NFL draft: Former BYU QB Jaren Hall taken in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings

Jaren Hall is a Minnesota Viking.

The two-year starter for the Cougars officially became the second straight quarterback drafted from BYU, going No. 164 overall in the fifth round. He follows Zach Wilson, who was the No. 2 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2021.

Hall was the 12th quarterback off the board this year, taken behind Penn State’s Sean Clifford and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

“He has the potential to be a Brock Purdy-type guy,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said on the broadcast after Hall was drafted.

In picking up the mantle from Wilson, Hall won 18 games and knocked off eight Power Five teams. He threw for 6,174 yards and 52 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. He also ran for nine touchdowns and 798 yards.

Hall will join a quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens. Like Hall expected, he will transition to being a backup to start his NFL career.

Hall’s tenure at BYU was significant both on and off the field.

On the field, Hall continued what has become one of the more successful quarterback eras in BYU history. With Wilson, Hall and now Kedon Slovis, BYU has a realistic chance to produce three straight draftable quarterbacks. That is something BYU has not done since the 1980s with Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, Steve Young and Robbie Bosco.

Off the field, Hall was the first Black starting quarterback at BYU — a school owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hall grew up near Provo and went to Maple Mountain High School. He was a three-sport athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. He continued to play baseball at BYU for two seasons, before giving it up to be the starting quarterback.

“Jaren has always been a poised guy,” BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said. “He’s accurate, a super athlete and he’s smart. He’s going to play a long time in the NFL.”