The Minnesota Vikings will look for more running back depth in the coming weeks amid the team’s latest additions after the NFL draft.
That’s former North Dakota State running back Barika Kpeenu, whom the Vikings invited to the rookie minicamp on May 1-4 and May 8-11, per DraftDiamonds. The West Fargo, North Dakota, native played four seasons for the Bison and tallied 2,277 yards and 32 touchdowns on 434 carries in 47 career games. He also caught 35 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
Kpeenu helped the Bison win a FCS national championship in 2024 when he rushed for 718 yards and seven touchdowns on 132 carries, plus 15 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. That year, Kpeenu served as the second back behind running back Charmar Brown, who transferred to Miami for the 2025 season.
Kpeenu became the feature back for the Bison in 2025 with 1,005 yards and 20 touchdowns on 191 carries in 13 games. He also caught 20 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown as one of former Bison quarterback Cole Payton’s top targets.
A 5-foot-10, 213-pound back, Kpeenu didn’t make enough headway in the pre-draft process to get selected. However, his opportunity with the Vikings could lead to a training camp spot in July.
The Vikings have depth at running back with Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott, and Minnesota added former Wake Forest standout Demond Claiborne in the draft.
Barika Kpeenu on a Mission
Kpeenu doesn’t want to slow down after embracing the lead back role with the Bison since he knows what it was like to wait his turn in Fargo.
“I went into my senior season realizing it was my last go-around,” Kpeenu told NFL Draft on SI’s Justin Melo. “There was definitely a sense of urgency. I wanted to make it count. I didn’t wanna leave with any regrets. It was very important to me. I approached the offseason with that urgency.”
Kpeenu helped the Bison go 12-0 regular season as the top team in the FCS before a playoff upset loss to Illinois State in December 2025. He then competed at the American Bowl with other NFL prospects with something to prove.
“A lot of people think there’s a big drop off from the FBS to the FCS,” Kpeenu told Melo. “I just wanted to go out there and prove that I’m equally as talented. I believe I can play at the highest level. I proved that at the American Bowl.”
Kpeenu will now look to prove himself more with the Vikings. He said as much when he talked with Melo before the draft.
“I have a lot of confidence in my abilities,” Kpeenu told Melo. “An NFL team won’t regret putting immense trust in me. If you pour that effort into developing me as a player and person, I’m going to make sure you don’t regret that decision.”
Barika Kpeenu is a Playmaker
Kpeenu became a playmaker for the Bison in his final two seasons, especially in 2025.
On 17.4% of his rushing plays last season, he gained 10 yards or more amid his 5.3 yards per carry average. His longest run went for 74 yards, and he had a 47-yard reception.
As a junior, Kpeenu had a 52-yard run and a 40-yard reception. He showed flashes of his playmaking ability before that with a 24-yard run as a sophomore in 2023.
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