David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

NFL Authority: J.J. McCarthy Will Be ‘Pro Bowl Quarterback’

Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by David Shama

A source who in the past has held positions of authority regarding player personnel with NFL franchises, told Sports Headliners the Vikings have a “down the road caliber Pro Bowl quarterback” in first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

The 22-year-old has been under a microscope this fall, with heavy criticism often directed at him amidst speculation his career will be a dud. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said McCarthy’s inexperience while coping with a “complicated offense” has created a challenge. Results include throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) and generally having metrics that rank low among his competitors.

“He’s been thinking too much, holding the ball…and then making some poor decisions,” the authority said. “And (yet)…(Sunday) was an example of what kind of talent level he has, and that he’s going to continue to get better and better and better. …”

In Sunday’s home 31-0 win over the Commanders, McCarthy had his best game of the season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His season quarterback rating moved to 67.4, after Sunday’s rating of 129.2.

It may well have been McCarthy’s best game also in going through his progressions and reading the situation on the field. “There were some occasions, yeah, when he would get locked in (on one target), or he held the ball a couple times, took sacks,” the source said. “But, hey, at least he didn’t throw any catastrophic interceptions like (Max) Brosmer did. Or like J.J. has done in the past.”

McCarthy has been under scrutiny for his throwing mechanics but that’s not the talk of the town this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell publicly discussed mechanics in the past but the more recent message seems to be the issue can better be addressed in the offseason. “Obviously one of the factors was O’Connell told him they’re not going to worry about his mechanics as much and worry more about his decision making, and I think that showed (Sunday),” the source said.

The authority pointed out that promising young quarterbacks often take time to develop and produce expected results. He mentioned now Hall of Famer Peyton Manning who threw 28 pass interceptions during his rookie season when the Colts were 3-11. Caleb Williams, the NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick in 2024, struggled last season with the Bears but now is playing at a much higher level for his NFC North Division title contender.

The source said McCarthy has both the work ethic and talent to be exceptional. “I think he has shown his talent level which is high. I think the arm strength is high when you look at some of those long sideline throws he made on Sunday to (Jordan) Addison, to (T.J.) Hockenson. Those are where a quarterback shows their arm strength. Sometimes even more than (a) deep ball. . ..”

The growth line may continue to rise for McCarthy against the next two teams. Sunday night in Dallas the Vikings face a Cowboys pass defense that ranks last among 32 NFL teams in most yards given up, 3,543. On December 20, again on the road, McCarthy will face a Giants pass defense that has yielded 3,202 yards.

If the source sees a Pro Bowl future for McCarthy, he must believe there are at least several years ahead where he will lead the Vikings, right? “Yes. I don’t think there is any doubt but I do think they’re going to need to bring in a better No. 2 than they had this year. More durable than Carson Wentz. More reliable than Wentz.

“I think we saw enough of Max Brosmer to not believe he’s the answer necessarily. I mean over time he can develop but not for 2026. I think they have to have a guy who, if J.J. gets hurt, or he’s having a bad day, they can bring somebody in. …”

Twins Notes

Passionate Twins fans are anticipating the debut of outfielder Walker Jenkins during the 2026 season. Word is the 20-year-old former first round draft choice is likely to join the roster at some point in the season.

One of baseball’s most highly ranked prospects, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound North Carolina native has an impressive athletic make up and is said to have a mature mindset. In 718 minor league at bats, he has a career .295 batting average with 19 home runs and 114 RBI. He also has stolen 14 bases.

Jenkins would join a reshuffled roster that is expected to have several other new players, including in the bullpen. The front office has holes to fill there and could use help at first base and with a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Word is the Twins ownership and management intent is to challenge for the American League Central Division title. If so, they likely need high level production from multiple returnees including the Big 3 of outfielder Byron Buxton and starting pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

Rumors of trading any, some or all of them has faded of late. Buxton has a no-trade clause in his contract so he would have to agree to playing for another team.

It’s believed the Twins’ two new minority investors will be announced prior to year’s end. The Pohlad family is likely to continue majority ownership indefinitely.

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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 have provided four offensive starters in 2025 (Christian Darrisaw, C.J. Ham, Justin Jefferson and Brian O’Neill) and two on defense (Josh Metellus 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 older NFL rosters the last two 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 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 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, Stefon 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, the 2022 Viking starters included eight players on offense whom Spielman 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 televisions 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 composite national rankings early this week, is now No. 29 as other schools finalize their incoming classes.

With Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman unexpectedly retiring this 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 vs. 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 game will be on Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The 7-5 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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