Minnesota Vikings Sign a Tight End from Minnesota State

A previous signing from Minnesota State worked out well for the Vikings.

The Vikings announced today that they have signed tight end Shane Zylstra from Minnesota State in Mankato. Zylstra is a native Minnesotan from Spicer, Minnesota, and went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Zylstra was a four-year starter at Minnesota State and is the school's all-time leader in receptions with 227, receiving yards with 4,297, and touchdown catches with 54.

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In 2019, Zylstra led Division II and established single-season school records with 81 receptions for 1,676 yards and 18 touchdown receptions and earned All-American honors. The record of 81 broke the previous record of 74 which was held by another member of the Minnesota Vikings and another Minnesota State undrafted free agent, and Minnesota native from Detroit Lakes, Adam Thielen.

Zylstra also has another tie to the Minnesota Vikings organization, his brother Brandon Zylstra, who is a wide receiver and punt returner, played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and is now on the Carolina Panthers roster.

There is no doubt the dude can play, so hopefully, this signing works out as good as the Thielen signing did, in his seven-season career with the Vikings he's racked up nearly 400 catches for just over 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns and has been named to two Pro Bowl appearances.

Zylstra will most likely compete for the 3rd tight end position on the Vikings roster against Brandon Dillon and undrafted free agent from the 2019 NFL Draft and recent fifth-round draft pick Zach Davidson.