Vikings' German receiver Boehringer hopes to be 'Nowitzki of the NFL '

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Moritz Boehringer made history during the NFL 2016 Draft by becoming the first player drafted straight from Europe. The German hopes it's the beginning of a career that emulates one of his country's greatest sporting exports to the U.S.

"My ultimate goal is to be the Dirk Nowitzki of the NFL, but it's a process," Boehringer said, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I've got to make the team (first)."

While following in the footsteps of a likely Hall of Famer is a lofty goal, Boehringer certainly has the talent to excel in his own sport. At 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, with lightning-quick speed, the 22-year-old possesses all the physical attributes to be a success.

He'll likely have to wait to make an impact in the NFL, however, as he transitions from the German Football League to the professional level.

Boehringer was the first rookie to sign his contract on Sunday.

"It just feels great," Boehringer said after he signed. "It's a dream come true. I still don't realize what's happened 100 percent."

Boehringer received a lot of attention during the run-up to the draft, and while he said he enjoyed the experience, he isn't sorry it's over.

"It was fun at first, but after a while it got to be too much," he said.