By SuperWest Sports Staff
Sports
Winning % as CFB Favorite over Last 10 Years in West
Winning the games you’re expected to win is the trademark of a consistently successful college football program.
That is especially true for ranked teams with a big target on their backs.
The tables below show the wins, losses, and win percentages as the underdog for the region’s top programs over the last 10 seasons.
Oregon leads the way, followed by Washington, Boise State, Utah State, and BYU.
Winning % and Records as Favorite by Program from 2016-2025
| Win % | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 85.4% | Oregon | 82-14 |
| 82.3% | Washington | 79-17 |
| 81.3% | Boise State | 87-20 |
| 80.0% | Utah State | 44-11 |
| 79.5% | BYU | 62-16 |
| 79.3% | New Mexico State | 23-6 |
| 79.1% | Colorado | 34-9 |
| 78.3% | USC | 72-20 |
| 76.9% | Hawai’i | 30-9 |
| 76.8% | Wyoming | 43-13 |
| 76.6% | Fresno State | 59-18 |
| 76.6% | Stanford | 36-11 |
| 76.3% | San Diego State | 61-19 |
| 76.0% | Utah | 76-24 |
| 75.8% | WSU | 50-16 |
| 75.0% | UNLV | 36-12 |
| 74.5% | ASU | 38-13 |
| 73.5% | San Jose State | 36-13 |
| 73.2% | Arizona | 30-11 |
| 72.6% | Air Force | 61-23 |
| 68.95 | Oregon State | 31-14 |
| 68.8% | Cal | 33-15 |
| 64.3% | Nevada | 27-15 |
| 63.3% | CSU | 31-18 |
| 63.2% | New Mexico | 24-14 |
| 63.2% | UCLA | 36-21 |
| 62.1% | UTEP | 18-11 |
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The Promise Ring is a Secret Unit Equipment in Anime Expeditions that is designed exclusively for Cursed Student (True Love), the evolved version of the Secret unit, Cursed Student. Besides improving the unit’s combat stats, it replaces its original passive with powerful new abilities that significantly increase its damage potential during battle.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions, including how to obtain it, evolve the required unit, and the bonuses it provides.
An overview of the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions
How to get
The Promise Ring can only be obtained by completing the Mastery Act of School Grounds, the first Story Mode stage in Anime Expeditions. School Grounds features:
- Act 1
- Act 2
- Act 3
- Act 4
- Act 5
- Infinite Act
- Mastery Act
However, the Promise Ring only drops from the Mastery Act and has a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity. If you don’t obtain the equipment after repeated clears, the pity system guarantees it on your twentieth completed Mastery run. Like all Unit Equipment, the Promise Ring can only be equipped by its designated unit.
How to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love)
Before equipping the Promise Ring, you’ll first need to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love). The evolution requires:
- x1 Student ID
- x20 Sprite (Blue)
- x20 Sprite (Purple)
- x20 Sprite (Rainbow)
- x5,000 Gold
Once evolved, the unit becomes eligible to equip the Promise Ring.
Stats and passives
The Promise Ring comes with two randomized rollable substats when obtained.
Rollable stats
- Range: +1% to +5%
- Damage: +1% to +10%
You can reroll these bonuses using Equipment Rerolls if you’re looking for better stat rolls. The Promise Ring also replaces Cursed Student (True Love)’s original passive with an exclusive Equipment Passive.
Spirit Bats
The Spirit Bats passive rewards you for applying Bleed stacks to enemies. Its effects include:
- Every time enemies within the unit’s attack range accumulate 20 total Bleed stacks, a Bat Spirit is summoned at the unit’s location.
- You can have up to three Bat Spirits active at the same time.
- Each Bat Spirit deals 25% of Cursed Student (True Love)’s current Damage with every attack.
- Bat Spirits disappear after performing three attacks.
This passive works exceptionally well with Cursed Student (True Love)’s Bleed-focused playstyle, allowing you to generate additional damage as Bleed stacks build up throughout a battle. The more consistently you apply Bleed, the more frequently Bat Spirits will appear to support your attacks.
FAQs on Anime Expeditions
How do I get the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions?
The Promise Ring drops from the Mastery Act of School Grounds, with a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity.
Which unit can equip the Promise Ring?
Only Cursed Student (True Love) can equip the Promise Ring.
Can I obtain the Promise Ring from the Infinite Act?
No. The Promise Ring is exclusive to the Mastery Act of School Grounds and cannot be obtained from the regular story acts or the Infinite Act.
Edited by Sayandeep Das
Sports
MLB rumors: Mets begin firesale; Dodgers’ secondary interest in Tarik Skubal; Tigers hint at deadline plans
Major League Baseball’s Aug. 3 trade deadline is mere days away, and teams are busy making plans in advance of that important date on the calendar. That means trade rumors aplenty. Friday is no exception, and you can find the latest dose of trade talk just below.
Yankees still seeking catching help
The Yankees are in search of an upgrade at catcher in advance of the deadline. While contenders are usually hesitant to add a new starting catcher in the middle of the season, the Yankees’ desperate situation is such that they’re willing to overlook such concerns. On that front, the New York Post reports that the Yanks are engaged in discussions with the Rockies about their catcher, Hunter Goodman.
The Yankees are not alone in their interest in Goodman, and the price will be high considering that he still has multiple years of team control remaining. With the Twins now buyers and thus seemingly no longer willing to engage on Ryan Jeffers, New York’s options for a sorely needed upgrade at the position may be quite limited. They’ve also been linked to Adley Rutschman, but it’s not certain the Orioles are willing to trade him, especially to a division rival.
Tigers scratch Mize ahead of deadline
Tigers right-hander Casey Mize was slated to start on Friday against the A’s, but Detroit has altered those plans and will instead go with a bullpen game, as MLB.com notes. The decision suggests the Tigers are listening to trade offers for the 29-year-old Mize. While most of the attention when it comes to the Tigers surrounds whether or not they’ll trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Mize himself is a pending free agent who’s having a strong 2026. The former No. 1 overall pick will no doubt drum up interest on the market.
Brewers, Pirates interested in Weaver; other relievers also on the block
As part of the Mets’ forthcoming/ongoing fire sale, reliever Luke Weaver seems likely to be shipped off to a contender. Quality relievers are of course of broad interest to contenders this time of year, and the Athletic names the Brewers and Pirates as possible pursuers of a trade for the 32-year-old right-hander. Weaver is in the first year of a two-year, $22 million contract, and he’s been a highly effective bullpenner since converting from a starting role for the 2024 season.
Speaking of the Mets’ bullpen, the Pirates also have interest in right-hander Huascar Brazobán, the New York Post reports. Brazobán has been among the Mets’ more effective high-leverage arms this year and has three more years of team control.
Mets want premium prospect for Peralta
Right-hander Freddy Peralta, a pending free agent, on Friday night is scheduled to make what figures to be his last start in a Mets uniform. While Peralta has struggled in 2026, he has a much stronger recent track record going for him — from 2023-25, Peralta had an ERA+ of 124 and topped 30 starts and 200 strikeouts in each of those three seasons. As such, he’s expected to have a healthy market for his services leading up to Monday’s trade deadline. Speaking of which, the Mets and lead executive David Stearns will be seeking a top-100 overall prospect in exchange for Peralta, the Athletic reports. The Braves, Cubs, Rays, and Phillies may be among the teams with interest.
Mets begin sell-off with Minter-to-Twins trade
The Mets have traded veteran lefty reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins in exchange for a pair of prospects, the team announced Friday morning. The 32-year-old Minter is enjoying a standout season in 2026, and he’ll immediately fortify the struggling Minnesota bullpen as they angle to secure a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
As for the Mets, they’re getting a pair of infield prospects: Bruin Agbayani, the son of former Met Benny Agbayani, and Billy Amick. Agbayani, 19, was a sixth-round choice in 2025. Amick, 23, is a former second-rounder who has 23 home runs in 86 games at Double-A this season.
For the last-place Mets and lead decision-maker David Stearns, this is just the start of what figures to be a substantial sell-off before Monday’s deadline.
Very likely out the door before that deadline will be 40% of the current rotation — veteran right-handers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, to be specific. Peralta is a pending free agent who’s struggled this season but has a much stronger recent track record. Holmes is close to returning from a fractured fibula and has been a strong rotation piece since making the conversion from reliever prior to last season. He has a player option for 2027 in his contract that he seems unlikely to exercise. Other relievers who could follow Minter out of Queens include Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and Huascar Brazoban.
Dodgers eyeing Holmes
Speaking of Holmes, the Dodgers may have interest in acquiring the 33-year-old, ESPN reports. L.A. still has eyes for Tigers ace and back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but if the price isn’t acceptable to them — or if Detroit opts not to trade him — then they could pivot to a rotation depth piece like Holmes. The Dodgers’ rotation is presently beset by injuries, which means the two-time defending champs are highly likely to add a starting pitcher by Monday.
The other reason the Dodgers like Skubal
Speaking of the champs and the Detroit ace, the Dodgers’ motivations for pursuing Skubal in trade are, first and foremost, that he’s the top deadline talent who’s theoretically available and he fills their rotation void (and then some). The other part of the Dodgers’ Skubal chase, though, may have to do with gamesmanship. According to the New York Post, the Dodgers also fancy Skubal because landing him would by definition keep him away from their leading pennant rivals in the National League — namely, the Brewers, Braves, and Phillies, who all have varying degrees of interest in the decorated lefty.
Astros chasing Webb
The Astros have been asking after Giants ace Logan Webb, USA Today reports, but San Francisco continues to tell interested parties that Webb is not available in trade. This, of course, could just be posturing on the part of the Giants designed to drive up the asking price on Webb. Or it could be that lead executive Buster Posey doesn’t presently have the appetite for the scale of rebuild a Webb trade would suggest.
Available or not, the appeal of Webb is easy to see. The 29-year-old right-hander is a three-time All-Star who on three occasions has finished in the top six of the NL Cy Young vote. This season has not been Webb’s strongest to date, but the track record remains appealing.
Mathews promotion may hint at May trade
The Cardinals will promote left-handed starter Quinn Mathews in time to take the mound on Saturday against the Blue Jays. The 25-year-old out of Stanford has thrived in recent weeks thanks in part to improved control, and he’s not far removed from a 2024 campaign in which he struck out more than 200 batters across four different minor-league levels.
The promotion of Mathews, which will require the Cardinals to clear a spot on the 40-player roster, hints at what is already known — that Dustin May is very likely to be traded before the deadline. If that comes together before Mathews’ big-league debut, then Mathews could take May’s spot on the 40 and the active roster and his spot in the St. Louis rotation.
While the 29-year-old May doesn’t have especially strong top-line results, the underlying indicators are indeed quite strong, which makes him appealing on the market. He’s also stayed healthy and enjoyed a significant velocity rebound. May’s contract includes a mutual option for 2027 that, like most mutual options, will probably not come into play.
Red Sox still in infield market
The Red Sox, who have surged back into contention with a stellar July, thought they had largely addressed their infield problems with the recent trade with the Nationals that landed them Curtis Mead. Mead, however, suffered a wrist fracture in his first game with the Sox, and his absence is going to be a lengthy one. That may push the Sox back into the market for infield help leading up to the deadline. Possible Boston targets, according to the Athletic, include Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards of the Marlins, Zach Neto of the Angels, and Gleyber Torres of the Tigers.
Is Kevin O’Connell getting sick of the questions about whether the quarterback competition is a true competition? Maybe so.
Kyle Brandt, a co-host for Good Morning Football, asked about “this impression that maybe he wasn’t given enough opportunity.” Coach O’Connell began in a normal manner. Upbeat and positive, the skipper pointed toward McCarthy’s youth. Shortly thereafter, O’Connell offered the strange part of the answer: “Even the level of, I wouldn’t even say scrutiny, but even the tone of the question kind of falls under the category of I want, we want to let him develop.”
Kevin O’Connell Comments on “Tone” of Question
By no means was this a Matt Patricia moment. The former Lions coach infamously chastised a media member for poor posture, a truly bizarre thing to worry about from within the context of a Detroit team that was a joke.
What of the “tone” comment from Kevin O’Connell?
Pretty famously, O’Connell made past comments about franchises failing passers before passers fail franchises. That comment generated a ton of praise for him, especially since he was ascending as one of the NFL’s preeminent “QB whisperers.” Since then, Sam Darnold has been allowed to walk and McCarthy largely imploded in 2025. Some of the shine has worn off.
In the past, I’ve enumerated the reasons why O’Connell needs to shoulder a ton of blame for McCarthy’s poor play last year. Asking the kid to bounce back from injury behind a patchwork offensive line while he adjusted his mechanics and didn’t get ground support simply wasn’t a fair setup. That falls on O’Connell.
Do note, though, that O’Connell didn’t cross the line in his response. For starters, O’Connell’s tone was professional, even amicable. Furthermore, the broader context helps to better understand what he was getting at.
O’Connell clarified where he thinks the current development path is going: “So now what we’re trying to do is just make sure, always being mindful of his individual development, where we think he is at and how we can help get him to a place, through competition, that will be a really good outcome for J.J. and the Minnesota Vikings.”
— READ MORE: The Vikings’ Cap Space Comes into Fresh Focus —
— READ MORE: Hype Builds for Vikings Pass Catcher —
Brandt’s job in asking the question is to function as the interlocutor. Brandt does so by channelling a widespread perspective that McCarthy isn’t getting a fair shot at this thing.
— READ MORE: Brutal News for Jettisoned Vikings Pass Rusher —
— READ MORE: The Vikings Brought 9 Players to Town for a Workout —
Kevin O’Connell responds to the “scrutiny” and “tone” in a way that’s not accusative of Brandt specifically. Rather, his response is toward the broad assessment that Minnesota has given up on the young fella. At the risk of putting words in his mouth, I think Kevin O’Connell is saying, “There could be a sense that we’ve moved on, but that’s your perspective; my perspective is that McCarthy now needs to compete in a new way.”
As he continues developing the answer, O’Connell acknowledges the issues with injury. So, too, does the coach clarify that his main goal always needs to be what’s best for the team to compete, which is exactly right.
But then there’s also a commitment by continuing to push McCarthy. What has changed is the insertion of direct competition. To O’Connell’s eye, the Kyler Murray add does not signal Minnesota’s abandonment of McCarthy; all that has been adjusted is the amount of friction as McCarthy tries to continue securing the starting spot.
J.J. McCarthy finished his debut season as the main starter with 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He completed 57.6% of his passes for a total of 1,632 yards. Most concerning is that he missed a pile of time due to three separate injuries.
Kevin O’Connell gets back to work with his team later on today for training camp.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Linda Noskova of Czech Republic poses with the trophy after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON — Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen highlight the lineup of players nominated Friday to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Jasmine Paolini and doubles partner Sara Errani are back to lead two-time defending champion Italy in the competition, which features eight teams and will be held Sept. 22-27 in Shenzhen, China.
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Noskova will be joined by Karolina Muchova, the woman she beat in the Wimbledon final, plus top-ranked doubles player Katerina Siniakova, on a strong Czech Republic team.
Rybakina leads Kazakhstan and Zheng, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Games, leads host China.
Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina lead Ukraine.
Matchups feature two singles matches and a deciding doubles if necessary.
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Nations can make up to four changes to their squads until the day before the finals.
TEAM NOMINATIONS:
Belgium: Hanne Vandewinkel, Jeline Vandromme, Greet Minnen, Magali Kempen; Wim Fissette (captain).
China: Zhang Shuai, Wang Xiyu, Zheng Qinwen, Guo Hanyu, Jiang Xinyu; Zheng Jie (captain).
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Czech Republic: Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Katerina Siniakova; Barbora Strycova (captain).
Britain: Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, Jodie Burrage; Anne Keothavong (captain)
Italy: Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, Sara Errani; Tathiana Garbin (captain).
Kazakhstan: Elena Rybakina, Yulia Putintseva, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, Anna Danilina; Yuriy Schukin (captain).
Spain: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera, Sara Sorribes Tormo; Carla Suarez Navarro (captain).
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Ukraine: Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Dayana Yastremska, Lyudmyla Kichenok; Illya Marchenko (captain).
India’s flagship track and field star Neeraj Chopra returns to the Commonwealth Games stage tonight as he competes in the Men’s Javelin Throw Final at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Having captured gold at Gold Coast 2018 and missed out on Birmingham 2022 due to an injury, Chopra aims to reclaim the Commonwealth crown in what promises to be one of the most high-octane field finals of the Games.
The final is scheduled to start at 12:45 AM IST on Saturday, August 1.
Overcoming tricky Commonwealth Games Glasgow weather in qualification
Neeraj Chopra sealed his place in the 12-man final after posting a best mark of 79.61m on his second attempt during Thursday’s preliminary round. While the mark remained below his usual standards and national record of 90.23m, it proved more than enough to place fifth overall in a qualification session heavily disrupted by cold temperatures and unpredictable crosswinds.
No thrower in the 18-man qualifying field managed to cross the automatic qualification benchmark of 84.00m. Speaking after the round, Chopra noted that the primary focus was simply securing a spot in the final round without overexerting in severe conditions.
Heavyweight line-up awaits in the final of Javelin Throw at Commonwealth Games
The field assembled for the Glasgow final represents one of the deepest lineups in Commonwealth Games history:
- Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan): The reigning Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion qualified seventh with a throw of 78.63m.
- Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka): The rising South Asian star topped qualification with an 82.84m effort and enters with a world-leading 92.62m personal best set earlier this season.
- Anderson Peters (Grenada) and Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago): Global champions who add immense championship experience to the 12-man final.
India’s triple presence in Glasgow final
India enters the final as the only country with three throwers competing for medals. Joining Chopra in the final are Rohit Yadav, who qualified ninth with a throw of 78.37m, and Yash Vir Singh, who placed tenth with a mark of 78.36m. With three Indian throwers in peak form and an elite international field, tonight’s Javelin Throw final at Scotstoun Stadium is set to be one of the marquee events of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Edited by Ashwin
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is coming off the physically unable to perform list as he continues his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The move clears Kraft to return to practice, though Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the 2023 third-round draft pick wouldn’t be participating in team drills for now.
“We’re just going to kind of get him back ingrained into the process and into individual,” LaFleur said before the Packers’ practice Friday. “What’s great is when they do come off PUP, then now he can partake in some of the walk-through periods, especially that we do in the evenings, just to get him back hearing the call, lining up and then just going through that.”
Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games last season before tearing his right ACL on Nov. 2 during a 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The week before his injury, Kraft caught seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-25 victory at Pittsburgh.
Kraft said during Green Bay’s mandatory minicamp in June that he expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener at Minnesota and that he believed he was playing as well as any tight end in the NFL at the time of his injury.
This isn’t the first time Kraft opened a training camp on the PUP list. It also happened in 2024 after he tore a pectoral muscle that May.
“I was on the PUP for the start of a training camp going into the 2024 season, so came off the PUP and I played a full year completely healthy,” Kraft said Wednesday. “So that that’s the goal this time, is when I come off the PUP, there’s, you know, obviously some guardrails for me there initially as far as some activations, getting acclimated to the team reps and things like that, but playing the rest of the year fully healthy.”
Alas Pilipinas women’s team ahead of its match vs Vietnam in the SEA V Cup Legi 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas women’s team succumbed to Vietnam, 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25, in the opening day of SEA V Cup Leg 1 on Friday evening at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi.
After losing in the first two sets, Alas put up a gallant stand in the third with Bella Belen scoring two consecutive kills, followed by Jia De Guzman’s 1-2 play to mount a 23-17 lead.
Vietnam answered with three straight points before Dell Palomata scored off the block to reach set point, 24-20. Belen closed out the set to extend the match.
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However, the home team was quick to recover and dominate the fourth to seal their first win, with Tran Thi Thanh Thuy leading the charge.
Japanese coach Taka Minowa’s debut as Alas Pilipinas coach was spoiled by the Vietnamese.
Alas Pilipinas, the winner of four straight bronze medals in the tournament since 2024, will have a short turnaround as it faces Thailand on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Filipinos nearly snatched the first set after Erika Santos and Bella Belen sent Alas to set point, 24-23, but Thuy forced a deuce for the Vietnamese.
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Palomata scored crucial hits, but Alyssa Solomon’s attack error sent the host to set point, 27-26, before Eya Laure saved a point. Thuy then put on the finishing touches, capped by a block on Solomon, to complete Vietnam’s comeback from Alas’ 5-1 start.
Vietnam, eyeing a second straight crown after ruling last year’s Leg 2, takes on Indonesia next.
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Kevin O’Connell lived up to his word. The skipper said Caleb Banks would be ready for the beginning of training camp and that proved to be true.
Seeing the hulking defensive lineman get onto the field should be understood as being very positive. Recent years have seen the Vikings fall short of expectations in large part due to the young lads not contributing a ton. Put simply, that trend needs to reverse if the Vikings are going get to where they want to go in 2026 and beyond.
The Vikings: Caleb Banks is Practicing
The Vikings’ social media understands that getting the 1st-Round selection onto the field is a major development. Check out the brief clip:
Of course, there’s not a ton that can be gleaned from just the brief moments. Nothing overly spectacular gets included but seeing Banks explode into the bag is a reminder of his power. Any lineman needs to be able to uncoil his hips to give his mitts power. Banks, in theory, should be a force in this regard given his unusually impressive build.
Ncaa Football Florida Gators Spring Football Practice. © Matt Pendleton / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Consider what his upside looks like from the perspective of the pre-draft assessment.
The analysis from Lance Zierlein on the NFL’s website: “Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits. Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count.”
Further from Zierlein: “His high center of gravity allows double teams to generate displacement, so a move to odd-front end could be in his best interest as a run defender. Like a grappler without submission knowledge, Banks is still learning to unlock his physical advantages so he can turn them into sacks. His traits and flashes at the Senior Bowl make him an enticing prospect, but injury concerns are a potential stumbling block for him.”
— READ MORE: OL Gets Nice Boost as Vikings’ Star Left Tackle Said to be Ready —
— READ MORE: The Vikings Brought 9 Players to Town for a Workout —
— READ MORE: Jadeveon Clowney is Becoming Popular, So it’s Time for Vikings to Call —
Part of the concern with being hurt is the lost reps for “polish.”
Consider, as a clarifying example, the development of J.J. McCarthy. The young passer doesn’t lack for raw talent but his mechanics have sometimes been off. As a result, the play at quarterback hasn’t always been up to the Vikings’ standard. How often have Minnesota’s decision makers pointed toward the missed practice time as the reason for McCarthy’s Sunday struggles?
Similarly, the Vikings are betting on a 1st-Round selection with great athletic ability in Caleb Banks. He, too, is coming to the Twin Cities with a pile upside but in need of further refinement. Getting Mr. Banks onto the field to soak up that ultra-specific coaching from Ryan Nielsen is a great update for the Vikings.
Two things remain uncertain: can the kid stay healthy and can he snatch away a starter’s job in time for Week 1? Only time can offer certainty here.
The surest bet along the defensive line can be found in Jalen Redmond. He’s no longer just a good story (but he is still that). Rather, he has become a weekly difference maker who is looking to get recognized around the NFL instead of just in the Minnesota area. Think those early Adam Thielen days before he started getting love around that league. That’s where Redmond finds himself.
Don’t be surprised if Redmond earns a Pro Bowl spot after the 2026 season.
Otherwise, the main names to know belong to Levi Drake Rodriguez, Ty Ingram-Dawkins (possibly more of an edge rusher now), Domonique Orange, and Elijah Williams. Can the unheralded fellas — Eric Johnson, Smith Vilbert, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Taki Taimani, and so on — assert themselves in the coming weeks?
Caleb Banks, 23, stands at 6’6″ and 325 pounds. Health permitting, Banks will become a very good player.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
All along, Vikings pass catcher Jordan Addison has oozed ability. He has had a quiet offeseason, a great development for the fourth-year receiver who has been playing well.
Will Ragatz of Bring Me the News sent along a short video after the debut training camp practice. Within the broader update, Ragatz notes that Minnesota’s WR2 was “just everywhere.” In fact, Ragatz suggested that an uneducated onlooker might conclude that “Addison is the Vikings’ best receiver.” Being “all over the field” is a nice update for the young fella who could be careening toward a “huge year.”
Jordan Addison as a Vikings Pass Catcher Ready to Explode
Opting for Mr. Addison at No. 23 in the 2023 NFL Draft seems obvious now but wasn’t fully so at the time.
— READ MORE: The Vikings’ Cap Space Comes into Fresh Focus —
— READ MORE: Brutal News for Jettisoned Vikings Pass Rusher —
— READ MORE: The Vikings Brought 9 Players to Town for a Workout —
Many, myself included, felt like Minnesota should go for a corner. Instead, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a great move by choosing the USC receiver with speed to spare. He instantly became the Vikings’ second most lethal threat in the passing game, proving to be fully capable of overcoming a modest build to create room on the field.
As a rookie, Jordan Addison turned 108 targets into 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. Of particular promise is the 13.0 yards-per-catch average alongside the ability to put points on the board. Not everyone can be so lethal at getting the pigskin into the end zone.
Addison has since had more modest seasons. Some of that has been due to missing time. In 2024, Addison played in just fifteen games due to injury. He then dropped down to fourteen games in 2025 due to suspension. Worse yet, the disaster at quarterback pushed his production down even further: 42 catches for 610 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Now, not every problem can be pinned on the passer.
Last season, Mr. Addison struggled with drops. He tossed up his highest amount — 6 — even though he played in the lowest amount of games in his career. In fact, Addison’s half dozen drops last year exceed his combined total as a rookie and sophomore, which come in at 5. His drop percentage skyrocketed to 7.6% after 2.8% in 2023 and 2.0% in 2024.
The early days of training camp have seen Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy battle in front of coaches, teammates, and even some fans. Whoever earns the job will need to show a strong rapport with Addison since he’s the main way to hurt the defense when the other side is going all out on slowing Justin Jefferson.
Motivation shouldn’t be an issue for the young fella. A player can get extended after his third season. Addison is now at that stage but hasn’t seen his deal adjusted apart from getting the 5th-year option on his rookie deal picked up.
At minimum, the Vikings appear committed to a pair more seasons of employing him. What he does in 2026 and 2027 will largely influence his ability to pull the Vikings to the negotiation table to get the finishing touches done on a meaty extension.
Jordan Addison is 24. Seeing him clear 1,000 yards should become normal for him.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Godswill Akpabio United FC have officially unveiled Edward Green as their new head coach after he signed a two-year contract with the Nigeria National League (NNL) club in Uyo on Friday.
Green takes over from Lawrence Kingsley and will lead the team into the 2026/27 season.
The appointment is a major step in Green’s coaching career as it is his first time leading a professional football club as head coach.
Before this move, Green worked as an assistant coach at Akwa United, Sporting Lagos and Rivers United, where he gained valuable experience and earned respect for his tactical knowledge.
Speaking after his unveiling, Green expressed his happiness at joining the club.
“It is a privilege to become Head Coach of Godswill Akpabio United.
“I believe in the vision of this football club and I am excited to begin this journey. Together with the players, technical staff and supporters, we will work tirelessly to build a competitive team that reflects the values and ambitions of this great club.”
Green started his coaching career with Ikot Ekpene United before spending five successful years as assistant manager at Akwa United. He later moved to Sporting Lagos and then Rivers United, adding more experience in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He is also one of the few Nigerian coaches who holds a UEFA C coaching licence, showing his commitment to learning and developing as a coach.
Godswill Akpabio United will now hope Green can use his experience to help the club achieve its goals in the Nigeria National League.
With a two-year contract in place, all eyes will be on the new coach as he begins his first job as head coach of a professional football club.
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