Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Here are five things to know about the new Vikings cornerback:
1. Began college at Baylor
Hand was originally recruited to go to Temple by Matt Rhule (head coach of the Owls from 2013-16). When Rhule and his staff headed to Baylor in 2017, Hand did as well.
The cornerback overlapped with Vikings rookie James Lynch, whom Minnesota drafted in the fourth round, just 39 spots before the team picked Hand.
"That's my boy," Hand said of Lynch after his selection. "We go way back at Baylor since my freshman year. We were always linked like this and always talk, so that is a blessing to be a part of 'Vikings Nation' but also to be with my guy James Lynch."
After the draft, the Vikings also signed former Bears linebacker Blake Lynch (no relation to James) as an undrafted free agent.
Hand started 13 of 22 games for the Bears, totaling 55 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception and 12 pass breakups while at Baylor. Those stats include 11 tackles and two pass breakups in his collegiate debut against Liberty.