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Sports

Get Ready for a New Vikings RB

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Jadarian Price, Jonah Coleman, Mike Washington Jr., Emmett Johnson, and Nick Singleton
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.

Mike Washington Jr. runs with the ball against Memphis. Vikings running back
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.

Emmett Johnson celebrates touchdown against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Vikings running back
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.

Jonah Coleman runs the ball during Apple Cup game. Vikings running back
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.


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Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE, El Clasico: Marcus Rashford Scores Stunning Free-Kick, Barcelona Take Early Lead | FCB 1-0 RMA

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5′ Barcelona go through on the left with Marcus Rashford, who swings a low cross into the box. However, Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia recovers in time to prevent any danger.

A minute later, Barcelona attack again, but this time it’s Raul Asencio who recovers and makes a superb tackle! Remember, Asencio came in last-minute after Dean Huijsen felt discomfort during warm-up.

FCB 0-0 RMA

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NU’s Greg Ancheta fights through and wins ‘most meaningful’ title

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Greg Ancheta NU Bulldogs UAAP Season 88 Finals

NU setter Greg Ancheta, left, celebrates during a win over FEU in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Feeling the weight of the pressure, Greg Ancheta endured tearful nights, crying quietly in bed as he dealt with self-doubt without his teammates knowing.

Tasked with steering National University’s loaded offense bannered by Alas Pilipinas stars Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin, Ancheta admitted the journey was far from easy, but one he eventually overcame through trust given by coach Dante Alinsunurin and his teammates and, more importantly, belief in himself.

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“There were times when I’d lie in bed crying alone. I just didn’t show it to my teammates or the people I shared a room with,” Ancheta said in Filipino.

READ: Latest UAAP crown is NU’s toughest title run, says Alinsunurin

“But I held on to Coach Dante’s reminder that I can’t rely only on the coaches if I want to play. I need to have my own identity as a player. I’m also thankful because they gave me their trust, and from there, I just kept working hard.”

After losing their last two games in the elimination round and finishing with a 10-4 record, Alinsunurin lamented that their set plays became one of their problems.

“There’s really a story behind that because I kept telling him that he needed to challenge himself. I wanted to push him and see what he was capable of because I knew he could help carry us to a championship,” said Alinsunurin of Ancheta.

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“In that situation, I really tried to bring out more from him. I told him he shouldn’t just depend on the coaching staff or the people teaching him. What’s important is that he learns how to decide for himself — not only in volleyball, but also in life.  He needs to build his own identity as a player,” he added.

It lit the fire under Ancheta as he unleashed 30 excellent sets in NU’s win over University of Santo Tomas in the playoff for the No.2 spot. He then dished out 23 in their Final Four victory against UST to reach the title round for the 11th straight time.

READ: UAAP Finals: NU Bulldogs claim ‘six-peat’ with sweep of FEU Tamaraws

In the finals opener, Ancheta anchored NU’s five-set comeback with 31 excellent sets and paced NU’s successful “six-peat” with 20 excellent sets in their 26-24, 25-22, 25-22 sweep of FEU to rule the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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“It feels really good because I was able to overcome all the challenges that came my way,” Ancheta said.

Alinsunurin, now an eight-time champion coach, credited his playmaker for accepting the challenge.

“With what he showed in the semifinals and finals, he was really impressive. I knew he was ready, and he performed very well,” he said.

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After overcoming the quiet battles no one else saw, Ancheta found tranquility with NU’s latest championship.



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“I want to thank coach Dante, who stood by my side and allowed me to fight for myself, too,” said Ancheta. “At this point, I feel like I don’t have anything left to prove except to give my best every game. Maybe this is the most meaningful championship I’ve won.”

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NFL fans brutally mock Colts LB CJ Allen over “slow” running speed at rookie camp

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The Indianapolis Colts selected former Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall pick. The franchise posted a clip of the 21-year-old working out at rookie camp on Saturday.

“CJ in motion,” the caption read.

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Fans flocked to the comment section to share their reaction to the video.

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“I seen dads at a cookout move faster,” a fan said.

i seen dads at a cookout move faster

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“Dude moving like a Amazon package handler,” one fan commented.

“10 and 11 personnel going to have CJ in hell,” another fan added.

Here are some more reactions.

“Get cj a stretch dr. Stiff af,” a fan wrote.

“he is still just as slow fjejxbjanxjzjd,” one fan posted.

“Did he just learn how to run today?” Another fan said.

“Delete this bro looks 40 years old,” one comment read.

As the Colts’ rookie minicamp got underway on May 8–10, 2026, Allen’s athleticism was a major talking point. Throughout the 2026 draft process, many scouting reports labeled the linebacker as an average athlete. Reports suggested he had slow lateral speed and slow change of direction.

Many argued that he often looked split-second late on film when reacting to zone passes or chasing down fast ball carriers.

Also Read: “Chiefs are about to get him” “100% going to be a Eagle”: NFL fans react as Colts release Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore

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Also Read: “Gotta let him know he’s the little brother”: Colts WR Josh Downs gets candid about facing Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs

CJ Allen reveals the story behind wearing No. 53 with the Colts

After wearing No. 3 throughout his standout career at Georgia, CJ Allen needed a new number in the NFL because Colts kicker Spencer Shrader already wore it.

Indianapolis assigned Allen No. 53, and at first, he saw it as a standard linebacker jersey. Later, he was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after the Colts traded down from No. 47.

The jersey also holds major franchise history as former Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard wore No. 53 during his dominant run with the team. He won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and earned three first-team AP All-Pro selections while wearing the iconic number. Allen now hopes to create his own legacy in Indianapolis.

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The former Georgia star appeared in 41 games with 30 starts from 2023-25, recording 205 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

His impressive 2025 campaign included 88 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, helping him earn First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.