Former University of Maine wide receiver-running back Zavier Scott has earned a spot on the Minnesota Vikings’ 53-man roster thanks to his play in three preseason games.
The roster had to be finalized by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
In the preseason games against the Texans, Patriots and Titans, Scott carried the ball 22 times for 96 yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry. He also caught five passes for 61 yards and returned a kickoff 20 yards. Of his 96 rushing yards, 81 came after contact.
Scott sustained an ankle injury in the last preseason game against the Titans.
The 26-year-old Scott, an undrafted free agent who was on the Vikings’ practice squad a year ago and the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad in 2023, signed a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Vikings in the offseason.
The only other former Black Bear playing in the NFL is nine-year veteran Pat Ricard, the Baltimore Ravens fullback who is a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection.
The Vikings and Ravens will face each other on Nov. 9.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound Scott spent two seasons at the University of Connecticut before transferring to UMaine.
He was a third team All-Coastal Athletic Association selection in his final season at UMaine. He led the Black Bears in receptions with 42 good for 434 yards and he was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 371 yards on 39 carries. His 9.5 yards per carry led the CAA.
He had 119 rushing yards on 35 carries and 11 catches for 24 yards in the fall of 2021 at UMaine after playing in two of the four spring games and catching six passes for 102 yards.
In his two seasons at UConn, he caught 33 passes for 228 yards and ran the ball 34 times for 210 yards.
Scott is one of four running backs on the roster.
The Vikings open the season on Monday, Sept. 8 against the Bears in Chicago.