We don’t usually write full articles for undrafted free agent signings, but this one is too good not to pass along. Today, the Vikings agreed to terms with punter Zach Von Rosenberg (via Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com). What makes this signing so unique? Von Rosenberg is a 30-year-old former minor league pitcher.
The veteran/rookie punter had spent the past four seasons punting for LSU, averaging 44 yards per punt on 193 attempts. That included a 2020 campaign where he got plenty of opportunities to put his play on tape. Despite appearing in only nine games, Von Rosenberg collected 59 punts, the second-highest total in all of college football.
Prior to his collegiate football career, Von Rosenberg was a prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The pitcher spent five years with the organization (2009-14), going 15-25 in a career that never saw him never elevating above Single A baseball.
Von Rosenberg will now have an opportunity to put together a Disney-movie-worthy career. As Tomasson writes, the rookie will have a legitimate chance to unseat starter Britton Colquitt, who reworked his contract this offseason to avoid being cut. The team also invited undrafted free agent Oscar Bradburn to rookie minicamp, but a source tells Tomasson that the Virginia Tech product might not attend.
“The Virginia Tech” makes no sense.
Makes sense to me, Virginia Tech as a whole will not be attending Vikings rookie minicamp haha
We Pirate fans had high hopes for ZVR, one of several pitchers they gave bonuses to back in the 2009 draft. Not a one of them worked, unfortunately.
How hilarious would it have been if the Steelers drafted this guy in the 7th instead
He’s not even the first former Pirate to make the league. Hayden Hurst was in the Bucco system as well. Maybe the NFL should start scouting the Pirates. Or maybe the Pirates’ scouts are in the wrong league.
Perhaps those Pirates scouts can supply the NBA and NHL with talent now.
Tyler Gaffney too. Won a SB with New England. The Pirates GM drafted 3 guys that left the organization and went on to sign with NFL teams. Gaffney actually came back too.
Best of luck to him.
” in a career that never saw him never elevating above Single A baseball.”
Nice one.
Wow, ZVR really let himself go after leaving baseball.