EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Wednesday announced the signing of linebacker Mike Needham.
The 6-foot-3, 224-pounder participated in the Arizona Cardinals rookie minicamp as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Utah.
A native of St. George, Utah, Needham thrice earned placement on the Big Sky All-Conference First Team and was named 2015 Linebacker of the Year by College Football Performance Awards.
Needham totaled 100 tackles (69 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss and seven pass breakups in 2017. He recorded team-bests of 76 tackles and five interceptions for the Thunderbirds in 2016 when he added 3.0 sacks.
Undrafted free agent Hercules Mata'afa, who suffered a torn ACL during the offseason program, was waived (injured). Mata'afa, a rookie out of Washington State, had been working at defensive end for the Vikings when he suffered his injury.
The Vikings completed their mandatory minicamp and offseason program last week. Minnesota's rookies are scheduled to report to 2018 Verizon Vikings Training Camp on July 24.
