Cold Spring native and former University of North Dakota offensive tackle Matt Waletzko signed with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and he is in England with the team ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns in London.
Waletzko, 25, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, was signed to the practice squad but could be elevated if the Vikings need an offensive lineman. After playing high school football at
he was a second-team all-MVFC pick in 2020 and first-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2021 with the Fighting Hawks before appearing in 11 NFL games over the past three seasons.
To make room for Waletzko, the Vikings released receiver Tim Jones, who had spent time this season on Minnesota’s 53-man roster and the practice squad. Jones played six offensive snaps and 25 on special teams.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Matt Waletzko (79) during a warm-up before a game at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 9, 2022, in Los Angeles.
Lola Gomez / TNS
The Vikings’ offensive line coach is Chris Kuper who, as a UND alum, has a connection to Waletzko.
The first ROCORI graduate selected in an NFL Draft was wide receiver Eric Decker, chosen in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft, 87th overall, by the Denver Broncos. He went on to play 111 games in an eight-year pro career.
The only other ROCORI grad to appear in the NFL is Rick Bell. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 1983 and played 14 games after going undrafted out of
Other than Kenny Golladay, who transferred to Northern Illinois after two seasons in Grand Forks, Waletzko was the first NFL Draft pick for UND since Kuper went to the Denver Broncos in the fifth round 2006 at pick No. 161.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (18) celebrates scoring a touchdown with offensive tackle Matt Waletzko (79) in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 17, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Candice Ward / Reuters Connect
A shoulder injury with the Cowboys limited Waletzko during his three years in Dallas and he was released by the Cowboys on Aug. 2, 2025.
With Minnesota offensive lineman Ryan Kelly and Brian O’Neill recently suffering injuries, the Vikings were in need of help up front.
The Vikings take on the Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:30 a.m. The game will air on FOX-9 and the NFL Network.