Minnesota Vikings Rookie CB Trae Waynes Catching On Fast

Rookie minicamp is underway for the Minnesota Vikings and the young players are already working hard to pick up on the team’s schemes and expectations. We’ve already heard about Eric Kendricks getting time at middle linebacker and T.J. Clemmings trying out the guard position, but what was really impressive was hearing about the progress that first round draft pick Trae Waynes is making.

As Vikings fans know, head coach Mike Zimmer isn’t the kind of guy to publicly praise his players. In fact, we’ve already heard about him being not-so-nice to third round selection Danielle Hunter after making the same mistakes on a regular basis. However, he’s already come out and said that he’s quite pleased with how Trae Waynes is coming along.

Here’s what Zimmer had to say about Waynes according to an article on the Detroit Free Press website:

"“It’s way, way, way early,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer told reporters, “but I actually told one of the coaches, ‘For a young guy in trying to teach the technique that we’re doing, he caught on probably faster than I’ve ever had a guy on the first day.'”"

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Trae Waynes (Michigan State) greets NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

That’s impressive considering some of the defensive players that Zimmer has handled during his time as a defensive coordinator. He’s handled rookies such as Demarcus Ware, Chris Canty, Terence Newman, Carlos Dunlap Michael Johnson and Geno Atkins. And although it’s only talking about one day, Zimmer’s statements seem to mirror those of Spartan Avenue’s Connor Muldowney when praising the intelligence of Trae Waynes.

What makes it even better is the response that Trae Waynes gave when he found out what Zimmer said about him. It was the perfect combination of humble and hungry that shows that a player has his head on right. Here is what the Detroit Free Press gave Waynes’ reply to the praise:

"“That’s a huge compliment, but I’m just trying to do my best to pick up what they’re saying and learning as quickly as possible … I’m coming in to compete and whatever happens, happens. I’m going to compete and try to get a starting spot. If not, I’ll work my way in on special teams and try to contribute to the team as much as I can.”"

As of now, Trae Waynes should be penciled in as the cornerback to start opposite Xavier Rhodes in the Minnesota Vikings secondary. If he can continue to pick things up at the same pace that he did on day one, Waynes may be able to make an immediate impact in the Vikings defense.

And in a division full of teams with high powered passing attacks, Minnesota will need him to play at a very high level to combat those tough wide receivers. Luckily, it sounds like Trae Waynes is up to the challenge.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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