Enjoy a Friday notes column, plus a detailed rundown on the “Moorhead Four.”
Dating back to his 2020 rookie season, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson leads the NFL with 8,738 receiving yards. He needs three receiving yards on Sunday against the Colts to surpass Calvin Johnnson (8,740) for the third most receiving yards by a player in his first 100 NFL games.
Jefferson, who has played in 98 career games, also trails Julio Jones 9,618 and Lance Alworth (9,019).
It appears likely the 5-0 Vikings will add quality and depth to their roster via a trade in the coming days as they make a serious bid for a division title and playoff run. The NFL trade deadline is November 10. Most likely scenario is to offer future draft choices in return for help at key spots like defensive line and running back.
The Wilf family, who bought the Vikings in 2005 for a reported $600 million, now have a franchise worth $8.25 billion, per the recent valuations done of NFL teams by Forbes. That valuation is up from the 2025 figure of $6.25 billion by Forbes. The Vikings value ranks No. 23 in the 32-team league.
Gopher senior Greg Johnson was named a first team guard on The Athletics Midseason All-Americans. Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck told KFAN’s Paul Allen on Monday the Prior Lake High School alum is the “best” offensive lineman in the nation. Fleck said Johnson could be All-Big Ten at any of the five offensive line positions.
Iowa, who the Gophers face tomorrow at Huntington Bank Stadium, had two first teamers on the offensive line, tackle Trevor Lauck and guard Kade Pieper. Linebacker Cam Buffington was a second team Midseason All-American on defense.
Allen will call his 500th regular season game on Vikings radio Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. The play-by-play icon will blow the Gjallarhorn prior to kickoff.
Gopher football radio play-by-play voice Mike Grimm travels with a buddy to a college football game each year when the Maroon and Gold have a bye. He attended last Saturday’s dramatic finish in Provo, Utah when BYU upset Notre Dame. Fans swarmed the field just as they have done four out of the last six years on Grimm’s trips.
No matter how the season turns out, the Timberwolves opening night beat down of the Heat in Miami Wednesday will remain memorable. The Wolves were dominant in a 131-106 win. Better offense, defense, rebounding and playmaking. Better players, better depth and better statistics.
Anthony Edwards scored 45 points after totaling 41 in the opener last season. He is only the second player in NBA history to total 40-plus in consecutive openers. Wilt Chamberlain did it four times from 1959-1962.
Former Gopher basketball player Braeden Carrington from Park Center High School, now at Wisconsin, reportedly has been granted an injunction along with other athletes to receive a fifth year of college eligibility. Carrington’s litigation was in California while the Gophers Cade Tyson’s case is being heard in Colorado, with insiders pessimistic Minnesota’s leading scorer from last season will be granted eligibility in the confusing legal battle with the NCAA taking place in various parts of the nation.
If eligible, Tyson will likely receive a seven-figure sum to play for the Gophers.
The World Series opens tonight with two budget conscious franchises. The Rays have a reported payroll of $98.3 million and the Brewers $143.5 million. The Twins is reportedly $109.5 million.
The men’s hockey Gophers are trying for two surprise wins in a row over national powerhouse North Dakota tonight at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Fans can watch on FOX9+ and streaming via B1G+ or listen to an audio broadcast through the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK and iHeartRadio.
A four goal third period gave Minnesota its first win of the season on Thursday night. The 5-3 victory was also the first victory for Brett Larson as the Gopher coach.
Scouting “The Moorhead Four”
They’re known as the “Moorhead Four” and they have a lot to do with why week after week the undefeated Spuds are the No. 1 ranked team in Class 6A. Tonight the 7-0 Spuds host 1-6 Edina in Moorhead.
The publicity this fall has come not only from their success with Moorhead and individual performances, but also because it looks like they will be future University of Minnesota players. Quarterback Jett Feeney, wide receiver David Mack, running back Taye Reich and cornerback Zak Walker have verbally committed to Minnesota’s 2027 recruiting class.
If the foursome is on the roster next year it will be the first time anyone has been able to document that the Gophers had four players from the same high school and same class. And high school recruiting guru Ryan Burns from Gopher Gazette points out this is no package deal, where Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck took a couple of guys to make sure he got the ones he wanted most.
“I know that they’re going to be known as the “Moorhead Four,” but each one of them in their own right I think have earned the opportunity to play in the Big 10,” Burns told Sports Headliners.
Because he plays a position where college freshmen often are able to play early on in their careers, and because of his skills, Mack might be the first Spud who impacts the Gophers. Burns thinks so.
“He is the guy where he’s not gonna run very fast, but that boy knows how to get open in a phone booth. I mean, he reminds me of what Tyler Johnson (former Gopher) did so well here for so many years where…he’s not the fastest guy straight line, but he is really good at creating separation. And then once he has the ball in his hands, he’s able to make men miss in the open field and get more yards than what’s there.”
Mack leads state high school players in touchdown receptions, 20, and receiving yards, 1,028, per Google AI. He’s listed by 247Sports at 6-foot, 185-pounds.
The Spuds have a prolific offense and passing game fueled by Mack and Feeney who is coached by his dad Kevin Feeney. Listed at 6-2, 205 pounds by 247, Jett leads all Minnesota preps this year in passing yards, 2,497, and touchdowns with 35, according to Google AI.
But don’t categorize him just as a guy with a great arm. “Jett is more athletic than what I think people give him credit for,” Burns said. “Which I think you’re being able to see this year where he’s able to escape pressure, escape the pocket, (and) still got the right arm (throw)… .He’s playing really well.”
Burns said Reich can get lost a bit in the conversation about the Moorhead offense because of the buzz around the passing attack. “…But Taye is a guy that I’ve talked to coaches who’ve gone up and watched the Moorhead kids work out and they’re like he is the most impressive workout that you’ll watch of them. They don’t rush the ball a lot because they have a Big Ten quarterback.”
Listed at 5-10, 200 by 247, Reich is solidly built and has lateral and straight ahead run abilities. Although he is a north-south runner, he can be a threat in the open field, too, Burns said.
“…I think he runs through a lot more contact than what people think, and he is a very well put together kid. He’s a kid who was on Team USA baseball, so he’s quite the multi-sport athlete for the Upper Midwest. He is a very good baseball player.”
Walker, listed at 5-11, 175, is a track star and his speed makes him an enticing prospect. The Spuds also use him as a receiver.
“…He is one of the best track athletes in the state of Minnesota for the 100, 200 hundred (meters),” Burns said. “He’s a great long jumper too. …”
Burns added that Walker hasn’t “played a ton of football,” but he’s impressive. Walker’s 10.5 time in the 100 is the type of speed “that plays in any conference, but especially the Big Ten,” Burns said.
The “Moorhead Four” are part of a current seven-man group of Minnesotans who are among the 29 verbal commits the Gophers have for the class of 2027. It will be an interesting fall to follow the Spuds in the high school playoffs and then see if all four commit on paper to the Gophers during the early signing period of December 2-4.