EAGAN, Minn. – A familiar face is back in Minnesota.
The Vikings last week signed linebacker Blake Cashman, a native of Eden Prairie who shined at the University of Minnesota before being drafted 157th overall by the Jets in 2019.
Cashman spent his first three NFL seasons in New York, then was acquired by the Texans via trade in March 2022.
Cashman had a breakout season for Houston in 2023, starting 13 of 14 games played and leading the team in tackles with 106. He recorded 2.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss, five passes defensed and a fumble recovery. He also nabbed his first career interception when he picked off Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence in Week 3.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new linebacker:
- Hometown kid
Cashman attended Eden Prairie High School, where he was coached by Head Coach Mike Grant – son of Hall of Fame Vikings Head Coach Bud Grant.
As a senior, Cashman played cornerback and linebacker, helping lead the Eagles to a 13-0 record and Eden Prairie's fourth straight state title. He earned First-Team All-State honors by The Associated Press and was named to the 2014 KARE 11 All-Metro Defensive Team.
Cashman is the second Minnesota native on the Vikings current roster, joining fullback C.J. Ham (Duluth).
- Surprised with a scholarship
In 2017, Gophers Head Coach P.J. Fleck hosted an "Elite Egg Extravaganza." Pairs of teammates had their wrists taped together and were set loose to work together for 30 minutes, searching the facility for 1,000 plastic Easter eggs.
At the conclusion of the event, each player was given an egg to open … with everyone but Cashman being in on a special surprise. When the walk-on linebacker opened his egg, he found a message saying he'd earned a scholarship.
"This isn't something that's going to keep me from working hard," Cashman told the team after the announcement and celebration. "I'm gonna keep doin' what I'm doin'."
- Hosts annual youth camp
For the past three summers, Cashman has joined former Gophers teammates Carter Coughlin (Giants) and Ryan Connelly (who was with the Vikings from 2020-22) in hosting a youth football camp.
The "Cashman Connell Coughlin" camp teaches youngsters about football fundamentals, as well as the importance of teamwork, communication and focus.
- Supporter of TB1Fund
Cashman has been a consistent supporter of the TB1Fund and Braxton "Brax" Battaglia, a 13-year-old leukemia warrior and die-hard Golden Gophers fan.
Brax has worked alongside the Gophers in fundraising for the TB1Fund and has become an inspiration to many since first being diagnosed at age 9 and relapsing three years later.
In 2022, Cashman represented Brax and the foundation during the Texans "My Cause My Cleats" game.
- Going Wild
Cashman wasted no time getting back to the Xcel Energy Center to watch the Minnesota Wild in action.
After visiting Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center last week to sign his contract and speak with media members, Cashman attended the Wild's 2-0 defeat of the Ducks.
