David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Summer Honors Pile Up for Golden Gophers Anthony Smith

Posted on July 20, 2026July 20, 2026 by David Shama

The way it looks now, Golden Gophers edge rusher Anthony Smith could be a consensus All-American in 2026.

Smith, listed at 6-6, 285-pounds, had 17.5 tackles for loss and a Big Ten leading 12.5 sacks as a redshirt junior last season. The Pennsylvania native was named first team All-Big Ten by the league coaches and second team by the media.

That 2025 season has been a springboard to a summer of national projections naming him not only preseason All-Big Ten but also All-American. Here’s a look at some of the prominent sources predicting stardom for Minnesota’s sack man.

Phil Steele Publications is annually recognized as elite in evaluating college football. PSP named Smith to its All-American first team, along with Minnesota offensive senior guard Greg Johnson.

Lindy’s Big Ten preview gave Smith first team honors, too. The publication listed him No. 6 among top 10 NFL talent in the Big Ten. “Arguably the most underrated pass rusher nationally,” Lindy’s wrote.

Athlon named Smith a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten. Walter Camp Foundation also has Smith as a second teamer.

The Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team organizers made an impressive gesture to Smith by including him on a 22-man list of nominees. The final honorees will be selected by their accomplishments both on and off the field.

Anthony Smith Gopher football player — Anthony Smith photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Per Gophersports.com: “Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities like the annual turkey drive and kids camp and he has also helped Girl Scouts sell cookies. He has also visited schools and spent time at (Minneapolis) Annunciation Catholic School last year, in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. Smith also made a four-hour trip to a school in Austin, Minn., to surprise a class that wrote him persuasive letters to visit.”

Smith has no teammates receiving the kind of preseason attention he is attracting but there is notoriety for other Gophers including left guard Johnson mentioned above. The left side of the offensive line looks formidable with left tackle sophomore Nathan Roy listed as a preseason second team All-Big Ten choice by Lindy’s.

Gopher senior cornerback John Nestor was named to the watch list for the annual Lott Trophy awarded to the nation’s outstanding defensive back. PSP named Nestor and linebacker Maverick Baranowski second team All-Big Ten defense.

Baranowski received the same honor from Lindy’s, while Nestor was on the publication’s third team.

Athlon named Johnson and running back Darius Taylor to its second team All-Big Ten offense. The publication included Baranowski and Nestor on its second team defense.

Roy was third team, while Athlon fourth team choices included wide receiver Jalen Smith, safety Kerry Brown and punter Tom Weston.

The Gophers have talent but also questions to answer as they near the start of preseason camp on August 3.

The right side of the offensive line is a concern and so, too, is who emerges on offense to be a force. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey must continue his first-year performance and ideally emerge as a prolific passer. Jalen Smith could be a star catching the ball after his impressive first season in 2025. Running back Taylor is a big play runner and receiver but has no track record for being healthy all season.

The defense needs interior linemen to emerge and for a couple of standouts in the secondary to make up for the transfer of All-American safety Koi Perich to Oregon. The pass rush should be formidable with not only Smith, but newcomer TJ Bush and holdovers Karter Menz and Jaxon Howard. Minnesota’s defense, okay against the run last year but not good versus the pass, has to be better against elite teams. Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa all scored over 40 points each in 2025, while mediocre Northwestern put up 38.

Special teams should get a boost with the hiring of new coach Daniel Da Prato whose resume at other programs has been impressive. Help is needed with the Gophers ready to field a new kicker and returners.

The pre-season predictions are for the Gophers to qualify for another bowl game with a regular season record of seven to eight wins. A repeat of last season’s 5-4 Big Ten record is possible if the better players stay healthy. As referenced, there is talent but also questions including the not previously mentioned lack of proven depth in most positions.

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Wild Owner: Tone of Hughes Contract Talks ‘Very Positive’

Posted on July 18, 2026July 18, 2026 by David Shama

Last season the Minnesota Wild played like a team that could compete with the best clubs in the NHL. The Wild isn’t a heavy favorite (Hurricanes and Avs) to win the Stanley Cup next year, but Minnesota is keeping company with the top six or so NHL elites.

The Wild’s “window” for the next few seasons looks like the best in franchise history. To keep the “windowpane” clear, the Wild need to retain Quinn Hughes whose contract expires next July.

Wild owner Craig Leipold spoke with Sports Headliners earlier this week and said talks between Hughes’ agent and Wild general manager Bill Guerin began a couple of weeks ago.

“We’re making progress,” Leipold said. “I don’t think there’s anything imminent, but we all know we want to sign him, and we believe he wants to stay here. So, I feel good that there’s going to be a resolution and hopefully he’ll be happy and we’ll be happy but…until it’s done you never know.”

What’s the tone of the conversations?

“Positive. Very positive,” Leipold said. “I mean we are not discouraged at all with the way the conversation has gone. We feel like he wants to play here. He has said that. He liked it here. He likes our team. I mean everybody on the team loves him.

“I really do feel like we’re going to get something done. It’s just a question of how many years will it be. And that will probably be really up to Quinn. How long does he want to stay here?”

Substance of the talks?

“They haven’t really homed in on anything,” Leipold said. “So, I’ve kind of asked the same question of Billy and it’s like: You know, we’re just everything is a brainstorm right now. …Is it eight years? If it’s five years. If it’s three years. So, until they lock into the length of the contract and the amount, Billy and the agent are still talking.”

The 26-year-old Orlando, Florida born Hughes is among the best defensemen in the NHL. His next contract could be a three-year deal at $16 to $18 million average annual value (salary and bonuses). That could move him ahead of Wild superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million.

For years the Wild has been searching for a star centerman who could further increase the team’s chances of bringing the Stanley Cup to Minnesota. Leipold said the commitment is ongoing.

Wild owner Craig Leipold — Craig Leipold

“Absolutely. We have recognized for 10 years that a No. 1 centerman is what we need and we’ve needed it for a long time. We have such a great team and to get a No. 1 centerman is very hard to do and usually you have to draft that person. So, we’d love to fill that position. It would be an important move on our team if we could.”

Red Wings standout center Dylan Larkin wants out in Detroit. He is 29, has a favorable contract at a reported $8.7 million annually and his name has been linked to Minnesota.

“We really can’t comment on it because he’s under contract,” Leipold said. “And honestly, I really know (only) what’s happening based on what I read in the newspaper. I am sure Billy has been talking to (outgoing Detroit boss) Steve Yzerman, but we don’t really discuss that. …He’s under contract and we need to respect that.”

Guerin isn’t reluctant to trade as he’s shown in the past, including the deal that brought Hughes from the Canucks to Minnesota last December. Who might be considered untouchable on the Wild roster regarding a trade?

“Billy and I have never had that conversation,” Leipold answered. “But I could bet…if I were to ask Billy, I think he and I would probably be in agreement with who they would be. Your next question would be, well, who would that be and I wouldn’t answer that.”

Whatever happens this offseason, Wild fans are eager to see more of their team. Leipold said about 95 percent of season tickets have been renewed, right in line with the best percentages in franchise history dating back to the 2000-2001 season. The recent renewal happened even though there was, Leipold said, an increase in all ticket price categories.

Asked about a summer message to fans, the owner said: “…We’re working hard to not just be better but to be elite. That is our goal. We have a really, really great core of players. And as good as the players we have, we want to get better, and if we do get better than we are today, then that makes us an elite team if we can do that. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Leipold purchased a minority stake in the Twins last year. Does he see that expanding?

“I don’t see it right now. I am having a lot of fun in the investment that I have right now—which we’re not publicizing what the investment is, or how much it is.

“But I’ve been to six games. We need more people out there.

“This (team) depth is so exciting right now. It’s fun to go to the games. They’re fast, they’re two hours and 35 minutes on average…about the same as a hockey game. It moves quickly. So, the rule changes they have had, I think have been very positively received.

“But I am really enjoying the experience with (the Pohlad family Twins leader) Tom Pohlad, and what the Twins are doing, and I am excited about baseball. I think it’s a good sport right now to be involved in from an investment standpoint.”

Does Leipold rule out acquiring more of the baseball franchise in the future?

“I wouldn’t rule out anything. We all want to see how the collective bargaining agreement turns out (current agreement ends December 1).”

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Ads, Interview & Golf Put KOC in News Prior to Camp

Posted on July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 by David Shama

The Vikings don’t open training camp until July 26 (rookies and quarterbacks) but head coach Kevin O’Connell is making news.

O’Connell will be filming TV commercials this week for Blaze Credit Union as part of his new endorsement partnership with the Minnesota-based, member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative. The ads will be seen around the time the Vikings’ regular season begins in September.

The coach will also make radio commercials and be seen on billboards. A Blaze spokesperson wrote that there is also a “charity component” to the partnership but no community events are scheduled yet.

“We chose to partner with O’Connell, because of his character and reputation,” Dan Stoltz, Blaze CEO and president, said in an announcement statement. “He is a genuine person who knows what it takes to lead both on and off the field. He treats every individual with sincerity and respect which aligns with Blaze to the core.”

Blaze (a Sports Headliners advertiser) is known for working with prominent and high character local sports figures including Brock Faber, Tony Oliva and Lindsay Whalen. Before leaving the Vikings, quarterback Kirk Cousins was a celebrity endorser for Blaze.

O’Connell was a guest last week on the “Dan Patrick Show” seen and heard nationally on TV and radio. He reiterated he’s not ready to commit to a starting quarterback in the competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. He again stressed the goal of the competition for the job elevating the quality of quarterback performance on his team.

O’Connell is entering his fifth season as the team’s head coach. He pointed out on the show that in the two years his starting quarterback was able to play full seasons the team has won 13 and 14 games respectively in 2022 and 2024.

O’Connell is a high level amateur golfer and is back in town after participating in the American Century Champion Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort golf course in Nevada. He finished No. 81 among 90 entrants in the annual tournament that includes athletes and entertainers and ended Sunday, according to results from Nbcsports.com.

The Wild’s Matt Boldy was ninth in the field. Former Viking Adam Thielen tied for 16^th,, while another former Viking, Patrick Peterson, was 20^th. Minneapolis native and NFL great Larry Fitzgerald Jr. tied for 22^nd. Twins Hall of Famer Joe Mauer tied for 51^st.

Edina-born and former pro tennis player Mardy Fish won the tournament for a third time having previous triumphs in 2020 and 2024. He won $150,000 in the $750,000 tournament.

Worth Noting

Minnesota natives and pitchers Louie Varland and Max Meyer were chosen for the 2026 American and National League All-Star rosters respectively. They are first-time all-stars representing the AL Blue Jays and NL Marlins.

The most memorable year for native Minnesota All-Stars was probably 1985. St. Paul’s Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Dave Winfield were chosen for the All-Star Game representing the Brewers, Tigers and Yankees respectively. Fittingly, the game was played at the Metrodome with the National League winning 6-1.

Derek Shelton, a coach for the American League in tonight’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, is among the wagering favorites to win American League Manager of the Year. To do so the Twins, 48-49, will have to make the playoffs. No manager in either league has won the award since 2006 without skippering a postseason club.

Other betting favorites for the award include two Central Division rivals, Will Venable from the White Sox and Stephen Vogt (2025 winner) from the Guardians. Dan Wilson, the former All-American catcher for the Golden Gophers, is also a favorite for his work with the Mariners.

Wilson played for John Anderson, the now retired Gopher coach who will receive the prestigious Lefty Gomez Award next January from the American Baseball Coaches Association. The annual award is presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to baseball locally, nationally, and internationally.

Referred to affectionately as “14” by admirers (his unform number), Anderson was known for his success in not only winning games, but also the classy way he impacted the Gopher program including his players. He became Minnesota’s coach in 1981 and retired after the 2024 season as the winningest baseball coach in Big Ten history.

Anderson texted the following regarding the award: “Humbling honor that is an achievement by an army of people that contributed to the program’s success during my leadership of the Gopher baseball program. Nothing is accomplished by one individual. I am grateful for all those special relationships that I shared over the years.”

Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck speaks to the Capital Club on July 21 at Mendakota Country Club. Going into his 10^th season leading the Gophers, the personable Fleck is now the second longest tenured Big Ten coach at his school after Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (28^th season leading the Hawkeyes). For more information on the breakfast program, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketing.com

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