INDIANAPOLIS — A pair of offensive tackle prospects with Minnesota connections are hoping to soon make their mark in the NFL.
Trey Pipkins and Donnell Greene each spoke to the media at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday afternoon, detailing their northern ties while also describing how they ended up in Indianapolis.
Pipkins is a 2014 graduate of Apple Valley High School, where he was a standout football and basketball player. He made a bit of history this week as he became the first football player from the University of Sioux Falls to attend the Combine.
Pipkins also played for the West team in the East-West Shrine Game, the same squad that was led by Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer and had other Vikings coaches on staff.
"It was a great opportunity for me coming from a small school to prove that I can hang with bigger and better talent," Pipkins said. "I was just going out there to try and be my best."
Pipkins lived in multiple places, including Texas, before moving to Apple Valley in the eighth grade, but he said was a casual fan of the Purple.
"I don't really have a favorite professional team, but I liked to see them do well," Pipkins said. "I wouldn't call myself a die-hard fan."
"We played in [the Metrodome] in the seventh grade for the state championship for travel football," Pipkins added. "That's probably [my favorite memory]."
View NFL Scouting Combine drills with offensive lineman, runnings backs, special teams and place kickers on Friday.
Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher
Rice kicker Jack Fox competes in the vertical jump.
40-yard dash
Stanford kicker Jake Bailey runs the 40-yard dash.
Missouri offensive lineman Paul Adams runs the 40-yard dash.
Indiana long snapper Dan Godsil runs the 40-yard dash.
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams
Stanford kicker Jake Bailey competes in the vertical jump.
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray runs a drill.
Indiana long snapper Dan Godsil runs the 40-yard dash.
Stanford offensive lineman Nate Herbig runs a drill.
Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt runs a drill.
Kansas State offensive lineman Dalton Risner
Wake Forest offensive lineman Phil Haynes
Stanford kicker Jake Bailey runs the 40-yard dash.
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams
Missouri offensive lineman Paul Adams runs a drill.
Wake Forest offensive lineman Phil Haynes
Utah kicker Mitch Wishnowsky runs the 40-yard dash.
40-yard dash
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor
South Carolina offensive lineman Dennis Daley runs a drill.
Stanford offensive lineman Nate Herbig runs a drill.
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard and NC State offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury
Wake Forest offensive lineman Phil Haynes runs the 40-yard dash.
NC State offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury runs a drill.
Rice kicker Jack Fox runs the 40-yard dash.
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor
Stanford offensive lineman Nate Herbig runs the 40-yard dash.
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray, Georgia offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard and Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards
Wisconsin offensive lineman Michael Deiter runs the 40-yard dash.
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford, Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans, and Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford and Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford runs the 40-yard dash.
Wisconsin offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel runs the 40-yard.
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray runs the 40-yard dash.
NC State offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury runs the 40-yard dash.
NC State offensive lineman Tyler Jones
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard runs the 40-yard dash.
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash.
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans runs the 40-yard dash.
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard runs the 40-yard dash.
Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt runs the 40-yard dash.
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Mississippi State offensive lineman Deion Calhoun runs the 40-yard dash.
Missouri offensive lineman Paul Adams runs the 40-yard dash.
Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis runs the 40-yard dash.
Wisconsin offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel runs the 40-yard dash.
South Carolina offensive lineman Dennis Daley runs the 40-yard dash.
Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates runs the 40-yard dash.
Utah offensive lineman Jackson Barton runs the 40-yard dash.
Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates runs the 40-yard dash.
San Diego State offensive lineman Tyler Roemer
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray
Wisconsin offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel
Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt
Ferris State offensive lineman Devon Johnson
Ferris State offensive lineman Devon Johnson competes in the vertical jump.
Mississippi State offensive lineman Deion Calhoun
Stanford offensive lineman Nate Herbig
Ferris State offensive lineman Devon Johnson
Wake Forest offensive lineman Phil Haynes
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans
South Carolina offensive lineman Dennis Daley
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
West Virginia offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards
Wisconsin offensive lineman Michael Deiter
Utah offensive lineman Jackson Barton
Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates
USC offensive lineman Chuma Edoga
Missouri offensive lineman Paul Adams
NC State offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury
NC State offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury
Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher runs the 40-yard dash.
Mississippi offensive lineman Javon Patterson runs the 40-yard dash.
Morgan State offensive lineman Joshua Miles runs the 40-yard dash.
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Mississippi offensive lineman Greg Little runs the 40-yard dash.
Weber State offensive lineman Iosua Opeta runs the 40-yard dash.
Washington offensive lineman Kaleb McGary runs the 40-yard dash.
UCLA offensive lineman Andre James runs the 40-yard dash.
Texas A&M offensive lineman Erik McCoy runs the 40-yard dash.
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard
Alabama State offensive lineman Tytus Howard runs the 40-yard dash.
Ohio State offensive lineman Michael Jordan
Wake Forest offensive lineman Phil Haynes
Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt
Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford
Maryland offensive lineman Derwin Gray
Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis
South Carolina offensive lineman Zack Bailey
Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt
Wisconsin offensive lineman Michael Deiter
Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis
Utah offensive lineman Jackson Barton
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards
South Carolina offensive lineman Dennis Daley
Mississippi State offensive lineman Deion Calhoun
Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates
\HU1_\ runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Washington running back Myles Gaskin runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Kansas State running back Alex Barnes runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Washington running back Myles Gaskin runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Alabama running back Damien Harris runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Washington running back Myles Gaskin runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Florida running back Jordan Scarlett runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Washington State running back James Williams runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Ohio State running back Mike Weber runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Ohio State running back Mike Weber runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Ohio State running back Mike Weber runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
FAU running back Devin Singletary runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Penn State running back Miles Sanders runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Boise State running back Alexander Mattison runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Florida running back Jordan Scarlett runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Florida running back Jordan Scarlett runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Penn State running back Miles Sanders runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Boise State running back Alexander Mattison runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Wisconsin running back Alec Ingold runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Miami running back Travis Homer runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Penn State running back Miles Sanders runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Miami running back Travis Homer runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Wisconsin running back Alec Ingold runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Wisconsin running back Alec Ingold runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Miami running back Travis Homer runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine, Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Hiro Ueno/NFL)
Pipkins said he began his high school career as a 5-foot-11 tight end before a 6-inch growth spurt shifted him to tackle.
He then landed at Sioux Falls, where he was a three-time All-NSIC selection and three-time All-American selection for the Cougars.
Pipkins, who measured in at 6-foot-6 and 309 pounds at the Combine, said he needs to work on his upper body strength going forward. He explained his mindset going into the league.
"Most important quality, you have to be team-first on the offensive line," Pipkins said. "You can't be about yourself as an offensive lineman. You don't do it for the recognition, you do it to get other people that recognition."
Pipkins still holds his Apple Valley roots close to him, including his relationship with Timberwolves point guard Tyus Jones, who was Pipkins' high school hoops teammate.
"It was awesome," Pipkins said of Jones. "He's a crazy basketball player and is pretty much the reason I got all my points … he attracted so much attention that I was just standing by the hoop alone."
Pipkins could soon join Jones as a professional athlete, as could former Gophers offensive tackle Donnell Greene.
Greene, who was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2018, is vying to be the first Gophers offensive lineman drafted since 2006.
"It's crazy … I never thought I'd be in this position, so I'm just blessed and taking it all in," Greene said about his Combine experience. "With me, I had a different offensive line coach every year at the University of Minnesota, so I was always switching technique and never able to grasp any certain thing I feel like I was good at. I'm excited to be here."
Greene said he brings an intense attitude to the field, something the Georgia native said was noticed by NFL teams.
"I won't say what team, but a team said they enjoyed watching my personal fouls, but if they draft me, I have to get that under control," Greene said. "They liked my physicality. It was kind of weird hearing teams say they liked seeing personal fouls, but I'm not a fan of it anymore and I have to control my emotions.
"At times, I can become a chippy player," Greene added. "I love leaving it all out on the field."
Greene, who started 29 of 33 career games in college, isn't participating in on-field drills in Indianapolis due to an injury, but he said will do them at Minnesota's Pro Day in the spring.
He did get a crash course on the Combine from Vikings cornerback Jalen Myrick, who participated in the 2017 Combine.
"Jalen said to just lock in and that it was going to be a busy four or five days," Greene said. 'I'm just soaking it all in."
