Vikings fans, training camp heats up in <2 weeks! Forget J.J. McCarthy—dive into hidden gems with The Real Forno Show’s Tyler Forness & Dave Stefano. Tyler’s TOP 10 Mr. Mankato rankings: Zemaiah Vaughn, Silas Bolden lead the pack! Who’ll breakout?
Vikings Training Camp 2025: Tyler Forness Reveals Top 10 Mr. Mankato Contenders—Who Will Emerge as the Next Breakout Star? As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for training camp starting in less than two weeks, the spotlight shifts from J.J. McCarthy to under-the-radar talents battling for roster spots and the unofficial Mr. Mankato award. In this episode of The Real Forno Show, hosted by Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano on the Vikings 1st & SKOL production partnered with the Fans First Sports Network, Forness unveils his power rankings of potential winners, drawing on expert analysis and historical precedents like Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
This podcast dives deep into the focus on the Mr. Mankato tradition, an award created back in 2014 and still continues by SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad and Phil Mackey to honor unheralded players—third-round picks or later, or undrafted free agents, rookies or not, with fewer than 100 career offensive/defensive snaps.
Past Winners Include:
- 2014: Adam Thielen (Wide Receiver, Undrafted Free Agent)
- 2015: Stefon Diggs (Wide Receiver, 5th Round)
- 2016: Jayron Kearse (Safety, 7th Round)
- 2017: Tashawn Bower (Defensive End, Undrafted Free Agent)
- 2018: Kyle Sloter (Quarterback, Undrafted Free Agent)
- 2019: Brandon Dillon (Tight End, Undrafted Free Agent)
- 2020: Cameron Dantzler (Cornerback, 3rd Round)
- 2021: K.J. Osborn (Wide Receiver, 5th Round)
- 2022: Brian Asamoah (Linebacker, 3rd Round)
- 2023: Ivan Pace Jr. (Linebacker, Undrafted Free Agent)
- 2024: Jalen Nailor (Wide Receiver, 6th Round)
Forness, a Vikings reporter for A to Z Sports and contributor to Purple Daily, breaks down his top 10 rankings with insightful commentary on each contender’s athletic profile, potential fit in Brian Flores’ defense or Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and preseason opportunities. Stefano complements with graphics and his own list, emphasizing offseason buzz around players like Zemaiah Vaughn and Silas Bolden, while highlighting challenges for interior linemen. The discussion underscores how fan influence and beat writer reports shape the award, blending excitement for camp battles with realistic projections for the 2025 Vikings depth chart.
Key points from the episode:
- Mr. Mankato Criteria Clarified: Award limited to late-round or UDFA rookies along with other young players with under 100 snaps; special teams excluded to keep focus on unproven talent.
- Top 10 Power Rankings Breakdown: Forness ranks Levi Drake Rodriguez (No. 10, DT) for his motor; Gabe Murphy (No. 9, Edge) for versatility; Tre Stewart (No. 8, RB) for production; Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (No. 7, DL) despite adjustment concerns; Max Brosmer (No. 6, QB) as developmental gem; Elijah Williams (No. 5, DT) as HBCU standout; Zemaiah Vaughn (No. 4, CB) for length and speed; Tai Felton (No. 3, WR) for return potential; Tyler Batty (No. 2, Edge) as top-paid UDFA; Jeshaun Jones (No. 1, WR) for opportunity.
- Offseason Buzz and Dark Horses: Stefano’s list leads with Vaughn and Bolden; mentions like Ben Yurosek (TE) and Logan Brown (OL) as sleepers; emphasis on preseason games for visibility.
- Camp Preview Tease: Hosts discuss reporting in 10 days, Forness’s plans to attend practices, and upcoming offensive/defensive overviews.
Listen:
Watch:
Vikings fans, if you’re craving in-depth analysis beyond mainstream hype, The Real Forno Show delivers passionate, expert breakdowns that capture the essence of Minnesota Vikings football. Tune in on the Vikings 1st & SKOL YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts, and explore the full Fans First Sports Network lineup for year-round coverage that keeps you ahead of the curve. Whether it’s bold predictions or roster insights, this show is your go-to for all things purple and gold—don’t miss out as training camp ignites the 2025 season!
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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.
Question:
Who do you think will win the 2025 Mr. Mankato award—Jeshaun Jones, Zemaiah Vaughn, or a surprise like Elijah Williams? Share your thoughts below!
