vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
More bad news for Vikings: Coveted offensive tackle Matt Kalil could be staying in school
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under The draft, Vikings Updated: December 8, 2011 - 11:21 AM
Well, consider this another bad dose of news for the 2-10 Vikings. That high draft pick they were set to get after such a dismal season? That's still right there for the taking. Except now one of the prospects the Vikings would have certainly been targeting with their first-round pick may be staying in college for another year.
Matt Kalil, a 6-foot-6-inch, 295-pound left tackle who enjoyed an All-Pac 12 junior season at Southern California, appears now to be staying put.
According to reports this morning, a source close to Kalil indicates that he is "set to return" to USC for another year. This from CBSSports.com:
A high-ranking NFL scout confirmed that he'd also heard Kalil was "definitely leaning towards returning" and that the decision surprised he and his scouting peers, as well.
"If he does indeed return, it would be a bit surprising. He's the top offensive tackle in the country. The senior class [at offensive tackle] is a weak group. At worst, he'd be looking at a top ten pick. That fact alone would send most guys into the draft."
Instead, Kalil may stay put, news that certainly leaves the Vikings and Rams a bit deflated this morning.
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