Percy Harvin did not fall to the second round like some had predicted but was selected by Minnesota with the No. 22 pick in Saturday's NFL Draft and the former Florida receiver joins running back Adrian Peterson in what could be one of the most exciting tandems in professional football.

"I'm happy for Percy," Florida coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. "He had dreams of coming to Florida to win championships and then have an opportunity to play in the NFL. His dreams came true."

According to ESPN, Minnesota coach Brad Childress visited with Harvin Wednesday not for a workout but to talk with him about all of the character issues that have swirled around ever since it was reported that he tested positive for a banned substance at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"It's unique because the Vikings wanted to clean up all the character issues and it was a concern, has been a concern, Percy Harvin going back to high school has a number of what you'd call red-flag character issues," NFL writer Chris Mortensen said during ESPN's draft coverage.

"But a lot of people think he compares to Steve Smith in that he's so explosive, so strong. They sent Brad Childress, the head coach, down there Wednesday not to work him out but to simply look him in the eye, confront him on all the issues they had heard about this guy and then come away with some kind of peace because they would love to run this guy across the formation, create more seams for Adrian Peterson and create all kinds of matchup problems. They obviously did their homework. Still, buyer-beware here."

Harvin led the Gators with 40 receptions for 644 yards and seven touchdowns and was second on the team in rushing despite missing two games last season. Durability issues are a concern as are the character questions that have been raised in recent weeks. Harvin, who was instrumental in helping lead Florida to two national championships in the past three seasons, did not immediately return a call seeking comment after he was selected.

"Brad went down to have a conversation but you're going to have to have a good body and fender guy," said Herm Edwards, an ESPN analyst and former NFL coach.

"This guy is one of those guys if he's driving a Ferrari, a Cadillac, a Volkswagen, if he even goes to Disneyland and drives the car that runs on the rail, they're going to have a little bit of a wreck so you better have a good body-fender man. … There are some things that you're going to deal with, you know that, but this guy is an explosive player."

Todd McShay, an ESPN draft analyst, countered on the broadcast that Harvin, while having questions about his character and durability, is unmatched as the most dynamic player in the draft.

"He may win the race before he crashes the car because he is the most explosive playmaker in this year's draft," McShay said. "When you get the ball in his hands, when he's healthy, when he's not causing those problems, there isn't anyone as dynamic as him.

"He's versatile, he's played running back, he's played in the Wildcat, don't be shocked if you see him behind center sometimes in the shotgun and he can also help in the return game. I think the biggest boom or bust prospect in the '09 draft but the risk is worth the reward for the Vikings."

Fellow analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. said wide receiver was Minnesota's No. 1 priority especially after a failed attempt by the Vikings to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency. Kiper last week compared Harvin to Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints and reiterated that sentiment during ESPN's draft broadcast.

Kiper said Harvin's versatility as a receiver, running back and return specialist warrants the comparison to Bush and added he believed Harvin was going to get drafted before the 22nd pick. Chris Berman called the selection of Harvin an "unbelievably interesting pick."

Harvin is the fourth first-round draft pick under Meyer at Florida and the fifth first-round draft pick Meyer has coached in his career. The Gators have had 39 players selected in the opening round.

Harvin is the 32nd wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft out of Florida and the sixth Gators' receiver selected in the first round. The last Florida receiver to be taken in the draft was Andre Caldwell, picked by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2008 draft.

"We're excited to have such an explosive playmaker, and felt he was a top 10 pick," Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.