The Minnesota Vikings will be on the clock later this month when the NFL Draft kicks off from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It remains a mystery what they may target with the 18th overall pick, or whether they will stick there at all. They have nine selections as things stand currently, though, and there’s lots of opportunity to infuse the roster with young talent.

Not all draft prospects are made the same, and while eligibility hits before a senior season for a collegiate product, all journeys are different.

Rodriguez’s Production and Playmaking Jump Off the Tape

Last season, we heard all year long about how expensive the Texas Tech Red Raiders roster was, and specifically how impressive the defense played. No one contributed more to that than linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

A super senior who spent the past four seasons with Texas Tech, Rodriguez experienced new heights in 2025. Originally recruited as a quarterback by the Virginia Cavaliers, he posted a career-high 128 tackles last season and led the Big 12 for a second straight season in solo tackles (63).

After racking up 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024, Rodriguez topped the number with 11 in 2025. He generated a sack and, out of nowhere, picked off four passes. His seven forced fumbles led the conference, and he scooped up a pair of them as well.

For his efforts, Rodriguez was fifth in Heisman voting, as well as earning the Nagurski Award (most outstanding defensive player) and Bednarik (defensive player of the year). An All-American as well, you don’t often see talent like this escape the first round. Except that’s currently the expectation.

Minnesota has four selections in the top 100. It’s unlikely that Rodriguez lasts until the third round, but there may not be a better second-round value. The Vikings have Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman penciled in as starting linebackers, but the former is an aging veteran, and the latter is an injury concern. Rodriguez would push Ivan Pace Jr. to find himself again, and could wind up a long-term starter.

The Vikings have plenty of holes to address in the draft, but fortunately, most of the offensive side of the ball can be looked at in the middle rounds. If linebacker is something of a consideration, it’d be pretty hard to look anywhere else.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

The T20 World Cup 2007 match between India and England holds a special place in history. Yuvraj Singh stunned the world by slamming six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad, becoming an integral part of T20I folklore. While it made the Indian all-rounder a worldwide sensation, things were not as simple for Broad. The England pacer found it extremely difficult to bounce back from the setback before eventually becoming one of his country’s greatest modern bowlers. In a recent interview, Yuvraj revealed that Stuart’s father, Chris Broad, asked him to sign a jersey for his son. However, he later learned that the England cricketer threw the jersey into the dustbin – an act Yuvraj described as completely “acceptable”.

“I just thought that he was inexperienced in T20s, which is understandable. From there, he became a legendary fast bowler and picked up more than 600 Test wickets. He turned that moment into power. For anyone else, their career might have been over,” Yuvraj said during a chat with Michael Vaughan on The Overlap Cricket.

“Stuart’s dad, Chris Broad, was the match referee for the India-Australia match. He came and told me, ‘You almost finished my son’s career.’ I told him, ‘Sir, I have been hit for five sixes myself; I know how it feels.’ He said, ‘You need to sign a shirt for Stuart.’ So, on my India shirt, I wrote: I have been hit for five sixes. I know how it feels. I hope you go on to become the best. I read recently that when Chris gave him that shirt, he threw it in the bin. He was so angry, and it is so acceptable.”

Yuvraj also opened up about his battle with cancer and what the doctor told him.

“It was hard to accept. At the peak of your career, you’re on top of a mountain and then you fall into a ditch. I was in Delhi. We were going on tour to the West Indies and England. Ganguly had retired and my Test spot had just opened. I was waiting seven years for that spot. I said, ‘I don’t care if I die, I need that spot.’ But I got sicker and sicker.

“Dr Nitesh Rohatgi said to me, ‘The tumour is sitting between your heart and lung. Either you go and play cricket or you might have a heart attack. You’ve got three to six months left to live if you don’t do chemotherapy.’ That’s when I realised I needed to think,” Yuvraj said.

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Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leonard Miller scored a career-high 26 points and matched his career best with 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls eased to a 119-108 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night to sweep a two-game set.

Tre Jones scored 31 points and Collin Sexton added 27 for the Bulls, who won 129-98 at Washington on Tuesday night to snap a seven-game skid.

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Miller, Jones and Sexton combined to shoot 65.3% (32 of 49) as Chicago (31-49) pulled even with Milwaukee for 11th place in the Eastern Conference and the best record among teams eliminated from postseason contention.

Bulls center Guerschon Yabusele departed early in the third quarter with a sprained left shoulder.

Will Riley scored 23 points to lead Washington, which had 10 players sidelined by injuries.

Julian Reese added 16 points and 15 rebounds for the NBA-worst Wizards, who have lost 24 of 25 to sink to 17-63 with two games remaining.

Chicago took control by outscoring Washington 16-4 to close the third quarter. Jones scored the last six points of that stretch, including consecutive layups in the final minute to make it 87-74.

Up next

Bulls: Host Orlando on Friday.

Wizards: Host Miami on Friday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka hugs Mukul Choudhary after the win. (X Photo)

NEW DELHI: It was an emotional night at the Eden Gardens as Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a thrilling last-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but what truly captured hearts was what followed after the final delivery.Youngster Mukul Choudhary, who scripted the dramatic chase, was embraced by LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in a moment that has since gone viral. The heartfelt hug, followed by a pat on the cheek and a brief conversation, reflected the magnitude of the innings as the team registered their second successive win to climb up in the IPL points table.Mukul’s dream knock seals thrillerChasing 182, LSG were reeling at 128/7 in 16 overs despite Ayush Badoni’s fluent 54. With the game slipping away, Mukul turned it around in stunning fashion, smashing seven sixes en route to an unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls.Playing only his third IPL match, the 21-year-old unleashed a fearless counterattack, scoring 52 runs off his last 19 deliveries to take the contest down to the wire. With one needed off the final ball, LSG scrambled a bye to seal a three-wicket victory.“There is always pressure, but God has given us this opportunity, and I try to do what I can do,” Mukul said. “My plan was to play till the end. I believe in myself so much that if I stayed, I could take the team home.”A hug that won heartsAs the players walked off, Goenka made his way onto the field and embraced Mukul in a touching moment. The LSG owner, visibly emotional, congratulated the youngster, even cupping his face in a gesture that underlined the importance of the innings.The visuals quickly spread across social media, with fans praising the bond between the franchise and its young talent. It was more than just a win—it was a moment of recognition and encouragement for a player at the start of his journey.WATCH:KKR falter despite strong totalEarlier, KKR posted a competitive 181/4, with Rovman Powell (39 not out) and Cameron Green (32 not out) adding late impetus. Ajinkya Rahane (41) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) also chipped in during a solid middle phase.However, despite early breakthroughs from Vaibhav Arora, KKR could not contain Mukul’s late assault.In the end, while the result boosted LSG’s campaign, it was the emotional post-match moment that stole the show.

McIlroy said not compounding errors was key to his score-building on Thursday having birdied all four par-fives after missing the fairway.

Targeting a fast start, he was forced to stay patient as he played the first seven holes in level par before picking up five shots between the eighth and 15th holes.

While he admitted two under par would have been a “fair score” given his errant long game, he was buoyed by how he used the experience accumulated in 17 previous Masters starts to post a better score.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more, especially after the way I started,” the 36-year-old added, speaking to BBC Sport NI.

“In the trees on one, two, five. I’m even more pleased playing the first seven holes in even par. And then when I started to swing it a bit better, I could string some good holes together and make some birdies.

“But I definitely relied on my short game and my experience. Hopefully I hit a few more fairways [on Friday] and give myself a few more chances.”

Former Ingomar standout Macie Phifer has entered the transfer portal after one season at Middle Tennessee State.

Phifer had a strong freshman campaign for the Blue Raiders, starting all 32 games. She was third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game, second in rebounding (5.8 per game) and shot 35% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-1 guard was named All-CUSA honorable mention and also made the All-Freshman team.

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This past season was the last for MTSU head coach Rick Insell, who retired after 20 years at the helm.

Phifer ended her career at Ingomar as the most decorated player in program history. She was named Class 2A Miss Basketball twice, Daily Journal Player of the Year twice, and led the Falcons to four state championships.

She was also a standout in volleyball, winning two Miss Volleyball awards and three state titles.

John Shortt and Jack Kelly delivered a sensational night of swimming at the Irish Open Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials in Bangor, rewriting the record books and underlining Ireland’s growing strength in the pool.

The pair produced standout performances on Night Two of finals, setting new Irish and Championship records while helping a host of swimmers achieve qualification standards across a packed international calendar this summer.

Shortt Hits World-Class Mark in 100m Backstroke

At just 19 years of age, John Shortt continues to establish himself as one of Ireland’s brightest prospects. The National Centre Limerick swimmer stormed to victory in the 100m Backstroke final in a time of 53.17, setting a new Irish and Championship record.

The time places him among the top four swimmers in the world in 2026 and comfortably inside the consideration standard for the European Aquatics Championships.

Shortt had only set the previous Irish record of 53.37 two weeks earlier in Paris, highlighting the rapid trajectory of his development.

“It was a good race… a bit disappointed, wanted to be 52, but you can’t have it all your own way,” Shortt admitted afterwards.

He was joined on the podium by team-mates Paddy Johnston (55.57) and Neddie Irwin (56.54), completing a dominant showing for National Centre Limerick.

Kelly Announces Himself with Record-Breaking Swim

Jack Kelly made an immediate impact on his Irish Championship debut, producing a stunning swim in the 50m Breaststroke.

The 23-year-old, who recently committed to representing Ireland, clocked 26.84, breaking Darragh Greene’s long-standing Irish record (26.94) and improving his own Championship mark set earlier in the day.

It was a landmark performance that also secured qualification for the European Aquatics Championships.

“I feel amazing… it just shows the work I’ve been doing in Austin has paid off,” Kelly said after the race.

Greene (27.62) and Eoin Corby (27.81) completed the podium, with both swimmers also achieving European consideration times.

Ireland Building Depth Ahead of Major Championships

The performances in Bangor reflect a wider surge in Irish swimming, with 24 consideration times achieved across multiple international competitions including:

• European Aquatics Championships
• Commonwealth Games
• European Junior Championships
• European Para Swimming Championships

With established stars and emerging talent delivering in equal measure, Ireland’s squad is shaping into a serious force heading into a packed summer schedule.

Competition continues through to Sunday, with further qualification times expected as swimmers chase places on the international stage.

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Mairéad Dillon has become one of the most admired players in the Galway camogie dressing room, and it is easy to see why. Since first being called into the senior panel by Cathal Murray in 2019, the Kilconieron player has shown patience, resilience and a constant hunger to improve. Those qualities have helped turn her into a major figure for the Tribeswomen.

Dillon’s breakthrough came in unforgettable fashion last August when she won the first of her three All-Ireland medals on the pitch against Cork. There is a strong argument that Galway would not have lifted the title without her contribution in some of the biggest moments of the campaign.

Big-game impact for Galway camogie

When Tipperary threatened to upset Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final, Dillon stepped up. After Tipp drew level early in the second half, Galway needed leaders to respond and Dillon was one of the players who found another gear. She finished with two points, while also posting an impressive tackle count and covering huge ground throughout the contest.

Even better was to come in the All-Ireland final. Galway had unsettled Cork early with their aggression, but they had not fully made that pressure count on the scoreboard. Then came the moment that changed everything.

Aoife Donohue burst through the heart of the Cork defence after a brilliant pick-up, drawing three defenders before releasing Dillon in space. There was still plenty for Dillon to do. She carried for around 10 metres, tapped the sliotar once off the bas of her hurley, and from just outside the 13-metre line she struck decisively. Libby Coppinger tried to close the gap, but the finish was too clean and Amy Lee had no chance.

It was a goal of composure, timing and nerve. Dillon’s reaction said plenty too. There was a small fist pump, but she quickly looped back into position on the half-forward line. It was a celebration marked by control rather than emotion, a sign of a player fully locked into the occasion.

Cork fought right to the end and Galway still needed a late pointed free from captain Carrie Dolan in the third minute of injury time to edge over the line by the minimum margin. For Dillon and Galway, it became one of the happiest memories of all.

“Yeah, look, it was brilliant. I suppose to be able to be part of the team in itself is such a huge honour and it’s nice to get the reward at the end of it. I’m just glad that we did get over the line, and all our hard work paid off.”

Dillon also reflected on the goal itself with typical humility.

“When I look back on it now, I just think it was great that it went in. Not too many people can say that they scored a goal in Croke Park on All-Ireland day. Cathal emphasises work rate and supporting the play, and Aoife had the ball and it was just one of those moments where you take the risk. Luckily, it worked out in the end.”

Asked about keeping pace with Donohue’s surging run, Dillon laughed: “I think

Mukul Choudhary (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants’ stunning last-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 had a new hero, as young Mukul Choudhary announced himself on the big stage with a fearless match-winning knock. Chasing 182, LSG looked down and out at one stage, but Choudhary’s explosive unbeaten 54 off 27 balls turned the game on its head.Reflecting on his journey after the game, the Player of the Match said, “My journey actually started even before I was born. My father had a dream that one day his son would play cricket. But back then, our financial condition wasn’t strong, so I couldn’t start early.”