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Vikings Miss Ex-GM Rick Spielman’s Drafts, Roster Building

Posted on December 6, 2025December 6, 2025 by David Shama

The 4-8 Vikings might be headed toward their worst season since the 2015 team won only five games. It wouldn’t be surprising if ownership is scrutinizing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Although he doesn’t have a football playing or coaching background, he was hired in 2022 and has since overseen four college drafts. The results have been disappointing, with the drafts not helping the Vikings much with starting players.

A major issue in 2025 is quarterback and the failed play of three performers including preferred starter J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings chose McCarthy with their No. 10 selection in the first round of the 2024 draft and passed on Bo Nix who the Broncos chose later in that round. He was an immediate success in Denver and has been a clutch performer for the 10-2 Broncos.

It’s believed that quarterback guru and head coach Kevin O’Connell is the loudest voice in the decision-making process regarding the quarterback roster, but the Wilfs are unlikely to be too displeased with KOC. The coach almost certainly led the decision to gamble on the unproven McCarthy this offseason.

Yet the Wilfs know their coach has been nationally praised for raising the play of former Vikings quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold while producing unexpected winning seasons. The personable head coach has yet to win a playoff game, but he’s led Minnesota to 13-4 and 14-3 seasons and one NFC North Division title.

Adofo-Mensah’s four drafts have produced three 2025 starters on offense (Jordan Addison, Donovan Jackson and McCarthy) and none on defense.

College drafts directed by former executive Rick Spielman prior to 2022 contributed four offensive starters (Christian Darrisaw, C.J. Ham, Justin Jefferson and Brian O’Neill) and two on defense (Josh Mettelus and Harrison Smith). Ham, a fullback, is sometimes listed as a starter and other times replaced by wide receiver Jalen Nailor from the 2022 draft. If Nailor is counted as a starter, that gives Adofo-Mensah five regulars on offense from his drafts.

Adofo-Mensah has filled a lot of positions, and often with success, particularly on defense, by signing free agents from other teams. However, that maneuver, along with the Spielman holdovers, has contributed to the Vikings having one of the oldest NFL rosters in the last few years.

Special teams include another Spielman era vet, Pro Bowl long snapper Andrew DePaola who was acquired as a free agent. Adofo-Mensah has his own free agent standout in rookie kickoff off returner Myles Price. He drafted place kicker Will Reichard who this season became the first in NFL history to have four field goals of 59 yards or more.

This last offseason the Adofo-Mensah committed a reported $300 million or so on signing veteran free agents including Jonathan Allen, Will Fries, Javon Hargrave and Ryan Kelly. The total is reportedly the second highest by an NFL team last offseason. It was part of a strategy to upgrade the talent on offense and defense supporting McCarthy, rather than spending big bucks on a free agent quarterback like Darnold.

The Spielman era right now looks like the glory days of personnel acquisition. He had a long run in the front office, initially serving as vice president of personnel starting in 2006 and then acquiring the GM title in 2012.

In a position of authority where no one is even close to perfect, Spielman was right about a lot of choices in the college draft including Dalvin Cook, Christian Darrisaw, Steffon Diggs, Everson Griffen, Percy Harvin, Danielle Hunter, Jefferson, Eric Kendricks, Adrian Peterson, Brian O’Neill, Sidney Rice and Harrison Smith.

Spielman, who will be remembered as an above-average draft evaluator, had some clunkers including first round busts Mike Hughes, Laquon Treadwell and Christian Ponder. He never found a long-term franchise savior at quarterback and had his struggles acquiring offensive line talent that worked out.

But it’s telling that almost four years after he was fired, several of his players are still starting in an industry where longevity is not that common. And BTW, his 2022 starters included eight players on offense whom he had drafted and six on defense.

Worth Noting

The Vikings have allowed no passing touchdowns and fewer than 200 net passing yards in three consecutive games, the longest streak by any NFL team this season. This is the franchise’s longest streak since a four-game stretch in December 2018.

Interest in the Vikings is waning, with some fans turning off their TV sets and ticket outlets offering admission for less than $100. StubHub advertised multiple seat locations earlier this week for the Commanders game at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday for $62 or less. The best offer on Christmas Day to see the Lions in Minneapolis, though, was $110.

The Gophers 2026 football recruiting class, ranked No. 24 in the 247Sports in the composite national rankings early last week, is now No. 29 as other schools finalize their incoming classes.

With Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman unexpectedly retiring last week, could it re-open the Gopher recruiting of juco wide receiver Derrick Salley Jr. who signed his National Letter of Intent with the Wildcats? Salley, considered the best juco wide receiver in the nation, made a verbal commitment to Minnesota before switching to the Wildcats. Under the circumstances of Klieman retiring, it’s believed the NCAA would allow Salley to go elsewhere.

Former Gopher offensive lineman Greg Eslinger, ex-Saint John’s wide receiver Blake Elliott and former North Dakota/Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser were elected to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame in January and will be officially inducted Tuesday evening during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class is comprised of 18 players and four coaches including Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. Only two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played or coached in the college game have earned the Hall of Fame distinction.

ESPN+ will televise the event.

The College Football Playoff, with matchups announced tomorrow, will consist of four rounds. The first will be hosted by the higher seeds (5 versus. 12, 8 vs. 9, 6 vs. 11, and 7 vs. 10) on Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21. The winners of those games advance to the quarterfinals to play the 1-4 seeds as part of the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The semifinals will be hosted by the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Peach Bowl on Friday, Jan 9. The National Championship will be held on Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla.

The Gophers will also learn their bowl game destination tomorrow. Best guess is the Rate Bowl in Phoenix, possibly against 8-4 Iowa State. Minnesota’s eight game bowl winning streak is the longest in the nation.

A lot of Canadians are upset with the United States because of trade, tariffs and rhetoric. That’s not a positive development for ticket sales for the upcoming IHF World Junior Championship December 25-January 5 in the Twin Cities. Organizers are hoping that Canadians, who adore the annual 10-nation tournament that showcases the best under 20-year-old hockey players in the world, will attend rather than boycott.

Adding to the border intrigue is that Canada and the United States have an intense hockey rivalry including in the Junior Tournament. The Americans have won the last two tournaments, with Canada winning gold the two previous years.

The United States will play Germany in an opening game December 26 at Grand Casino Arena. A portion of the 29-game tournament schedule will also be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci. https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-world-junior-championship-schedule

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov captained the 2017 Russian team that won bronze in the tournament. In seven games he had nine goals and three assists.

Tim Leiweke, the marketing whiz who was a key figure in the launch of the Timberwolves franchise decades ago, was pardoned this week by President Donald Trump after his indictment in a bid-rigging conspiracy.

The St. Thomas women’s volleyball team that was the first in school history to qualify for a Division I tournament saw its season end yesterday in a five-set tourney loss to Iowa State at the University of Minnesota.

St. Thomas Academy freshman goalie Owen Hall went 131:14 this season before allowing a goal.

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U Football Recruiting Class Emphasizes Speed, Athleticism

Posted on December 2, 2025December 2, 2025 by David Shama

National Signing Day for high school and junior college football players is tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3. Unveiling the 2026 Golden Gophers class will provide a glimpse into potential key contributors to the program next fall and beyond.

Sports Headliners interviewed local recruiting guru Ryan Burns from GopherIllustrated and 247Sports. When asked what’s interesting regarding the class, he replied it’s the emphasis to improve team speed and athleticism.

That emphasis is particularly true on offense, Burns said, singling out three players who are expected to sign their National Letters of Intent with Minnesota soon as part of a 31-man recruiting class ranked by 247Sports. He believes those players could accomplish what head coach P.J. Fleck and staff want to do on offense which is attack defenses vertically and sideline-to-sideline.

At about 6-foot-4 and 225-pounds Roman Voss is targeted to play tight end for the Gophers and was a legendary performer for Jackson County Central in southwestern Minnesota. The Gophers had to fight off blue-blood Alabama to keep the offensive and defensive star home.

Voss finished his prep career with a school record of 5,661 passing yards and 58 touchdown passes, per MaxPreps. He set the career rushing record with 4,686 yards and 65 touchdowns. A linebacker and safety on defense, he not only played quarterback on offense but also had 17 receptions for 383 yards as a receiver.

With that resume, Voss might even get an opportunity to be a wildcat quarterback, running and passing in a key game situation. His big frame could be an asset as a “tush push” guy similar to how Penn State used All-American tight end Tyler Warren in 2024.

A second player Burns highlighted is running back Ryan Estrada from El Paso. He said Estrada, listed at about 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds by 247, has averaged 12 to 13 yards per carry for three seasons playing against teams with large school enrollments. “He is very, very quick, very, very fast and that’s a skillset that Minnesota doesn’t have,” Burns said.

At running back in 2026 the Gophers figure to return versatile runner-receiver Darius Taylor and power runner Fame Ijeboi. Taylor is shifty and adept at changing direction but neither he nor Ijeboi have catch me if you can speed.

Burns referred to Braiden Stevens from Platte County, Missouri as “Minnesota’s version of Kaden Wetjen.” Big Ten fans know Iowa Hawkeye game breaker Wetjen as a speedster who can deliver a big play in any game as a return man and receiver.

Listed at just 5-8 and 165-pounds, Stevens can run a 10.4 100-meter dash, per Burns. That could translate into explosiveness at slot receiver including catching bubble screens. He might also be a gamebreaker on jet sweeps and in the return game.

“I think maybe all three of them (Voss, Estrada, Stevens) can potentially play as true freshmen,” Burns said.

Howie Johnson, from Forest Lake, is 247’s highest rated future Gopher. “He’s the most relentless defensive tackle who’s strong like a bull,” Burns said. “ … He’s very quick, he’s got a relentless motor. I think he’s someone that hopefully early in his career can be a really good pass rusher for Minnesota. That’s where I think he thrives.”

Johnson, followed by Voss, Rico Blassingame, the wide receiver from Arizona and Aaden Aytch, edge rusher from Indiana, are all 247 four-stars, although Blassingame is a three-star in the 247 composite rankings that include other recruiting sources. The next highest rated is Rocori offensive lineman Andrew Trout, who although he gets a three-star ranking from 247, also earns a four-star in the composite rankings.

“I mean he’s like you draw them up in a lab,” Burns said. “I mean he’s…to me the best offensive line prospect from the state since Greg Johnson (Gopher junior guard) a few years ago…

“I’ve seen Andrew Trout for a very long time and he’s legitimately 6-foot-7, 300 pounds and he looks like he’s 250 pounds. He’s exactly like it looks. If he can stay healthy and add strength, that’s a guy you can pencil in at tackle for three years, and then good things will happen.”

Who among the 2026 class might have the most impactful career? And possibly even start next fall as a true freshman?

Burns first mentioned Voss, noting the Gophers lose three tight ends after this season and he could see the Minnesota prep playing right away. “Roman Voss gives them a skillset they don’t have. He’s great with the ball in his hands. You can use him in a lot of different ways.”

Trout is part of Burns’ response, too, noting it’s believed he has set the state record for tackles for loss.” And there are Stevens and Estrada with their speed and potential big play ability.

Among the most recent verbal commits now expected to sign with the Gophers is three-star quarterback Brady Palmer from San Diego. Palmer had been committed to Cal before the head coaching change. Burns said Palmer, who counted college offers from the likes of former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, was recruited by Minnesota offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. going back 18 months.

By state the class as comprised now (there could be Wednesday dropouts and additions) consists of four players each from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, per 247. After that are Minnesota and Arizona with three each.

Often the Gophers have a few more state natives, but Minnesota is not considered rich recruiting territory by major college teams. “I don’ think the state of Minnesota is great at producing talent,” Burns said. “I think it’s kind of an anomaly they’re taking more Wisconsin kids than they are Minnesota kids, especially cause a lot of those Wisconsin kids are more project types that they’re just trying to take (a)…shot on.”

Of course, the Gophers won’t make perfect decisions on every player in the state. They and other programs will misjudge players they give scholarships to and blow the opportunity to take someone else—sometimes available right under their I-Pads.

It looks like the Gophers are passing on Minnetonka running back Caleb Francois. Despite being a touchdown machine and named Strib Varsity All-Minnesota Player of the Year, Burns said the Gophers “really didn’t recruit him very heavily.” He added that Iowa State, where Francois is headed, was the only Power Four school to offer the playmaker.

Gopher fans will be fingers crossed there’s not a repeat of the Emmett Johnson gaffe. The Minneapolis native was the state’s 2021 Mr. Football and this year the Nebraska running back is leading the Big Ten with 1,451 yards rushing. He’s a top candidate for post season Big Ten and national awards.

Burns said Johnson wanted to be a Gopher, but Fleck was only going to take one running back in the class of 2022 and that was Zach Evans from Texas. Burns also said recruiters hesitated about Johnson’s speed and ability to make tacklers miss, and that for much of the recruiting cycle he had no Power Five offers. That was true even after he made an official visit to Nebraska.

“Then the offer came just before Signing Day and he took it, and he’s obviously done really, really well with it,” Burns said. “Minnesota did not offer him. Nebraska was the only Power Five school to do so and they certainly look like a genius.”

The Gophers 2026 class is ranked No. 24 in the 247 rankings and its composite rankings. As more schools fill in their classes in the closing hours, including blue-bloods, Minnesota’s rank is expected to fall.

“They’ll probably end up in the 30’s would be my guess,” Burns said.

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Advantage & Disadvantages: Vikes Face former QB Darnold

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

The Vikings face their 2024 starting quarterback in Seattle on Sunday. The Seahawks’ Sam Darnold is sixth in the NFL in total passing yards with 2,785 and No.1 among starting quarterbacks at 9.4 yards per attempt.

The 4-7 Vikings, beleaguered by a quarterback merry-go-round, will have better insight into defending Darnold than other rivals because of his year in Minnesota. Darnold is one of the few NFL quarterbacks with double figure interceptions this season. His 10 are part of a career pattern of interceptions and fumbles (five this year).

If the blitz-happy Vikings defense can have one of its best days, they can make Darnold feel uncomfortable and prompt mistakes. That will be a challenge because Darnold’s play for the 8-3 Seahawks has been mostly outstanding.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked yesterday about the Vikings having an advantage in knowing so much about Darnold and also the quarterback’s advantage in knowing Minnesota’s defensive schemes and personnel. He acknowledged there will be a “little of that probably on both sides.”

He didn’t reveal any secrets about how Darnold might exploit his defense but did praise his former leader. He said Darnold can make every throw “and if we’re not airtight in our coverages, they’ll be explosive.”

Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been visibly frustrated this fall. An interesting stat is in the last 14 games (11 this season) he has only two receptions for touchdowns.

The Gophers defeated Nebraska 24-6 on October 17 at Huntington Bank Stadium. It was a crisp performance and widely regarded as the best game Minnesota has played this season. Since then, they have defeated 3-8 Michigan State in overtime at home, and lost road games to Iowa, Oregon and Northwestern by a combined score of 121-51.

The fanbase has wondered why Minnesota hasn’t been able to build off that Nebraska performance. “…I thought we played tremendous against Nebraska,” head coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. “But if everybody just played their absolute best and played like that every week, everybody would be 10-11 wins. That’s not realistic.”

Fleck referred to some quality opponents since the Nebraska showcase and said injuries, inexperienced players and coaching go into the explanation of how the Gophers have performed more recently.

Minnesota lost last Saturday 38-35 to Northwestern. Trailing late in the game by three points, the Gophers had an opportunity to score the winning touchdown. Two passes that debatably could have been called pass interference didn’t draw penalties. Fleck was asked if he believes coaches in the Big Ten have a clear criterion as to what constitutes pass interference.

“…I think that’s the element of the game that will never be perfect. Just like coaching will never be perfect, and the players will never be perfect, but it’s part of the game and you’ve got to overcome. Whether you agree or disagree, whether it is or it isn’t (pass interference), you have to overcome those things, and you can’t rely on that to be the reason you win or lose.”

Malachi Coleman, the 6-5 and 200-pound wide receiver transfer from Nebraska, played sparingly early in the season but is seeing the field more now including at Northwestern where the redshirt sophomore was targeted twice and had a 52-yard reception. Fleck referred to him as a young and inexperienced talent who is a “very big receiver who can run, who can stretch the field vertically.”

Fleck, who was hired when he was 36, turns 45 next Saturday—the same day his team plays Wisconsin at Huntington Bank Stadium.

With the early signing period for high school and juco football players starting on December 3, the Gophers could be positioned to have their highest rated recruiting class of the Fleck era. Minnesota is No. 24 in the 247Sports national team composite recruiting rankings.

A recruiting insider said Triton High School tight end Pierce Petersohn, one of this state’s most coveted senior players, will sign with Virginia Tech and its new coach James Franklin. Petersohn was committed to Penn State before Franklin was fired as Nittany Lions head coach.

Quarterback Troy Huhn from San Marcos, California, who ESPN reported was interested in the Gophers, will also go to Virginia Tech, per the insider.

Good news for Minnesota snowbirds in southwest Florida who head for home by the end of February. MLB teams, including the Twins, are starting spring training games earlier than in the past. The Twins open with a February 20 exhibition against the Gophers at the Lee Health Complex and have a total of five home games in February.

Prices haven’t been announced but it’s likely a ticket will cost four-figures to watch the Twins host the Phillies on August 13 for the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.

The Twins ownership and management could boost their image and the club’s offense by signing free agent first baseman Luis Arraez, the former Twin and three-time batting champion. Would the 28-year-old think about a one-year deal at $18 million?

Starting pitcher Joe Ryan was a steal for the Twins last season at a reported $3 million. He will be a bargain, too, in 2026. Following arbitration, he could be awarded about $6 million for the season.

Gophers public address announcer Dick Jonckowski was told by his doctor earlier this month he is cancer free and doesn’t need to be checked again for 12 months.

When Minneota won the Class 1A state football championship last week, it was the school’s 11th title. Coach Chad Johnston has won the last eight state championships. Gary Meidt won the three earlier titles.

Owen Konrad, who led Eden Prairie in rushing this fall as a sophomore, should be one of the better running backs in the state next season.

The 5-3 St. Thomas men’s basketball team has been mostly on the road to start the season, having played only two home games at the new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, drawing announced attendances of 5,325 (capacity crowd) for the opener and 2,658 for the second game.

Ken Patera, who was a prominent wrestler years ago in the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association, turned 82 earlier this month

Among the Minnesota teams and athletes doing good work in the community this week is the Wild’s celebration of Native American Heritage Day on Friday when the club hosts the Colorado Avalanche at 2:30 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena. New or gently used winter coats will be collected at Gates 1-5 from 11:30 a.m. until the game starts. The Roseville-based American Indian Family Center will distribute coats to the families they serve in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

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