Note – Because of the change in defense to a 4-2-5, more defined roles like “Edge” will be used on the defensive line, and “Nickel” in the secondary, and less defined positions like “Linebacker” take over from the former ILB & OLB.
Edge
We’re starting off the defensive preview with a bang, the edge rusher. You’re going to have a field edge, which means this position lines up on the wide-side of the field and is going to be a bigger kid generally, as he needs to hold contain to a larger area and be disruptive. The boundary edge lines on up on short side of the field and will be more of a pure pass rusher type. Now, defining those roles with the returnees isn’t my job! I have some ideas as to who fits in where but there are some unknowns here.
The field edge needs to have a little bigger body and will be filled by guys like sophomore Kaden Vig, senior Grady Kentch, senior Myles Terry, sophomore Braden Mohr, freshman Erick Paye, and so on.
A body type like Vig – 6’5″-265 who can move and hold the edge, but is also athletic enough to get after the QB. Vig is opening eyes and one to watch. Kentch has the body type but could use more weight on his frame – if that happens he may blossom. Reviews on Myles Terry have been great and word is he’s putting on weight and will be a better fit in this role vs a 3-4 defensive end.
Mohr, who was the starting DE last year in game 1 but was knocked out for the season with a knee injury, is more than likely out for spring ball. Really tough injury for a kid who was slated for a ton of playing time last year. Paye, the Grand Forks Central product, is kind of like the Deng Deng of the edge group. Anyone who saw him play basketball at Grand Forks Central can attest to the explosiveness and athleticism. He is very new to football and definitely looks the part. The ceiling is extremely high for him.
The boundary edge, you’re looking at guys like senior transfer Kyjuan Vengrowsky, junior Lance Rucker, and freshmen Packson Bettis, Langden College and Cam Ahlers. Vengrowsky was brought in for a reason, folks. He comes from Winona State where Coach Fruechte and Coach Olson were on the staff. They know exactly what they’re getting and he’s expected to be a factor immediately.
The dynamic Lance Rucker at the edge position seems like a great match. Word is he’s stepped up into more of a leadership role, as well. Bettis and College are projectable guys whose frame really fits. If the frame and athleticism fit there certainly is a chance. Ahlers makes the moves to edge from LB and is seen as a better fit. It’s a new position for a lot of these guys so some of this boils down to how soon the light bulb go on.
My Thoughts: this group needs to be disruptive and make plays. Similar to the OLB in the old 3-4 scheme. If they aren’t producing the Hawks are going to be in trouble. Spring ball will tell us what we have in this group. The portal is not out of question if they need another body.
Defensive Tackle
A whole lot of new at defensive tackle this year, as UND goes from a 3-4 to a 4-2-5. This is where a big change is going to have to take place in going from one DT to two. UND is short defensive tackles on the roster and this no doubt will have to be addressed in the spring transfer portal. A handful of DT’s will have to be brought in. We simply don’t have enough bodies right now.
The returnees are senior Montre Samuels-Parker, sophomore Sam Hindbjorgen, sophomore Logyn Eckheart, and freshman Brennan Blegen. Freshman transfer Emmanuel Olagbaju from St Thomas joined the team at the break.
Of those five, Samuels-Parker and Blegen played the most last year. Samuels-Parker was a rotational guy who played some DE, while Blegen (6’3″-295) maintained his redshirt while playing in four games. The four games he did play in were down the stretch last year and he was very noticeable and disruptive. Eckheart and Hindbjorgen are more unknowns. Olagbaju (6’2″-300) has the size and twitch to be a great fit. He did have an injury that kept him out most of this past year for the Tommies but word is that he nearing 100% now.
Luckily with only five DT’s everyone here will get a ton of reps in Spring Ball. Additionally, who has put on more weight? Who has improved in learning the new techniques needed? Maybe some returnees are better suited as a 3-technique and will thrive? Bottom line, the defensive tackle position is one that will have to be addressed through the portal.
My Thoughts: spring ball will tell us alot about this group, once again. The change in scheme will be a steep learning curve for some guys – along with the lack of numbers there is definitely a wait and see mentality here. I like some of the body types.
Linebacker
Another big area of change is LB, going from playing with four on the field to playing with two. A handful of them have moved to edge. Senior starter Malachi McNeal does return and he has played a ton of football and really stepped up over the winter. Other returnees are senior John Butsch (transfer from Upper Iowa who played a lot there but didn’t see the field much last year), junior Paine Parks, sophomore Ethan Boll, and sophomore Owen McCloud.
Not much experience with this group after McNeal. Parks and McCloud have played some. Again, wouldn’t be shocked to see a portal addition to supplement things after Spring Ball. Wish there was more to share but this is a pretty inexperienced group.
My Thoughts: Not quite sure what to make of this group as they are so young. The portal is almost a certainty for adding immediate help – however, if a few of these guys emerge over the next two months the staff may hold off.
Cornerback
Whereas linebacker is extremely inexperienced, cornerback is fairly experienced at the top. Senior Clayton Bishop returns with a fair amount of experience. Coach Schmidt knows exactly what he has San Diego State senior transfer Bennett Walker. Walker has played a ton of snaps in the previous five years at the juco level, starting at CB at Eastern Michigan, and playing heavily in Coach Schmidt’s rotation the first 3 games last year.
Junior Antonio Bluiett returns as well, after starting nine games last year before an injury. Between those three that’s pretty good experience and positional size. 6’0″+ corners with good hips are a good thing.
The experience dwindles after that with sophomore Marcus Wahl and freshman Jayden Jones being next. Spring reps for those two will be huge for their development. Wahl didn’t see much action last year. Jones comes from a fantastic HS program, which that bodes extremely well. Just because of the stark contrast between a lot of experience and no experience at all, a portal addition wouldn’t be a shock here either.
My Thoughts: this group is in better shape than some others. I like what they have back and guys like Bluiett and Bishop could see a jump now that game experience is under their belt.
Nickel
A new starting position on the defense – this nickel position isn’t the same as your typical nickel corner of the past. This position is a combination CB, S, and LB. Need to be able to run, cover, and also defend the run game. A unique skillset.
The three nickels on the roster currently are seniors Jonnie Wiltshire & Avery Scott, and freshman Henry Theobald. Wiltshire played a good amount last year and quietly had a nice year. He plays the run very well, physical player. Scott started four games and was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team. Theobald is highly thought of and can really run.
Between those three this group is pretty solid considering it’s brand new. A transfer could be possible to add depth and competition.
My Thoughts: the experience is there and they may be alright heading into fall camp. I could see a guy like Bluiett getting a look here with his size. One thing we will see is players moving all over to see what sticks as there are a lot of new, unique positions.
Safety
Returning starter Tyler Erkman had a nice freshman year. He has decent size (6’1″-195) and good instincts to continue to help the defense. Erkman should evolve nicely over the next year. Senior Jy Martin rotated in last year a good amount as well and brings a ton of experience. Junior Jett Sutton is in a similar boat as he started most of last year and getting him (and all returnees really) up-to-speed on the new scheme is so crucial. Sophomore Tegan Pfeffer contributed on special teams last year and will vie for an increased role. Sophomore Hudson Flom will look for improvement and to carve out a role.
The next group will be freshman Sam Ostrenga, a highly thought prospect of out of Wisconsin who covers and hits. Freshman Gunnar Lym will look for reps and carries a reputation of a guy who runs well.
The portal additions will be big. Senior Zach Lewis was a massive get out of Northern Arizona. He was an All-Big Sky recipient last year and UND beat out a dozen plus teams for his services. He is a former CB, and is known to be good in coverage and playing the run. Juco transfer Nate Frankfather is expected to play a big role. Good sized kid (6’2″) who can help in run support and play the pass – he brings much needed length to the room. Overall this is an experienced group.
My Thoughts: the portal additions helped immensely on paper. This group needed size but has numbers and experience back from last year. Combine them all, coach them up and UND may be OK. The Hawks haven’t had a dominant safety for quite a while.
SPECIALISTS – Kicker, Punter, & Long Snapper
UND returns senior long-snapper David Neuberger. This is huge! When have you ever heard his name in his 3 years at UND? The answer is rarely if ever. A quality player for sure who thought about transferring but ultimately stayed. FR Troy Philips returns as well. The hope is he is developing nicely and takes over next year when Neuberger graduates. Phillips has big shoes to fill.
JR kicker CJ Elrichs is back. He went a solid 14/19 on field goals and he earned the staff’s trust as the year went along. Five touchbacks on 27 kickoffs, as well. Freshman Kenten Laughman redshirted but did contribute in a handful of games. Of note, he did a nice job on kickoffs.
JR punter Luke Silvernale returns. He’s been a steady performer in his career. He also has taken kickoff duties at times, and had five touchbacks in 35 attempts last year. Punter Sam Klestinski returns as well. He had a few punts last year and averaged nearly 40 yards per punt.
One thing with the specialists and kicking game – last year they booted seven kickoffs out-of-bounds. SEVEN kickoffs out-of-bound is far too many and I would assume can be controlled with scheme and practice.
My Thoughts: The Hawks return a ton of ST experience and will be good to go for the 2025 season. Elrichs has continued to improve and now needs to be a relied upon asset from 45 yards in. That consistency has been missing over the past few years.
Overview
So much has changed on the defensive side of the ball! Going to be a ton of learning this spring. With the change in scheme, the defensive side of the ball is one area I wouldn’t be surprised to see some defections and additions in the portal. That isn’t a negative on any of the current players at all. It’s simply going from a defense that calls for one DT to a defense that calls for two. Naturally the DT numbers on the roster need to almost double.
Similarly but in the other direction are the linebackers. We’re going from a defense that calls for four starting linebackers to a defense that calls for two. Cutting the number in half means we don’t need as many and those resources need to be diverted elsewhere.
Because of sheer numbers, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the edges. The strength in numbers is there and there are some interesting talents in the group. Can we get requisite pressure?