The first year of Head Coach Eric Schmidt’s revamped defense boasted significant improvement in multiple categories. Most notably, the Hawks were the top ranked team in the country in getting off the field on third down, allowing teams to convert on third down only 30% of the time, reversing a frustrating trait of the recent past.
The defense certainly embraced Schmidt’s JYD (“Junk Yard Dog”) ethos, pinning their ears back for 42 team sacks (good for 10th in the nation) and 6.5 total tackles for loss per game (good for 22nd in the nation). The Hawks were also third in the nation in forced turnovers, registering 27 total takeaways. This was good enough to elevate UND to the nation’s 10th best team in total defense.
With a stout defense, and an earth-moving offensive line, the Hawks are queued to play complimentary football and should look to shift their 50/50 time of possession toward the offensive side of the ball.
Defensive Line
Attrition is unavoidable in the portal era and the Hawks are no exception, but they managed to secure a major win in the recruitment of their own roster. 2nd team All-American edge Lance Rucker put out a two-word statement a la Michael Jordan, simply writing: “I’m back.” With the departure of Malachi McNeal, the Hawks will look to Rucker to anchor what should be a stingy defense again in 2026. Rucker, a product of national high school football power Millard South, finished his 2025 campaign with 65 tackles, 15 TFLs and 11.5 sacks, and put the Hawks on his back in their first-round drubbing of Tennessee Tech in the playoffs. Rucker recorded three strip sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and added a blocked extra point against the Golden Eagles in what was one of the single greatest defensive performances in UND football history.
Rucker will be spelled by lengthy freshman Brody Thornton, who the staff is very high on, and Kittson County Central standout, Ty Vig, who spent last season trying his hand at the college basketball route for JUCO Minnesota-State Fergus Falls. We are excited to see what those two can do, high ceilings.
Speaking of Vig, his brother Kaden Vig had a big season bookending Rucker, tallying 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks, and could be the beneficiary of blocking schemes designed slow down the All-American. Look for Vig to have an all-conference type of season in 2026 (he probably could’ve been in 2025, imo).
Farmington, MN product Braden Mohr, Westonka grad Carter Kleinsasser; and Grand Forks Central alum Erick Paye look to be pushing the elder Vig for reps this spring. Assuming the highly touted Mohr can kick the injury bug, he should be a significant contributor for the Hawks in 2026. Paye had a similar path to the Hawks as WR Deng Deng, an explosive basketball talent who is a football project. The muscular Paye certainly looks the part, the question now is if he’s polished his game enough to contribute on Saturday’s. Kleinsasser didn’t see much action in 2025, but UND fans know the pedigree is there, and the former Minnesota second-team All-State linebacker certainly can cast his own shadow.
Up the middle the Hawks look to replace (now) Iowa Hawkeye Emmanuel Olagbaju. It is anticipated the Monsters from Missouri, Isaac & Mason Beaver, will join the Hawks this fall, and if their viral weightlifting videos are any indication of their football prowess, it stands to reason they could see some action as true freshmen.
As for defensive tackles in the building right now, Glenwood, IA product Logyn Eckheart brings a ton experience up the middle. Montre Samuels-Parker (6’0” 258lbs) from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M makes up for his lack of size with significant experience on the interior and has proven stout with his opportunities. Samuels-Parker exceeded expectations in 2025 and it would be outstanding to get him back for one more run.
Pushing both tackles for reps will be Eastern Illinois transfer Kefa Pereira, who was highly sought after he hit the portal with offers from multiple FCS schools. He has one year a bunch of experience – just what the Hawks need. The Hawks also picked up 6’3” 255lb Kylyn Macklin from the University of Albany. Macklin had 31 stops for the Great Danes in 2025 and should compete for reps right away. Tyler Henry was a contributor in 2025 and will be counted on more in 2026, while Wyatt Kuhn and Wyatt Bell will seek to make the most of their reps this spring to get in the rotation come fall.
This defensive line group is look pretty solid heading into spring ball. They got some twitch, size, and a lot of depth (something they didn’t have last year). I see this group as a strength of the defense in 2026. Teams struggled to run on UND last season, which led to sacks, which led to turnovers.
Key Returners:
- Lance Rucker (6’3” 230lbs – Omaha, NE): Second-Team All-American
- Kaden Vig (6’6” 253 – Hallock, MN): Second-Team MVFC
- Logyn Eckheart 6’2” 307 – Glenwood, IA)
Top Newcomers:
- Kylyn Macklin (6’3” 255lbs – University of Albany)
- Kefa Pereira (6’1” 305lbs – Eastern Illinois University)
Nickel
The Hawks are optimistic they’ll get to bring back fifth-year Jonnie Wiltshire to the fold for 2026. The ever-changing NCAA eligibility rules have everyone scratching their head, but replacing the productivity of the former Dodge City CC Conquistador would be a tall order as Wiltshire tallied 8.5 TFLs and 3 INTs along with his 53 tackles in 2026. Schmidt expects a lot out of his nickel position in both coverage and tackling, and Wiltshire certainly lived up to expectations in 2025.
Joining Wiltshire will be Mason McFarland from Sacramento City College whose 62 tackles for the Panthers showed the Hawks coaching staff he was not afraid to get his nose dirty. Rocori alum Grant Tylutki saw limited action in 2025 and will look to push Wiltshire for more reps.
Key Returner:
- Jonnie Wiltshire (5’11” 190lbs – Woodbridge, VA): Honorable Mention MVFC
Top Newcomer:
- Mason McFarland (5’10” 195 – Sacramento City College)
Linebacker
The Hawks have a Malachi McNeal-sized hole to fill at linebacker, but Michael Devereaux, the transfer from Old Dominion University, supplemented McNeal and the UND defense well with 65 tackles and 4 TFLs in 2025. Devereaux will anchor the strong side of the field in 2026. The Hawks hit the portal and grabbed Mason Miller from Iowa State. The 6’3” 225lb Miller told the Herald’s Tom Miller he felt he wasn’t a scheme fit for the Cyclones and is excited to play in Schmidt’s 4-2-5 scheme as it should complement his downhill style of play. Miller will have to compete for reps with a couple freshmen, Lincoln Southeast product Pierre Allen Jr. & Mankato West alum Frank Mcaninch this spring.
On the weak side, Crookston alum, Ethan Boll, will be pushed by UND newcomer and US Military Academy Preparatory School transfer Jake Starcevic from Kindred, ND. Starcevic opted to play for Army’s prep program in 2025, which will not exhaust any of his eligibility because of its scheduling set-up which featured junior colleges and prep academies. Starcevic, who helped build Kindred into a North Dakota high school athletic powerhouse (pumping out D1 athletes left and right), comes in at 6’2” 225lbs and the former quarterback has shown exceptional speed for his size. Freshman Aerospace Engineering student and Hinton, IA product Gabe Anderson, rounds out the depth at the Will position for UND’s spring ball.
Linebacker is a position to monitor throughout spring into fall camp. Devereaux is about the returner with experience and playing time is definitely up for grabs. McNeal excelled in his only season in the 4-2-5 and Coach Schmidt is going to need to find that magic again elsewhere. With Paine Parks deciding to move on also, there are more question marks than answers at the ILB position, no doubt.
Key Returner:
- Michael Devereaux (6’1” 221lbs – El Reno, OK)
Top Newcomers:
- Mason Miller (6’3” 225lbs – Iowa State University)
- Jake Starcevic (6’2” 225lbs – USMAPS)
Safeties
Lake Zurich, IL product Tyler Erkman returns for the 2026 season at the rover position, coming off a campaign where he registered 26 tackles for the Hawks. Sam Ostrenga and Nate Frankfather will need to make the most of their reps this spring as UND nabbed Marquis Edmond from Division II Virginia State. The 6’2” 190lb Edmond registered 37 tackles for the Trojans as a sophomore and was the CIAA’s rookie of the year in 2023.
Free safety Jett Sutton and his 19 tackles return for 2026 where he’ll be pushed by Upper Iowa transfer Avery Dixon who came off an impressive 2025 season where he logged 45 tackles for the Peacocks. Former 8AAAAA DPOY and Moorhead Spud, Owen Thielges, will be joined by another local product, Red River graduate Pearce Parks at free safety. Both Thielges and Parks were talented HS basketball players and should use their length and athleticism to push for playing time this fall.
The safety/DB room got hit hard by graduation with loss of Jy Martin, Avery Scott, and Zach Lewis. Both positions are 100% up for grabs in a winner-take-all battle royal that could last into fall camp. They got all body types and all experience levels, which make this a fun race to watch. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UND go get one more safety-type in the portal just to make sure they have the depth needed to play into December.
Key Returners:
- Tyler Erkman (6’1” 191lbs – Lake Zurich, IL)
- Jett Sutton (5’11 198lbs – Kansas City, MO)
Top Newcomers:
- Marquis Edmond (6’2” 190lbs – Virginia State University)
- Avery Dixon (6’2” 195lbs – Upper Iowa University)
Cornerback
Alexandria product Evan Kludt didn’t have his number called too often during the Hawks’ 2025 regular season but was called into service in the playoffs and projects to compete for a starting spot in 2026. Kludt is all of 6’3″ and definitely looks the part of a long, athletic defensive back. He’ll be pushed by Sioux Falls native Henry Theobald, who spent the 2025 season working his way back from a broken leg.
The Hawks went to the portal to procure some more experience and found Ben Kamara, a transfer who logged a lot of playing time with the MAC’s Akron Zips in 2025. Kamara could play some safety, as well, with his 6’4″ frame. He will be joined by true freshman Christian Davis, a highly touted 3-star from Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood, FL, a school well-known for producing NFL talent. Davis flipped his commitment to the Hawks, telling the Herald’s Tom Miller UND’s facilities, environment and coaches provided him everything he was looking for.
On the flip side of the field, the sure-tackling Grant Noland (48 total in 2025) will look to retain his pivotal role in the Hawks’ defensive backfield. Noland had a strong freshman season considering he was thrust into action week 1 vs Kansas State and improved every week it seemed. Travis Hines II, from JUCO power Iowa Western will look to push Noland for reps. Rounding out the depth for the Hawks will be Chicago native Jayden Jones from Mount Carmel, and Torris Rudd Jr. from football factory Millard South.
Key Returner:
- Grant Noland (6’0” 175lbs – Kearney, MO)
Top Newcomers:
- Ben Kamara (6’3” 200lbs – University of Akron)
- Travis Hines II (6’2” 180lbs – Iowa Western Community College)