SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Coming off his best year in the National Football League, former Augustana Viking standout CJ Ham will represent the Minnesota Vikings and National Football Conference (NFC) in the NFL Pro Bowl.
 
The honor marks the first of the career for Ham, who recently finished his third full year, and fourth overall, in the NFL. The game will be played Sunday, Jan. 26 on ESPN.
 
Ranked as the No.3 overall fullback by Pro Football Focus, Ham had a breakout campaign for the Minnesota Vikings. The do-it-all fullback established new career-highs in single-season receptions (17), receiving yards (149), first-downs (8) and caught his first career NFL touchdown. 
 
CJ stepped on the field for 593 snaps this season, second-best in the NFL. He helped the Vikings to an 11-6 record and an appearance in the NFL Divisional Playoff round. 
 
Earlier this year, in an article on Vikings.com, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer marveled over CJ's skill and ability to contribute.
 
"CJ's a great kid, hard worker, very diligent about his special teams and about the things he can do offensively, not just blocking," Zimmer said. "The fullback has to be a versatile guy. He was a running back in college. I think when guys get the opportunity, they get in, get in the right system, they have a chance to develop, and that's what he's done. He's become a good player."
 
CJ is the third former Augustana Vikings' to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl. Karl Mecklenburg was a six-time pro bowler with the Denver Broncos, and the late Les Josephson earned the nod with the LA Rams. 
 
Ham concluded his collegiate career third all-time with 29 rushing touchdowns and fifth all-time with 2,662 yards rushing. He is one of five Viking student-athletes to pass 1,000 yards rushing in a single season, a feat he achieved with 1,097 yards in the 2015 season.