Jaleel Johnson is not the only former high school wrestler and Iowa Hawkeyes football standout to join the Vikings this offseason.
Johnson, the Vikings' top pick during the NFL draft's final day Saturday, never played with tackle Riley Reiff at Iowa, but both were targeted recruits by the Hawkeyes, in part, because they were standout wrestlers in high school. The Vikings saw that balance and power on film before drafting Johnson, a defensive lineman, with the 109th overall pick in the fourth round.
"We've had great success historically [with ex-wrestlers]," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "I go back to my time as an assistant coach here in the '80s. It's a big part of the culture in the Midwest and certainly in Iowa it's a big thing. Typically, my experience is guys who are extraordinary wrestlers, they may not be great football players, but they certainly aren't going to be bad ones."
The Vikings hope Johnson, a 6-3, 316-pound defensive tackle, falls in that range from "not bad" to "great" as an NFL player.
General Manager Rick Spielman, scouts and the coaching staff zeroed in on Johnson as a mid-round target. Spielman described Johnson's Senior Bowl performance as "outstanding," prompting the Vikings to get extra time with Johnson at the NFL combine. Defensive line coach Andre Patterson kept in touch with Johnson via FaceTime while he was working out in Iowa City this spring.
Jamaal Stephenson, the team's director of college scouting, visited Iowa's campus last year and came away impressed with Johnson's skill set, some of which can be attributed to his wrestling background.
"Immediately in my mind, I think this guy has incredible toughness and balance, especially for offensive line and defensive line," Stephenson said. "That is a critical aspect or attribute that you want to have.
"He's a big man. He's strong. He's athletic. We feel that he has value. He will fit well in that D-line room."