COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. #23 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings training camp is well underway and while many of the usual suspects have impressed, these players have emerged as standouts.
It’s a season of changes for the Minnesota Vikings but that could be for the better. The Mike Zimmer era is over but the signs indicate that things had grown stale around the longtime head coach. So in comes former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell to hopefully breathe new life into a talent-laden roster and get the team back into the playoffs.
Thus far in Vikings training camp, it’s not been a shock to see the likes of Justin Jefferson making plays early — that’s kind of what he does. However, there have already been signs of the aforementioned new life under O’Connell, namely with some guys stepping up and showing out in camp to put themselves on the map.
There’s still plenty of camp and preseason outings to go, but these three players are turning heads in ways that can’t be ignored for Minnesota.
Vikings: 3 training camp standouts demanding attention
3. Andrew Booth Jr. is ready to add life to the secondary
After trading back from the No. 12 pick, the Vikings used their first two selections in the 2022 NFL Draft to help revamp a secondary that became somewhat of a problem area for the club in recent years. First, they took Georgia safety Lewis Cine at the end of the first round. But early in the second round with the No. 42 overall selection, Minnesota nabbed Andrew Booth Jr. out of Clemson.
Booth was once regarded as a potential first-round pick but fell to the early second and that has been much to the delight of the organization to this point.
When asked about what the rookie brings to the secondary, another young Vikes’ cornerback, Cameron Dantzler, heaped praise on Booth, saying to Bally Sports North, “He brings that fire, that juice to the secondary – something that we really need. I love him just like a little brother.”
It should be noted that the Clemson product doesn’t have a clear path to be a starter with Dantzler and Patrick Peterson on the roster, among others. With that said, he’s drawn rave reviews from onlookers and teammates alike, even when matched up with the likes of Jefferson and a strong Minnesota receiving corps.
He’s doing all the right things to make his presence felt and be a huge boost for the defensive back group.