5 things to know about Vikings rookie CB Jeff Gladney

Gladney was more than just a football player in high school

In all likelihood, Gladney will solely be a defensive back for the Vikings. Interestingly though, he played cornerback and wide receiver at New Boston High School in northeast Texas. That’s right, Gladney was first-team all-district wide receiver before his college days at TCU.

It doesn’t end there. He was also a three-sport athlete at New Boston. In addition to playing two positions on the school’s football team, Gladney was a standout basketball player and track athlete. He’s even the owner of the school’s 100-meter dash record, posting an 11.15-second mark.

Minnesota is in the market for playmakers at the cornerback position, so the selection of Gladney and his athleticism make sense.

Last season, the primary aspect of defense that plagued the Vikings was the cornerback play, specifically when it came to third-down efficiency. Minnesota dropped from No. 1 in the business in defensive third-down percentage in 2018 to 19th overall in 2019. If Gladney can adjust to the pace of the NFL swiftly, he could aid in upping that ranking this season.