title: Nate Triplett
text: # Nate Triplett
  
  Nathan Triplett (born March 15, 1987) is a former American football linebacker. After playing college football for Minnesota, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
  
  ## Early years
  
  Triplett played in the Wright County Conference, graduating from Delano High School, in Delano, Minnesota, in 2005.
  
  ## College career
  
  Triplett attended the University of Minnesota, where he initially was a special teams force and eventually worked his way into a dominant linebacker. In his senior season, in the first game of the year, he had possibly a game-saving interception, when vs Syracuse University in overtime he intercepted a pass in the Gophers own end zone to end the possession and give the Gophers the ball. The Gophers kicked a field goal on their possession to win the game. The next week vs United States Air Force Academy, with about 12 minutes left in the game, he recovered a fumble and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown, to break the 10-10 tie. The game ended at 20-13, so his touchdown was the game winner.
  
  ## Professional career
  
  ### Minnesota Vikings
  
  Triplett was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round (167th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was signed to a contract on June 14, 2010. He was released on August 31, 2010, as a part of preseason cuts.
  
  ### San Diego Chargers
  
  On October 5, 2010, the San Diego Chargers signed Triplett to the practice squad.
  
  ### Indianapolis Colts
  
  On December 1, 2010, the Indianapolis Colts signed the free agent rookie to their active roster. He was waived on October 5, 2011.
  
  ### Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  
  On July 29, 2012, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Triplett, after releasing Dezmon Briscoe two days earlier. He was placed on the exempt/left squad list after leaving the team on August 2.
  
  