Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata had to pay his dues to make an NFL roster. The former Utah star did not get drafted and was unemployed his first year out of college after the Vikings released him from their practice squad. For a time, he resorted to driving a forklift for work.
Asiata’s cousin, Isaac, should have no such difficulty getting on an NFL roster after concluding his career at Utah Wednesday night with a bowl win. The Utes capped a nine-win season by beating Big 10 school Indiana 26-24 in the Foster Farms Bowl thanks to a late field goal. “A close one,” Matt Asiata told Cold Omaha, “but we got that win.”
Projected as a mid-round selection in the upcoming draft, the younger Asiata was recently awarded the Morris Trophy, voted on by the Pac-12’s defensive linemen, which awards the league’s best offensive lineman.
The elder Asiata attended Hunter High School in West City Valley, Utah, while Isaac Asiata — whose mother is Matt’s aunt on his father’s side — attended Spanish Fork High School less than an hour away. The two didn’t play together in high school, and they missed playing on the same college team by one year, but Matt has kept close tabs on his young cousin’s career. “[I watch them] every time I get a chance,” said Matt Asiata, who also made a trip out west to see his alma mater last season. He said he texts his cousin before every game. “Just play hard, just represent the name,” Matt tells him.
Isaac Asiata has played right tackle, right guard and left guard in his college career, giving him versatility that NFL teams may covet. At 6-foot-3, 323 pounds, he’s slightly on the shorter side — the same height as Nick Easton, Minnesota’s shortest offensive lineman — but like his cousin, he makes up for it with a strong lower body. The soon-to-be Utah grad is already 24 years old because of a church mission that delayed his college debut, making him older than most NFL rookies.
The Vikings could be in the mix for interior offensive line depth, depending on their internal evaluations of Zac Kerin, Willie Beavers and Nick Easton. Asiata could draw some eyeballs, especially if he remains a third-day prospect. Minnesota has drafted an offensive lineman in the fourth round or later each of the last four seasons. “If he wound up here, that would be a plus,” said Matt Asiata. “We need another tough guy in here. I’m pretty sure we could get him tough.”
