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Vikings' CB Trae Waynes eager to start

Trae Waynes said he's looking forward to being coached by Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who considers himself an expert at coaching defensive backs.

May 2, 2015 at 12:26AM

Vikings draft choice Trae Waynes displays his jersey at a press introduction at Winter Park, Eden Prairie, MN Friday May01, 2015. (Dml -/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes was introduced to the media on Friday a day after he was selected in with the 11^th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

And he was eager to start his journey as an NFL cornerback.

"I'm ready to get back to work and get over all this media stuff," Waynes said.

He flew in this morning from Chicago, where the Michigan State product walked across the draft stage to shake NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's hand after his name was announced.

"It's been hectic," said Waynes of the last 24 hours. "I was anxious and ready to get this process over with but after I got that call, I was finally able to breathe a little bit. Then I realized I was able to start this new journey."

Waynes said he's looking forward to being coached by Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who considers himself an expert at coaching defensive backs. Waynes said Zimmer coached him during Michigan State's pro day.

"He told me earlier him coaching me at pro day was nothing, and he coached me pretty hard," Waynes said. "I'm really excited to see what type of player he can turn me into and hopefully I can help make an impact on this defense."

Some other tidbits from Waynes' presser:

On his aggressive style of play

"Just having that edge, I've always enjoyed tackling people and that just got brought out even more when I was at Michigan State but just by the coach. Coach [Harlon] Barnett always emphasized bringing that dog let that other guy out on the field. And we practiced tackling and we hitting drills more than anything else and that's something they instilled in us."

On if Waynes, a two-sport athlete in high school, ever consider picking baseball over football

"I thought about it. I never really thought about it seriously until I think my junior year. My baseball coach asked me if I was going to take it serious because he thought I had the potential to potentially get drafted. Football is my passion. This is what I love to do and I got ejected for two games because I ran over the catcher, just out of frustration. So obviously I had to stick with football. This is something I grew up watching and I love playing, so I just had to follow my dream."

On what it means for the Kenosha, Wisconsin native to stay in the Midwest

"It means a lot. It's really big just for a family standpoint. They're going to be able to come to a lot of my games and not have to travel across the country just to see me play. My parents, they're not really big on flying, so this is only a short drive away."

On if he was a fan of the Packers growing up

"No."