Vikings rookie Brett Thorson reflects ahead of season

When you make an NFL roster, news travels fast. Even to the other side of the world, to Australia.

"When I found out it was 3 a.m. in Melbourne," said Vikings punter Brett Thorson. "So I put a text in the group chat and thankfully my brother was awake, and he ran down to Mum and Dad and woke them up. He had to turn on the light and everything. They were pretty sleepy, but I think they were pretty stoked. I don't think they got back to sleep."

Thorson was not drafted despite being named college football's 2025 punter of the year. But the Vikings quickly signed him to compete with veteran Johnny Hekker for the punter job. Thorson won the battle.

"You gotta pinch yourself at times, like oh wait, I'm in an NFL locker room. It was cool; obviously there was the business side of it. You're trying to get better every day. You're trying to prove yourself. You're in a competition. Every day is kind of business. But also trying to take it in and realize how lucky I am to be here," said Thorson.

As a punter, most of your week is spent with the other specialists. The kicker and long snapper.

"It's been cool to hear his story and get to know ...