Vikings Bolster Defense with Two Signings After Rookie Minicamp
The Minnesota Vikings added two new defensive players to their offseason roster on Monday following the conclusion of their three-day rookie minicamp held at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
Outside linebacker Matt Harmon and defensive lineman Elijah Williams were signed after participating in the camp on a tryout basis. Their addition brings the Vikings’ roster count to 91 players — the maximum allowed in the offseason, thanks to the presence of Australian punter Oscar Chapman, who has a practice squad exemption under the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
The roster will remain at this expanded size until late August, when teams are required to trim down to the 53-man regular-season limit.
Minnesota hosted 24 rookies during minicamp, including 14 players on offense and 10 on defense, made up of both drafted talent and undrafted free agents. Harmon and Williams were part of an additional group of 20 tryout players, which also featured Montigo Moss, the son of Vikings Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Harmon, 25, hails from Rockwood, Michigan, and spent seven seasons at Kent State, where he appeared in 49 games. His standout season came in 2024 when he posted career highs in total tackles (56), tackles for loss (6.5), and sacks (2). The 6-foot-6, 240-pound linebacker also finished his college career with 105 tackles, four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two recoveries.
Elijah Williams
Williams, 22, played four years at Morgan State, capping his college career with a dominant 2024 campaign that earned him MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. That season, he recorded 11 sacks — a personal best — and finished with 31 total career sacks, 216 tackles, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Williams, who is 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, is originally from Jersey City, New Jersey.
Looking ahead, the Vikings will return to the field for organized team activities (OTAs) on May 27-28, followed by mandatory minicamp from June 10-12 as they continue preparations for the 2025 season.
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