As the Minnesota Vikings gear up for training camp, a new name is generating buzz among the purple and gold faithful: Ben Yurosek, an undrafted rookie tight end who’s already making waves. With a hefty $254,000 in guaranteed money—second only to fellow UDFA Tyler Batty—the Vikings clearly see star potential in this 6’4″, 245-pound athletic marvel from Georgia. Let’s dive into why Yurosek could be the steal of Minnesota’s 2025 rookie class and a dark horse to claim the coveted TE3 spot on the roster.
Yurosek’s journey to the NFL wasn’t always a quiet one. As a sophomore at Stanford in 2021, he exploded onto the scene with 43 receptions for 658 yards and three touchdowns, flashing first-round-pick potential. A former four-star high school recruit, Yurosek’s rare blend of size, speed, and route-running finesse made him a matchup nightmare. His 2022 season was no fluke either, as he hauled in 49 catches for 445 yards, proving his consistency as a pass-catching threat. Oh, and did we mention his 114 rushing yards on 14 carries in college, including a jaw-dropping 50-yard end-around in 2022? This is a tight end with wheels.
Yurosek’s path took a turn after a 2023 season marred by injury, prompting a transfer to Georgia, where he hoped to fill the shoes of star tight end Brock Bowers. However, the Bulldogs deployed him primarily as a blocker, limiting his receiving opportunities to just 15 catches for 185 yards in 2024—five of which came in a single game. Despite the dip in production, Yurosek’s athleticism and blocking prowess kept him on NFL radars. Analysts still pegged him as a potential Day 3 draft pick, but when the draft dust settled, he went unpicked—a golden opportunity for the Vikings.
Definitive list of tight ends you’d run a 50-yard end-around with:
Brock Bowers
Benjamin Yurosek pic.twitter.com/6UH721B8WJ— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) February 9, 2024
Minnesota didn’t hesitate to pounce in college free agency, offering Yurosek the second-highest guaranteed money among their UDFAs. At 23 years old with an impressive 8.02 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), Yurosek brings elite measurables to a tight end room headlined by T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. His ability to run crisp routes, catch reliably, and even contribute as a rusher makes him a versatile weapon. Add in his development as a blocker during his Georgia stint, and you’ve got a player who can impact both the passing and running game.
The TE3 Battle: Yurosek’s to Lose?
With Hockenson and Oliver locked in as the Vikings’ top two tight ends, the TE3 spot is up for grabs, and Yurosek is charging hard for it. His closest competition includes sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew, who was sidelined for much of the offseason due to injury, veteran Giovanni Ricci, and another promising UDFA, Bryson Nesbit. Notably, Yurosek’s $254,000 guaranteed deal outpaces Bartholomew’s, signaling Minnesota’s confidence in his potential. His athletic profile and versatility give him an edge in a wide-open competition, and early training camp buzz suggests he’s already turning heads.
As the Vikings head into training camp, all eyes will be on Yurosek to see if he can translate his athletic gifts and college flashes into NFL production. Can he carve out a role in a loaded tight end group? If his college tape, athletic metrics, and the Vikings’ investment are any indication, Yurosek isn’t just an undrafted rookie—he’s a brewing storm ready to make a splash in Minnesota.
Vikings’ Estimated TE Depth Chart
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Ben Yurosek (rookie)
Gavin Bartholomew (rookie)
Giovanni Ricci
Bryson Nesbit (rookie)
Keep an eye on this unheralded gem as training camp unfolds. Ben Yurosek might just be the next undrafted star to shine in the NFL!