Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr thought it was a joke initially, but Eric Kendricks wasn't kidding.

There will be a west coast reunion in the Vikings front seven this season with the Vikings selecting Kendricks, the inside linebacker out of UCLA, with the 45th overall selection in the second round. The two were not only best friends in Westwood but roommates during their tenure at UCLA.

"As soon as the pick came in, he called me on the phone and I couldn't hear a word he said," Kendricks said. "It was just kind of like a bunch of mumble jumble, laughter and excitement. He's happy that I'm there too."

The two talked about the possibility of playing together again, but Barr didn't exactly think it would happen.

"There's 32 NFL teams," Barr said. "What are the odds that he's our choice in the second round?"

Barr said he didn't speak to general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer about Kendricks. The team only met with the inside linebacker for 15 minutes at the NFL Combine, but it was more than enough, however. The addition of Kendricks addressed a need at linebacker, and he has the capability to play either at middle or weakside.

"When I got the call and there were kind of going over it, it took at least a minute to really realize what was happening, where I was going and who I was playing with," Kendricks said. "I really felt like it was kind of disrespectful because I wasn't saying much. I was in complete shock. Once it finally clicked, I was so happy."

Kendricks has the same sense of humor as Barr as well. He's a leap year baby, meaning his birthday lands on Feb. 29. So technically, Kendricks is only 5 years old.

"Being 5 and in the pros is definitely an accomplishment," Kendricks said. "I've dreamt about this since I was 3 years old."