The Minnesota Vikings are entering their own version of the Final Countdown.
The 2024 season is upon us and the excitement is palpable. As we get through the offseason, everyone wants to see quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a Vikings uniform. It will signal a new era in Vikings football for many reasons.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell are entering their third seasons in control of the Vikings and it's crunch time. They now have the team shaped in their image and it's going to be pivotal for their future to be successful in the next two seasons.
With 95 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 95 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):
Every Vikings player to wear No. 95
DT Tyler Manoa 2024
Manoa was signed by the Vikings as a UDFA after the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently working on earning a roster spot during minicamp.
DT Khyiris Tonga 2022-2023
Tonga was a seventh round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2001. He was released at final cuts and the Vikings signed him. Over the next two years, Tonga played well over 25 games with four starts. He flashed in 2022 but couldn't keep the momentum going when Brian Flores took over as defensive coordinator.
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo 2019-2020
The Vikings selected Odenigbo in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft and worked his way up in the NFL. He played his first game with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 before playing 31 games over the next two seasons. He registered 10.5 sacks in those two years, including 15 starts in 2020. Odenigbo played 23 games over the next two seasons before not playing in 2023.
DT David Parry 2018
After being a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Parry played his fourth and final season with the Vikings in 2018. He played in just three games and registered four tackles.
DE Scott Crichton 2014-2015
Crichton was a third-round pick of the Vikings in 2014 and was one of many chances to find a Danielle Hunter. He didn't succeed and played just 21 games in the NFL without registering a sack.
DT Sharrif Floyd 2013
Floyd fell to the Vikings in the 2013 NFL Draft where they selected him 23rd overall. He was slowly making himself into a star 3-tech for Mike Zimmer but a botched knee surgery in 2016 ended his career. He finished with 9.5 sacks after just 44 games.
DE Kenechi Udeze 2004-2007
Udeze was a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft and was a solid player until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He tried a comeback but it didn't come to fruition and retired during training camp in 2009. He is now coaching and rising up the ranks.
DE Shawn Worthen 2001
Worthen was a fourth round pick of the Vikings in 2001 out of TCU. He played just four games in 2001 and didn't play in any future seasons.
DE Bryce Paup 2000
Paup was the classic Vikings signing of an aging veteran who had a long career of success during his time in Green Bay, Buffalo and Jacksonville. He played in 10 games for the Vikings in 2000 recording 2.0 sacks before calling it a career.
Martin Harrison 1999
Harrison played in four seasons for the Vikings from 1994-1996 and 1999, but he wore 95 in the final year of his career in 1999. During his career with the Vikings, he started eight of 44 games recording 11.5 of his 21.0 sacks.
DE Fernando Smith 1994-1997
Smith was a second-round pick of the Vikings in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Jackson State. He played in 48 games with 28 starts and sacked the quarterback 16.0 times. Smith did return in 2000 for one game, but he wore 92.
DE Esera Tuaolo 1992
Tuaolo played in nine NFL seasons and was with the Vikings from 1992-1996. He played in 60 games with the Vikings and started in 28 of them. He wore 95 in his first year with the Vikings in 1992 before wearing 1998 for the rest of his career
Mac Stephens 1991
Stephens played in two seasons but spent just 1991 with the Vikings. He played in three of his seven games with Minnesota but failed to register a stat.
Don Bramlett 1987
Bramlett played in just three games in his NFL career as a replacement player. He recovered a fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week six.
Gerald Robinson 1986-1987
Robinson was a first-round pick of the Vikings but spent just two seasons with the team. He played in just 16 games for the team before moving onto San Diego Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams. In Minnesota, he recorded just 3.5 sacks.
Mark Stewart 1984
Stewart was a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 1983 but only played for the team and in the NFL during the 1984 season.
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