EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings added to their linebacker corps last weekend with the selection of Oregon's Troy Dye in the fourth round.
Dye, whom Minnesota drafted from the 132nd overall spot, started 13 games for the Ducks last season. He recorded 84 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles en route to First-Team All-Pac-12 honors.
Dye is the only player in Oregon history to lead the team in tackles for four consecutive seasons. He finished third in program history in career tackles (397) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (44.0).
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new linebacker:
1. Rose Bowl champs
Dye helped Oregon defeat Wisconsin 28-27 on New Year's Day, giving the Ducks a Rose Bowl title to go along with their Pac-12 championship.
Quarterback Justin Herbert, whom the Chargers drafted sixth overall, ran for three scores in the gritty game.
Dye recorded nine tackles a year after helping the Ducks win the Redbox Bowl and deciding to return to Oregon for his senior season.
"Every ounce of sweat, blood, tears – all the stadium workouts – every piece of it was worth it," Dye said after the win. "We're Pac-12 champs, Rose Bowl champs. I'm just proud of the boys."
2. Duck, Duck … Gray Duck?
Dye is the fourth Oregon player drafted by the Vikings in franchise history.
He will be reunited with former Ducks teammate Dillon Mitchell, whom the Vikings drafted 239th overall in 2019. Mitchell, who lived with Dye when the two attended Oregon together, spent last season on Minnesota's practice squad.
The Vikings tabbed the other two Oregon products in 2003.
Wide receiver Keenan Howry also was a seventh-round selection (221st overall). He went on to play 49 games for Minnesota as a special teams contributor. Howry returned 49 punts for 358 yards and 14 kickoffs for 316 yards.
Minnesota that year also tabbed running back Onterrio Smith 105th overall. Smith played two seasons for the Vikings, totaling 231 carries for 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Vikings Ring of Honor member Ahmad Rashad also was a standout for the Ducks before being drafted fourth overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. He joined the Vikings in 1976 and played in Purple through 1982.
"He is a big playmaker," Rashad told Vikings.com of Dye. "Always around the ball, always making big plays! Smart and very efficient – and most importantly, a former Duck!"
View photos of Vikings new fourth round draft pick Oregon LB Troy Dye.
Oregon inside linebacker Troy Dye (35) warms up prior to the start of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Oregon won 24-10. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) dives and sacks Utah quarterback Troy Williams (3) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Southern California wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) makes a gain and is stopped short of the end zone by Oregon's Troy Dye in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye waits to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye waits to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon defensive tackle Jordon Scott and linebacker Troy Dye celebrates with the trophy after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, from left, defensive tackle Jordon Scott and linebacker Troy Dye celebrates with the trophy after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye celebrates after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye celebrates after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, from left, defensive tackle Jordon Scott and linebacker Troy Dye celebrates with the trophy after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates with teammates Deommodore Lenoir (6) and Brady Breeze (25) after Dye intercepted a Utah pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2018. Oregon won 37-15. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye celebrates after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye celebrates after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert and linebacker Troy Dye celebrates with the trophy after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye holds the trophy as quarterback Justin Herbert, left, and safety Brady Breeze look on after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon inside linebacker Troy Dye (35) poses for photos following an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Oregon won 24-10. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon inside linebacker Troy Dye (35) hugs Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal during a recognition ceremony for senior players prior to the start of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Oregon won 24-10. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates with teammate Deommodore Lenoir (6) after Dye intercepted a Utah pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship, in Santa Clara, Calif. Dye was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Oregon inside linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates following an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Oregon won 24-10. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye answers questions during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon's Troy Dye dances on the field between the third and fourth quarters of the NCAA college football game against Nevada Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon's Troy Dye celebrates the Ducks' win over California at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct.. 5, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon defeated California 17-7. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate, left, looks for a receiver as Oregon's Troy Dye closes in during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
FILE - In this July 24, 2019, file photo, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert answers questions during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day in Los Angeles. With the return of senior leaders Justin Herbert and Troy Dye, expectations are high for the Oregon Ducks this season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye answers questions during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, is Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. With the return of senior leaders Justin Herbert and Troy Dye, expectations are high for the Oregon Ducks this season. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Oregon defensive players La'Mar Winston Jr., left, (no. 32) and Troy Dye, right, celebrate a first quarter stop against Montana during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon's Troy Dye dances to the song "Shout" at Autzen Stadium during the break between the third and fourth quarters of an NCAA college football game against Nevada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon head coach Willie Taggart and linebacker Troy Dye embrace after hanging on to defeat Nebraska 42-35 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) runs for a touchdown against Boise State during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, right, is sacked by Oregon linebacker Troy Dye during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Boise State during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Oregon safety Jevon Holland (8), celebrates his touchdown with linebacker Troy Dye (35) during an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello, center, is cornered for a loss by Oregon's Troy Dye, left, and Kaulana Apelu, right, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2017, file photo, Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) waits for a play to start in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, in Tempe, Ariz. Dye, a second-team preseason All-American, and the Ducks have not been tested yet this season, but he made 107 tackles last year and will need a big game in Eugene on Saturday for the Ducks to make a statement in the Pac-12. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Stanford's Bryce Love, right, breaks a tackle of Oregon's Troy Dye during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Wyoming running back Milo Hall (3) is tackled by Oregon inside linebacker Troy Dye (35)during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Laramie, Wyo., Saturday, Sept.16, 2017. (AP Photo/Shannon Broderick)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye sits in the bench area after Arizona State defeated Oregon 37-35 during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Oregon head coach Willie Taggart and linebacker Troy Dye, rear, embrace after defeating Nebraska, 42-35, in an NCAA college football game, in Eugene, Ore. Dye was selected to the AP All-Conference Pac-12 team announced Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch, File)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon's Troy Dye and Jonah Moi tackle Arizona running back Nick Wilson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon's Oregon cornerback Ugochukwu Amadi, left, works to pull down Utah running back Zach Moss with Oregon linebacker Troy Dye and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. in pursuit during the third quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Demario Richard (4) scores a touchdown over Oregon linebacker Troy Dye during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye speaks at the Pac-12 NCAA college football media day, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye speaks at the Pac-12 NCAA college football media day, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35), celebrates an interception that set up a last minute second quarter touchdown against Arizona State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
Colorado running back Phillip Lindsay (23), blows past Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35), in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
Southern California tight end Taylor McNamara (48) falls into the end zone for a touchdown against Troy Dye of Oregon in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. USC won, 45-20. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Oregon head coach Willie Taggart and linebacker Troy Dye embrace after hanging on to defeat Nebraska 42-35 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye speaks at the Pac-12 NCAA college football media day, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
3. Family and football
Dye and his girlfriend, Kenzie Dunmore, an All-American sprinter at Oregon, welcomed a baby boy on April 7. Dunmore was on the 2017 4x400 relay team that won the NCAA title with a school-record time of 3:23.13.
When asked by a reporter via video conference about the ways his life would change after being drafted, Dye said that life "life has changed already" with the arrival of his son.
"We've been doing that whole new parent thing, and we've been having a great time with it, getting our sleeping schedules down. Life is changing," Dye said. "This whole month has been a new adventure, and I'm looking forward to it because that's what life is about – new adventures and new journeys."
4. Shares high school alma mater with former Viking
Dye hails from Norco, California, a suburb of Los Angeles.
He attended Norco High School, where he was rated as a three-star safety by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. As a senior, he led the team with 105 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions in 11 games.
Other notable Norco alumni include former Vikings running back Toby Gerhart, who played for Minnesota from 2010-13 before spending two seasons with Jacksonville.
5. Looking up to LBs
Dye is a big fan of two fellow California natives who now will share a position room with him, Vikings linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.
While Kendricks is from Fresno, nearly 300 miles from Norco, Barr's hometown of San Pedro is just under 60 miles from where Dye grew up.
"Now that I'm [Barr's] teammate, I'm going to be able to pick his brain and really get to know what he does and why he does it," Dye told Twin Cities media members via video conference. "The thing that stands out to me is he's a big, long athletic guy that's able to cover space really well, [and] he understands the game."
Including the 2020 draft picks and UDFAs, Minnesota's roster – which stands at 87 players currently – contains 10 California natives.
