Mr. Mankato 2026: Top 10 Candidates Ranked

Vikings Training Camp: Top 10 Mr. Mankato Candidates (2026) — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano preview Vikings training camp by explaining the Mr. Mankato concept—an under-the-radar player (typically drafted in round three or later and under 100 offensive/defensive snaps) who shines in camp—and noting wide receivers and defensive backs tend to win because big plays stand out. Forness presents his top 10 candidates: 10. UDFA safety Jacob Thomas 9. RB Demond Claiborne 8. CB Zemaiah Vaughn 7. CB Charles Demmings 6. TE Gavin Bartholomew 5. S Jakobe Thomas 4. WR Tai Felton 3. WR Dontae Fleming 2. WR Dillon Bell 1. DL Elijah Williams They debate whether personality should matter (Forness says no), discuss omissions like Domonique Orange (“Big Citrus”), Max Bredeson, and even punter Brett Thorson, and preview upcoming live coverage of Kevin O’Connell and Nolan Teasley’s presser plus the early camp schedule. Timestamps: 00:00 Camp Time Kickoff 01:11 Mr. Mankato Origins & Rules 02:54 Past Winners & Patterns 04:11 How To Stand Out 07:06 Presser Plans And List Start 08:31 No. 10 Jacob Thomas 10:39 No. 9 Demond Claiborne 12:27 No. 8 Zemaiah Vaughn 14:33 No. 7 Charles Demmings 16:32 No. 6 Gavin Bartholomew 18:54 Personality Debate 20:04 No. 5 Jakobe Thomas 23:06 Tai Felton Under Pressure 27:11 Why Receivers Win 28:23 Dontae Fleming Sleeper 30:15 Dillon Bell Hype Train 34:14 Elijah Williams Top Pick 36:28 Snubs and Criteria Debate 40:20 Past Winners and Surprises 43:12 Camp Dates and Signoff _______________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/@vikings1stskol92 Our Twitter can be found at @Vikings1stSKOL Our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/493z6mQXcN Tyler Forness can be read at A to Z Sports - https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/ Submit questions: forms.gle/7LJkCAern9kdUkuD8 On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vikings1standskol Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/oop4gokYKTQ Fan With Us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL and @BleavNetwork production, the @RealFornoShow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.