Minnesota Vikings training camp 2025 kicks off soon, spotlighting under-the-radar rookies vying for the Mr. Mankato award—Tyler Forness ranks his top 10 on The Real Forno Show.

Why Dive Into Mr. Mankato Madness?

As the Minnesota Vikings gear up for training camp in just under two weeks, all eyes are on rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. But let’s be real—while the first-round phenom hopefully dominates headlines, the real intrigue lies in the shadows. Enter the unofficial Mr. Mankato award, a fan-favorite tradition that celebrates the unheralded heroes who explode onto the scene during preseason. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, hosted by Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano—a Vikings 1st & SKOL production in partnership with the Fans First Sports Network—Forness delivers his exclusive top 10 power rankings of potential winners. This isn’t just idle speculation; it’s a deep dive into the players who could shape the Vikings’ depth chart and become tomorrow’s stars, much like past recipients Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Why is this episode worth your time? In a sea of generic NFL podcasts, Forness, an A to Z Sports Vikings reporter and NFL analyst, brings insider expertise honed from his roles at SKOR North’s Purple Daily and the Voices of Wrestling Podcast Network. Paired with Stefano’s sharp production, the show cuts through the noise, offering actionable insights, bold predictions, and a passionate love for all things purple and gold. If you’re a Vikings fan tired of the same old McCarthy hype, this episode uncovers the hidden gems that could define the 2025 season. It’s the perfect blend of analysis and entertainment to fuel your offseason cravings.

Breaking Down the Mr. Mankato Criteria and Contenders

Forness kicks off the episode by clarifying the essence of Mr. Mankato, an award birthed by SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad and Phil Mackey back in 2014. Named after the Vikings’ longtime training camp site in Mankato, Minnesota (despite the move to Eagan in 2018), it honors players drafted in the third round or later—or undrafted free agents—and players who haven’t yet established themselves in the NFL. The key threshold? Fewer than 100 career offensive or defensive snaps (special teams don’t count, as they’re inherently underappreciated).

“It’s to highlight the best player who was unheralded,” Forness explains. “You have to be a third-round pick or later, and you can’t be an established NFL player… less than a hundred career NFL snaps, which I think is a very fair threshold.”

The hosts emphasize that while McCarthy’s development is crucial, training camp’s true drama unfolds among the back-end roster battles. Forness, drawing from his scouting background, unveils his top 10 rankings, blending film analysis, athletic profiles, and gut instincts. Stefano chimes in with his own list, derived from offseason chatter, and even shares graphics highlighting rookies like Zemaiah Vaughn and Silas Bolden as early favorites.

Starting at No. 10, Forness tabs defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez, a 2024 undrafted free agent from Texas A&M-Commerce who captured fans’ hearts last preseason. Despite limited action—Forness recalls “like a dozen” snaps, later clarified by Stefano as six or seven per Pro-Football-Reference and PFF—Rodriguez’s infectious energy and high motor make him a dark horse. “He’s got this infectious personality, a motor that runs so hot, you’re gonna need 10 gallons of coolant to get him to just settle down,” Forness quips. However, he notes Rodriguez was outshined by backups like Jalen Redmond and Taki Taimani, suggesting a potential shift to nose tackle after bulking up in an NFL program.

At No. 9, edge rusher Gabe Murphy edges in, another 2024 UDFA who flashed before an injury sidelined him. With under 100 snaps (around 30 in one game filling in for Pat Jones), Murphy’s versatility shines, though his short arms (30.5 inches) limit him against longer tackles. “Coaches were raving about him last year,” Forness says, highlighting his potential in Brian Flores’ scheme if he explodes in drills.

No. 8 goes to running back Tre Stewart, an undrafted gem from Jacksonville State (via Limestone University) who racked up over 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. At 5’9″ and 205 pounds, Stewart’s compact build and 4.46 40-yard dash time scream upside, especially with only five backs on the roster. “He’s built to withstand punishment,” Forness notes, pointing to his $10,000 signing bonus and $160,000 guaranteed salary as signs of team investment. Special teams could be his path, but preseason reps will be plentiful.

No. 7, quarterback Max Brosmer lands as a developmental intrigue. The local product from Minnesota thrives in Kevin O’Connell’s system—throwing over the middle with accuracy and anticipation—but needs mechanical tweaks. “He will thrive in this style of system,” Forness predicts, though limited early reps as QB4 temper expectations. Stefano adds a key caveat: “Unless something stands out, that’s what we’re gonna get [from beat writers]… We’re gonna have to watch for somebody like Brosmer in the preseason games.”

No. 6 for the 2025 Mr. Mankato award is Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, highlighting both his intriguing potential and the challenges he faces transitioning to the NFL. Forness noted Ingram-Dawkins’ profile as a former five-star recruit from Georgia with a strong strength and athletic build at 275 pounds, praising his fit in Brian Flores’ defensive scheme as a penetrating three-technique similar to Kevin Williams, where he could excel at getting upfield, crashing the quarterback, and potentially setting the edge in run defense rotations alongside players like Andrew Van Ginkel. However, Forness tempered expectations by emphasizing Ingram-Dawkins’ limitations, such as poor bend around the arc against offensive tackles, which would make him struggle early if moved inside against massive 320-pound NFL linemen from the SEC level; he predicted an inevitable adjustment period that could last weeks, months, or even a year, explaining why Ingram-Dawkins didn’t rank higher despite his upside as a fifth-round pick, though the overall concept aligns phenomenally with Flores’ amoeba-style defense.

No. 5 surprises with defensive tackle Elijah Williams from Morgan State, an HBCU standout with 33 career sacks. Signed after shining at rookie minicamp, Williams benefits from mentor Javon Hargrave’s similar path. “He earned it by earning a roster spot at rookie minicamp,” Forness emphasizes, citing a study showing such signings are four times more likely to make the team. However, Stefano warns, “No interior defensive lineman… has ever won Mr. Mankato. It’s usually a position that can stand out and flash.”

Cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn claims No. 4, buoyed by offseason praise from beat writers like Alec Lewis. At nearly 6’3″ but just 180 pounds, Vaughn’s length and speed (a 4.4 40) fit Flores’ zone-heavy defense. “If he can figure it out, I’m real interested,” Forness says, envisioning interceptions and pick-sixes boosting his resume.

Wide receiver Tai Felton, a third-round pick from Maryland, slots at No. 3 despite Forness’ reservations about his stiff hips. “If he just outruns a dude and houses like an 80-yarder… that’s gonna go a long way,” he argues, noting punt/kick return opportunities.

Edge rusher Tyler Batty, the top-paid UDFA with $236,000 guaranteed, takes No. 2. The 26-year-old BYU product (post-mission) impresses as a stout run defender. “He’s more of an effort pass rusher… If you can show that immediately, you get a couple tackles for loss, that’s gonna vault you right up,” Forness explains.

Finally, No. 1 is wide receiver Jeshaun Jones, a 2024 UDFA from Maryland who overcame injuries to earn $225,000 guaranteed. “He’s gonna get opportunities… More chances to shine,” Forness says, praising his possession-receiver traits.

Stefano shares his rankings, led by Vaughn and Bolden, with dark horses like tight end Ben Yurosek and offensive lineman Logan Brown. The duo discusses challenges for interior linemen and the influence of fan voting on Mackey and Judd.

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Why Mr. Mankato Matters for the Vikings’ Future

As the episode wraps, Forness and Stefano resolve the hook by tying these contenders to the Vikings’ broader 2025 outlook. Mr. Mankato isn’t just fun trivia—it’s a predictor of depth and surprises, as seen with Thielen and Diggs evolving into Pro Bowlers. With rookies reporting in 10 days, Forness plans to attend practices for firsthand insights, promising more previews on offense and defense next week.

These underdogs could fill critical gaps in Flores’ defense or O’Connell’s offense, turning camp battles into roster realities. “I’m excited to start to kind of look at training camp and figure some of that stuff out,” Forness concludes. Stefano echoes, “I can’t wait to get your firsthand eyeballs on the players.”

In a league where stars like McCarthy shine bright, The Real Forno Show reminds us that championships are built from the bottom up. Tune in for expert breakdowns that go beyond the hype, and subscribe to Vikings 1st & SKOL for more Minnesota Vikings podcasts on the Fans First Sports Network.

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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 claim the 2025 Mr. Mankato award—Zemaiah Vaughn, Jeshaun Jones, or a dark horse like Elijah Williams? Share your predictions in the comments!