Vikings compare rookie WR Stefon Diggs to Percy Harvin

When the Minnesota Vikings selected Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs with the 146th overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, it seemed like a bit of a surprise. On a team with four wide receivers from last season’s 53-man roster returning to the team and the Vikings trading for Mike Wallace, it was unsure where he’d fit on the roster.

While some fans, including myself, were left a bit confused, the Minnesota Vikings knew exactly what they were doing.

According to an article on the ESPN website, Minnesota Vikings quarterback coach Scott Turner had been checking out Diggs for a long time before the 2015 NFL Draft and knew that there was something special in the young man. Here is what wide receivers coach George Stewart remembers hearing from Turner early in 2015:

"“Scott came up as early as January — ‘Hey Stew, you’ve got to look at this Diggs guy. You’ve got to look at this Diggs guy,'” Stewart recalled this week. “It got to a point [where I said], ‘I know, Scott, it’s got to be the Diggs guy.'”"

Jul 27, 2015; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a pass in drills at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds like Scott Turner was very persistent about wanting Stefon Diggs as a Minnesota Viking. And it didn’t take long for George Stewart to come around to Turner’s way of thinking. In fact, now Stewart is talking about Diggs like a former All-Pro and Pro Bowl caliber player.

"“He’s very similar to Percy Harvin when Percy came out,” Stewart said. “Same type of athlete, but more athletic.”"

More athletic than Percy Harvin? That’s a big statement. But it’s also one that Stewart didn’t say on accident.

"“More athletic,” Stewart repeats for emphasis."

With the reports coming out of camp that Diggs has been having an excellent training camp, both George Stewart and Scott Turner are beginning to look like geniuses. We will get to see more from Stefon Diggs when he takes the field on Sunday during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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