Could rookie tight end Colin Anderson eventually replace long-snapper Cullen Loeffler?

Jul 27, 2012; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler (46) snaps the ball in drills at training camp at Blakeslee Stadium at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings long-snapper Cullen Loeffler is the longest-tenured player on the team’s current roster, signing on as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Loeffler was a walk-on at the University of Texas, where he played a few snaps as a tight end and eventually became an exclusive long snapper. Prior to his college career, he was a quarterback in high school.

The 32-year-old Loeffler might have some competition in camp.

Former Furman tight end Colin Anderson, one of the team’s undrafted free-agent signings, is also an accomplished long-snapper. Like Loeffler, Anderson was a walk-on at college and was a quarterback in high school.

As of now, the team is working him out as a tight end at their rookie mini camp that started Friday. Anderson said playing tight end is “what I’m here for,” according to 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.

Anderson could be a potential practice squad candidate, so he could be groomed to take over long-snapping duties in the future.

Special teams overhaul?

It appears likely that the Vikings will replace punter Chris Kluwe with former UCLA punter Jeff Locke, the team’s fifth-round pick. Minnesota replaced kicker Ryan Longwell last season with former Georgia kicker Blair Walsh, the team’s 2012 sixth-round pick.

Walsh, Kluwe, and Loeffler combined to create one of the most successful field goal teams in the past decade. Walsh’s Pro Bowl season, at least in part, can be attributed to this three-man field goal team. Replacing both Kluwe and Loeffler could be too much of a change for Walsh in one season.