List of rookie free agents, tryout players is growing

The Vikings' list of rookie free agents started taking shape Monday, a day after the conclusion of the NFL draft.

The team would not confirm the names of any of the 16 players they have signed, nor the 15 to 20 players they plan to bring in for tryouts during a three-day rookie camp starting Friday. But based on a variety of sources and publications, the following players are among those coming in:

Georgia Tech defensive tackle Joe Anoai, South Florida safety Jeremy Burnett, Colorado offensive lineman Brian Daniels, Colorado State offensive lineman Josh Day, Clemson cornerback Sergio Gilliam and Purdue middle linebacker George Hall.

Also on the list: Northwestern State defensive back Chad Johnson, Wyoming offensive lineman Chase Johnson, Southern Illinois tight end Braden Jones, West Virginia center Dan Mozes, Texas Tech punter Alex Reyes and Southern Illinois running back Arkee Whitlock.

The Star Tribune is keeping a running list on its Vikings Access blog at starrribune.com/blogs/vikings.

Meanwhile, Southwest Minnesota State linebacker John Kunelius will take part in this weekend's minicamp as a tryout player.

Character checks out

The Vikings signed off on the backgrounds of two draft choices, linebacker Rufus Alexander (sixth round) and receiver Chandler Williams (seventh), who were involved in discipline-related incidents last season.

Alexander was arrested last fall on misdemeanor charges of disturbing the police and interfering with police. Williams, meanwhile, was one of 31 players suspended for participating in a mid-game brawl between Florida International and Miami.

"They're both different circumstances," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "As we found out, really [Alexander] wasn't culpable in that instance. The same with [Williams]."

Etc.

• Defensive lineman Spencer Johnson and tight end Richard Owens, who were restricted free agents, have signed their one-year tender offers. Both deals are worth $850,000.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com