Althoff graduate CJ Coldon headed for the NFL after signing free agent contract

CJ Coldon’s dream of playing in the NFL is coming true.

Coldon, a 2017 Althoff Catholic High School graduate, was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night.

A defensive back or cornerback, Coldon spent his first four college season as the University of Wyoming — where he earned his bachelor’s degree in American Studies — before playing his final collegiate campaign playing at the University of Oklahoma as a grad transfer.

To get to this point, Coldon had to overcome two season-ending injuries while playing at Wyoming.

The 6-foot-1, 180 pound Coldon was in California when he declared for the draft, working out the gym of Las Vegas Raiders free safety Marcus Epps, one of Coldon’s teammates at Wyoming. Coldon then took part in the Pro Day on March 31 before returning to the metro-east the next day.

Coldon, 24, said he was pleased with his showing at the Pro Day, which took place in Norman on the Oklahoma campus. Pro Days allow players to showcase their skills on university campuses where coaches generally have more time to work with the players and usually put them through position-specific drills that the prospect hasn’t done before.

During the event, Coldon ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and a 4.24-second shuttle; he had a 37.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot 5-inch broad jump, making him a prime candidate to be drafted.

Since the Pro Day, Coldon has been working out with Elite Speed in Granite City in preparation for the draft, including extensive defensive back drills, speed training and strength and conditioning work. He’s been working out two to three hours daily.

As a defensive back/cornerback, Coldon said he can play anywhere — inside, outside, the slot or the corner — while adding he also could handle safety.

After enduring injuries his first two seasons at Wyoming, Coldon finished with 26 total tackles and two interceptions in 2020 and then 67 tackles in 2021, including 49 solo. He also had a fumble recovery and, along the way, was selected as a 2nd Team All-Mountain West pick at defensive back.

Then, as a grad transfer at Oklahoma, Coldon rang up 42 tackles — 25 solo, 17 assisted — as a cornerback to go with a team-leading four interceptions, which was good for 17th nationally. Overall, for his college career, Coldon finished with 157 tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

This story was originally published April 29, 2023 at 11:30 PM.