Michigan Football: Vikings Grab Ben Gedeon At No. 120

Former Michigan linebacker Ben Gedeon became the seventh Wolverine selected in the draft, when the Minnesota Vikings took him with the No. 120 overall pick. Gedeon was known an old school, hard-nosed defensive player during his time at Michigan.

This past season was by far his best in Ann Arbor, as the Ohio native compiled a career-best 106 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss (good for fifth-best in the Big Ten), and 4.5 sacks. The outstanding season earned him All-Big Ten second-team honors by the media. He also took home the Roger Zatkoff Award as the team’s top linebacker. All in all, Gedeon racked up 21 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his career.

Gedeon not only excelled on the field, but in the classroom as well, being named an Academic-All Big Ten recipient in both 2015 and 2016.

Mike Mayock of NFL Network offered his thoughts on the selection.

“Really solid pick,” Mayock said. “He’s 6-1, 244, and made an awful lot of plays this year at Michigan. I love watching this front because they were active and physical, and Gedeon kind of controlled it up front.

“He’s very aggressive, just like anybody on a Harbaugh-coached team at any level of football. He’s probably a run-only guy, because I don’t think he matches up very well in man coverage. At the end of the day he brings toughness and that’s what [Vikings GM] Rick Spielman wants and that’s what [Vikings head coach] Mike Zimmer wants.”

ESPN’s Todd McShay also gave his thoughts on Gedeon as a player.

“Ben Gedeon had to wait his turn, spending three seasons as a reserve linebacker and core special teamer,” McShay said. “In his only season as a starter in 2016, he led the team with 106 tackles, 15.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Both of his brothers played college football – Alex at Harvard and Sam at the Naval Academy. This guy is disciplined, tough, and the more I studied his tape, the more I thought he’s more athletic than people give him credit for. He can blitz a little bit and has really good instincts in zone. At first I thought he’s a late rounder, but I wound up giving him a late third or early fourth round grade, so this is exactly where I thought he belonged. I think the Vikings are getting someone who could push for early playing time.”

McShay’s coworker, Mel Kiper, also echoed the notion that Gedeon is better than people give him credit for.

“His 34.5 vertical at the combine surprised people,” Kiper said. “Forget about the notion that he’s an overachiever – watch the Ohio State game and you’ll be convinced Ben Gedeon will play in the NFL.”

ESPN’s Trey Wingo gave a little more background on Gedeon’s brothers.

“He said his brothers fire him up,” Wingo explained. “His brother won an Ivy League championship at Harvard, and his brother played sprint football and rugby at the Naval Academy, so talk about leadership that he’s trying to follow.”

Prior to this year’s draft, the last time Michigan saw a linebacker selected this high was Jonas Mouton (No. 61) in 2011. It is also the first time the Wolverines have seen seven players taken in a single draft since 2008.