Central Michigan University Athletics
Conklin Headed To Minnesota
4/28/2018 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan's Tyler Conklin was selected by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday during the NFL draft.
Conklin, a tight end, was selected by the Vikings with the 20th pick in the fifth round. He was the 157th selection in the draft overall.
Conklin finished the 2018 season with 35 catches for 504 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 14.4 yards per catch and 63 yards in receptions per game. He played just eight of CMU's 13 games because of injury.
Conklin, who checks in at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, transferred to CMU from Division II Northwood, where he played basketball as a freshman. He played primarily on special teams in 2015, his first season as a Chippewa.
He established himself in 2016, making 42 receptions for 560 yards and six TDs. His breakout performance came in CMU's 30-27 upset victory at Oklahoma State in the second game of the season, when he made seven receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
After missing CMU's first five games last fall, he made a career-high 10 catches for 136 yards and two scores in leading the Chippewas to a 26-23 victory at Ohio.
Conklin is the first Chippewa to be drafted since safety Kavon Frazier was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round in 2016. He was the 12th tight end taken in this year's draft.
