In what I would term a pleasant surprise, UND has uploaded their 2019 roster to the Fighting Hawks website.
Before we dig into the subtractions and omissions we need to clarify a few things.
UND signed a large 2019 class (we predicted a much smaller class). With the latest addition of WR Hayden Overby (Thompson, ND) we have the 2019 class at 31 members. That would put the Hawks over their slated roster limit of 105, we believe. Don’t quote us on that number but we believe that is the number of players they can have on roster come fall camp.
This isn’t uncommon as most all schools know that there is going to be attrition on the roster for a variety of reasons (transfer, injury-related, quitting altogether, grades, discipline).
With that being said we have compared the 2018 roster to the 2019 version. The following players are no longer with the team:
- CB Asayi Onaghinor
- CB Tyus Carter (Graduated)
- LB Mike Bruner (left at winter break)
- LB Bryce Crouch
- OL Bryce Blair
- OL Wesley Jefferies
- WR Jack Pifer
- LB Corby Richman
- LB Zach Murphy
- TE/C Logan Alm
- DE Nick Honerlaw (Injury)
- WR Noah Sickler
Onaghinor and Jefferies are the only two who have officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
CB Tyus Carter was the only player listed above who played considerably over the past few seasons but that was trimmed down in 2018.
CB transfer Jeremie Dominique is still with the team but is not listed on the 2019 roster, for whatever reason.
One area that is glaringly thin is the offensive line. There are only 12 OL listed on the 2019 roster with one of them (Noah Mortel) currently injured. Only four of those have any significant experience (Nguon, Tobin, Rooney, Helgren and Waletzko).
Once again, arguably the most important position on the team (offensive line) is going to be scrambling and hoping for no injuries this fall. However, the Hawks are bringing six OL to Grand Forks in the Class of 2019 but they cannot be truly counted on for at least a full season.
