Minnesota Vikings: Jake Ganus makes early impression
By Dan Zinski
UDFA linebacker Jake Ganus is making his presence felt in Minnesota Vikings OTAs, but does he have a chance to break through with the Vikes so loaded at linebacker?
It’s early in the process but the Vikings may have found a player in former Georgia linebacker Jake Ganus.
Minnesota Vikings DC George Edwards was asked about Ganus, who has been showing up in a big way so far in OTAs, and had lots of praise for the rookie (via Scout.com):
"He’s come in and he’s been working hard and has picked up on the things that we’ve been asking him to do. We just want to see continued progress, then after OTAs and minicamp are over with, continue to press through training camp. So we’re excited about where he is right now and look forward to him continuing to improve and show progress."
Edwards noted that Ganus, coming from a big-time program like Georgia, has an idea of how to work and compete and said Ganus “approaches it like a pro.”
It should come as no surprise that Ganus is busting it with the Vikings, as every scouting report about him mentions his work ethic and high character. Those reports also note that Ganus is undersized as a linebacker and is not particularly athletic. He is an effort player who gets by on smarts and out-working the other guy.
Ganus will have to work hard and continue making impressive plays in practice if he wants to hang on with the Vikings, who are absolutely stacked at linebacker.
Minnesota this offseason added free agents Emmanuel Lamur and Travis Lewis and draft pick Kentrell Brothers to a mix that already included returning starters Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks and backups Chad Greenway, Audie Cole, Edmond Robinson and Brandon Watts.
Ganus is coming from way down the totem pole as a UDFA and his best shot to stick around will be as a practice squad member. I see no realistic scenario that would allow Ganus to emerge from that mass of linebacker talent and make the 53-man roster.
Even if Ganus doesn’t make the active roster this year, he’s clearly someone to keep an eye on for the future. Down the road, Ganus could develop into another strong backup/special teams player like Audie Cole.