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Vikings.com is continuing its Xs and Os series about draft picks with linebacker Troy Dye.
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have selected at least one linebacker in 12 consecutive NFL Drafts, extending a streak that began with Jasper Brinkley in the fifth round in 2009 by tabbing Troy Dye out of Oregon in the fourth round this April.
Dye became the third player chosen by Minnesota in the round this year, joining defensive end D.J. Wonnum (117th overall) and defensive tackle James Lynch (130th), who was picked two spots ahead of Dye.
Although Dye was the only player at his position drafted by Minnesota this year, he could help the Vikings in multiple ways in seasons that follow.
Player Profile: Troy Dye, Oregon, Senior
The only Oregon Duck to lead the team in tackles in four consecutive seasons, Dye showed toughness and determination in closing his college career.
After suffering a broken thumb on his right hand at Washington (Oct. 19, 2019), Dye missed the following week but played the final six games of the season with a protective club on his hand. He also battled through a meniscus tear that went undiagnosed until after the season. The knee injury didn't sideline him, but it did prevent him from working out at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
"When I broke my thumb, originally I didn't think it was as bad as it was," Dye explained after his selection. "It was a little more severe than I thought it was, but at the end of the day, I came back for my senior year and played for a Pac-12 Championship, played for a Rose Bowl, so I wasn't going to let anything that wasn't a life-threatening or career-ending injury stop me from playing the game.
"When it came to my knee, I thought it was just a minor tweak or a sprain, nothing too crazy," Dye added. "After the season I got my MRI, and it said that it was torn. If I can walk, if I can run, I can play. I'm not going to sit on the bench and try to milk stuff. I love to play the game, I love football so much that I'll give everything I have for it."
Perhaps the hardest part for Dye was signing autographs left-handed as he helped the Ducks win the Pac-12 Championship and 106th Rose Bowl, totaling 17 tackles in the postseason games.
Dye, who played inside linebacker for the Ducks, finished his career with 397 career tackles and 44 tackles for loss, which rank third and fourth, respectively, in program history.
In addition to leading Oregon in tackles in 22 of the 50 games he played, Dye totaled 15 sacks and five interceptions. His Oregon bio notes Dye is just one of nine FBS players since 2000 to record that combination of sacks and interceptions.
Dye is one of 11 California natives on Minnesota's roster and the fourth among linebackers, joining Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Cam Smith. He attended Norco High School east of Los Angeles and was quite familiar with Barr's progression and game.
"Now that I'm [Barr's] teammate, I'm going to be able to pick his brain and really get to know what he does and why he does it," Dye told Twin Cities media members via video conference after his selection. "The thing that stands out to me is he's a big, long athletic guy that's able to cover space really well, [and] he understands the game."