It has barely been a few days since the NFL Draft was concluded, and there is a reason that the Minnesota Vikings used a fifth-round draft pick on tight end and fullback Max Bredeson.

The Vikings Director of College Scouting, Mike Sholiton, explained that the national champion winner has the “It” factor, and it was one of the reasons they selected him. 

"How do you replace a guy like C.J. [Ham]? You don't, with his leadership and everything he's meant through the organization and to his run game and to the locker room and all that stuff," Sholiton said. "The one thing we're most excited about, Max, he was an All-Big Ten performer. He had two touches this year."

Minnesota named Bredeson as C.J. Ham’s replacement. The two-time Pro Bowler, Ham, retired after spending nine seasons with the Vikings. In the 2025 season, Bredeson earned an All-Big Ten third-team selection. 

"This was a guy that was given almost no opportunity," Sholiton said of the beginning of Bredeson's collegiate career. "He was given one semester by his family to make it, or he was going to have to choose something else to do, become a Navy SEAL."

Bredeson was not a typical standout recruit; the fullback created his own path by starting as a walk-on in 2021.

By the end of the 2023 season, which was capped off with a national title, Bredeson had won the Most Improved Player on offense for the Michigan Wolverines.

"He bet on himself and became so valuable that Michigan felt that they had to bring him back for his extra year, senior year," Sholiton added. "To be able to have a role and star in your role, I think that's going to be important for all four of these day three picks…It's that type of competitive spirit that it makes you believe in him."

In 2025, Bredeson won the LowMan trophy as the nation's top fullback. Now, he is headed to play fullback with his former Wolverine teammate and quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

J.J. McCarthy's Reaction to Max Bredeson Joining the Vikings

J.J. McCarthy and Max Bredeson go way back. Before they were teammates at college, both of them trained under the same quarterback coach in high school.

Also, Bredeson was a signal-caller before turning into a block machine. 

"For him [J.J. McCarthy] to be here is definitely special," Bredeson said, smiling. "Really cool that it timed up like that."

As the Vikings called up Bredeson’s name, McCarthy was right there with him in Hartland, Wisconsin, to embrace the moment. 

Even when Bredeson was on a video call with media from the Twin Cities, the Vikings quarterback appeared on the call and shouted, “Let's goooo!” 

From throwing under the same quarterback coach in high school to now playing on the same unit in the NFL, McCarthy and Bredeson could be the new elite duo at Minnesota.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj