Nwangwu inks deal with Minnesota Vikings

Nov 27, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Kene Nwangwu (3) runs for yards during the third quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Former Cyclone Kene Nwangwu is officially a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

The speedster signed a reported four-year deal worth $4.23 million with the team that drafted him in the fourth round of last month’s NFL Draft over the weekend. The deal, which was first reported by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, also includes a $752,800 signing bonus.

Nwangwu is expected to battle for the third-string running back position as well as the starting kick returner job for the Vikings.

The Frisco, Texas native solidified himself as one of the best kick returners in the country during his time at Iowa State, finishing his career with 2,470 kick return yards, which is the most in school history and third-most in Big 12 history.

He also added 774 yards and four touchdowns on the ground on 143 rushes while spending the majority of his career as the second-string back behind current Chicago Bear David Montgomery and 2021 preseason Heisman candidate Breece Hall.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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