See What Vikings Superstar Said About His….
Alabama kicker Will Reichard was drafted with the 203rd overall pick by Minnesota after shining during his career with the Crimson Tide.
Last season, Reichard made 22 of 25 (88 percent) field goals attempted, including a 5-for-5 showing from 50-plus yards and a long of 52. On 87 kickoffs, 52 resulted in touchbacks. He was perfect on 55 extra point attempts.
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told media members following the draft Reichard had been someone they’d identified early. Minnesota exercised patience before making Reichard the first of three kickers drafted in a small cluster (three from pick 203 to 212) Saturday.
“You’re always nervous, there’s a kicker run that’s going to happen, and it doesn’t matter if it’s the fifth round, sixth round or seventh round – and we were lucky enough to start it this time,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s somebody with a great mentality. A really accurate kicker at the collegiate level. Obviously played in a lot of big games at one of the best schools doing it, so [we’re] really excited to add him.”
At just 2 years old, he started playing soccer and excelled at it. But when his father felt he might need a little toughening up in the sport around 8 or 9 years old, Reichard signed up for the football team.
He recalled kicking trials, during which he was the only soccer player on the team.
“So I won the job,” Reichard laughed while talking to Twin Cities media members virtually. “[But I] found out I really loved it and I just kind of stuck with it and have been training ever since.”