Vikings Barr and Kendricks paving the path for Myles Jack
By Adam Carlson
Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks found success with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and their former UCLA teammate Myles Jack hopes to do the same.
The Minnesota Vikings sure do seem to love linebackers out of UCLA. During the 2014 NFL Draft, they used the #9 overall pick to select Anthony Barr and doubled up on the linebackers from that college by picking Eric Kendricks in the second round of the 2015 draft. Now, another UCLA linebacker is hoping to prove to that he can make the jump to the NFL.
Myles Jack has been working hard to prove that he’s a freakishly athletic player who can do almost anything on the field. He’s looking at his former college teammates as an ideal way to make a mark in the NFL. And maybe even join his predecessors with the Vikings.
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According to an article on the Star Tribune website, Jack spoke about his admiration for the two Minnesota Vikings linebackers and how they do things.
"“It’s just the culture. Anthony was kind of the beginning, and then I was kind of in awe of them. When I first stepped on campus I wanted to be just like them. When Anthony left it was Eric,” said Jack. “I just kind of followed Eric, listened to everything he said, watched how serious he took the game, and it’s paid off. Hopefully the next wave of guys out of UCLA will follow that same suit.”"
Hopefully, the trend will continue and the linebackers out of UCLA will keep producing at a high level in the NFL. He has the kind of physical abilities that should be appealing to professional football teams. And who knows, maybe Myles Jack will end up with his former UCLA teammates on the Minnesota Vikings.
"“That would be awesome. That would be really cool,” Jack said."
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Jack impressed at the combine with his athleticism will be available for teams in the 2016 NFL draft. He is projected to be an early first round pick, so the Minnesota Vikings may not get a shot at him. However, stranger things have happened on draft day, and it’s possible the Vikings could have an all-UCLA linebacking corps.