5 things to know about Vikings rookie CB Jeff Gladney

Quarterbacks often avoided Gladney’s side of the field in college

In examining Gladney’s career at TCU, his final stat line is inconspicuously devoid of ample interceptions. He only tallied five interceptions in 44 career college games.

This is not all that diminutive, but for a first-round pick, one might expect a number in the double-digits for interceptions.

The hard truth is that because of Gladney’s lockdown presence and reputation, opposing signal-callers avoided the TCU corner altogether.

When quarterbacks actually did choose to throw in Gladney’s direction, he more often than not swatted the pass attempt away. In 2019, Gladney led the Big 12 conference in pass breakups with 14.

All in all, Gladney does not jump off the reel of the tape in size, but he is noted for his speed and technique. It is not fully known what his immediate role will be within Mike Zimmer’s secondary.

But, if he can replicate the success he displayed at TCU, Gladney will have a chance to influence the Vikings defense sooner than later.