With their 11th and final pick in the 2017 NFL draft, the Vikings selected North Carolina State cornerback Jack Tocho from the 245th overall spot.
Tocho was the **ninth player selected by the Vikings** on day three of the draft and the only defensive back Minnesota drafted this year. Over four seasons for the Wolfpack, Tocho played 49 games and made 36 starts. He totaled 122 tackles (98 solo), 26 pass breakups and six interceptions.
Tocho is the fifth player in Vikings history to be drafted from N.C. State. He joins running back Ted Brown (1979 – 16th overall), cornerback Dewayne Washington (1994 – 18th overall), safety Brian Williams (2002 – 105th overall) and linebacker Audie Cole (2012 – 210th overall).
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new cornerback:
1. On-field honors
Tocho impressed early on at N.C. State. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Week in his first career start as a freshman after picking off two passes against Syracuse. He later received the team's Philip Rivers Award for Most Valuable Freshman.
As a sophomore in 2014, Tocho led the team in passes broken up (11) and earned the Wolfpack's Dewayne Washington Award for Defensive Back of the Year. He was a co-recipient of the team's Bob Warren Award for integrity and sportsmanship in 2015 and received the award again in 2016.
Following his senior season, Tocho was ranked 11th in the ACC in passes defended and was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
2. Academic accolades
Tocho was a two-time Academic All-ACC performer, qualifying for the honor by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average during his undergraduate academic career. He earned his undergraduate degree in accounting in just three years.
The cornerback transfers his academic skills to the football field, as well, priding himself on a high football I.Q.
"You have to be able to also understand route concepts, route recognition, offensive formations and defensive personnel – where everybody is going and what your job is," Tocho said Saturday during a conference call with Twin Cities media. "You just can't limit it to only know your role. So I'd say that having a strong football I.Q. like I have will just help me and my teammates to help put us in the best position to make plays on the field."
3. Notable names
Tocho attended Independence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he played cornerback, running back and safety and played in the 2012 Shrine Bowl that features high school all-stars from North Carolina and South Carolina.
Other notable alumni from Independence include the following NFL players: Hakeem Nicks (2009-16), linebacker D.J. Smith (2011-14), Dre Moore (2008-13) and DeVonte Holloman (2013-14).
4. Kenyan heritage
Tocho is a first-generation American. His parents, David and Gertrude, immigrated to the United States from Kenya. Tocho's middle name, Zephania, comes from his paternal grandfather.
*5. Talk show host *
While a student at N.C. State, Tocho hosted his own **online talk show** about Wolfpack Football. The show was ran through the N.C. State athletics department and was titled,"You Don't Know Jack," in which Tocho often interviewed teammates or Wolfpack fans.
