Former NDSU Tight End Elefson is preparing for his third year in the NFL

The native of Howley enters the Minnesota Vikings for the second year

FARGO, ND – Formerly the hard end of North Dakota, Ben Elefson is entering his third year in the NFL and second in the Minnesota Vikings. It was a pretty long way back to playing for the childhood team.

In the first year, Elefson was not drafted, and soon after, “Jacksonville Jaguar” was signed. The Hawley native played 133 shots in seven games in Duvall before being cut for the second year right after the training camp.

It was then that the Vikings lifted Elefson to some depth in position, looking at action in seven games mostly as a blocker before a knee injury brought him into reserve with injuries. With a new coach and new energy in the building, the American FCS is trying to make the most of his opportunities before the OTA.

“It all depends on what they are looking for. If I can fit the uniform for them, “Elefson said.” As far as I can fit into the crime they want. I can’t control anything that’s expected. All I can do is go out there and do what “I do my best. Let the chips fall where they can, so I hope to be here. Stay local and be a Viking for a long time, but in the end it’s also a business, so just go out and do everything you can.”

What helped Ellefson adapt most to the professional game is what his college coaches at NDSU focused on.

“You’re a little more independent with your diet, you take care of your body, equipment and other things on the football field, so you come with a good base and foundation,” Elefson said. “I hope they continue to help me. I still talk to my coaches in college and ask them about the different techniques they teach now. What they see. Sometimes they watch my movie and send me videos where I play and criticize me a bit. It goes back and forth. It really helped me, and I don’t think I would be in that position if it weren’t for many of them. “

Wicks and Elefson are in their second week of volunteer training.