From the UFL to Game Ball Recipient in the Vikings’ Locker Room

Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (DL13) participates in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are 10-2, a feat nobody would’ve thought was in the realm of possibility. However, Kevin O’Connell’s crew is resilient, as shown when the team is down and needs a late score or stop. On Sunday, the Vikings did both, playing a nearly flawless game late after struggling for quite some time.

From the UFL to Game Ball Recipient in the Vikings’ Locker Room

Some unlikely heroes emerged, like tight end Johnny Mundt, who caught a touchdown one week after almost costing the team the victory over the Bears by inadvertently touching the onside kick.

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Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) recovers a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports

On defense, coordinator Brian Flores had to rely on some depth players, like cornerback Fabian Moreau or defensive tackle Jalen Redmond. The latter was the recipient of a game ball during one of O’Connell’s famous locker room speeches.

Redmond’s journey has been unusual. He landed with the Vikings in the 2024 offseason.

The defender was a highly-touted recruit in high school, even earning an offer from the University of Memphis before playing his first varsity football game. Redmond joined Oklahoma and was set to contribute to the defense, but he was ruled out for the 2018 season because of blood clots. He ultimately returned halfway through the year but was limited to only three games.

NCAA Football: Oklahoma at Nebraska
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (31) sacks Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

After a solid 2019 season, Redmond opted out of the 2020 campaign because of the blood clot issues and COVID-19. He fully returned for the 2021 and 2022 seasons and was quite productive. In four seasons and 36 contests, Redmond logged 14 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss, and 71 total tackles.

Despite a decent scouting combine, Redmond went undrafted but signed with the Panthers right after the draft.

Carolina waived him during training camp, and it put his NFL career on pause. He then signed with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL (later the UFL), where he tabulated 4.5 sacks in only four games. The Vikings snatched him up in June, and he made the team after a strong preseason. He had a quick two-week stint on the practice squad in October, but when a roster spot opened, he returned to the 53-man roster.

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) walks off the field after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Minnesota’s defensive tackle room doesn’t include any big names. Harrison Phillips is the top guy, flanked by veterans Jerry Tillery and Jonathan Bullard. Rookie Taki Taimani is on IR. He received playing time over Redmond earlier in the season.

Redmond has appeared in nine of the team’s 12 games, and he has played 95 defensive snaps. In the last three contests, however, the 25-year-old has played 41 snaps, and the coaching staff is increasingly trusting him.

The lineman has registered nine tackles, one sack, and four tackles for loss. For perspective, fellow interior linemen Phillips (481 snaps) and Tillery (357 snaps) have combined for only three tackles for loss, and their play has been decent, too. Redmond has been a reason for Minnesota’s elite run defense.

Jalen Redmond runs drills during OU Pro Day for University of Oklahoma football players at the Everest Training Center in Norman, Okla., Thursday, March 30, 2023.

A player like Redmond is why it is important to have developmental leagues outside of the NFL. Who knows if he would’ve ever gotten a chance in the NFL without his stint in the UFL?

His next chance to make an impact will come on Sunday when Kirk Cousins’ Falcons come to town with star running back Bijan Robinson in the backfield.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt