Vikings take advantage of NFL rule not many people know about
Although the dust from draft weekend has started to settle, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t done adding unique talent. The Vikings newest addition comes in the form of international standout Junior Aho. Aho, 24, joins the Vikings through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program designed to allocate international to teams around the league. This season the […]
Although the dust from draft weekend has started to settle, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t done adding unique talent. The Vikings newest addition comes in the form of international standout Junior Aho.
Aho, 24, joins the Vikings through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program designed to allocate international to teams around the league. This season the AFC West and NFC North are the two divisions who will add players through this fantastic program.
Aho, who plays outside linebacker, got his start playing football in France. He played his college ball at SMU where he registered 43 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 24 career games.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was overjoyed to make the call to Aho informing him of the news.
"There's a lot of things we're gonna be really excited about – getting to see you compete on our team and get a chance to just continue your football journey, your football dream,” O’Connell said via Vikings.com. “We all have our story that we've grown up playing this game, and we maybe have different paths to this league, but there's no greater league in the world to play in," O'Connell said. "I know the guys downstairs in the locker room are really excited to have you join our roster."
Aho was reportedly thrilled to receive the news, expressing excitement and gratitude to Minnesota’s head man.
"Thank you, Coach. I'm very excited,” Aho replied. “Thank you for giving me a chance," Aho said. "I'm excited to be a Viking. … I'm over the moon. I'm ready to compete. And I know it's a great culture with the Vikings; I know it's a high standard, and I'm so excited. I'm so excited."
It’s important to note that Aho will be with the team all the way through training camp with a special exempt status on the practice squad if he doesn’t crack the Vikings’ 53-man roster.
Considering the fact that Aho’s time with Lions won’t come to an end after training camp, the team will continue to work with him all the way through the regular season. If at any point Minnesota decides to activate Aho, like the Eagles did with now starting LT Jordan Mailata, he will lose his exemption and be treated like any other player.
It’s an exciting addition for the Vikings, who will spend training camp learning more about what they have at the position in general. It’s also an important step for the NFL as the league continues to grow the sport across the world.
