EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Augustana University senior CJ Ham (Duluth, Minnesota) agreed to a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings, the National Football League club announced Tuesday. Ham was signed after participating in last weekend's rookie minicamp.
 

Ham is one of three free agents to sign with the Vikings following the team's minicamp. Tre Roberson (Illinois State) and Troy Stoudermire (Minnesota) signed with the Vikings on Monday.

"I am very excited and blessed to get another opportunity to make a childhood dream come true," Ham said. "The Vikings have a great organization and wonderful people. I can't wait to get back there and compete with the rest of the team. I am forever grateful for this opportunity."
 
Ham, a 6-foot-1, 238-pound running back, becomes the fifth player from Augustana to sign with an NFL team. Kevin Kaesviharn most recently played for the Tennessee Titans in 2009 after signing a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers following his collegiate career in 2001.
 
Ham is the second former Augustana student-athlete to play for the Minnesota Vikings. Corbin Lacina was drafted in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and played four seasons for the Vikings from 1999-2002.
 
Bryan Schwartz was drafted in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville and played five seasons for the Jaguars. Les Josephson signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1964 and spent 10 years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and was a 1968 Pro Bowl selection.  
 
Ham, out of Denfeld High School, earned All-NSIC South Division Second Team honors his senior season after rushing for a career-high 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ham tied Augustana's single season record and led the NSIC in rushing touchdowns in 2015. He became just the fourth running back at Augustana to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season. Ham ran for 100-plus yards three times last season, including a career-high 160 against Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 3. Ham also hauled in 39 passes for 431 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. He finished his career with 2,662 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns to go along with 949 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
 
Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Augustana University is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.