The Atlanta Falcons are going back to the well for more depth at the linebacker position.

According to a report by Darren Wolfson at KSTP in Minneapolis, former Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Jack Lynn is close to signing with the Falcons after participating in their rookie minicamp:

The team confirmed the report a short time later via Kelsey Conway, who says they waived fullback Soma Vainuku to make room:

Vainuku’s exit likely means former Seahawk Derrick Coleman is the front-runner to win the team’s top fullback job.

As for Lynn, he will be joining a young and dynamic unit that includes fellow Gopher De’Vondre Campbell, Deion Jones and Duke Riley from LSU, and the NFL’s reigning sack champ, Vic Beasley.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds, Lynn played in 41 games in four years at Minnesota. During that stretch he collected 215 total tackles to go with three sacks and four fumbles forced. At his pro day, Lynn ran a 4.78 forty-yard dash and posted 21 bench press reps.

Here’s a look at the highlight reel from Lynn’s Junior year with the Gophers:

Most likely Lynn is being brought in to play understudy to whoever fills the starting weakside position Campbell filled last season.

How Lynn can standout in this group is by displaying three key traits: speed, versatility and special teams ability. If Lynn proves he can be used in multiple spots and has the motor Dan Quinn wants, he may just have a shot to make the team.