The Minnesota Vikings historically have struggled to run the football consistently to this point in the Kevin O’Connell era.
2025 was widely considered their most successful season in that department, but still, Minnesota 23rd in rushing yards (1841), 18th in rushing touchdowns (15), and 11th in yards per carry (4.5). With the team still very much a middle of the pack group in the rushing department despite some revamps to the offensive line last year, the Vikings could be looking to change things in their running back room.
One way the Vikings could try to do that is through the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are the top five running backs Minnesota could pick up in the first three rounds this April.
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Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs with the football during the first quarter against Stanford Cardinal safety Che Ojarikre (22) at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
It’s a long shot, especially now that the Vikings finished their season at 9-8, but Jeremiyah Love could be an option if a miracle happened and he fell into the late teens this spring. Love brings a little bit of everything out of the backfield. He’s fast, shifty, balanced enough to bounce off tacklers, and he can be a receiver.
He might not quite have the athletic repertoire of a Bijan Robinson, but Love was one of the most highly productive players in all of college football over the past two years, totaling 2,497 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns since 2024. There’s a very strong chance that he ends up in the top 10 of this spring’s draft.
Jonah Coleman, Washington
Oct 4, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) carries the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Jonah Coleman is one of my favorite players that I’ve watched from this draft class so far. The man is a bowling ball at the running back position at 5’9″ and 228 pounds, and that makes him a very difficult player for opposing defenses to tackle.
Coleman absorbs contact with the best of them, and his balance will be a very attractive trait to NFL teams this spring. He won’t blow anyone away with top end speed, but there isn’t anything Coleman doesn’t do well. He is very patient behind the line of scrimmage, is a great workhorse back, and he can also contribute in pass protection and as a receiver. He caught 31 passes this past season with the Washington Huskies.
Coleman can certainly contribute at the NFL level, but because of his lack of top end speed, he likely will be available for the Vikings in the second or even third round.
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Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
It’s been awhile since Nebraska has had a high end running back, but Emmett Johnson changed the tides in the backfield this season for the Cornhuskers. He became the first Nebraska running back with 1000+ yards since Devine Ozigbo in 2018.
Johnson thrives in zone running schemes, and he was one of the most explosive playmakers out of the backfield in all of college football this season. His 36 carries of 10+ yards tied for sixth in the FBS. If the Vikings want someone who can help in the passing game too, Johnson might be their guy after leading all running backs in the FBS with 46 receptions.
At 5’11” and 200 pounds, Johnson has a sturdy frame to along with outstanding breakaway speed and ability to change directions on a dime. He needs to get better as a blocker if he wants to truly help an NFL passing game, but he can be a difference maker in an NFL offense this year.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) celebrates with wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) after a Price touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.
While Jeremiyah Love stole much of the spotlight at Notre Dame this past year, Jadarian Price should not be overlooked heading into this draft. In an offense that had a top Heisman candidate in Love, Price still managed to get 120 carries in 2024 and 113 carries in 2025.
There’s a reason for that: Price is a very effective player. Every movement Price makes in the backfield seems effortless and entirely intentional. He has a terrific ability to make cuts in the blink of an eye, leaving defenses with virtually no time to react, or he’ll be gone.
That being said, there are some questions that could impact his placement in the draft. We’ve never seen him be a lead running back at the collegiate level, which is a very unique position for a player who is widely considered to be a Day 2 selection. He could also have some trouble staying on the field on third downs, particularly in passing situations. He only caught 15 passes over the course of his three years at Notre Dame. There were also some fumble concerns this year with three of them all near the goal line.
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Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) reacts after a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Like Coleman, Kaytron Allen has a very sturdy frame that keeps his legs churning through defenders. Of his 1303 rushing yards this season, 792 of them came after contact. That was the 16th-most in all of the FBS this past year.
Allen (5’11”, 229 pounds) has been a very productive player at Penn State since he arrived in 2022, totaling at least 167 carries in all four of his seasons with the Nittany Lions. He’s proven time and time again that he can be a workhorse, and a very explosive burst allows him to get to the second level of a defense in a hurry.
However, he also lacks that true home run speed like Coleman. However, unlike Coleman, Allen also has struggled as a receiver, which may force him off the field on third down passing situations. In 2025, he caught 18 passes for just 68 yards. That very likely will cause him to fall into the third round this spring.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
An emotional subplot will headline Monday’s IPL clash as Sanju Samson faces Rajasthan Royals for the first time after leading them for over a decade. Now with Chennai Super Kings, Samson — RR’s former captain and all-time leading run-scorer — returns in top form following a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, where he struck three successive half-centuries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!His move, part of a high-profile swap that saw Ravindra Jadeja rejoin Rajasthan, adds further intrigue. With MS Dhoni sidelined due to injury, Samson will share leadership duties with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top.CSK appear in transition, bolstered by emerging talents and a varied bowling attack. Meanwhile, Rajasthan begin a new era under Riyan Parag, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the batting alongside Shimron Hetmyer.While RR boast explosive batting options, concerns linger over their bowling consistency. Both sides, coming off underwhelming 2025 campaigns, will view this clash as a chance to reset and rebuild momentum.
Top 5 players to watch in RR vs CSK clash
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 years old)The Rajasthan Royals opener enters his second IPL season carrying significant expectations after a sensational debut year. At just 14, he scripted history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket, hammering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. His century came off just 35 deliveries, making it the second-fastest in IPL history. Across seven matches, he piled up 252 runs at a staggering strike rate of 206.55, underlining his fearless approach at the top. Against Chennai Super Kings last season, he scored a brisk 57 off 33 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His explosive powerplay batting makes him a key figure for RR once again.Riyan Parag (24 years old)Riyan Parag begins his first full season as Rajasthan Royals captain following Sanju Samson’s exit, taking charge at his home ground. One of the youngest captains in IPL history, Parag has steadily grown into a central figure for the franchise since his debut in 2019. In IPL 2025, he led the side in eight matches and scored 393 runs, emerging as RR’s second-highest run-getter with a strike rate of 166.52. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he amassed 573 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.09. Overall, Parag has 1566 runs from 84 games at a strike rate of 141.84. Against CSK, he has scored 122 runs in eight matches, with a highest score of 47.Sanju Samson (31 years old)Sanju Samson will be in the spotlight as he turns out in Chennai Super Kings colours for the first time after being the face of Rajasthan Royals for over a decade. Having played 11 seasons with RR, he remains their all-time leading run-scorer with over 4000 runs. Overall, Samson has accumulated 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He comes into the season in excellent touch after a Player-of-the-Tournament performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. His first outing against RR adds emotional weight, making him one of the biggest attractions in this contest.Kartik Sharma (19 years old)Kartik Sharma is a young wicketkeeper-batter, known for his power-hitting abilities. He became the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL auction history when Chennai Super Kings signed him for Rs 14.2 crore. After being part of CSK’s wider squad in IPL 2025, he has now broken into the main squad for the 2026 season. If included in the playing XI, Sharma could make his debut, bringing with him the reputation of an aggressive young finisher.Ayush Mhatre (18 years old)Ayush Mhatre, another exciting young talent, enters his second IPL season after making a strong impression in 2025. He scored 240 runs in seven matches at an average of 34.28 and a remarkable strike rate of 188.97, including a high score of 94. Initially unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, Mhatre earned a mid-season call-up to Chennai Super Kings due to an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad and made an immediate impact. Against Rajasthan Royals, he struck 43 off 20 at a strike rate of 215, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
One of the endgame activities, Pure Fiction, has received a new cycle in Honkai Star Rail 4.1. With that, players now get fresh challenges with brand-new enemy lineups. Since the activity is quite tough to beat, players are compelled to build top-of-the-line teams to get all the rewards it offers.
This article lists the best teams for the Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the author’s opinions.
Exploring the best teams for Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction, Virtual Made Manifest
All HSR 4.1 Pure Fiction Node buffs (Image via HoYoverse)
Let’s take a look at all the buffs you can use in Honkai Star Rail 4.1’s Pure Fiction:
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Memory: When Surging Grit gets triggered, it regenerates 3 Skill Points and all enemies take 30% more damage from DoTs.
Streets Abuzz: While Surging Grit is active, all allies deal 50% extra Follow-Up ATK damage. When an allied character unleashes a FUA, the entire team gains a Resound stack.
Commotion: During Surging Grit, all allies’ SPD gets boosted by 35%. When an allied unit consumes Resound, a Skill Point will be replenished.
Node 1
Sparxie (Image via HoYoverse)
While the enemy lineup in every stage of the Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction is different, they somewhat share the same weakness types. However, the first three stages aren’t that challenging compared to the last one. The first Node of Stage 4 features Argenti, the Knight of Beauty. Here are some teams you can use to clear the first Node:
Sparxie, Yao Guang, Sparkle, and Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
The Herta, Anaxa, Tribbie, and Dan Heng PT
Phainon, Cerydra, Sunday, Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
Since Argenti is weak to the Fire and Physical Elements, we have recommended the Sparxie Elation and Phainon hypercarry compositions. Both teams are exceptionally powerful and are capable of dealing damage to multiple enemies simultaneously.
On the other hand, The Herta team can be used in this Node as Anaxa can place weakness types on the enemies. Hence, you can easily use this composition in both nodes. Since there is not much difference in these teams, you can just use the Commotion buff.
Node 2
Ashveil (Image via HoYoverse)
As for Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction’s Node 2, you will fight Sam, alongside some others. The Stellaron Hunter is weak to Quantum, Lightning, and Imaginary Elements. The following section lists some teams that can help you clear Virtual Made Manifest:
Kafka, Black Swan, Hysilens, and Huohuo
Ashveil, Sunday, Tribbie, and Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
Archer, Sparkle, Yao Guang, and Dan Heng PT
The Kafka DoT team is quite strong in this particular cycle, as the Memory buff can boost the entire team’s damage output by a substantial amount. Since Kafka wields the Lightning Element, she can easily deal toughness as well as DoT damage to Sam.
Moving over to the Archer and Ashveil teams, both work differently because of their unique playstyle. However, their damage output is exceptionally high, and they specialize in defeating one enemy at a time. Like the Kafka team, these two also deal consistent damage throughout the fight.
For more articles related to this turn-based gacha title from HoYoverse, Honkai Star Rail, check out the following section:
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Wolff and Mercedes are also looking at buying private investment firm Otro Capital’s 24% shares in Alpine.
Wolff said there is “no connection” with Horner in regards that investment and it would be “quite sad” if that was a consideration.
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“I am in two minds about it [Horner returning to F1]. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport,” Wolff said.
“I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.
“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so.
“But even when I had the biggest frustration, and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend, so there must be some goodness.
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“If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung with him over dinner and a had a laugh.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won four consecutive drivers’ titles from 2021 to 2024, ending Mercedes’ dominance with Lewis Hamilton, who was controversially denied five straight titles.
Horner, who has said he has “unfinished business” in F1, was last year overlooked to take over at Aston Martin.
“Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them,” Wolff said.
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“I don’t know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done.”
Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) carries the ball during second-half action against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the play unfolding on Sep 21, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as Scott pushes upfield through traffic while contributing to the offense in a regular season home matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings will add at least nine new players from the 2026 NFL Draft, barring trades, a significant jump from the number last year, when the purple team had just five picks entering the event. And because nine newcomers are on the way, some existing players may be demoted sooner rather than later.
Several Vikings could lose ground when the rookie class arrives.
Here’s a look at the players hoping to avoid demotions, listed in alphabetical order.
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Current Minnesota Players Facing the Most Draft Pressure
Job security is at risk.
Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) goes through his pregame routine, Nov. 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, before facing the Jaguars as the versatile lineman prepares for another role along the offensive front amid injuries and lineup shifts during the season. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Blake Brandel | C
Ryan Kelly retired a few weeks ago, and the Vikings signed zero center replacements in free agency. For now, the starting job appears to belong to Brandel, though third-year center Michael Jurgens might contest that this summer.
But if the Vikings draft one of these men in the draft’s first four rounds, Brandel could be back to his do-everything OL role:
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Connor Lew (Auburn)
Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
Jake Slaughter (Florida)
Logan Jones (Iowa)
Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
It’s worth noting that Brandel improved each week last season at center in relief of Kelly.
Tai Felton | WR
Felton played 46 offensive snaps as a rookie, used primarily as a special teamer, which is fine, but most onlookers thought a 3rd-Round wideout would be used on offense. No cigar.
The Vikings didn’t re-sign Jalen Nailor, as the speedster vamoosed for Las Vegas, his hometown, to be the Raiders’ WR1 or WR2. That leaves Felton in a league of his own at WR3. There is no other wide receiver on the depth chart to even remotely compete for the WR3 job.
Still, if Minnesota drafts one of these men, Felton could be on notice, at least as far as the WR3 job is concerned:
Like Nailor leaving for the Raiders, Ingram-Dawkins’s DT teammates, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, found new homes with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
But just like Felton, if the Vikings draft one of these defensive tackles next month, Ingram-Dawkins may remain a reserve commodity:
Peter Woods (Clemson)
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
Caleb Banks (Florida)
Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
Christen Miller (Georgia)
Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
Zane Durant (Penn State)
Zxavian Harris (Mississippi)
DeMonte Capehart (Clemson)
Chris McClellan (Missouri)
Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana)
Tim Keenan III (Alabama)
Ingram-Dawkins saw defensive action on roughly 250 snaps as a rookie, a worthwhile amount for a late-round rookie.
Zavier Scott | RB
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Scott probably has the shakiest job security on the list. By trade, he’s a practice squader who was promoted to the active roster last year. That may not last long.
Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) carries the ball during the second quarter, Aug. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against the New England Patriots as he looks for running room while contributing in a preseason matchup for the Vikings offense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Minnesota has 31-year-old Aaron Jones back for another run, and Jordan Mason is tentatively expected to fill the RB1 job. Most fans agree that Kevin O’Connell’s team needs an early-round running back from the draft for the first time since the Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison days. All signs point to Minnesota acquiescing to the fans’ request.
If you see the Vikings draft one of these tailbacks, that could be the end of the road for Scott on the 53-man roster:
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
Jonah Coleman (Washington)
Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
Nick Singleton (Penn State)
Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)
Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
Kaelon Black (Indiana)
Seth McGowan (Kentucky)
The Vikings have formally met with Washington Jr. and Johnson via pre-draft visit.
Jay Ward | S
If Harrison Smith retires — he probably would’ve announced that by now, so most assume Smith will be back for Year No. 15 — Ward’s job security will rocket to the heavens. Ward was surprisingly effective in 2025, even snatching Theo Jackson’s starting job in December.
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Racey McMath (13) is brought down by Minnesota Vikings defenders Jay Ward (20) and Kalon Barnes (27), Aug. 19, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as multiple defenders converge to stop the play during a preseason matchup between the teams. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-Imagn Images.
But like all the men on this list, Ward must dodge the draft selection of one of these safeties:
Thieneman is a massive draft darling for the Vikings at the moment. After you close this article, type into Google “NFL mock draft,” and we’re willing to bet that article connects Thieneman to Minnesota with the 18th pick.
Reigning and undisputed ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion and former Muay Thai king, ‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom, is known for his powerful teep kick, which he has worked on for his entire life.
But that kick didn’t come about naturally. It was painstakingly developed over the years through repetition and practice.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
‘The General’ said:
“My teeps were just part of my game from a very young age. I was building that technique from the very beginning. I was quite tall for my weight category growing up through the ranks in the UK, and using the teep was quite effective. So I just continued building it brick by brick. Why stop if it’s working, you know? I just kept building what works, really.”
‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty is set to defend his ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship against Japanese star Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 1, which will take place live at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
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Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship’s official website for more information on how to watch the event live from their location.
Jonathan Haggerty admits that ‘getting in that ring is very scary’: “I fight better with fear”
‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty will be the first to admit that climbing into the ONE Championship ring is one of the most harrowing ordeals a fighter can experience. But because of that fear, he says he can fight at his best.
“When I think of fear, I think of my body shaking, adrenaline, and like scared. To overcome it, just block it out. I just block it out. As I said, getting in that ring is very scary. It’s a lot of fear. And getting past that. I need fear to fight. I fight better with fear.”
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Jonathan Haggerty’s next fight.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa kicked off his campaign at the prestigious Candidates Tournament by breaking through the defenses of Dutchman Anish Giri to secure a full point and now shares the lead after the first round with American GM Fabiano Caruana and Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in Paphos. In an eventful first round, World Cup champion Sindarov showcased his excellent tactical skill to turn the tables on Russia’s Andrey Esipenko, while pre-event favourite Caruana stunned fellow American Hikaru Nakamura. The other game of the eight-player double round-robin tournament between Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum and China’s Wei Yi ended in a stalemate with both players sharing a point.
In the women’s section being held simultaneously, Indian Grandmaster and Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh drew with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, a last-minute replacement for Koneru Humpy, while R. Vaishali survived some anxious moments before sharing the point with Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva.
It was, in fact, a day of stalemates in the womens’ section as Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina drew with compatriot Kateryna Lagno and the all-Chinese clash between Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi also ended in a shared point.
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Praggnanandhaa had been struggling in recent months leading up to the Candidates but has now bounced back in style, and Giri, one of the most consistent and solid players on the circuit, was simply no match for him on Saturday.
It was a battle of nerves as the Indian began with the Grand Prix Aatack to challenge Giri’s Sicilian Defense with the black pieces, and whether the opening achieved its intended effect is debatable, but it certainly gave Praggnanandhaa a valuable lead on the clock.
Giri is not used to surprises and while he was resourceful enough in the early middle game and equalised, Praggnanandhaa won a pawn in the ensuing rook-and-minor-pieces endgame.
Giri, running low on time, blundered in a lost rook-and-pawns endgame with a pawn less. The rest was easy for Praggnanandhaa.
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But perhaps the most impressive game was played by Caruana who used his white pieces to perfection.
Nakamura was close to levelling the game as the middle game arrived, but the American, who is currently more active as a streamer than as a player, found himself in an opposite-coloured bishops middle game where his bishop was restricted to a passive role.
Caruana sealed the game with precise calculation in the endgame.
The Candidates is being contested in both the Open and Women’s sections to determine the challengers for the next World Championship matches against reigning champions D Gukesh and Ju Wenjun of China.
Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus) drew with Kateryna Lagno (Rus); R Vaishali (Ind) drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz); Divya Deshmukh (Ind) drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukr); Jiner Zhu (Chn) drew with Zhongyi Tan (Chn).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
As Arizona prepares to play in its fifth all-time Final Four on Saturday, we’ve compiled a list of all such appearances by schools in the West.
The region boasts 19 Final Four teams, 12 of which have made two or more appearances, led by UCLA with 19, Arizona with five, and Utah and UNLV each with four.
But before we get to the list, for those who may be interested, a little history.
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The NCAA recognizes Final Four appearances since the first tournament in 1939, even though only eight teams participated in the tournament from 1939 to 1950.
Between 1939 and 1950, there were only eight teams in the tournament, so half of the teams can claim a Final Four appearance.
However, since 1985, all have been required to play at least three games to make the Final Four.
Here is the list of participating schools from the region.
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All-Time Final Four Appearances by Schools in the West
NEW DELHI: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes a resurgent Rohit Sharma could spell trouble for the rest of the IPL, after the Mumbai Indians opener announced his return in style with a match-winning knock against Kolkata Knight Riders.Rohit smashed a scintillating 78 off just 38 balls to power MI to a six-wicket win in their season opener at the Wankhede Stadium, ending their long-standing jinx of losing the first match of an IPL campaign.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kumble was particularly struck by the authority and ease with which Rohit dominated quality bowling, calling it a sign of a dangerous new phase in his career.“Rohit Sharma seems to have arrived in his 2.0 avatar, and his innings showed he is ready to dominate again. The way he hit the ball all around the ground reminded me of his prime,” Kumble said on Star Sports.The former India coach highlighted how Rohit made light work of a potent spin attack featuring Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, along with pacer Blessing Muzarabani.“It is not easy to hit sixes against bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Blessing Muzarabani, but he made it look easy. He has worked a lot on his fitness… when you come back after a short break, it takes time to find rhythm,” Kumble noted.“This was a fantastic innings… the six-hitting looked easy, and even though the boundaries were small, those shots were going into the stands. This knock shows that Rohit means business and this version of him will worry all IPL teams,” he added.KKR’s spin strategy under scrutinyWhile praising Rohit, Kumble also pointed out tactical lapses from Kolkata Knight Riders, particularly their under-utilisation of key spinners.“KKR are relying too much on Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, and Narine did not even complete his quota, which was surprising. The disappointing part was that Ajinkya Rahane did not bring him on in the Powerplay,” he said.According to Kumble, the delay in introducing Narine proved costly as Mumbai’s openers had already taken control.“By the time Narine came on, the damage was already done… they need to use their resources better. When you have two world-class spinners, you need to use them well,” he added.
Terence Crawford‘s long-term trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre believes there is one man that all other fighters would be wise to avoid sharing the ring with.
For many years Crawford was a fighter who appeared to be avoided himself, before finally landing the big fight he craved when he took on Errol Spence in an undisputed welterweight title showdown in July 2023.
Crawford dominated that bout and claimed a ninth round stoppage win, and that was seen as the biggest win of his career until he stepped up to 168lbs and dethroned Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight champion in September.
Crawford’s well-respected coach BoMac appears to found someone who possesses the skills to do just that, as he told Fight Hub TV that other fighters should avoid Shakur Stevenson due to the skill level of the unbeaten star.
“Shakur has got a great boxing mind. That’s just it. Once he put his mind to it he gets the job done. You probably want to stay away from that kid man.”
BoMac also heaped praise on Stevenson for the performance he produced in his recent victory over Teofimo Lopez to become WBO super-lightweight champion.
“He looked so smooth, calm and relaxed. It was a boxing lesson. The future young guys in the amateurs just turning pro, watch that, it was beautiful.”
That win saw Stevenson become a four-weight world champion, and at just 28-years-old, it certainly appears he can go on to achieve plenty more within the sport.
The Minnesota Vikings set sail on the 2026 NFL Draft in 25 days, so let’s take a look at the past to size up the best selections in franchise history. Next week, we’ll profile the naughty list: the worst selections by Minnesota since 1961.
Ranking the Franchise Picks That Delivered the Biggest Payoff
The criteria are simple: the Vikings players who put the biggest thumbprint on the team.
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Ranking the Franchise Picks That Delivered the Biggest Payoff
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after converting a first down in the opening quarter, Oct. 30, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against the Arizona Cardinals as he signals to the crowd and energizes the offense during an early-game scoring drive. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
8. Justin Jefferson | WR
Total Years as a Starter in NFL: 6 Drafted: Round 1 (2020) 1st-Team All-Pro: 2 Pro Bowls: 4
Here’s the stat to know about Jefferson:
Most Receiving Yards thru First 6 Seasons of Career:
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Justin Jefferson (8,480) Randy Moss (8,375) Torry Holt (8,156) Jerry Rice (7,866) Calvin Johnson (7,836) Julio Jones (7,610) DeAndre Hopkins (7,437) CeeDee Lamb (7,416) Mike Evans (7,260) A.J. Green (7,135) Antonio Brown (7,093) Marvin Harrison (7,078) Larry Fitzgerald (7,067) A.J. Brown (7,026) Sterling Sharpe (7,015)
Not bad.
7. Adrian Peterson | RB
Total Years as a Starter in NFL: 15 Drafted: Round 1 (2007) 1st-Team All-Pro: 4 Pro Bowls: 7
Peterson’s off-the-field antics have turned wacky as of late, but before that, he was the best running back of his era in the NFL. In fact, no one has quite replicated him stylistically since he left the sport in 2021. Derrick Henry came close, but he’s just not quite as fast.
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The only player with more rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in NFL history than Peterson is Emmitt Smith, who was an obvious Hall of Famer.
Peterson will be up for Hall of Fame Consideration soon; he better get in right away without any voter shenanigans.
6. Chris Doleman | DE
Total Years as a Starter in NFL: 15 Drafted: Round 1 (1985) 1st-Team All-Pro: 3 Pro Bowls: 8
Doleman spent 10 years in Minnesota, appearing in 154 games and logging 96.5 sacks along the way. He navigated the rough stretch of mid-1980s Vikings football and helped get the Dennis Green era off the ground in style.
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He ranks seventh all-time in sacks on the “unofficial” leaderboard and fifth on the official version. He would’ve ranked No. 5 on this list, but No. 5 fundamentally changed how the sport is played.
5. Randy Moss | WR
Total Years as a Starter in NFL:12 Drafted: Round 1 (1998) 1st-Team All-Pro: 4 Pro Bowls: 6
Moss is widely known for revolutionizing the passing game in both the NFL and during his exciting 7.5 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jerry Rice is the only wide receiver in NFL history with more receiving yards and receiving touchdowns than Moss.
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4. Randall McDaniel | G
Total Years as a Starter in NFL:14 1st-Team All-Pro:7 Drafted: Round 1 (1988) Pro Bowls: 12
Though offensive guards rarely receive top billing, McDaniel’s accomplishments warrant consideration, as his resume speaks for itself.
Former Minnesota Vikings guard Randall McDaniel delivers his induction speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony, Aug. 8, 2009, at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, as he addresses the crowd and reflects on his career during enshrinement into the sport’s most prestigious honor. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports.
From 1988 to 1999, McDaniel anchored Minnesota’s offensive line with remarkable consistency and versatility. After his departure to Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl the following season.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
3. Carl Eller | DE
Total Years as a Starter in NFL:15 Drafted: Round 1 (1964) 1st-Team All-Pro:5 Pro Bowls: 6
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Eller was a cornerstone of the Purple People Eaters and a Hall of Famer. Before joining the Vikings, Page starred at the University of Minnesota, further enhancing his already impressive credentials.
He ranks 19th all-time in sacks on the unofficial leaderboard, which includes numbers from before 1982, when official sack tracking began.
2. Alan Page | DT
Total Years as a Starter in NFL:15 Drafted: Round 1 (1967) All-Pro:5 Pro Bowls: 9
Page’s 148.5 sacks rank eighth all-time, a remarkable achievement for a defensive tackle. While the choice between him and Eller for this spot was extremely close, Page’s statistics give him a slight edge, earning him the No. 2 spot.
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He also served on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1993 to 2015.
1. Fran Tarkenton | QB
Total Years as a Starter in NFL:18 Drafted: Round 3 (1961) All-Pro: 1 Pro Bowls: 9
Tarkenton’s No. 1 spot stems from three key factors: his position as quarterback, the most impactful on the field; his unexpected arrival to the Vikings as a 3rd-Round pick 65 years ago; and his remarkable longevity with the team.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) lines up at the line of scrimmage alongside guard Ed White (62) and tackle Grady Alderman (67), date and location unknown, as the offense prepares for the snap during a classic era moment captured in this archival file photo. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports.
Tarkenton’s career spanned roughly the length of Harrison Smith’s current tenure, plus another rookie contract — all while playing quarterback. Imagine Smith playing until 2029; that’s Tarkenton’s career.
Upon his retirement in 1978, he held the league’s top records in major passing categories, marking the end of an era closely tied to Minnesota’s Super Bowl aspirations.
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