Danny Freund returns at Offensive Coordinator for the Fighting Hawks 2026 campaign after 2-year hiatus with South Dakota State and Washington State. While there are some misguided critics of the move, the more discerning eye saw an unbridled Freund offense explode for 628 yards (373 through the air, and 255 on the ground) in the (other) Potato Bowl against Utah State following Jimmy Rogers’ departure to Iowa State. That 628 yards was nearly double the Cougars’ average regular season yardage. (and yes, it isn’t a coincidence that the Cougars offense looked like it did following Rogers departure)
While this output against the Aggies could be a one-game anomaly for the 2025 Cougs’ campaign, UND football historians are well-aware there’s a little bit of mad scientist to the new/old OC. Freund has always had a penchant for mixing a balanced attack with well-timed trickeration that has led to some memorable and explosive plays, and with the arsenal of talent the Hawks boast going into 2026, UND fans should expect to be treated to a lot of pyrotechnics in the Alerus Center come fall.
Offensive Line
The strength of the Hawks starts upfront with what could be one of the best offensive lines in FCS – and with talented hogs fetching a premium in the portal, the continuity UND will have in the trenches will be their top asset. This starts with captain and road-grading RG Caleb Olson; the Lisbon product will certainly be champing at the bit to return after being saddled with an early injury in 2025. There may be a logjam at RG going into spring ball with a lot of talent returning at the position, which is a good problem, so it’s possible we’ll see some shuffling to see who gels.
At the other end of the offensive line hierarchy is incoming freshman Aiden Wunderlich, North Dakota’s top high school prospect out of Central Cass. Wunderlich graduated from high school early and is already on campus participating in winter/spring workouts, and some reports say the 6’6” RT has already bulked up from 270lbs to 290lbs. The Hawks were a little thin at RT in 2025, but it’s 6’7” 290lb New Prague product, Matt Schoenecker‘s turn to step up – so it remains to be seen if Wunderlich can push the more experienced RT for first team reps, a tall order for a true freshman. Tackle Alton Williams is a wild card of the group. He has been developing in the program for a couple years now and it could be his time to show that 6’8″ frame can make a difference for the Hawks OL!
This group has the ability to win games for UND but does need to gain consistency. Last year there were some times the pass protection lacked for too long of stretches. Having four starters back on the OL in this day & age is rare and something to be celebrated if your a Hawks fan!
Other Offensive Line Key Returners:
- Caleb Olson (6’3”, 310lbs – Fort Ranson/Lisbon, ND): Team Captain;
- Liam Becher (6’7”, 320lbs – Iowa City, IA): All-MVFC second-team;
- Isaac Cariveau (6’3”, 305lbs – Detroit Lakes, MN): FCS Freshman All-American;
- Ben Buxa (6’3”, 310lbs – Lake Mills, WI);
- Trace Thaden (6’8”, 295lbs – Omaha, NE);
- Ayden Teeter (6’5” 320lbs – Brownsville, PA).
Top Offensive Line Newcomer:
- Aiden Wunderlich (6’6”, 290lbs – Central Cass, ND).
Quarterback
The Hawks have been the beneficiaries of quarterback continuity in recent years with the likes of Tommy Schuster and Simon Romfo, a rare feat in the portal era, and that has seemingly served returning QB1, Jerry Kaminski, quite well. While Kaminski is certainly no stranger to his new OC, the steadfastness of the quarterback room has allowed him to develop quite well through the transition of Freund to Fruechte to Freund, and the Hawks no doubt expect him to hit the ground running this spring.
While Kaminski’s 2025 campaign generated some early Walter Payton Award buzz, there is no doubt he’d like to replay some of his decisions during the back-half of the season against the big dogs of the MVFC. While Kaminski’s 2025 stat-line (2,570 passing yards, 26 TDs/12 INTs, 607 rushing yards, 8 rush TDs) is certainly nothing to sneeze at, interested parties would love to see him live up to his potential when the lights are at their brightest. A arm injury later in the season wasn’t spoken of much but it did hinder his throwing, especially in the short, quick game.
The QB2 battle is the most intriguing at the moment. It would seem Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson, the athletic San Diego State transfer, has the inside track to earn the spot as the primary back-up, appearing in seven games last season. Tupou’ata-Johnson certainly showed off his athleticism against Portland State, rushing for 68 yards, but the question of his ability to stay in the pocket and deliver downfield on Saturdays remains to be answered.
Pushing Tupou’ata-Johnson will be Jack Sulik, the Burlington, WI product. Sulik is big (6’5”, 220lbs) and by all accounts has a live arm that can be a real downfield threat. The Hawks also add a talented freshman from Mount Horeb, WI, Brooks Hendrickson, the top QB they targeted for the incoming 2026 class.
Jerry came back after receiving a sizeable offer from a G5 team. He seems to be sold on the vision of Freund & Schmidt and we can’t blame him. Kaminski can put up numbers and most importantly win big games in this offense – and when he does he can then comfortably take that next NIL offer, which would undoubtedly be much larger than the last one.
Key Returner:
- Jerry Kaminski (6’2” 210lbs – Sun Prairie, WI)
Top Newcomer:
- Brooks Hendrickson (6’3” 210 – Mount Horeb, WI)
Wide Receivers
The wide receiver group projects to be the most exciting position group on the offensive side of the ball. The wide receiver room is crowded and has talent, and those wishing to see the field will need to make the most of their opportunities this spring. Deng Deng, the 6’5” first-team all-state basketball star from Four Winds has shown his ability to levitate in the red zone, hauling in four touchdowns in his first five receptions of 2025. Deng’s production slowed through the thick of conference play, but breakout games against SDSU and Tennessee Tech have people buzzing that Deng’s raw talent might be ready for the next step as a potential gamebreaker. Deng will also have the advantage of being coached by former Gopher and NFL/CFL player, KJ Maye who is high on Deng’s potential.
Bowling Green transfer, Caleb Goodloe will be pushing Crete, IL product Jimmie Maxson III for reps behind Deng. On the flip side of the field is the speedy Korey Tai. In 2025, Tai showed his versatility as both a reliable receiver and a threat on jet sweeps and reverses. Another local talent, former Shanley Deacon, Vuciri Hakim, and his 6’4” frame will be another player hoping to flash in spring ball and show he can contribute on Saturdays.
Pushing Alexandria, MN product, and former Gopher, Kristen Hoskins (10 rec/61 yds), for snaps will be Washington State transfer, Cam Weir. Grand Forks Central standout and UND team captain Sam Strandell made his bones and earned a ton of respect in 2025 the hard way, doing the dirty work. Strandell frequently operated as a de facto TE or FB, often motioning across the formation on kick out blocks or motioning from wide to seal the edge, which proved extremely valuable in the Hawks’ potent run attack. The new coordinator may have new expectations, but we may expect more of the same from Strandell, who has clearly put a lot of work in the weightroom.
This group has a real chance. WR has typically been a hot/cold position for the Hawks so we are hoping for a “hot” year. It’s time for Deng to take the next step and be WR1. No more partial reps, excluding him out of packages, etc. He needs to be a 40-50 play-a-game guy and run the stuff he does well at.
Key Returners:
- Deng Deng (6’5” 225lbs – Tokio, ND)
- Korey Tai (5’11” 185lbs – Glen Ellyn, Ill)
- Kirsten Hoskins (5’8” 170lbs – Alexandria, MN)
Top Newcomers:
- Cam Weir (5’11” 153lbs – Washington State)
- Caleb Goodloe (6’1” 205 – Bowling Green)
Running Backs
With the graduation of Gaven Ziebarth and the departure of the speedy Sawyer Seidl to Wake Forest, it would seem the Hawks would have more questions than answers at the running back position. However, with redshirt constraints lifted for the Hawks’ 2025 playoff run, we were able to get a glimpse of what to expect in 2026 from talented Maple Grove freshman Charles Langama, who bowled his way through multiple Tennessee Tech tacklers for his first career touchdown.
Columbus, WI product Colton Brunell saw action sporadically in the 2025 season, finishing the season with 53 carries and 209 yards. One of Brunell’s most efficient games came in the first round of the playoffs against Tennessee Tech after the Hawks finally broke the dam in the second half and were able to lean on the Golden Eagles.
With 240lb Minot product, Griffin Broderick taking the 2025 season to redshirt behind a talented RB crew, it seems the Hawks are primed to play smashmouth football between the tackles and should be able to take the air out of the ball with late second half leads.
Still, the Hawks needed some depth and experience, and some would say the RB room is still relatively thin. Enter Illinois State transfer Matt Lawson. After playing as a true freshman and gaining 447 yards in 2024 due to need, Lawson redshirted last season for the national runner-ups. Lawson will provide not only depth but could be a difference maker, as well.
Key Returner:
- Colton Brunell (6’0” 200lb – Columbus, WI)
Top Newcomer:
- Matt Lawson (5’10” 225lb – Illinois State)
Tight Ends/Fullbacks
Maple Grove continues to be good to UND with MVFC all-conference honorable mention FB Mason South and TE Nathan Hromadka making major contributions to the 2025 Hawks’ offense. There’s plenty of depth at the TE position, with Watson Hafer, Tray Kuntz, Aidan Behymer, and Haydn Stay all making plays last season, but the jury is still out on how OC Freund plans on utilizing his Y spot in 2026.
The Hawks are loaded with big-bodied, sure-handed tight ends who can all posit a redzone threat, the only question is who is going to emerge as “the guy” this spring. I really like where they are at with the depth and talent at TE/FB. 12 and even 13 personnel could be used quite frequently in 2026.
Key Returner:
- Mason South (6’2” 245lb – Maple Grove, MN)
Top Newcomer:
- Hunter Kallstrom (6’4” 240lb – Kerkhoven, MN) – the staff is high on the Wyoming transfer and his ability to play multiple positions in this offense.