•
Written By
Written By
•
•
•
Loading article...
Written By
Written By
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
It was a season of missed opportunities for UND in 2025, with the Fighting Hawks losing five games by a combined 17 points under first year head coach Eric Schmidt. To open the season, North Dakota almost defeated P4 Kansas State, losing 38-35.
UND took a 35-31 lead with 4:19 left to go in the 4th Quarter but Kansas State conducted a 10-play, 81-yard drive to recapture the lead. Two weeks later at Montana, the Fighting Hawks lost 24-23 despite having a 23-14 advantage heading into the final quarter.
UND would proceed to drop one score games against USD, NDSU, and SDSU before losing 31-13 against Tarleton State in the second round of the FCS playoffs. In spite of some tough losses, North Dakota picked up statement victories vs Youngstown State and Southern Illinois, finishing the campaign at 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the MVFC.
With a tremendous amount of returning production back in the trenches and multiple standout transfer additions, UND has the talent and depth to make a push at the top of the MVFC next season.
UND returns its starting quarterback, No. 3 wide receiver, top two tight ends, and six significant contributors along the offensive line from a unit that scored close to 33 points per game and had a top 20 rushing offense.
With Danny Freund returning to Grand Forks as the offensive coordinator, there is hope that a revitalized Freund will be able to fastrack the development of quarterback Jerry Kaminski.
It all starts up front for the Fighting Hawks with a veteran offensive line. The departure of Second Team AP All-American Seth Anderson (6-5, 300) at right tackle leaves a big void to fill, but UND has been able to establish notable depth.
Expected to compete for the right tackle job is Matthew Schoenecker (6-6, 283), a junior who has spent three seasons developing in the program.
Young prospects Aiden Wunderlich (6-7, 281), Mark Bussan (6-7, 330), and Alton Williams (6-8, 296) each garnered First Team All-State accolades during their high school careers and are prepared to step up should injuries occur.
Wunderlich in particular stands out as a player that could compete for reps at right tackle. The Central Cass High School product received offers from Washington State, Minnesota, North Dakota State, among others as a recruit.
Overall, continuity remains a major strength for UND’s offensive line heading into 2026.
Second Team All-MVFC selection G Liam Becher (6-7, 306) leads a front line that allowed just 16 sacks a season ago and helped the team rush for nearly 195 yards per game. One of the better returning FCS offensive linemen, Becher put together several standout performances last fall, including a two knockdown performance against Southern Illinois which earned him MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
T Trace Thaden (6-7, 295) boasts a massive frame and has turned into one of the better stories of development, joining the program in 2022 as a 245-pound tight end and reportedly adding 50+ pounds to get to this point in his career. FCS Freshman All-American Isaac Cariveau (6-3, 300) returns after a standout 2025 campaign while Ben Buxa (6-3, 305), Ayden Teeter (6-6, 310), and Caleb Olson (6-3, 301) round out a talented group of linemen.
Olson suffered a foot injury against Kansas State that sidelined him for the season. He started all 12 games at right guard in 2024.
With a strong core of returners up front, the evolution of quarterback Jerry Kaminski could determine the ceiling of the UND offense.
Jerry Kaminski enters his second season as the starting quarterback for UND after throwing for 2,570 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also rushing for 607 yards and eight touchdowns. For a unit that ranked 80th in pass offense last season, Kaminski’s development will be crucial for success in 2026.
He at times struggled to take care of the football (12 INTs) and had a 58.4% completion rate, but growing pains should be expected with a first-time starter. As the offensive coordinator in 2023, Danny Freund helped UND rank No. 3 in the FCS in completion percentage and No. 5 in fewest turnovers – both areas that Kaminski struggled with as a sophomore.
He had some excellent games last season, including a 300-yard, four touchdown passing output against Indiana State, but building consistency will be a renewed focus with Freund back as the OC.
The Fighting Hawks have to replace their top three rushers from last season. Sawyer Seidl transferred to Wake Forest after being named Second Team All-MVFC and contributed on special teams and at running back.
Gaven Ziebarth and Xavier Leigh both depart, ranking second and third in rushing production. Ziebarth emerged as a consistent producer throughout his career, totaling 1,819 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns with UND.
The good news for the Fighting Hawks lies in the fact that the offensive line is expected to open up some big running lanes, allowing new tailback options time to adjust and read blocking schemes.
Colton Brunell (sophomore) comes back after recording 53 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns. A balanced back at 6-0, 202, he has an impressive resume out of Columbus High School, as he piled up a state record 7,416 rushing yards.
Behind Brunell, Griffin Broderick (6-0, 227) enters his redshirt freshman season and has a notable high school resume. He rushed for 1,000+ yards as a senior at Minot HS.
Illinois State transfer Matt Lawson rushed for 447 yards and 4.3 yards per carry in 2024 and should be a nice option. He preserved his redshirt last year and gives UND some depth.
Charles Langama (5-8, 193) adds another explosive option to the backfield after racking up 16 carries for 86 yards and two receptions for 12 yards. At Maple Grove HS, Langama rushed for 2,634 yards and 41 touchdowns while also totaling 280 yards receiving.
The wide receiver room also loses some of its top players.
UND lost three of its top four receiving threats this offseason and will have to rely on depth and portal additions to reload.
Korey Tai is the most productive receiver returning after ranking third on the team in receiving yards with 245. Tai played a unique role for the Hawks last season, being utilized in jet sweep motion sets and reverses.
Kristen Hoskins projects to serve a similar role as Tai, combining for 193 all-purpose yards after seeing a mixture of reps receiving, running, and returning kickoffs. On special teams, Hoskins fielded four kicks for 66 yards.
Competing with Hoskins for reps is Washington State transfer Cameron Weir, a redshirt freshman with a background rooted in track. Weir won the state title in the 100-meter dash (Wash.) and was a Three Time All-American, showcasing his top-end speed and rapid acceleration.
Expectations are high for No. 5 wide out Deng Deng, as he has a massive frame at 6-4 and could emerge as a legitimate deep threat for Kaminski to throw to. Last season, Deng elevated for some spectacular red zone catches and totaled five touchdowns on just 16 receptions.
Minnesota State Moorhead transfer Madden Thorson figures to make an immediate impact for the Fighting Hawks. In four seasons with the Dragons, Thorson hauled in 172 passes for 1,951 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Tight end is one of the more experienced and talented position groups on the roster.
Nathan Hromadka (6-6, 225) led the tight ends in receiving yards (84) last season despite playing in just five games due to injury. Haydn Stay (6-4, 256) recorded a touchdown pass and ranked right behind Hromadka with 73 receiving yards.
Honorable Mention All-MVFC FB Mason South (6-2, 243) and TE Watson Hafer (6-4, 230) are both back as well.
How Danny Freund elects to use his Y spot in 2026 is still a question heading into 2026, but the depth and talent is there to employ 12 personnel effectively.
UND returns six of its top 11 tacklers and a pair of All-MVFC edge rushers from a unit that ranked tenth in total defense and top five in rushing defense.
In Eric Schmidt’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, establishing depth on the D-Line is important for success.
Similar to the offensive line, the defensive front for the Fighting Hawks returns a significant amount of experience headlined by First Team All-MVFC selection Lance Rucker (6-3, 230).
Rucker put forth a dominant campaign in 2025, leading the team in TFLs (15) and sacks (11.5) while also earning Second Team Stats Perform FCS All-American honors. Another disruptive edge forced returns for UND in Kaden Vig (6-6, 253), a Second Team All-MVFC nominee.
The pair of Rucker and Vig projects to be one of the top edge rushing duos in the FCS. DE Braden Mohr (6-3, 245) is coming off a season-ending injury and is expected to earn a spot in the rotation given that he remains healthy.
Redshirt freshman Brody Thornton (6-5, 235) is someone the coaching staff is high on after playing in five games last season and totaling 1.5 TFLs.
At defensive tackle, Logyn Eckheart (6-2, 307) and Montre Samuels-Parker (5-11, 258) return as key contributors for a front line that held teams to around 103 rushing yards per game.
Eckheart ranked third among defensive linemen in tackles with 35 and also tallied 4.5 TFLs and three sacks. Samuels-Parker racked up 29 tackles, three TFLs, and four QB Hurries.
Building depth up front was a clear emphasis this offseason, as UND brought in two defensive tackles who are expected to shake up the rotation.
Kylyn Macklin (6-3, 266) spent one season with UAlbany, registering 40 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He also had a stint with Morehead State in 2024, recording an impressive eight TFLs and five sacks.
Eastern Illinois transfer DT Kefa Pereira (6-1, 312) is a former JUCO All-American selection and started one game last fall for EIU. His size and production makes him an interesting name to monitor in the rotation.
Replacing the production of lead tackler Malachi McNeal will be a difficult task to do.
Micheal Devereaux is expected to see an increased role with the departure of McNeal after ranking fourth on the team in tackles (65) and also totaling six PBUs. He will anchor the strong side of the field.
Behind him, little experience returns. Returning pieces Frankie McAninch and Pierre Allen Jr. both totaled more than 200 tackles in their high school careers. Both McAninch and Allen Jr. are projected to compete with Iowa State transfer Mason Miller for rotational minutes.
The will linebacker position returns junior Ethan Boll; he combined for ten tackles last year. Jakob Starcevic saw live game action last season while maintaining his eligibility at Army’s Prep Program. At Kindred HS, he registered 280+ tackles.
Gabe Anderson garnered First Team All-State honors as a senior to round out the weak side.
The Fighting Hawks have to replace their top two safeties, Honorable Mention AP All-American cornerback, and PBU leader.
At the nickel position, Jonnie Wiltshire led the team in QB Hurries (9) and also had seven PBUs, leading to an Honorable Mention All-MVFC nod. Returner Grant Tylutki and Sacramento City College transfer Mason McFarland offer a strong rotation.
Safeties Tyler Erkman and Jett Sutton return after producing solid numbers for the Hawks in 2025. Erkman is a former Phil Steele Fourth Team Freshman All-American (2024) and racked up 26 tackles last year.
Upper Iowa transfer Avery Dixon accumulated over 100 tackles during his time with the Peacocks and earned All-GLVC Second Team awards last fall. Marquis Edmond (Virginia State) solidifies what should be a deep safety room, being named CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.
UND will have to make up for the loss of First Team All-MVFC nominee Antonio Bluiett at cornerback.
Grant Noland comes back after recording six PBUs and 48 tackles last fall. Transfers Ben Kamara (Akron) and Travis Hines II (Iowa Western) also will make a difference. Evan Kludt is expected to compete for a starting role.
