Viking Football Alums Check In from NFL Training Camp

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - As the dog days of summer approach and Augustana football prepares to report back to campus, a trio of former Vikings have been on the field at NFL training camps. 

Casey Bauman and Blake Larson take on the heat of Los Angeles after making the initial 90-man rosters for the Chargers and Rams, respectively. The two signed as undrafted free agents and made strong impressions during rookie mini-camp to earn their spots. The third is CJ Ham, a two-time pro bowler and three-time Minnesota Viking captain who navigates his ninth career training camp as a member of the Vikings. 

“Over the years I’ve learned a lot during these times, but one of the biggest things I’ve learned is to attack everyday like it’s a new day,” said Ham, the 2015 All-NSIC selection who has now played over 100 games in the NFL. “Training camp comes with a lot of pressure, mistakes are going to be made, but you can’t let a mistake one day follow you into the next. Everyday is its own."

For Ham, year nine is about the attention to detail. The fullback is in the first year of a two-year contract extension and is now on year three in the offensive system of Kevin O’Connell. 

“Going into year three under the same system definitely has its perks,” he said. “I’m very comfortable with what we do, but in the same breath there are always little details you can get better at and know. I’m always trying to learn more.”

From a veteran to a pair of rookies, Ham recognizes the accomplishments achieved around the Augustana program since he has moved on. He followed along last season as the Vikings earned their first outright conference championship since 1959 and noticed the talent that was on the field. 

“First off, congrats to both Blake and Casey. I followed last year and have no doubt that they both deserve to be in the positions they are in right now.” On advice that he would give, Ham offered this; “I would tell them to trust the process, trust in themselves and the ability God has given them, and just have fun. Although this is a job and there is a lot of pressure to perform, remember that this is a dream come true!”

All three of these athletes spent their Augustana careers playing for head coach Jerry Olszewski in different capacities. Ham played his final three seasons under Olszewski, Bauman was brought in as a transfer in 2022 and Larson arrived to Augustana out of high school in 2018.

Out at Chargers camp in El Segundo, California, Bauman enters year one with a new regime. Fresh off a 2024 NCAA Division I National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines, former NFL quarterback and 2011 NFL Coach of the Year Jim Harbaugh enters the fold for his NFL return. 

Harbaugh spent four years as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014 before coaching at his alma mater and enters the 2024 season first among active coaches in career win percentage at 69.5 percent. Harbaugh won at least 11 games in three of four seasons and reached the Super Bowl in 2013. 

“It has been awesome to learn from a coach like Coach Harbaugh,” said Bauman. “He has played the position and has so much knowledge for the game. He’s a great coach and does a fantastic job building a strong culture.”

One of the top quarterbacks in NCAA Division II a season ago, Bauman has caught eyes in camp. Following an injury to starting QB Justin Herbert, Bauman has seen a handful of second team reps while battling with a pair of quarterbacks for the backup job. 

“Training camp has been good. I’ve just been trying to continue to learn everything I can every day, and try to take advantage of each opportunity that comes my way.” 

For Bauman, his two seasons at Augustana helped him prepare for what was ahead. 

Also seeing some time with the second-team offense in his first camp is Larson. The 6’7” right tackle from Brandon, South Dakota, has enjoyed the environment he signed to.

“The beginning of training camp has been a great time.” said Larson. “We have a great team and culture which leads to consistency and constant improvement. It is always fun to compete and put the pads on so I’m very excited to continue things into the preseason.”

Larson enters a situation that has experienced plenty of success lately. The Rams have finished with a winning record in six of the past seven seasons and have reached a pair of Super Bowls, falling in 2018 before winning in 2021. 

Sean McVay enters his eighth season leading the charge while Larson learns under first year offensive line coach Ryan Wendell. Wendell spent the previous four seasons as an assistant offensive line coach with the Buffalo Bills and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots during an eight year NFL career. 

“I am very grateful to be able to learn from such a smart coach who has a lot of experience with the game. It has been a blast expanding my knowledge of the game everyday while fixing small technique things with his advice. Coach Wendell knows the game at an incredibly high level so it is really cool to be able to learn from him in our meetings and on the field.”

A two-time captain and First Team All-America honoree, Larson is taking the tools that he crafted at Augustana to help him work through his first camp. 

For these three, the preseason slate will be their opportunity to display their talent in live action.

Here is how you can follow the former Vikings
-Ham’s Vikings open their schedule on Saturday, August 10 at home against the Las Vegas Raiders at 3 p.m. 
-Bauman and the Chargers will kick off later that night against the Seattle Seahawks at 6:05 p.m.
-Larson’s Rams will have to wait until August 11 for their opening kickoff, hosting the Dallas Cowboys at 3:30 p.m.

All three games will be shown, either live or recorded, on NFL Network.

–GoAugie.com–