WARE, Hertfordshire, England – Former North Dakota offensive lineman Matt Waletzko has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, the organization announced on Tuesday night. Waletzko recently traveled overseas to meet the Vikings at their UK headquarters. The rest of the team arrived in England on Monday afternoon after playing in Ireland on Sunday.
Prior to signing with Minnesota, Waletzko spent three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and played in 11 games after being selected in the fifth round (155th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. He remains the first Fighting Hawk drafted since former wide receiver Kenny Golladay was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the third round (96th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Waletzko was the first four-year player and offensive lineman selected in an NFL Draft since Chris Kuper was picked by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round in 2006. Kuper is currently in his fourth season with the Vikings as the offensive line coach.
During his senior season at UND in 2021, Waletzko started in 10 of the 11 games. When he was on the field, he anchored an offensive line that topped the FCS in sacks allowed (3) and led the MVFC in fewest negative plays allowed (5). His standout final season helped him earn All-America status from five different publications and invitations to the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. He also garnered All-MVFC First Team accolades that season.
At the start of the 2021 season, Waletzko came rushing out of the gates and was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 7, following a 35-14 win at Idaho State. Against the Bengals, Waletzko and his counterparts did not allow Tommy Schuster to be sacked as he finished the contest with a 181.5 quarterback rating. In 63 plays against ISU, UND averaged 5.8 yards per play. North Dakota also logged 33:29 minutes of possession in the win.
After a sensational junior season, Waletzko was listed high on many post-season watchlists coming into 2021, including being one of just seven offensive linemen and one of 43 total offensive tackles listed to the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watchlist. He was also on the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl Watchlist and named a team captain for the 2021 season.
The Cold Spring, Minn., native had a breakout junior year after returning from a season-ending injury his sophomore season to start all seven games at left tackle during the 2020-21 season. He gained All-MVFC Second Team honors and was named a 2020-21 Stats Perform FCS All-American at the end of that season.
In the classroom, Waletzko excelled as well, being named to the 2022 National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Honor Society. He earned MVFC President's Council Academic Excellence accolades in 2021 after being named a first-team member twice to the MVFC All-Academic Team.
The Minnesota Vikings will battle the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, this Sunday. Kickoff between the two squads is set for 8:30 a.m. (CT). The game will air on FOX 9 and the NFL Network. It will also be carried on KFAN and the Vikings Audio Network.
