Three Vikings Rookies Have Unfinished Business in College

The Vikings are introducing their rookies to life as professional football players this week at their rookie minicamp. Some of them still have a little bit of work left to do before entering the workforce, though.

Because of the quarter system at their schools, Vikings draft choices Anthony Barr, Scott Crichton and David Yankey have not wrapped up classes yet. Per the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement, the trio will fly back to their schools after the minicamp concludes Sunday to finish up their schoolwork.

The three are allowed to attend the team’s rookie minicamp, but they cannot participate with the team beyond that until their finals are done in accordance with the CBA.

Yankey, a fifth round offensive lineman, will return to Stanford, which has finals from June 6-11. Barr, the 9th overall pick in the draft, will have finals at UCLA from June 9-13, and defensive end Crichton will have his finals at the same time at Oregon State.

Ironically, going back to the classroom will put all three rookies behind the eight ball when it comes to their new profession, because their finals schedule interferes with the Vikings organized team activities taking place May 28-30, June 3-5 and June 9-12.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Vikings will be able to contact their still-to-graduate players on weekdays from 5-8 p.m. according to the Star Tribune. The Vikings can also  fly out to visit the rookies on weekdays to go over film or talk about technique, but no physical workouts can take place.

Crichton told the Star Tribune he plans to video chat with his defensive coaches, and Barr said linebackers coach Adam Zimmer plans to fly to Los Angeles to visit him.

Not being at Winter Park obviously creates a huge disadvantage for the three rookies, even though all three should not have to fight hard for a roster spot. The three already were behind last year’s rookies because of the draft getting pushed back, and after just a few days of interaction with coaches they’re forced to depart.

If the rookies want to keep up, they’ll have to keep their playbook and textbook side by side for the next couple of weeks.