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Minnesota Vikings: Jayron Kearse creating excitement

By Sayre Bedinger

Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson (12) scores a touchdown while being defended by Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson (12) scores a touchdown while being defended by Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings have no shortage of young talent to be excited about, and rookie safety Jayron Kearse adds to the spoil of riches…

The Minnesota Vikings are certainly not hurting for young talent right now, and safety Jayron Kearse is adding to that spoil of riches.

Kearse, a seventh round pick out of Clemson, is about as physically imposing as you can find at the safety position in the NFL. At 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Kearse has longer than 34-inch arms and runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash.

Those are huge numbers for a player at his position, but scouts had concern about his overall ability to make plays coming out of Clemson. Playing on a very talented defense, Kearse had 123 tackles over the last two seasons, and picked off just three passes, breaking up an additional 11.

In his freshman season at Clemson, he had four interceptions in more limited snaps.

There’s no question about the fact that Kearse has natural talent, and I think he’s going to the perfect place in Minnesota where he can showcase that ability. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is known for his ability to get the best out of defensive talent, and defensive backs coach Jerry Gray has done a good job with the young talent in the Minnesota secondary over the past three seasons.

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Kearse may be raw, but he’s in a great position to succeed. He had four tackles and an interception at the end of the game against the Bengals in the Vikings’ preseason opener. He’s been making plays at Vikings training camp and earning high marks from coaches.

The Vikings used Kearse in their preseason game as a wall against a Hail Mary at the end of the game, but they also used him to blitz and end a Bengals drive earlier. He brings versatility to the table that has gotten many excited about his future and potential for a team that has some of the best young depth in the secondary in the NFL.

With Mike Zimmer overseeing his development, I have no doubt that Kearse can develop into a quality NFL player, and give the Vikings a big time asset at the safety spot.

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