When You’re Hot, You’re Hot!
It wasn’t too long ago we ran a story about the big commitment from Central Cass star OL Aiden Wunderlich. UND beat out some heavy hitters to earn his commitment. Since then the hits have kept on coming.
Six more ’26 grads have recently made their commitment to the Fighting Hawks!
Ethan Headings made his pledge to the Fighting Hawks a few days after Wunderlich. A long and athletic safety at 6-2 190, Headings is from the epicenter of Hawkeye country in Iowa City, IA and attends Iowa City West HS. You can watch his Hudl Jr Highlight film here. Headings earned offers from FBS Army and Air Force, as well as MVFC foe Northern Iowa and ex-conference mate Western Illinois.
A playmaking safety who shows speed and aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, Headings projects as someone who will play early in his career at UND. The nose for the ball and attacking mentality will play well in UND secondary, and no doubt Coach Keaton Wilkerson can’t wait to work with Headings.
The UND coaching staff identified edge Blake Buhr at the top of their recruiting board very quickly after arriving. What’s not to like about a 6-5 220 kid who can take over a game with his quickness and agility off the edge? After earning offers from Cornell, South Dakota St, and FBS Central Michigan, Buhr decided UND was his best fit and committed to the Fighting Hawks. You can watch his Hudl Jr Highlight film here.
The quick offer to Blake speaks volumes. Being his school’s QB, as well as earning an Ivy League offer speaks to his intelligence. Blake’s going to weigh 250lb early in his career and not lose any quickness or athletic ability. A high ceiling kid, once again. Buhr will keep the “Sack City” sign folks in the student section busy. According to 247sports’ newly updated state of Wisconsin rankings, he is the #15 recruit in WI and a 3 star (UND fans will want to check out that list).
The suburban Chicago area has been very good to the Hawks over the years. Getting those kids hasn’t been common, but the ones we have gotten have been very good players. Add RB Tyler Zdon from Fox Lake, IL and Grant HS to that list. His commitment shuts down the Hawks RB recruiting very early in the process and the 5-9 205 back is an amazing fit. You can watch his Hudl Jr Highlight tape here.
Zdon earned offers from fellow MVC foes Southern Illinois and North Dakota State, as well as SEMO. He is a low-to-the-ground, quick kid who packs a punch. He shows the ability to break away from defenders as well. Given the physicality and strength he brings from the jump as a freshman, Tyler is one who will have a chance to make an early impact. This is a fun kid to watch, folks. The Hawks want to run the ball and dominate the line of scrimmage, and having a talented RB like this will certainly help.
Nate Appleget from Lincoln, NE and Lincoln Southeast HS is a straight football player. UND earned the commitment of the 6-3 215 LB over offers from FBS Northern Illinois, Navy, Air Force, Ivy League Penn, FCS Lindenwood, and MVFC foe South Dakota St. You can watch his Hudl Jr Highlight tape here. Take note of a few things there.
First, Lincoln Southeast HS has a great track record for producing wins and ready-made players. They do it the right way there. Incoming UND Edge Pierre Allen is a Lincoln SE guy as well. Appleget was elevated to the varsity as a Fr. He started as a So. He starts both ways, and what’s rare and exciting is that he starts at WR offensively. A WR/LB combo. Rarely do LBs go into college capable of contributing immediately, but don’t be surprised at all if Nate does.
Given all the previous commitments and how things were shaking out positionally, it seemed that a defensive back would soon commit to the Hawks. Tavian White, a 6-0 180 DB/Nickel from Waukee, IA did just that. You can watch his Hudl Jr Highlight tape here. It’s easy to see why the talented kid earned offers from Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Lindenwood. Tavian is also a very accomplished hurdler on the Waukee HS track team.
The tape shows Tavian’s speed and aggression. A sure tackler that can pop and doesn’t shy from contact. Those things make him a great fit at nickel if that’s where he ends up. CBs/nickels are kids who can step in right away and play early in their careers. White is no exception.
Marial Deng, the 6-5 190 WR from Four Winds HS just west of Grand Forks, pledged to UND this week as well. He’ll join his brother Deng in the UND WR room. Marial is one of the top prospects in the North Dakota Class of 2026 and is just scratching the surface.
Like his brother, he also excels on the basketball court. Coming from 9-man football there will be a learning curve and that’s no different with any 9-man kid anywhere. But, at the same time you can’t teach height, and a 6-5 athletic WR fits the bill. Word is he has taken up track for the first time and is picking up things very quickly. This will only help improve his speed and technique. An excellent addition to the UND Class of 2026!
That’s 12 Class of 2026 commits for UND and we’re barely into May! There are around 19 seniors on the roster. Just calling it like it is – right now they don’t have much room left in the class of 26. In the portal era you’re best off to saving some scholarship money to attack the portal. Get class of 26 kids that you targeted (early) now, sure maybe take a few after camps next month, but save for instant impact guys in the portal in Jan of ’26. That becomes even more important with a new staff implementing a new defensive system with different base personnel.
Maybe UND will take a smaller playmaking WR (given that Deng is 6-5)? Maybe another CB? There are also a few guys that the staff has offered who are “too good not to take” – if they want to commit you make room for them. Bottom line is this class is nearly finished and the staff has done an amazing job identifying talent, pouring into them, gaining their trust, and earning their pledge. The message and vision is getting out quickly and recruits obviously love what they hear and see.
We’d also miss the boat if there wasn’t a message and plug to end this article. The 1883 Collective is making a big impact for UND Football! We can help them make an even bigger impact. All fans and alums are urged to get involved with the 1883 Collective any way they can.
Businesses can get involved with 1883 just the same. There are monthly donation schedules and yearly donation schedules. You can choose to donate any lump sum amount. Fans can choose to donate to football right on the site. Coach Schmidt and staff need all the help they can get and that’s no different than any sport in the country. The 1883 Collective is the arm that is helping the program move the needle!
Class of 2026 Fighting Hawks
- QB Brooks Hendrickson – 6-3 210 Mount Horeb, WI
- TE George Rohl – 6-7 240 Ellsworth, WI
- OL Jackson Stein – 6-7 290 Lake Mills, WI/Lakeside Lutheran HS
- Edge Brody Woods – 6-5 230 Cold Spring, MN/ Rocori HS
- OL Brady Goihl – 6-7 270 Melrose, MN
- OL Aiden Wunderlich – 6-7 270 Casselton, ND/ Central Cass HS
- S Ethan Headings – 6-2 190 Iowa City, IA/ Iowa City West HS
- Edge Blake Buhr – 6-5 220 Sheboygan, WI/ Sheboygan North HS
- RB Tyler Zdon – 5-9 205 Fox Lake, IL / Grant HS
- LB Nate Appleget – 6-3 215 Lincoln, NE / Lincoln Southeast HS
- CB Tavian White – 6-0 180 Waukee, IA
- WR Marial Deng – 6-5 190 Tokio, ND / Four Winds HS