Former Michigan State football star Jalen Nailor off to hot start with Vikings

Former Michigan State football star Jalen Nailor is off to a red-hot start with the Minnesota Vikings this season.

Jalen, or “Speedy” Nailor was a household name in the Michigan State football realm from 2018-2021.

In his career as a Spartan, he tallied over 1,600 scrimmage yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Although only playing nine games due to a hand injury, his most productive year was his 2021 senior campaign. Playing beside Kenneth Walker III, Jayden Reed, and Keon Coleman, Nailor totaled 37 receptions, for 694 yards, and six touchdowns.

After the Peach Bowl victory against Pitt, Nailor announced he would not be using the extra season granted by COVID-19, and would declare for the NFL draft. This decision paid off as the Minnesota Vikings selected Jalen with their sixth-round selection at 191st overall.

In each of his first two seasons in Minnesota, he saw a very light workload. Combined statistics for those two seasons equaled 12 receptions for 208 yards and a lone touchdown that came in 2022.

Coming into the 2024 season, it was announced Jalen Nailor would likely solidify the WR3 spot for the Vikings ahead of another former Spartan, Trishton Jackson. Evidently, Nailor was going to get a shot to be a bigger contributor than he has previously in the NFL. Safe to say through three weeks, Nailor has taken advantage of his opportunity.

On Sunday, Sam Darnold connected with Nailor on a 4-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Vikings’ resounding 34-7 win over the Texans. That touchdown marked his third in as many weeks of this NFL season, grouping him with Justin Jefferson and Chris Godwin as the only wide receivers to score a touchdown in every game this season.

.@jalennailor's 3rd TD of the season gives the #Vikings a 21-0 lead.

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ZJxnMM5VBM

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 22, 2024

Safe to say with those three touchdowns, Nailor is already having a career season. With only seven receptions, Nailor has 106 yards, and looks to build on that in the coming weeks. Hopefully he can continue his hot start in the Vikings’ Week 4 contest against the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Great to see the way “Speedy” has emerged in year three, as he epitomizes what it means to be a Spartan Dawg.

Go Green.