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SALT LAKE CITY — Brandon Burton finally had his name called.
After getting bypassed in the first four rounds of the National Football League Draft, the Utah cornerback was taken 139th overall by the Minnesota Vikings with the eighth pick in the fifth round.
"Viking baby let's go," Burton said via Twitter.
Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods said the decision to draft Burton had more to do with him being a good overall player than a great fit in Minnesota's defense. Woods told vikings.com that Burton "really just understands what he's doing on the field" and is solid in coverage and willing in run support.
Player profile
| Position | Defensive Back |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Weight | 185 lbs |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas |
| School | Utah |
"He's a big corner, a good athlete and smart," Woods said. "He's going to be a student of the game."
Burton, who was the 21st cornerback selected in the draft and the first Ute taken this year, made 97 tackles and had 18 pass breakups in three seasons with the program. The 6-foot, 185-pounder from Clear Creek High School in Texas was a second-team All-Mountain West Conference honoree in 2010. His legacy at Utah was cemented last fall when he blocked Mitch Payne's 42-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the game in the Utes' 17-16 victory over BYU.
In the sixth round, Utah offensive lineman Caleb Schlauderaff became the Utes' second draftee. He was taken 179th overall by the Green Bay Packers.
