Minnesota made: How Blake Cashman rose from from Gophers walk-on to key for Vikings defense

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Blake Cashman’s path from Minnesota high school standout to Vikings linebacker has turned into a hometown success story.

Cashman grew up in Minnesota, played college football for the Gophers and later made his way to the Vikings. Only about a dozen players who grew up in Minnesota followed that path.

Cashman wasn’t highly recruited and walked on at the University of Minnesota before eventually earning a scholarship. After his sophomore year, he said he believed he would get a chance in the NFL.

“It really hit me for the first time where I knew in my heart, as long as I continued on the road that I am, that I would have an opportunity in the NFL,” Cashman said. “I don’t know what that opportunity was going to look like, whether it be a rookie minicamp invite You know, undrafted rookie being signed, or a drafted player, but I knew I was going to get an opportunity.”