05.03.2012

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – At the conclusion of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Bethel University football program was excited to hear that former offensive lineman, Mitch Elliott (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), was offered a chance to work out with the Minnesota Vikings. Elliot, a standout tackle for the Royals, was a D3football.com All-American as well as a three-time MIAC All-Conference First Team player. According to D3football.com, Elliott is suggested to be one of ten Division III players to be picked up by an NFL team.

Elliott, who participated in the Division III Senior Classic on December 9 in Salem, Virginia, has been through a grueling process to get to this position. Back on March 3, Elliott took part in a 240-person NFL regional combine that was hosted at the Chicago Bears facility in Lake Forest, Ill. Two days later, Elliot was invited to participate in the NFL Pro-Day on the campus of the University of Minnesota. What initially began as a 120-player ordeal was narrowed down to 40 players following the 40-yard dash, vertical testing, and strength training challenge. Of the final 40 players asked to work out with professional teams, exactly half were U of M players. Elliott was just one of two offensive lineman asked to work out with five NFL teams, including the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and San Francisco 49ers.
 
Before the 2012 NFL Draft began Elliott was contacted by the Minnesota Vikings organization to let him know that he would be given the opportunity to come to the team's rookie camp this weekend, should he go undrafted. 
 
The Brooklyn Park native was a four-year starter for the Bethel University football team. His extensive time on the offensive line helped the Royals continue to be among the best rushing programs in the nation (280 yards-per-game), and also helped the passing game by allowing the least sacks (nine) and best passing efficiency in the conference.

This is the Royal's second player in program history invited to participate with an NFL organization. Matt Eller, a former player in the early 1990's, worked with both the Minnesota VIkings and Green Bay Packers.
 
Should Elliott make it through this weekend's workouts, he will most likely be offered an undrafted rookie contract. Undrafted rookie contracts are traditionally three-year, non-guaranteed deals with a small signing bonus. 

D3football.com Release
D3 Senior Classic Release