Minnesota Vikings: Top 30 draft picks in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
4. Scott Studwell
Scott Studwell finished his college career at Illinois as the second-leading tackler in that university’s history, behind only legendary linebacker Dick Butkus.
In the NFL, Studwell would become the Vikings’ answer to Butkus.
The Vikings took Studwell with the 250th overall pick in the 1977 draft. He played 14 years for Minnesota, retiring with a franchise-record 1,981 tackles.
Studwell made two Pro Bowls with the Vikings and was second-team All-Pro three times. The Vikings made the playoffs seven times in Studwell’s tenure.
Not many players taken 250th overall or lower have had the kind of impact Studwell did in his time with Minnesota. He may have been less-heralded coming out of college than Butkus, but he proved to be a great player in his own right.