Former Illinois defensive tackle Calvin Avery signs with Minnesota Vikings as undrafted free agent
#93 Defensive line Calvin Avery pushes off off Michigan State on Nov. 5 during Dads Day. Avery signed with the Vikings during the NFL Draft on Saturday as a undrafted free agent.
April 29, 2023
Calvin Avery, former Illinois defensive tackle, has been signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings just minutes after the 2023 NFL draft.
The Dallas native appeared in 55 games across five seasons in orange and blue and, in his final season, played all 13 games including the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, totaling 12 starts at nose tackle.
Avery recorded 24 total tackles, including two for loss, a pass breakup, a pair of quarterback hurries and forced a fumble for the nation’s number one scoring defense in 2022. Each of the statistics mentioned were career highs for the five-year veteran.
Listed at 6 feet, 2 inches and weighing 325 pounds, Avery has the size necessary to be a solid interior defensive lineman at the professional level.
Despite not being selected with one of the 259 total picks in the 2023 NFL draft, the Vikings showed immediate interest in Avery and will hopefully give him a fair shot at earning a permanent roster spot this summer.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
