/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Are you ready for the Minnesota Vikings to draft a dynamic young running back for the first time in eons? The club took a step in the right direction this week, meeting with rookie tailback Jonah Coleman.

The Vikings keep doing homework on this deep 2026 running back class, and that is excellent.

Coleman is considered the third- or fourth-best running back in this year’s class, and there’s a small chance that he transfers his purple uniform from Washington to Minnesota.

Coleman Fits Minnesota’s Search for Backfield Juice

The Vikings have nine draft picks in 2026.

Vikings Meet with Coleman

In all likelihood, the Vikings will draft a halfback somewhere in April’s draft, and the franchise now has a meeting with Coleman on record.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote this week, “The Vikings will host Coleman on a Top 30 visit, per Arye Pulli. The former Arizona and Washington standout has recorded over 1,100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last three seasons and scored 27 touchdowns in 25 games for the Huskies.”

“He’s been an efficient college runner who can also catch the ball (87 career receptions) and pass protect. There’s a lot to like about Coleman, but he’s also undersized at 5’9″ and isn’t particularly explosive.”

At the moment, Coleman is projected as a 3rd-Round pick, and Minnesota has two of those in the chamber.

A Superb Landing Spot

In Minnesota — if the Vikings press the button on Coleman — he’ll strut into a wonderful situation, not oozing with the pressure of an immediate RB1. The Vikings have Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones back in 2026, and they figure to take the bulk of rushing attempts next year if healthy.

With a man like Coleman, he can mature for a season as the RB3, be promoted to RB2 if an injury emerges — it probably will — or win the RB1 job outright if he’s that damn effective at training camp and in the preseason.

Coleman will also have offensive teammates as weapons, including Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and the aforementioned running backs. The spot is ideal for Coleman, and he might be ideal for the Vikings.

The Green Bay Packers could give Coleman a peek, as well.

Zone Coverage‘s Mitch Widmeier on Coleman to Green Bay: “A true three-down back with the Huskies, Coleman could be an every-down back if he reaches his ceiling in the NFL. For Green Bay specifically, two things stand out. Coleman had a grand total of two fumbles in 551 career rushing attempts. That covers two years with Arizona and another two with Washington. Coleman protects the football as well as any college running back has in the last four years.”

“If you want to play running back in Green Bay, you need to protect the rock, have some capability to pass block, and possess a certain level of character. Check, check, and check. Coleman could be selected as early as Round 2, or he could fall into Round 4. If nobody selects him in the second round, he will be an awfully tempting option for Green Bay.

Coleman’s Scouting Report

Coleman is 5’8″, 220 pounds, has 4.5 speed, and has a style similar to Ray Rice from the Baltimore Ravens (without the spotty reputation) 15 years ago. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, and he scored 27 touchdowns at Washington in the last two years.

NFL Draft Buzz on Coleman’s rookie profile: “Coleman is not going to test his way into a higher draft slot, and his game does not need him to. His vision between the tackles finds creases before they fully develop, and his patience within zone schemes lets linemen finish their work before he commits.”

“He averaged over five yards per carry in 2024 behind an offensive line ranked 105th nationally in run-blocking grade, which speaks louder than any combine drill. Zone-heavy offenses are the natural fit. Where Coleman separates from other power backs in this class is ball security paired with receiving ability. One fumble across 396 career touches keeps you on the field in December.”

Power backs who can act as receivers are somewhat rare.

NDB added, “He caught 31 passes for 354 yards in 2025 and looked comfortable on underneath routes, giving coordinators the option of leaving him in on passing downs. Pass protection needs refinement; he brings effort against blitzers but his technique is still developing.”

“His floor is a reliable early-down grinder who handles 15 to 20 touches and controls tempo without putting the ball on the ground. His ceiling is a three-down back in a system that values patience over home-run speed.”

The Alternatives

Assume the Vikings want a rookie running back, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love isn’t available, and a different team picks Coleman. These would be the options before the end of Round 5:

• Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
• Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
• Nick Singleton (Penn State)
• Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
• Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)

The Vikings have also formally met with Johnson from Nebraska and Claiborne of Wake Forest.

Coleman will turn 23 in August. Minnesota hasn’t drafted a game-changing running back since Dalvin Cook, and that was nine years ago.

Pickleball in India is quietly but steadily moving beyond its tag as a casual, recreational sport and turning into a serious competitive discipline. The Indian Pickleball Association’s recognition as the National Sports Federation has played a key role in this shift, bringing much-needed structure and credibility to the sport.

With systems like rankings, organised tournaments, and grassroots initiatives now in place, pickleball is beginning to build a proper pathway for players across the country. Coupled with rising participation and growing interest from brands and investors, the sport is not just spreading rapidly but also starting to establish India as a credible force on the global stage.

In an exclusive and freewheeling conversation with Sportskeeda, the President of the IPA, Suryaveersingh Bullar, opens up on the pickleball ecosystem in India and why he thinks the sport could become a potential Olympic medal opportunity for the country in the future:

Q1. The Indian Pickleball Association recently gained NSF (National Sports Federation) status. How does this milestone change the structure of the sport?

The granting of NSF status is the most significant milestone for any sport. With IPA becoming the sole governing authority, it allows us to push for inclusion in programs like Khelo India, university competitions, and the School Games Federation of India, as well as explore integration into the CBSE sporting system.

This recognition ensures athletes receive the same prestige as those in traditional sports, while also opening doors to government grants, SAI training facilities, and eligibility for honours like the Arjuna Award.

Importantly, it brings standardisation and governance. We are implementing national standards, certification programs, and have launched a coaching certification. We are also working towards referee certification and setting up an equipment testing lab in India to support local manufacturing and quality control.

Q2. Where does pickleball stand in India today, and what is your long-term vision?

Over the past year, pickleball in India has transitioned from a niche recreational activity into a high-growth performance sport. The IPA has driven this through structured ranking tournaments, international representation, and high-performance centres.

But this is just the beginning. We believe pickleball has the potential to bring India an Olympic medal once it is included in the Games. Our vision is to make India a top-three global powerhouse, with athletes capable of winning medals at the Asian Games and Olympics.

Q3. What steps are being taken to grow the sport beyond metro cities and at the grassroots level?

We are working aggressively to take pickleball beyond metros. A key step is our partnership with Sports Gurukul to launch a national inter-school championship, leveraging a network of over 500 schools.

IPA operates across 27 states, and we are focusing on district-level expansion to identify talent in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. We are also promoting portable nets, allowing any flat surface to become a pickleball court, making the sport highly accessible.

Efforts to integrate pickleball into Khelo India will further accelerate grassroots growth.

Q4. How is IPA building a talent pipeline to compete globally?

We have established a structured development framework anchored by a transparent ranking system and a tiered tournament structure from district to national level.

High-performance centres provide elite coaching, while international exposure remains a priority. India’s seventh-place finish at the Pickleball World Cup (among 78 nations) highlights our progress.

Our partnership with the US Open gives national champions direct entry, bypassing the lottery system. Additionally, a dedicated selection committee scouts talent nationwide and supports players with training, sponsorships, and international opportunities.

Q5. What does the IPA tournament roadmap look like over the next 12–18 months?

The structure includes IPA-run state tournaments culminating in the annual Nationals, alongside a rapidly growing calendar of IPA-sanctioned events.

We conducted around 110 tournaments last year and expect to nearly double that. The Indian Open is now an IPA-sanctioned global event, and discussions are underway to host the first Asian Pickleball Championship in India, potentially featuring over 18 countries.

Indian teams will also compete in global events like the World Cup, the US Open, and the amateur EPIC World Championship in Singapore.

Q6. Are there plans to collaborate with schools, colleges, or private leagues to accelerate adoption?

Yes, collaboration is central to our strategy. The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), held in Delhi and sanctioned by IPA, was a major success and significantly boosted the sport’s visibility.

We have also launched the national inter-school championship with Sports Gurukul and are exploring inter-college competitions. These initiatives are helping us build a strong ecosystem and drive widespread participation.

Q7. Infrastructure is a key challenge for emerging sports. How is IPA addressing this?

Infrastructure is always a challenge, but pickleball’s growth has led to courts emerging across the country. IPA is partnering with private facilities to use them as training and awareness centres.

We are also in talks with sponsors to set up high-performance centres and with the Sports Authority of India to establish academies within existing stadiums. Since pickleball requires relatively less space, we are confident of expanding infrastructure rapidly over the next two years.

Q8. What does the professional pathway look like for a young player in India today?

A young player today can enter through district-level tournaments, progress through state rankings, and eventually compete at the IPA Nationals.

From there, standout performers gain access to high-performance centres, national camps, and international exposure. With structured rankings, scouting systems, and global tournament pathways, the route to becoming a professional athlete in pickleball is now clearly defined.

Q9. How do you see the commercial side of pickleball evolving in India? What role will leagues like IPBL play?

Pickleball is growing strongly as a commercial sport. It offers excellent returns on investment due to its accessibility and appeal across age groups.

Leagues like the IPBL have already elevated the sport’s profile with broadcast backing and team ownership from major business houses. Going forward, the IPBL can play a role similar to the IPL – creating opportunities for players, coaches, referees, brands, and sponsors, while driving the sport’s overall growth.

Q10. What is your message to young athletes considering pickleball?

Whether you dream of representing India at the Pickleball World Cup, the US Open, or even the Olympics in the future, the IPA is here to support you. The infrastructure is growing, the system is in place, and the opportunities are expanding.

Grab a paddle, your journey to the top starts now!