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C. J. Ham

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C. J. Ham
refer to caption
Ham with the Vikings in 2020
No. 30 – Minnesota Vikings
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1993-07-22) July 22, 1993 (age 31)
Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Denfeld
(Duluth, Minnesota)
College:Augustana (SD) (2012–2015)
Undrafted:2016
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Rushing yards:114
Rushing average:2.9
Rushing touchdowns:4
Receptions:79
Receiving yards:646
Receiving touchdowns:2
Tackles:44
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr.[1] (born July 22, 1993) is an American professional football fullback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Augustana Vikings and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings after the 2016 NFL draft.

Early life

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Ham graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School in 2011, where he starred in football and track and field.[2] In football, Ham played as a running back under head coaches Frank Huie and Chris Vold, and was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Hunters, logging 1,873 total yards and 24 touchdowns between his junior and senior seasons. On defense, he recorded 109 tackles. He was an all-conference and all-section selection and received an all-state honorable mention in recognition of his successful season.[citation needed]

College career

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Ham attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 2011 to 2015, where he was a four-year letterwinner in both football and track & field.[3] In his college football career with the Augustana Vikings, Ham rushed for 2,662 yards and 29 touchdowns, and also had 949 yards receiving and six touchdowns, including 39 catches for 431 yards and three touchdowns in his final season.[4] In track and field, Ham was a two-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) honoree in the shot put. He currently holds the school record in the indoor weight throw and the outdoor hammer throw.[citation needed]

Football

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As a redshirt freshman, in 2012, Ham appeared in nine games, making three starts at fullback. Ham finished the season with 404 rushing yards on 82 carries (4.9 yards-per-carry) with two scores and also caught seven passes for 40 yards. On October 13 against Upper Iowa, he rushed for a season-high 105 yards.[5]

As a sophomore, in 2013, Ham switched to running back and played in all 11 games, rushing 106 times for 422 yards (3.7 yards-per-carry and 35.2 yards-per-game) and four rushing touchdowns. He rushed for a season-high two touchdowns and picked up 43 receiving yards against SMSU on November 16.[6] His season-high in rushing yards came against MSU Moorhead on September 7 and Wayne State on October 5, games in which he rushed for 66 yards.[7][8]

As a junior, in 2014, Ham played for the second straight season in all 11 games, making six starts at running back. He rushed 148 times for a team-high 774 yards (5.2 yards-per-carry and 70.4 yards-per-game) and seven touchdowns, averaging 100.0 all-purpose yards per game. He recorded two 100-plus yard rushing games. He set a career-high in rushing yards in a game with 146 yards and two touchdowns at Minnesota Crookston on September 6.[9] He rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns against UMary on September 27, 2014.[10]

As a senior, in 2015, Ham returned as a starter at running back and played in all 12 games. He rushed for a career-high 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns and was selected to the All-NSIC second-team. In a game at Winona State on November 7, he recorded a career-high 30 carries while picking up 96 yards and three touchdowns.[11] He helped lead Augustana to its first playoff appearance since 2010, finishing the regular season with 1,043 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He entered the postseason with one rushing touchdown and 71 yards shy of Augustana's single season records after he became just the fourth back in program history to rush for 1,000-plus. He was voted by the NSIC football coaches as the 2015 NSIC Glen Galligan Award recipient. The award is given to a student or athlete who participates at his institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to the institution.[12]

Statistics

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Augustana Vikings
Season Rushing Receiving
Att Yards Avg Yds/G TD Rec Yards TD
2012 82 404 4.9 44.9 2 7 40 0
2013 106 387 3.7 35.2 4 20 152 1
2014 148 774 5.2 70.4 7 30 326 2
2015 234 1,097 4.7 91.4 16 39 431 3
NCAA career totals 570 2,662 4.7 61.9 29 96 949 6

Track and field

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During his freshman season, in 2012, Ham placed second with a season-best in the shot put (51 feet 3 inches (15.62 m)) at the Wayne State Dual on February 18. He earned fifth place at the NSIC Championships in the weight throw (50 feet 2+1⁄4 inches (15.297 m)) and shot put (51 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (15.589 m)) on February 25. He notched an eighth-place finish at the NSIC Championships on May 11 in the discus throw (145 feet 5 inches (44.32 m)).[citation needed]

As a sophomore, in 2013, Ham finished seventh in the weighted throw (54 feet 5+1⁄2 inches (16.599 m)) at the Bison Open on February 9. He placed third in the shot put (52 feet 3+3⁄4 inches (15.945 m)) at the NSIC Championships on February 22.[citation needed]

As a junior, in 2014, Ham set the school record in the weight throw (59 feet 0+1⁄4 inch (17.990 m)) on February 21, 2015, at the USD Twilight. At the NSIC Championships, he placed second in the shot put (55 feet 1+1⁄2 inches (16.802 m)). Outdoors, he notched an eighth-place finish in the hammer throw (160 feet 2 inches (48.82 m)) at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 2, 2015.[citation needed]

As a senior, in 2015, Ham won the weight throw event at the NSIC Indoor Championships with a throw of 18.34 meters, and placed second in the shot put with a career best throw of 16.90 meters (55'4"), earning NCAA Provisional marks in both events. He also won both the shot put (16.37 meters) and weighted throw (19.02 meter) at the NWU Open.[citation needed]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in
(1.81 m) 		231 lb
(105 kg) 		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.69 s 1.62 s 2.64 s 4.35 s 7.40 s 37.0 in
(0.94 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 22 reps
All values from South Dakota State Pro Day[13]

In 2016, Ham participated in the Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp, competing on a trial basis. On May 10, 2016, following the Vikings rookie minicamp, Ham was signed as a free agent to the 90-man roster becoming the fifth player in Augustana history to sign with an NFL team.[14] In his first preseason game, Ham led the team in rushing with 35 yards on 12 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown, and catching one pass for 9 yards, defeating the Bengals 17–16.[15] Ham led the Vikings in rushing yards in the preseason with 140 yards on 44 carries, including two touchdowns. On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[16][17] He was promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2016.[18]

During the Vikings' 2017 rookie minicamp, Ham announced that he was switching positions from running back to fullback.[19] Ham replaced the departing Zach Line, who had signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent during the 2017 off-season, as the Vikings' fullback. He made the 53-man active roster and in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, scored his first NFL touchdown on his first NFL carry with a one-yard plunge from the goal line.[20] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with seven carries for 13 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with seven receptions for 68 receiving yards.[21]

In the 2018 season, Ham appeared in 15 games and recorded 11 receptions for 85 receiving yards.[22]

In the 2019 season, Ham appeared in all 16 games and recorded 17 receptions for 149 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[23]

On March 18, 2020, Ham signed a three-year, $12.25 million contract extension with the Vikings.[24] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 19, 2020,[25] and activated two days later.[26] He appeared in 15 games and started 11 in the 2020 season. In addition to his role on the offense, he had a special teams role. He had one receiving touchdown on the season, which came in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[27][28]

Ham appeared in all 17 games and started eight in the 2021 season. He had seven carries for 34 yards and 17 receptions for 125 yards on the year. He continued his roles on offense and special teams.[29]

Ham appeared in all 17 games and started four in the 2022 season. He had two rushing touchdowns on the season.[30]

On March 24, 2023, Ham signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.[31]

On December 5, 2024, Ham was named the Vikings' nominee for the 2024-2025 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Personal life

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Ham is a physical education and health major at Augustana and plans on teaching and coaching football and track and field. Since his freshman season at Augustana, he volunteered as a peer educator and mentor in the Sioux Falls School District and volunteered weekly at the Boys and Girls Club.[citation needed]

Ham is a Christian. As a leader and member of Augustana's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ham spent time as a student engagement volunteer at Embrace Church. He volunteered as a speaker in advocacy groups for children with disabilities. Ham had a speech disorder that had affected him his entire life, and spoke about how kids can be successful in life if they believe in themselves. Ham has served on numerous projects with Habitat for Humanity with the Augustana football program during his career.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Profile". rostermon.com. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Kraker, Dan (January 17, 2018). "Duluth native C.J. Ham took the long road to Vikings' backfield". MPR News. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "C. J. Ham". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  4. ^ Vensel, Matt (May 9, 2017). "Vikings move C.J. Ham to fullback". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  5. ^ "AUGUSTANA (SD) (3–4 , 3–4) -VS- UPPER IOWA (2–5 , 2–5)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  6. ^ "SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA (7–4 , 5–2) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (4–7 , 2–5)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  7. ^ "MSU MOORHEAD (0–1 , 0–1) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (1–0 , 1–0)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "WAYNE STATE (NEB.) (2–3 , 2–3) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (2–3 , 2–3)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  9. ^ "AUGUSTANA (SD) (1–0 , 1–0) -VS- MINNESOTA CROOKSTON (0–1 , 0–1)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "UNIVERSITY OF MARY (2–2 , 2–2) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (3–1 , 3–1)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "AUGUSTANA (SD) (8–2 , 8–2) -VS- WINONA STATE (5–5 , 5–5)". Augustana University Athletics. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "CJ Ham named 2015 NSIC Football Glen Galligan Award Recipient". Augustana University. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "CJ Ham #61 RB, Augustana". www.nfldraftscout.com. The Sports Xchange. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  14. ^ "Vikings Sign Duluth Native C.J. Ham To Active Roster". Vikings.com. May 10, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  15. ^ "Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals [08/12/2016] - NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "Vikings Sign 9 Players To Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  18. ^ Peters, Craig (December 23, 2016). "Vikings Place Alexander on IR; Sign Ham to 53". Vikings.com. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  19. ^ Smith, Eric (May 8, 2017). "C.J. Ham makes switch to full-time fullback". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  20. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "C.J. Ham 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. ^ "C.J. Ham 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  23. ^ "C.J. Ham 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  24. ^ Ratke, Kyle (March 16, 2020). "Report: Vikings FB C.J. Ham agrees to 3-year extension". Vikings Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  25. ^ Williams, Charean (November 19, 2020). "Vikings place C.J. Ham on COVID-19 reserve list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  26. ^ "Vikings Activate FB C.J. Ham, Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  27. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings - December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "C.J. Ham 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  29. ^ "C.J. Ham 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  30. ^ "C.J. Ham 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  31. ^ Peters, Craig (March 24, 2023). "C.J. Ham Signs Contract Extension with Vikings". Vikings.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
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