Has A.J. Rose done enough to secure a spot in the NFL? Anthony White says yes

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A.J. Rose ran for two touchdowns against Kansas City Friday. (Minnesota Vikings Photo)

Is A.J. Rose going to go from undrafted free agent to a first-year running back in the NFL? The former UK running back certainly has done all he could to make a case for himself with the Minnesota Vikings who signed him to a free agent deal after he was not picked in the 2021 draft.

He ran 25 times for 100 yards and had an 18-yard catch in his NFL exhibition debut against Denver. On Friday night he finished exhibition play with 41 yards and two touchdowns, including a 32-yard scoring run, on six carries against Kansas City.

The Vikings are really deep at running back but the injury status of Kene Nwangwu remains unknown. Rose, UK’s 10th all-time leading rusher, was thought to be buried on the Minnesota depth chart and may still get cut in the final round of cut before regular season play starts September 12.

The good news is that former all-SEC running back Anthony White says even if Rose is cut, he likely has shown enough that another team will likely pick him up.

“He has shown a lot. I have not seen a running back get the ball 20 some carries in the regular season very often and certainly not in the preseason,” White said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports. “To get 20 carries in that first game shows he is durable.

“One luxury he does have now is that he has a lot of film for other teams to see (if he is cut). I think someone will be glad to bring him into the room and there probably will be someone who needs him more than the Vikings do. He’s running free and with speed. He has looked great. He seems pretty secure and I think he will be on some team this year.”

Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has liked what he has seen as well and took to Twitter to express that after Rose scored twice against the Chiefs.

“I’m so happy for @ajrose_10 and his family. I watch his mom and dad support him through his ups and downs driving every weekend to his games. Parents if you want to know how to do it follow their blue print. Go Big Blue,” Marrow tweeted.

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