Minnesota native Brandon Zylstra signs futures contract with Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - The Minnesota Vikings may be gearing up for the playoffs, but the team is already looking to strengthen next year's squad. They're hoping to add that boost with homegrown talent.

Wednesday, the Vikings signed Spicer, Minn. native Brandon Zylstra as a reserve/future free agent. This season, Zylstra played for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, where he led the league with 1,687 receiving yards on 100 catches with five touchdowns.

Zylstra went to Concordia-Moorhead College where he had 1,932 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in 29 career games. He also went to New London-Spicer High School.

As a futures contract signee, he won't be eligible to join the Vikings during their postseason run, but he will be able to join the team in camp next season.

The General Manager of the Edmonton Eskimos Brock Sunderland wished Zylstra the best for his move to the NFL.

“The Vikings got more than just a great player in Brandon Zylstra, they got a great person as well," said Sunderland in a statement. "He’s everything you want on and off the field. His personal character and work ethic are exactly what you want in your locker room and organization. We hate to lose him here in Edmonton, but I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s earned this and all of us in the Eskimos organization will be his biggest fans while he’s playing in the NFL."