Laquon Treadwell has enjoyed an incredible run of 20 days for a 20 year old.
The Chicagoland native was drafted 23rd overall by the Vikings on April 28, when he walked across the stage with his daughter, Madison, to receive congratulatory words from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Treadwell traveled to Minnesota the following day for an introductory news conference and then returned the following weekend for a minicamp with classmates.
He's been able to spend a couple of weeks at Winter Park and begin building relationships with veterans. The Vikings will start their offseason training activity practices next week, but on Wednesday, Treadwell took a few minutes to join ***The Jim Rome Show*** on CBS Sports Radio.
"It's been great, an amazing experience of course," Treadwell said of starting his run with the Vikings. "Camp has been great, just trying to get better and working hard and being coachable, learning the plays and trying to play at a high level and high tempo."
Teddy Bridgewater told Vikings.com on Tuesday that the fellow first-round pick is already making a **good impression**, which the receiver told Rome he was happy to hear. He also vowed to keep focusing on improving.
"Gaining the trust of the quarterback, that's one of the things you want to do as a receiver," Treadwell said. "I still have a lot to work on. I kind of take it with a grain of salt, but it's great to hear from him and know he thinks that much of me."
Treadwell made a quick splash at Mississippi as a freshman, recording 72 receptions for 608 yards and five touchdowns. He had 48 catches for 632 yards and five more scores before suffering a broken fibula that ended his sophomore season.
The injury, Treadwell, explained increased his appreciation for playing football and enhanced his understanding that it is just one part of who he can be as a person. He leaned on positive influences, shut out doubters and showed his resolve.
"I grew from it, and throughout the injury, I had my ups and downs but I always stayed positive and had a positive light toward my injury," Treadwell said. "I always knew that I would be able to come back and play. I just never paid attention to [what people said]. It built me up to the person I am today, to have confidence in myself for whatever I do, continue to work hard and continue to fix the little things."
Treadwell returned for his junior season and posted career highs of 82 receptions, 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Asked by Rome about the praise he's received from the likes of Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin. The rookie sounded advanced beyond his years and days in the NFL.
"It's still up to me to go out and work hard and not allow it to distract me because for any 20 year old, hearing that, they can take it to their head and feel like everything is supposed to be given to them," Treadwell said. "For me, I just try to block it out, but take it in for what it is and continue to get better."
