The Vikings announced they signed 10 undrafted free agents, including Gophers defensive end Theiren Cockran and Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave.
Vikings' rookie free agent class includes Gophers' Cockran, Badgers' Stave
Minnesota defensive end Theiren Cockran is among the 10 undrafted free agents who have agreed to terms with the team.
May 2, 2016 at 7:22PM
The 10 will join the team's eight new draftees and other unsigned, undrafted free agents at this weekend's rookie minicamp at Winter Park. The Vikings have filled 89 of their 90 roster spots.
Cockran (6-6, 260) had seven tackles for loss and three sacks last season in 13 games and was named the team's top defensive lineman.
The 6-5, 235-pound Stave was a four-year starter and had an up-and-down career, but is the winningest QB (31-10) in Badgers history. He had 2,687 yards, 11 TD passes and 11 interceptions as a senior; sophomore year (22 TDs, 13 interceptions) was his best season.
Also signed as free agents were:
• Marshall cornerback Keith Baxter. Baxter (5-11, 190) started 26 games and had two interceptions. The Thundering Herd had the fourth best pass defense (based on opponent's efficiency) in Division I.
• Penn State tight end Kyle Carter. Carter (6-3, 250) had 84 receptions in four seasons, but only 14 for 135 yards as a senior.
• Georgia linebacker Jake Ganus. Ganus (6-2, 235) was the Bulldogs' MVP after leading the team in tackles with 102 in 13 games, including five tackles for loss and two interceptions. Transferred after three seasons at Alabama-Birmingham when it dropped football.
• UMass wide receiver Marken Michel. Michel (5-11, 190) had 92 receptions for 1,016 yards and six touchdowns in his career. His brother, Sony, is a standout running back for Georgia.
• Florida International defensive end Denzell Perine. The 6-3, 245 pound Perine had 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for the loss as a senior.
• New Mexico running back Jhurell Pressley. Pressley (5-10, 203) ran for 1,083 yards (9.5 per carry) as a junior and 907 yards (6.2 per carry) as a senior.
• Eric Rawls, cornerback, Kentucky State. The 6-2, 195-pounder had seven interceptions in four seasons for the Division II Thorobreds. He was one of 180 players at a regional combine at Winter Park on March 5.
• Brandon Ross, running back, Maryland. Ross (5-10, 210) is fourth on the Terrapins' all-time list for rushing yards (2,543) and rushing yards in a game (250 vs. Indiana in 2015), and seventh in yards per carry (5.23).
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
