Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne carries the soccer throughout second-half motion in opposition to Georgia Tech at Allegacy Federal Credit score Union Stadium. On Sept. 27, 2025, Claiborne continued to showcase his explosiveness and flexibility, serving to lead the Demon Deacons offense whereas navigating a troublesome ACC matchup in Winston-Salem. Obligatory Credit score: Zachary Taft-Imagn Photos.
Do you bear in mind Dalvin Cook dinner? How about Alexander Mattison? Cook dinner in 2017 and Mattison in 2019 had been the final instances the Minnesota Vikings featured explosive (or competent) homegrown operating backs who made a significant dent within the offense. This 12 months, the membership has rookie Demond Claiborne in the home, and there’s already hope that he may finish the drought.
Claiborne isn’t a certain factor to shapeshift right into a “sure thing” within the NFL, however early hype is there to recommend he’s not simply one other late-round choose.
Claiborne’s Velocity Offers the Vikings a New Summer time Storyline
Minnesota Vikings rookie operating again Demond Claiborne takes half in rookie minicamp on the TCO Efficiency Middle in Eagan after becoming a member of the franchise as a sixth-round draft choose. Claiborne arrived from Wake Forest with a status for explosiveness, imaginative and prescient, and flexibility within the operating sport and passing assault. Might 2026. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
So It Begins on Claiborne
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis explained the origin of Claiborne’s nickname — “Lightning” — in a prolonged piece.
He wrote, “His signature move comes early in almost every run. The space shrinks. Tacklers lunge at him from all angles, speeds and directions. Demond Claiborne looks trapped. Then, in a flash, he snaps his body sideways with controlled violence. It’s the closest thing you’ll find to real-life teleportation.”
“Youth coaches struggled to describe Claiborne’s move. A hop-step didn’t do justice to the dynamism. Pilfering the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ from DJ Casper felt sacrilegious. Nothing came to mind. So, instead, they came up with a nickname for Claiborne.”
The Vikings used a Sixth-Spherical choose on Claiborne, and usually talking, Sixth-Rounders usually don’t pan out. The membership hopes Claiborne is an exception to the rule.
Lewis added, “His short-term NFL impact will hinge on his ability to master the system and his reliability in pass protection. In the long haul, the Vikings project a potentially game-breaking role. Come training camp, videos of Claiborne side-stepping defenders will likely circulate.”
“With every run and every one of his signature crossovers, he will be painting a meaningful portrait — the image of the hooded teen who developed into a man because the right people believed in him.”
Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in Entrance of Him
After all, Claiborne’s rookie setup isn’t a guns-blazing ordeal like high-round rookie operating backs. For instance, Jeremiyah Love will immediately turn out to be the Arizona Cardinals’ RB1 based mostly on his expertise and draft inventory. Final 12 months, Ashton Jeanty didn’t need to “wait and see” if the Las Vegas Raiders would give him the ball in Week 1. They simply did.
Claiborne is completely different. He has two veterans forward of him on the depth chart, and Jones + Mason determine to get the lion’s share of speeding makes an attempt in 2026. Jones even accepted a pay reduce to stay with the Vikings and can turn out to be a free agent subsequent offseason.
Talking of free company, that tentatively awaits Mason, as nicely, added by way of commerce by the Vikings within the 2025 offseason and afforded a two-year deal. Each Vikings veteran halfbacks are scheduled for yet one more season within the Twin Cities, which is why Claiborne must put his thumbprint on the summer season and common season. If he struts his stuff straight away, there’s a transparent path for him to take over because the RB1 as early as 2027.
Instantly One of many Quickest Vikings Gamers
This offseason, the Vikings misplaced Ty Chandler (RB), Rondale Moore (WR, RIP), and Jalen Nailor (WR) — also called three of their quickest gamers. It was not supreme.
Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne searches for operating room whereas trying to evade Clemson defenders Sammy Brown and Tre Williams throughout ACC motion in Winston-Salem. Claiborne showcased the elusiveness and burst that later helped him earn NFL curiosity from scouts. Oct. 12, 2024. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos.
However don’t have any concern as a result of Claiborne has replenished the pipeline a bit. He ran a 4.37 forty on the NFL Mix and was one of many quickest rookie operating backs — and rookie gamers no matter place.
In truth, if one ranked the quickest gamers on Minnesota’s roster, the record would possibly look one thing like this:
Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Demond Claiborne (RB)
Tai Felton (WR)
Myles Worth (WR)
Dallas Turner (OLB)
Kyler Murray (QB)
Whereas Claiborne isn’t recognized essentially for operating defenders over, his velocity is to die for. There’s a cause the Lightning nickname is on the market.
All Eyes on Coaching Camp
Coaching camp is eight weeks away. That would be the first and most necessary discussion board for Claiborne to point out what he’s bought. Name it a primary impression. Early returns at rookie minicamp in Might and arranged group actions (OTAs) had been promising, however in July, Claiborne should stand off the web page.
Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne waits for the snap earlier than a matchup in opposition to NC State at Allegacy Federal Credit score Union Stadium. The long run Vikings draft choose served as a focus of the Demon Deacons’ offense and persistently dealt with a big workload throughout his collegiate profession. Sept. 11, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Photos.
He’ll see Jones, Mason, Zavier Scott, and undrafted rookie Kejon Owens. Claiborne initiatives because the RB3, however he’ll have to truly win that job. Scott received’t need to return to the follow squad.
It’s additionally price remembering that Jones, presumably the RB1 on paper, is prone to accidents. As early as September or October, head coach Kevin O’Connell may faucet Claiborne on the shoulder for RB2 responsibility. That’s simply the way it goes for Jones traditionally.
Claiborne — or Lightning — will flip 23 in October. The hype practice is simply pulling away from the station.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
