The Filipino legend then defended that trinket against Adrian Broner, before a legendary win over full WBA (Super) champion Keith Thurman in 2019 which saw him become the oldest welterweight ruler in boxing history.
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Two years after that triumph, the veteran had still not defended his world title, but his inactivity was set to end with a difficult three-belt unification against undefeated WBC and IBF world champion, Errol Spence Jnr.
However, just 10 days before the fight, Spence withdrew from the contest after a torn retina was discovered during a pre-fight medical exam, replaced by Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas, who held Pacquiao’s old WBA (Regular) belt.
Ugas went on to pull off the upset against a faded Pacquiao, with the Filipino then retiring from the sport until his comeback last July. Meanwhile, Ugas lost in the two fights that followed, halted by Spence and outpointed by Mario Barrios, before retiring in September 2023.
As a result, Pacquiao may attempt to avenge his defeat to ’54 Milagros’ down the line, should the 47-year-old opt to continue boxing after his rematch with former foe Floyd Mayweather, which is set to take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September.
Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash in Florida on Friday, according to multiple reports.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office told ESPN that the crash happened on Jupiter Island on Friday afternoon. Woods’ condition was not immediately known.
Woods competed in the TGL championship earlier this week with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and her daughter, Kai, in the stands. It was his return to competitive golf after rupturing his Achilles last year, just ahead of the Masters.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club looks on before the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 23, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)
The 15-time major winner, five of which have come at Augusta, was noncommittal about playing at this year’s Masters. President Donald Trump said on “The Five” on Thursday that he would be at Augusta but not play.
Woods has had trouble behind the wheel in the past. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year. In 2017, he was arrested for driving under the influence, also in Jupiter Island, after taking prescription drugs.
Tiger Woods of the United States lines up a putt on the 12th green during the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 21, 2022.(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
It has been a tough go since Woods made the ultimate comeback in 2019 and miraculously won the green jacket again. In 14 majors since then, he has failed to muster a top 20 finish. It’s his longest such streak since failing to finish in the top 20 in the first six majors of his career in 1995 and 1996. In his last 26 majors, he has only four top 20 finishes.
Since finishing tied for ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish in his 18 official events since then has been T-37 at the 2020 PGA Championship.
Tiger Woods preparing for the Open Championship in 2022.(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
He has not competed since 2024, when he competed in just five events: the Genesis Invitational and the four majors. He withdrew from the Genesis, finished dead last in the Masters and missed the cut in the other majors.
Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover car crash in Florida on Friday afternoon, police have confirmed.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place on Jupiter Island, in the same town where Woods lives, just after 2pm local time.
A photograph has been shared of the scene which shows a vehicle laying on its driver’s side.
Further details on the crash or the golfer’s condition have yet to be disclosed, with it reported that sheriff John Budensiek will share more information at 5pm local time (10pm GMT).
There have been claims from WPEC, the local CBS affiliate, citing a source at Martin County Fire Rescue that there were no injuries to anyone involved in the crash, with one person reported in stable condition, while another declined to be taken to the hospital. This has not yet been verified.
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The Martin County Sheriff’s Office was not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Independent.
Woods was previously involved in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.
The American was also arrested for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.
Jamie Noble sent a personal message to fans ahead of this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Tonight’s edition of the blue brand will air live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
WWE producer Jamie Noble took to social media today to share a heartfelt update. He thanked fans for their prayers, and you can check out his message in the Instagram post below.
Thanks for the submission!
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“Thank everyone for their prayers🙏🙏🙏🙏,” he wrote.
Noble hasn’t competed in a wrestling match since the company’s Holiday Tour in 2022. He teamed up with Braun Strowman and The Brawling Brutes to defeat The Bloodline’s Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa. The veteran’s last match on television took place on the June 8, 2015, edition of RAW. He teamed up with Joey Mercury to defeat Seth Rollins in a Handicap match.
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The Bella Twins are scheduled to square off against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair tonight on WWE SmackDown. Jelly Roll will also be in action against Kit Wilson. Women’s United States Champion Giulia will be facing Tiffany Stratton in a non-title match, and Carmelo Hayes will once again be holding an Open Challenge for his United States Championship.
Jamie Noble comments on his final WWE match
Wrestling veteran Jamie Noble discussed his final match in 2022 that took place in his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia.
In an interview with Byron Saxton, Noble shared that he trained with Drew Gulak and William Regal’s son, Charlie Dempsey, ahead of his final wrestling match.
“Good,” Noble said when asked how his body feels. “When I looked at the dates, trying to get everything ready, I was worried about a training camp and how I’d hold up, but it’s been great. It’s obviously rough getting used to going at it. Some of these guys over here, Regal’s kid, and Drew Gulak came in, so it’s been challenging but I feel like I’m there.”
.@WWENoble sits down with @ByronSaxton to discuss returning to the ring for the first time in over 7 years for his final match in his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia.
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It will be interesting to see if WWE has any surprises in store for tonight’s edition of SmackDown on the road to WrestleMania 42.
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Manchester United icon Roy Keane’s mother passed away on Friday and ITV paid their condolences after the pundit missed England’s clash against Uruguay on Friday night
19:17, 27 Mar 2026Updated 19:30, 27 Mar 2026
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ITV have paid their condolences to Roy Keane, following the passing of his mother, Marie. The Irishman was due to be in action for the broadcaster this evening, but pulled out following the tragic loss.
The mother-of-five died aged 79, surrounded by her loving family at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice in Cork on Friday morning. Keane previously described Marie as “the only boss I listen to.”
Ahead of England’s friendly match against Uruguay, ITV took the opportunity to pay tribute to Keane and sent their best wishes.
ITV presenter Mark Pougatch was joined by Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes.
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“Everyone here and all of us at ITV sends our condolences to Roy and his family on the sad passing of his mother Marie,” Pougatch said at the start of ITV’s broadcast.
“All of our thoughts are with the Keane family this evening.”
During an episode of Stick to Football last year, Keane became emotional after coming across a photograph of his parents while going through his career memorabilia.
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The Manchester United legend was comforted by Ian Wright, Jill Scott, and Gary Neville, with the moment touching the hearts of many fans.
Keane’s schoolboy club in Cork, Rockmount AFC, were among the first to offer their condolences. They said: “Sincere condolences extended to Keane and Lynch family on the passing of Marie.”
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Mar 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
With 10 games on the schedule Friday, we’re focusing in on a headliner in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics (44-28) seek their sixth win in seven games, hosting the red-hot Hawks (41-32) at TD Garden.
We’ll break down three plays for the Friday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.
Here are the free NBA picks for Friday, March 27. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.
Best NBA plays today
Heat/Cavaliers Over (242.5)
Rockets (-12.5) at Grizzlies
Warriors (-14) vs. Wizards
Heat/Cavaliers Over (242.5) – 7:30 p.m. ET
Miami took care of Cleveland on Wednesday night, 120-103 as the two Eastern Conference squads meet again tonight. The Heat held the Cavs to 46 first-half points after Cleveland dropped 136 points against Orlando the night before.
Erik Spoelstra’s squad put together their best road defensive effort since limiting Atlanta to 97 points on February 20. However, Miami allowed at least 120 points in five straight road games before holding Cleveland to 103 on Wednesday.
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The Cavaliers are 7-3 to the Over this season coming off a back-to-back set, so look for the teams to light it up tonight in Cleveland.
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Rockets (-12.5) at Grizzlies – 8:00 p.m. ET
Houston squandered a 13-point lead in overtime in Wednesday’s 110-108 setback at Minnesota. The Rockets look to end a two-game slide with a trip to Memphis, facing a Grizzlies’ squad that has dropped four in a row.
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In Memphis’ past four losses, it has been listed as a 13.5-point underdog or higher each time, failing to cover three times. The Grizzlies fell behind the Spurs on Wednesday, 38-19 after one quarter and never recovered in a 123-98 defeat.
In their last meeting in Houston on January 26, the Rockets held off the Grizzlies, 108-99 as 11-point favorites. The Rockets limited Memphis to 37% shooting from the floor and 7-of-37 from long distance. Look for Houston to take care of business against this undermanned Memphis club.
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Warriors (-14) vs. Wizards – 10:00 p.m. ET
Washington grabbed a rare victory on Wednesday, routing Utah, 133-110 to snap a 16-game losing streak. The Wizards are 1-4 on their last five wins, losing those games by an average of 23.2 points per game.
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Golden State erased a nine-point deficit headed to the fourth quarter in Wednesday’s 109-106 home triumph over Brooklyn. The Warriors never came close to covering as 12.5-point favorites, as they look to beat Washington for the second time this month.
Steve Kerr’s team knocked off the Wizards in D.C. on March 16, 125-117 as 7.5-point road favorites. The Wizards are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games as an underdog off a cover in their previous contest. Let’s back Golden State to pull off the sweep of Washington.
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Mar 26, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) congratulates defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) after recording an assist in the third period against the Dallas Stars at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
At some point, Matthew Schaefer’s standout debut season may see him break the team record for points by a rookie defenseman.
Of greater urgency for the New York Islanders is improving their position in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. The next chance for that occurs Saturday afternoon when the Islanders (41-27-5, 87 points) host the Florida Panthers in Elmont, N.Y.
Schaefer notched two assists in the Islanders’ 2-1 home win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday. He set up Bo Horvat’s team-leading 30th goal of the season at 4:48 of the first period and Calum Ritchie’s tally 2:19 into the third.
Those plays gave Schaefer 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 73 games, tying Hall of Famer Denis Potvin for the second-most in team history by a rookie defenseman. Potvin had 54 in 1973-74, and his record stood until Stefan Persson finished with 56 in 1977-78.
Schaefer had two goals in his only three-point game on March 1 when the Islanders skated to a 5-4 home win over Florida. His latest multi-point effort occurred two nights after his team’s frustrating 4-3 home loss against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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“Sometimes it might not be pretty the whole time,” defenseman Ryan Pulock said after playing 20:53 and blocking three shots in his return from a lower-body injury. “You just gotta work through it. I thought tonight we did a lot of that. Important blocks, important times of getting the puck out, getting the puck in. I thought the forecheck at times was really good, created a lot for us.”
The Islanders are 6-6-0 in their past 12 games since winning five straight from Feb. 3-March 1.
New York heads into Saturday holding the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, one point behind the Boston Bruins for the first wild card.
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Florida (35-33-3, 73 points) will play eight of its final 11 games against teams vying for postseason spots in the Eastern Conference. Aside from facing the Islanders, the Panthers face the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins twice along with games against the Montreal Canadiens, Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.
The Panthers are 2-4-0 in their past six games since winning three straight from March 6-10. On Thursday, Florida took one of its toughest losses of the season when it dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Minnesota Wild.
The Panthers allowed the first two goals in the second period before tying it on goals by Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Aaron Ekblad in the third. Florida was five seconds away from getting to overtime before allowing a rebound goal to Joel Eriksson Ek.
The Panthers took the loss on a night in which they allowed 50 shots on goal and saw goalie Daniil Tarasov tie a career high with 47 saves.
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“He was unreal, the best player on both teams tonight,” Tkachuk said of Tarasov. “I’m more frustrated that we lost for him because he put on an all-world effort for us tonight and kept us in the game. We wanted to reward him with finally playing a bit better in the third.”
The two-time defending champions have been beset by injuries this season, and on Thursday, Evan Rodrigues broke a finger and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. The Panthers recently lost Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell to injuries while Sam Reinhart has missed six straight games with a foot issue.
Mar 8, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg walks off the court after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
All my life, I’ve been an East Coast guy. Never been to Iowa; never been to Nebraska.
If you talk to me about their corn, I’m liable to politely inform you that Jersey corn is superior anyway.
And yet the only game I was interested in among Thursday’s quartet of Sweet 16 contests was Iowa-Nebraska.
Two Big Ten rivals whose football teams regularly put up 13-10 final scores when they play, and who have little to no modern history to speak of in men’s basketball? A 9-versus-4 game in the Sweet 16 with a bunch of Midwesterners and dudes from Turkey and the Netherlands running around?
That’s the sicko stuff. Inject it into my veins.
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I wrote about Nebrasketball in this space earlier in the season, and since then the Cornhuskers have polished off their best season in program history by earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and winning their first two tournament games ever. Nebraska was the last power-conference school that had yet to win a game in the tourney.
Which makes the end to their season sort of a butt-fumble. I wonder how many people will remember Nebraska’s 28-7 campaign, versus how many will just remember this ending:
“What happened?!” play-by-play pro Kevin Harlan exclaimed.
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What they don’t notice in real time is that Nebraska has only four players on the floor, with Rienk Mast half-jogging to the check-in table in the background, surely realizing he’s too late.
That open dunk for Alvaro Folgueiras and ensuing foul shot came after Tate Sage and Braden Frager (yes, their real names) traded threes for a three-point Iowa lead. The dunk was the killer. Final score: Iowa 77, Nebraska 71. Hawkeyes, see you in the Elite Eight against Illinois, ensuring at least one Big Ten team will make the Final Four.
“Put that one on me,” Hoiberg said. “It was a miscommunication and I’m the head coach, so put that one on me.”
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It must be infuriating for Nebraska fans, because Hoiberg has a reputation as a very good coach from his Iowa State days, but it took a while for him to get the Cornhuskers out of the mud. Sure, this would be true of any coach at that place, but Huskers fans were ready to have his head three years in before Nebraska’s AD put out a statement backing Hoiberg long-term.
Soon enough, Hoiberg did turn it around, with three straight 20-win seasons, the inaugural College Basketball Crown title and now a Sweet 16. And yet his team’s season ends on a coaching blunder that inexcusable.
The real coaching star from that game is Ben McCollum. Many who are just tuning in don’t realize that the dude has gone 38-8 in NCAA Tournament games: He won four Division II national titles and got Drake to the Round of 32 in his only season there. Then he showed up in Iowa City and took the Hawkeyes somewhere they haven’t been since the 1980s, an Elite Eight.
He outcoached the national champions to bring down a No. 1 seed the round prior.
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And just look at him. The hair. The shirt and tie, in an era where everyone’s wearing the same athletic wear on the sidelines. He exudes college basketball coach.
So one of the best stories of the 2025-26 season comes to an end in a rather blunt way. Iowa has won 10 of the last 11 meetings with Nebraska in football. The Hawkeyes just eliminated the Huskers in hoops. And we can’t forget…
RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has been linked with a move to Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window
Manchester United are reportedly expressing an interest in signing RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande as the club’s summer transfer plans begin to emerge. United are looking to finish the season by securing qualification for the Champions League, which would provide a boost to their summer transfer budget.
United are third in the Premier League table and have just seven matches left to play as they remain the overwhelming favourites to be guaranteed a Champions League qualification spot this term.
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Finishing in the top four or five would help United be able to go into the transfer market and try to sign the best talent available, and it seems that plans are already in place for this summer.
Sky Sports have reported that Diomande is one of several targets that United will look to sign once they have qualified for the Champions League.
Diomande has also been linked with Liverpool over the last few months, which means the Reds could have a battle on their hands to sign the talented Ivory Coast international.
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The 19-year-old is mentioned in the report as being a player of interest to United, but he is expected to also be wanted by several other clubs across Europe.
United are also being credited with an interest, once again, in signing Brighton star Carlos Baleba. The Reds were linked with the Cameroon international last summer, with the midfielder valued at around £100million at the time.
The report claims that United want to sign Baleba as soon as possible, as they look to take advantage of the fact that the 22-year-old will not be taking part at the World Cup this summer, which could lead to some transfers being delayed until later in the summer.
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Diomande and Baleba are not the only players to be linked with United in the same report. Newcastle defender Lewis Hall, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson and Everton playmaker Iliman Ndiaye also mentioned on United’s transfer shortlist.
Midfield is likely to be an area of the squad that United look to strengthen this summer, with Casemiro already expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
There have also been reports over the last few weeks claiming that Newcastle duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes could also be players of interest to United when the summer transfer window opens.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
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Five of the Top Six Rookie RBs in the 2026 NFL Draft Class: Jadarian Price, Jonah Coleman, Mike Washington Jr., Emmett Johnson, and Nick Singleton
Since Kevin O’Connell took over the Minnesota Vikings four years ago, he’s never quite nailed rushing offense efficiency, and he may have to do precisely that for long-term job security. Accordingly, all the evidence is mounting to suggest a rookie running back for O’Connell and friends in next month’s draft, probably before the end of Round 4.
Kevin O’Connell could soon get a new toy in the backfield.
And, of course, Minnesota is wildly overdue to spend draft capital on a halfback.
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Vikings Look More Likely Than Ever to Draft a RB
A longstanding request from fans may be answered.
Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) carries the ball during second-half action against the Memphis Tigers, with the play unfolding on Sep 20, 2025 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, as Washington Jr. navigates defenders and pushes upfield in a competitive nonconference matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images.
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling: Vikings Probably Drafting a RB
Speaking with KFAN’s Paul Allen, Goessling was asked if we would be surprised by a running back selection by the Vikings early in the draft.
He replied, “I would not be surprised by that. I think there’s a very good chance that they do that. Yeah, because I think the concept of what they’re trying to do offensively with new assistant Frank Smith, some of the McDaniel stuff that they have been impressed by. I think it makes sense there.”
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“And you also have to think about the future. Aaron Jones, you know, is going to be 32 in December. So you’ve got to think about that going forward … Jones still has some speed, but we’ve seen it towards the end of seasons where he just hits a wall and the wear and tear slows him down a little bit.”
Jones, indeed, hit a wall in 2025 with pestering injuries.
Goessling added, “So I think it makes a lot of sense for the continued investment in that position. And I would not be surprised if one of those top one hundred pick is on a running back.”
The Vikings are also conducting pre-draft visits with tailbacks like Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Jonah Coleman (Washington), and Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest). The clues are there.
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The Contenders
Minnesota would need a blockbuster trade to obtain the top halfback in the class — Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. In the off chance he tumbles down the board, Minnesota could perhaps scoop him around around Pick No. 10, but that feels like a long shot.
Therefore, if Love is not in play — he probably won’t be — the Vikings will have these runners on their radar sometime before the beginning of Round 5:
Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
Jonah Coleman (Washington)
Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
Nick Singleton (Penn State)
Price will likely be a Round 2 pick, and his talent mirrors Tony Pollard from about five years ago. Washington Jr. set the Combine on fire with his speed, and he looks like a young Latavius Murray with his size and locomotion.
Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins, with the moment taking place on Nov 8, 2025 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena during first-half action, as Johnson reacts to the score and energizes teammates in a road conference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Coleman is versatile and worthy of a bellcow role in time: think a bulkier Ray Rice. Johnson brings memories of Devonta Freeman from the Atlanta Falcons and actually ran a faster 40 (4.4) at Nebraska’s Pro Day this week than his disappointing 4.56 at the Combine.
Singleton cooked at Penn State, and Minnesotans should know him well from the University of Minnesota rivalry overlap. His toolkit is similar to Miles Sanders’s a half-decade ago.
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The Recent Numbers
The Vikings desperately need to fix their ground game once and for all. Each year under O’Connell, the unit improves but never enough to stand on business.
These are the numbers:
Vikings Rushing DVOA, NFL Ranking, in the Kevin O’Connell Era:
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2022: 27th 2023: 27th 2024: 20th 2025: 13th
While the 13th-best ranking in 2025 was impressive, Minnesota ran the ball 43% of the time, which ranked 19th in the NFL. The Vikings had a Top 13 rushing offense but ran the rock at a Bottom 13 clip.
The working theory suggests drafting Price, Washington Jr., Coleman, Johnson, or Singleton will “force” the offense to run more — and even more dynamically.
Time to Develop
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Whichever fighter Minnesota lands on in the draft, that youngster will have plenty of time to watch and learn. The Vikings re-upped with Aaron Jones, who will turn 32 in December, and have Jordan Mason (who turns 27 in May) lined up for the offensive backfield, too. Unless the rookie-to-be sets training camp and the preseason on fire, Mason and Jones figure to share the RB1 workload again.
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) carries the football against the Washington State Cougars, with the play occurring on Sep 20, 2025 at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium in Pullman during first-half Apple Cup action, as Coleman cuts through the defense while advancing the ball in a rivalry matchup. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images.
But that doesn’t have to last. Perhaps the rookie tailback will be too good for the RB3 job. In that scenario, either Jones or Mason will slide to the back of the rotation.
The Vikings are one smart running back draft pick away from owning the deepest RB room of O’Connell’s tenure. It will also help to have Kyler Murray at quarterback, who rushes for about 600 rushing yards every 17 starts.
Legendary athlete Mary Rand, the first British woman to ever win Olympic gold in track and field, has died at the age of 86.
Great Britain’s original “golden girl”, Rand topped the podium in the long jump at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, doing so with a world-record leap of 6.76m.
She then went on to achieve a feat that wouldn’t be replicated until Emma Finucane’s heroics at Paris 2024, adding pentathlon silver and 4x100m relay bronze to her Tokyo haul to become the only British female athlete to win three track and field medals in a single Games.
Rand was voted the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year for her success in 1964 before being awarded an MBE in the 1965 New Year Honours.
Mary Rand, Britain’s first golden girl, has died aged 86 (Getty Images)
Born in the Somerset town of Wells on 10 February 1940, Rand passed away in the United States, where she lived for many years alongside husband John Reese.
“UK Athletics is saddened to hear of the death of Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion Mary Rand, at the age of 86,” a statement from British Athletics read.
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Tributes were led by Mary Peters, one of her four room-mates at the Tokyo Games, who won Olympic pentathlon gold at the 1972 Games.
“She was the golden girl of her era and the most gifted athlete I ever saw,” Peters said.
“She worked hard and played hard, and she was a very talented all-around athlete. She could swim, she could she could play netball, she was a hockey player. And if you put her on the trampoline she would do front and back flips.
Mary Rand during her glory-laden Tokyo 1964 campaign (Getty Images)
“I even went with her to dart tournaments once at Crystal Palace, and whoever threw the first bullseye won a free set of golden darts. Naturally she got a bullseye with her first dart.”
Two years after glory in Tokyo, Rand took home long jump gold in the 1966 Commonwealth Games held in Kingston, Jamaica, going one better than the silver she had achieved eight years earlier at the event in Cardiff, when she was just 18. She also won two bronze medals at the 1962 European Championships.
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Rand retired from the sport just before the 1968 Mexico City Olympics after seriously damaging an Achilles tendon, which saw her miss out on the squad.
But her fame had soared beyond sport in the the 1960s, with Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger famously declaring Rand to be his ‘dream date’, though she insisted she was more of a Beatles fan.
Rand and first husband Sidney Rand at Buckingham Palace (Getty Images)
GB teammate Ann Packer, who similarly took home gold at the Tokyo Games and also shared a room with Rand, branded her as “the most gifted athlete I ever saw”.
“She was as good as athletes get, there has never been anything like her since. And I don’t believe there ever will,” Packer said.
Rand won the first medal of the 12 Team GB collected at Tokyo 1964, and later recalled: “If you talk to Ann Packer, she will say, ‘Mary came back and she’d won a gold and it inspired everybody’. They all thought, ‘If Mary can do it, we can do it’.”
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Rand also held the world record in the triple jump from 1959 to 1981, albeit an unofficial title as the women’s triple jump was not recognised by World Athletics until 1990.
She moved to the United States with her second husband Bill Toomey, the Olympic decathlon champion, three years after her divorce from rower Sidney Rand. Her marriage with Toomey lasted until 1991 and she later settled with Reese, holding UK/US dual citizenship.
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