Kegel signs free-agent contract with Vikings

Former Havre High standout Matt Kegel will get to live his dream and continue his football career in the National Football League.

Kegel signed a free-agent contract with Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. The terms of the deal were not announced.

As the starting quarterback for Washington State last season, Kegel completed 218 of 394 passes for 2,947 and 21 touchdowns in 13 games.

Kegel also rushed for 136 yards and a score, while leading the Cougars to a 10-3 record and a Holiday Bowl appearance.

Kegel will vie for a job with Dautne Culpepper's backups Gus Frerotte and Shaun Hill.

Several more football players with Montana connections have reached free agent agreements or have been invited to free-agent camps with NFL teams.

Montana State offensive tackle Brent Swaggert signed a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who are coached by former Bobcat quarterback Dennis Erickson.

Montana State cornerback Jay Hackett has a tryout with the San Diego Chargers while another former Bobcat, Big Sky defensive player of the year Kane Ioane of Billings, was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' free-agent camp this weekend.