The NFL is America’s most popular sports league –– millions of fans tune in to watch the best of the best play the sport we have a day of the week dedicated to. Young athletes see these men and decide to put on pads with the dreams of one day making it to the pros.
Zack Kellogg
For Matt Linehan, that dream could very well become a reality. Although he was not drafted, he was invited to a rookie mini-camp for the Minnesota Vikings. With his success as a Vandal –– over 10,000 career yards, 62 touchdowns, and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP –– Linehan has a real shot of signing with the team and making the practice squad or even a back-up role behind Kirk Cousins if he shows out this summer. Success for Linehan would not only be great for him, but it would also be great for Idaho.
If Linehan shows out and is a success in the NFL, scouts could become increasingly aware of the talent that can come out of Idaho, a relatively small football school. On top of putting Idaho on the map with recruits, Idaho could be a more popular destination for up-and-coming football players wanting to come be a Vandal and play in the Kibbie Dome, and with more talent, there is a better chance of the team continuing to get better and contend with the best.
All in all, this has the potential to lead the program to grow and become more successful under the coaching of Paul Petrino and the rest of his staff.
With a growing program becoming more successful in the competitive Big Sky conference, this will be seen as a huge opportunity for broadcasting networks, who want to broadcast the best of the best for their audiences.
Not to leave out the Idaho fan base, who remain loyal and could even grow as the program does. But the better you are, the more casual fans you will attract to the games. This means increased revenue for the school and the program to continue help grow the program.
This cycle will continue again and again of it is followed correctly. The snowball could all start rolling if Linehan shows out during the Vikings rookie mini-camp.
Yes, I do understand this might be a bit of a longshot, and it will take years for this to materialize into the full effect that has been laid out, but it is possible.
Successful programs aren’t built overnight. It has taken certain schools decades to build up reputations for their respective programs. We just need to have faith in the potential that Linehan has to succeed at the next level, which he definitely has, and in the abilities of the Idaho coaching staff in keeping the snowball rolling.
For Idaho, this would be huge. But all in all, this is about Linehan and wishing him the best of luck at the highest level of play.
Any success that comes to Idaho because of him is just a great after effect. Don’t forget about us when you’re famous, Matt.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected]