The Vikings made two signings on defense Monday afternoon following their three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
Outside linebacker Matt Harmon and defensive lineman Elijah Williams bring Minnesota’s roster to 91 players, including Australian punter Oscar Chapman, who has a practice squad exemption as part of the International Player Pathway program.
That means the Vikings have maxed their roster for the offseason. They will cut to the in-season 53-man roster in late August.
The Vikings brought in 14 drafted players and undrafted free agents on offense and 10 on defense for rookie camp. Harmon and Williams were among the additional 20 players who attended on a tryout basis, a group that also included former Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss’ son, Montigo Moss.
Below is the complete English translation of the article about the Minnesota Vikings signing two players from their 2025 rookie minicamp tryout. The translation maintains the professional tone, accuracy, and structure of the original Vietnamese article.
The Minnesota Vikings have officially signed two promising players following their rookie minicamp tryout held last weekend at the Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Performance Center. The two players are Matt Harmon, an outside linebacker from Kent State University, and Elijah Williams, a defensive lineman from Morgan State University. The announcement was made on Monday, May 12, 2025, marking a new step in the Vikings’ roster-building process for the upcoming season.
The Journey to the Vikings
Both Matt Harmon and Elijah Williams attended the 2025 rookie minicamp as tryout players, an opportunity for undrafted talents or those not signed as undrafted free agents (UDFAs) post-NFL Draft. Among the 20 tryout participants, Harmon and Williams stood out, impressing head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores enough to earn contracts and spots on the team’s 90-man roster.
Matt Harmon – Speed and Perseverance
Matt Harmon, 25, hails from Rockwood, Michigan, and had a notable college career at Kent State from 2018 to 2024. Across 49 games, he recorded 105 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. His 2024 season was a career-best, with 56 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.
Despite competing for an outside linebacker spot alongside established names like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Gabriel Murphy, Harmon is seen as a strong candidate for a practice squad role in 2025. His age and experience could help him adapt quickly to the NFL’s demanding environment.
Elijah Williams – Strength from Morgan State
Elijah Williams, a 6’3”, 270-pound defensive lineman, brings power and resilience to the Vikings’ defensive front. Over 42 games at Morgan State from 2021 to 2024, Williams amassed 216 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. His final college season in 2024 was particularly impressive, with 12 games, 11 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss—numbers only surpassed by his 2022 campaign (19 tackles for loss).
Facing stiff competition from veteran defensive linemen like Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, and Jalen Redmond, Williams is expected to seize opportunities during offseason workouts and training camp to prove his worth. A practice squad spot could be a realistic goal for him in 2025.
2025 Rookie Minicamp – A Platform for NFL Dreams
The Vikings’ rookie minicamp, held from May 9 to 11, brought together 51 players, including 5 draft picks from the 2025 NFL Draft, 20 undrafted free agents, 20 tryout players, and 6 players with prior NFL experience but no regular-season appearances. The camp featured individual drills, 7-on-7 sessions, and special teams exercises, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate the potential of the rookies in a non-contact setting.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized the importance of motivating young players: “I always congratulate them. I want to honor the fact that these guys get to put on a Minnesota Vikings helmet and an NFL uniform.” He encouraged the players to focus on development rather than immediate results, with the hope that they would showcase their potential to contribute to the team in the future.
Notably, two highly anticipated tryout players, Montigo Moss (son of Vikings legend Randy Moss) and Tommi Hill, were not signed, highlighting the intense competition and high standards of the Vikings’ selection process.
A Tradition of Unearthing Hidden Gems
The Vikings have a storied history of discovering talent through rookie minicamp tryouts. Players like Adam Thielen, who became one of the franchise’s greatest wide receivers, and C.J. Ham, a reliable fullback, began their NFL journeys through similar tryout opportunities as Harmon and Williams.
With the signings of Harmon and Williams, the Vikings’ 90-man roster is now full, including an international exemption for Australian punter Oscar Chapman through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. This move is a key step as the team prepares for organized team activities (OTAs) in late May and training camp in the summer.
The Road Ahead
The signings of Harmon and Williams underscore the Vikings’ commitment to scouting and developing young talent, regardless of their background. While their chances of earning a spot on the active roster for the 2025 season may be limited, both players have the potential to make an impact during practices and preseason games. Their immediate goal will be to secure a place on the 53-man roster or the 16-man practice squad when the regular season begins in September.
The NFL’s 2025 schedule will be released on May 14, providing clarity on the challenges awaiting the Vikings. Under the leadership of head coach Kevin O’Connell and the roster-building strategy of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, fans have reason to be optimistic about an exciting season ahead.
Let’s see if Matt Harmon and Elijah Williams can follow in the footsteps of predecessors like Thielen and Ham, becoming the next hidden gems of the Minnesota Vikings!