EAGAN, Minn. -- It’s a story I know you’ve heard before.
A sure-handed wide receiver from Minnesota who’s trying to make his hometown team after going un-drafted.
The only thing is: it’s not Adam Thielen we’re talking about this time.
“Every snap you’ve got to prove something," Vikings wide receiver Jake Wieneke said. “I’m trying to make the team. There’s a lot of great receivers so I know it’s going to be a battle every single day. That’s why you can’t ease into it. You’ve got to go full-go from the first snap."
Full speed, is the only speed, Wieneke has ever known.
It’s the reason this 6 foot 4, 23-year-old shined at South Dakota State despite not receiving many Division One offers out of Maple Grove High School.
These days though, the fact things are starting to slow down: is a good thing.
“During OTA’s, you’re learning the whole offense, and now I'm starting to get used to it,” Wieneke said. “It’s definitely slowing down. You can play a little faster and just know what you’re doing.”
What Jake has done so far is enough to impress his coaches.
“Jake is just a really smart guy,” offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said. “He’s assignment perfect.”
Jake has also impressed one teammate – whose opinion probably matters most.
“I think he’s got a lot of ability, and I love the way he carries himself,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “He’s a great teammate and great person. I think he’s a really good example of our scouting staff bringing in talented players that could be great locker room guys and have a great impact in camp.”
Like Thielen though, that impact early in his career could likely only be on special teams.
“If you want to make it in this league, you’ve got to play special teams,” Wieneke said. “That’s something I’ve really enjoyed so far.”