in one day. It's a process, and every day I just had to wake up and compete my butt off to try to make it.

Q What does it feel like to be out here on a day like this — in OTAs with a bunch of Vikings players who were regulars last year?

A It's just football, but it's awesome. It's a great time. I really don't know how to describe it other than that. It's football and you're out here trying to earn a spot.

Q There are Pro Bowl players out here. Does that make you take notice of the stage you're on?

A I don't think it's intimidating, but it's awesome because guys like Cordarrelle (Patterson), Jarius (Wright), Mike Wallace, all of them — I couldn't even list them all — they're all awesome and great to work with. They help you so much. You don't look at it like, "Wow, that's Cordarrelle Patterson." You look at, "This is my teammate now." And they're trying to help me out. That's really nice.

Q Did you grow up a Vikings fan?

A Honestly, I was a Walter Payton fan when I was really little because I wanted to be a running back. But probably around ninth grade I became a big Vikings fan. … I really liked Randy Moss and still do. He's a great player. He's a guy I really looked up to in terms of his size, speed and athleticism.

Q Who were some of the characters on last year's Gophers team?

A I think Mitch (Leidner) is one of the funniest kids around. He's hilarious. Theiren Cockran. And David Cobb, too. It was a lot of fun to be a part of.

Q The offense you were in with the Gophers wasn't a passing offense. Do you feel like you might be a little bit of a hidden gem and that people haven't seen all you have to offer?

A I hope so. I don't know, but we'll find out. That's why you go through the OTAs, the minicamps and hopefully the preseason games. I hope I can just make a name for myself.