Former Vikings draft bust to become a Hall of Famer

Former Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick, Dimitrius Underwood, was recently announced as an inductee into the E. E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame.

After selecting quarterback Daunte Culpepper with the No. 11 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings still had one more pick to make in the first round. With the No. 29 selection in the 1999 draft’s opening round, the Vikings decided to pick former Michigan State defensive end Dimitrius Underwood.

While Culpepper remained with the Vikings for seven seasons, Underwood didn’t even make it to Minnesota’s first preseason game.

When it comes to the Vikings‘ biggest draft busts of all-time, there isn’t anyone that competes with Underwood for the top spot. At least some of the other disappointing picks appeared in an actual game for Minnesota.

Former Minnesota Vikings draft pick Dimitrius Underwood to be inducted into High School Hall of Fame

Despite his NFL career not turning out the way anyone had hoped, there was a reason why the Vikings used a first-round pick on Underwood in the 1999 NFL Draft.

The former Minnesota draft selection displayed a tremendous level of talent at both the high school and college level of football.

Before he became a top defender at Michigan State, Underwood played high school football in Fayettville, North Carolina at E.E. Smith High School.

Recently, it was announced that Underwood will be part of the inaugural class of inductees into the E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame. The former Vikings first-round pick is one of 21 people that will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame at the end of May.

So, yes, Underwood’s time in the NFL was short-lived, and Minnesota fans never got to see him live up to his full potential in a purple and gold uniform. But, it’s still nice that he is getting recognized for some of the athletic achievements that he actually did have earlier in his life.