The preseason gave them their first taste of NFL action. Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Packers is something entirely different.
For Vikings rookie defensive linemen Domonique Orange and Caleb Banks, the dream they’ve chased for years officially becomes reality when they take the field at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“I’m overly excited. I’m really excited,” Orange said. “It’s the first time I’m really around NFL guys, NFL vets. I get to play next to a guy like Theo Jackson. It’ll be cool. But I’m really excited. I can’t wait.”
**_\*\*\*Click the video box above to watch our interviews with Orange and Banks\*\*\*_**
Orange expects only a small group of supporters in attendance.
“I only probably have like four people coming,” he said. “I keep my circle small. But they’re going to come and support, of course.”
Even before the opening kickoff, Orange knows there will be a moment when the magnitude of the occasion finally hits him.
“I’ll probably soak it all in when I get out there for pregame,” Orange said. “Really just take U.S. Bank Stadium in and realize I’m in the league now.”
Banks will have a much larger cheering section.
“It’s going to be a lot,” Banks said with a smile. “Probably like 18, 20. It’s going to be a lot of people.”
The first round pick and former Florida standout admits the emotions are already building.
“I’m really excited. I’m really amped. I’m hyped. I’m ready to go,” Banks said. “I want to show them all the hard work that I put in. They’re not coming for no reason. It’s going to be pretty exciting.”
The challenge awaiting both rookies is a Green Bay offense that presents a different set of problems than anything they saw during the preseason.
Orange credits defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the veteran leaders in the locker room for helping prepare him.
“We kind of know what they’re going to bring,” Orange said. “Coach Flo has prepared us for it. The vets have prepared me for it. Everybody in this building has prepared us for it. Honestly, I’m ready.”
Banks has enjoyed diving into the game plan as well.
“They got a little tempo,” Banks said. “They got a little fast, a little speedball. So it’s going to be pretty fun.”
When it comes to Green Bay’s rushing attack, Banks points to their physicality.
“They’ve got some really physical O-linemen,” he said. “But you just do your technique and do your job. You’ll be fine.”
While Orange doesn’t yet know how many snaps he’ll get Sunday, he’s confident conditioning won’t be an issue.
“Whatever it is, I’m going to play my best,” Orange said. “If I got to play 60 again (like at Iowa State), I’ll do it. But I hope I ain’t got to do that.”
For Banks, Sunday’s debut carries extra significance after an injury-delayed start to his NFL career. The rookie spent months working his way back after dealing with a foot injury that created both physical and mental hurdles.
“It was broken twice, so you’re kind of scared,” Banks said. “It’s always going to be a mental block.”
Still, medical evaluations cleared him before training camp, and with every practice he has regained confidence.
“I’m under great hands here,” Banks said, crediting Flores, assistant coaches and veteran teammates. “I feel like I’m getting there. I feel like I’m bouncing back. So I’m pretty excited to go out there and showcase what I got for the debut.”
Now, after months of rehab, training camp practices and preseason games, the waiting is nearly over.
For two rookie defensive linemen entering the next chapter of their football journeys, Sunday won’t just be another game. It will be the moment they officially become NFL players.