EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings selected a seven-round record of 15 players in the 2020 NFL Draft and concluded a strong draft class with offensive lineman Kyle Hinton.

The former Washburn University (Division II) standout was the 253rd overall pick in the draft.

Here are five things to know about Hinton.

1. He had a hint

Hinton said shortly after being drafted that he had a hunch that he would end up in Minnesota.

He said he had been in contact with Vikings area scouts since November and was glad to end up with a team with which he has a familiarity.

"They've been talking to me since November," Hinton said. "I'm really glad they drafted me. I think I'll fit in just well with the offense.

"The area scouts that come through all the schools … they'll come through and they'll look at your film and they'll talk to you personally and things like that … they were the first ones on me and that really meant that they wanted me and things like that," Hinton added. "And I think they were really part of why I got into the NFL."

2. Position flexibility

Hinton, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, primarily played tackle in college. But he said he also can play on the interior at guard or center, and feels he fits in well with Minnesota's zone-blocking scheme.

Hinton played 40 games for the Ichabods, including 34 starts on the offensive line. He was a four-time All-MIAA selection and was a three-time All-American selection.

Hinton got the attention of NFL teams with an impressive performance at Kansas State's Pro Day in early March.

3. Ending with a bang

Hinton caught an 8-yard touchdown pass as a senior in his final college game, which was his first-career reception. He took a screen pass and rumbled into the end zone before celebrating.

Hinton then participated in the NFLPA Bowl Game in January, where he more than held his own against Division I players.

"That was a big confidence booster for me and a confidence booster for NFL teams to see I could hang with D-I talent and things like that," Hinton said. "It showed I could play at the next level.

"You watch big SEC games and think, 'I could handle that guy,' but it's different when you can actually show yourself that you can do it," Hinton added.

4. An impressive Pro Day

Hinton got the attention of NFL teams with an impressive pro day performance in early March.

Since Washburn doesn't hold a pro day, Hinton instead showed up at Kansas State and turned heads there.

According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Hinton completed 34 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds and recorded a vertical jump of 34.5 inches.

He was also clocked at 4.86 seconds in his first 40-yard dash, and 4.70 in his second, although there were some timing concerns with his final run.

But by comparison's sake, second-rounder Ezra Cleveland's best 40 time from the combine was 4.93 seconds, and Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill ran a 4.82 at the combine back in 2018.

5. Star in the ring

Hinton was also a collegiate standout in track and field, as he earned Second-Team All-American honors by finishing ninth in the weight throw at the Division II NCAA Indoor Championships. Hinton's best throw measured 66-plus feet.

He holds the school record in the weight throw and the top eight overall indoor throws. Hinton exceled outdoors in the discus as well, as he holds the school's record and the top six throws there.

"[Discus] is one of these [events] I really like," Hinton said. "The throwing program at Washburn is really good."