5 things to know about Vikings rookie CB Jeff Gladney

TCU is not a school the Vikings utilize for talent too often

When Vikings general manager Rick Spielman selected Jeff Gladney in this year’s NFL Draft, he was the first player from TCU to be plucked in the draft by the franchise in 19 years. The last time Minnesota chose a Horned Frog was back in 2001 when Dennis Green acted as both the head coach and the de facto general manager.

That season, the Vikings (ironically) picked two TCU players in the fourth round of the draft. Shawn Worthen, a defensive tackle, was taken with the 130th overall pick by Minnesota. Worthen played four games with the Vikings and then that was it for his career.

When Minnesota made its next selection that day, they grabbed Cedrick James with the very next pick (131st overall). James was a wideout that went on to play five games in purple and gold. He, too, would promptly end his professional career following the 2001 season.

Unrelated to the performance of Worthen and James, it was also the final draft that Green would undertake with the Vikings as he was fired about nine months later.