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- Mar 19, 2019
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Krammer highlights Mata'afa's recent rise
It's been quite a year for Hercules Mata'afa.
The former undrafted free agent began the 2020 season as a defensive tackle in pass-rushing situations, but was released in mid-October.
The Vikings added him to their practice squad right away, where he spent the next few weeks transitioning to defensive end.
Mata'afa was added back to the 53-man roster and has since played meaningful snaps in wins over the Packers, Lions and Bears.
Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune looked at Mata'afa's rise in recent weeks.
Krammer wrote:
Mata'afa, the third-year former Washington State standout, has earned a role in what has become a seven-man defensive line rotation after the Vikings traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue over the bye week.
He has averaged 28 snaps in the past three games, many at defensive end, where he's found a spark after a frustrating start to the season led to an October demotion to the practice squad. He vented his frustration on social media.
"I had to reevaluate myself and reevaluate how I wanted to be as a player," Mata'afa said Wednesday. "I wasn't doing enough to be on the team, so as soon as I signed with the practice squad, I went into that week thinking like, 'This is it. Like, I'm going to go out and show every day in practice what I can do for this team.' "
Mata'afa's effort has translated to games. His 10 quarterback pressures in the past three outings trails only rookie defensive end D.J. Wonnum (11) on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
"I knew how hard it was to stay in this league, and I was frustrated with myself," Mata'afa said. "I've always been an underdog my whole career: high school, college to now. My opportunity is finally coming, and I'm trying to make the best out of it."
Mata'afa has split sacks with a teammate in each of the past two games.