Minnesota Vikings: Boise State Rookies Living the Dream

It's not often that a college football player gets a chance to play in the pros (just under four percent from division one schools), and it's even less often for players to have a shot at the pros and be playing next to a college teammate, and friend.

Running back Ian Johnson and wide out Vinny Perretta have such an opportunity this coming season, with the Minnesota Vikings. Both signed as rookie free agents after not getting drafted in the 2009 NFL draft out of Boise State, and are battling to simply make the roster and become pro football players for the Vikings.

Ian Johnson is known around the country as "the kid that ran the statue of liberty play that beat Oklahoma" in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, after which, he immediately proposed to his girlfriend, who was a Boise State cheerleader, to which she answered "yes" in front of a national audience.

Ian was best known as a football player for his contributions during the 2006-2007 season for his 1,714 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore at Boise State. After that, however, his performance tanked, as he dropped to 1,041 yards rushing in 2007, and 766 in 2008. His touchdown totals also dropped to 16 in 2007 and 13 in 2008.

Rivals.com scouted Ian Johnson as a running back with great "immediate speed," although it was quick to point out the fact that he ran "too high at the line of scrimmage," and that since his 2006 miracle season, he hasn't quite been the same runner in the open field.

The son of former San Diego Charger Ralph Perretta, Vinny made a name for himself at Boise State as a slot possession receiver for the Broncos.  In his four seasons in Boise, Vinny had 72 receptions for 991 yards and four touchdowns. His break speed at the line is truly coveted in the NFL, much like it is for Vinny's ideal receiver, Wes Welker.

Although Vinny, unlike Ian, wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, Vinny still believes he can compete in camp for a his chance to make it onto a very crowded Vikings receiving core. With the likes of Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, and Bobby Wade a sure fit, the fifth and possibly sixth spot become a high target for the five remaining receivers on the roster heading into camp. The only veteran of that group is the third year receiver, Aundrae Allison.

As for Ian Johnson, he faces an easier fight to be one of the team's running backs. He enters into a four-way fight for the third string role behind Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, with the incumbent third stringer, second year running back, Albert Young.

It isn't every day that college ball players get the opportunity to simply fight for a job in the pros. Although the odds and bets are against them, their dream is still alive, and whether or not they make it, is all dependent on what will they have to be successful in the NFL.

When asked about their prior meeting with Adrian Peterson (2007 Fiesta Bowl, when Adrian was a member of the Oklahoma Sooners), Vinny and Ian simply laughed, saying they would do best to not bring it up when introducing themselves, but surely would hold onto it as leverage, if the opportunity presented itself.