Statements on Jerick McKinnon by Vikings' General Manager Rick Spielman
Pre-Draft Article on McKinnon and Westbrooks Waiting for Calls at Home
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Jerick McKinnon's Viking profile


STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern running back/quarterback Jerick McKinnon became the 10th Eagle player ever selected in the NFL Draft going in the third round to the Minnesota Vikings as the 96th overall pick. The two-time All-American and team MVP, McKinnon finished his career at Georgia Southern with 3,899 career rushing yards, good for third on the Eagles' all-time list.

"When they called me, I just started crying," said Jerick McKinnon about taking the call from the Minnesota Vikings at his home in Marietta, Ga. "I can't explain how I feel. There has been so much that has gone into this day. I started playing when I was four years old and my pops would coach me in the backyard after school. Just to get to this point, there was so much work and effort, and having it play out this way, this is a testament of God doing His work. At the end of the day, I feel very blessed."

McKinnon, who scored the game-winning touchdown in Georgia Southern's epic victory over Florida in "The Swamp" last November, left his mark on the program with rankings in numerous career offensive top-10 lists. His offensive efforts were critical in the Eagles' comeback road win at Old Dominion in 2012 and his 316 rushing yards vs. Central Arkansas that same year rank as the most by a quarterback and second-most ever by an Eagle. He ran or passed for at least one touchdown in all but one game in which he played.

Fourteen of McKinnon's 17 games with 100 or more yards rushing came in his last two years and his 1,817 rushing yards in 2012 were the most ever by an Eagle junior. He also tied a Georgia Southern record for most interceptions in a playoff game with two vs. Maine coming during his sophomore season.

McKinnon will report to the Vikings for rookie camp sometime next week.

Adrian Peterson, still the NCAA's Division I career rushing leader, was the last Eagle offensive player tabbed for the NFL, going in the sixth round to the Chicago Bears and enjoying a nine-year career in the Windy City.

Season tickets for the 2014 campaign, Georgia Southern's first in the FBS and Sun Belt Conference, are available for purchase online at GSEagles.com/fbtix. For more information, call 1-800-GSU-WINS or e-mail tickets@georgiasouthern.edu weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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