• UND is going to need one their true freshmen cornebacks to play this fall.  Evan Holm or Andre Randolph are going to need to prepare in practice as if they are getting their shirt pulled.  UND is one short at cornerback right now.  We will continue to update as camp goes along.
  • Not helping matters is junior CB Deion Harris has already hurt his hamstring and sat out practices 2 & 3.  UND cannot have guys missing time this early, especially at cornerback.  Will be interesting to see who is #1 opposite Tyus Carter in a week or two.  The coaches need somebody they can count on.
  • Getting the ball to RB John Santiago in space is going to be a new wrinkle this fall.  In 2015 they handed it off to him the majority of the time.  Expect Santiago to line up all over the field in different packages as a way to isolate him one-on-one with the defender across from him.
  • Typically the defense is way ahead of the offense early in camp.  Doesn’t seem that way thus far, however.  Coach Eric Schmidt has gotten after the defense several times already during team sessions and had them do “up-downs” for lack of hustle to the ball.
  • Transfer center Michael Coe came into camp ready to play.  He already knew Coach Luke Knauf’s OL terminology and style so that was a huge advantage for him.  Coe is big human being, wide shoulders and pretty quick feet, stands around 6’2″ or so.  He did play tackle at Western New Mexico but would make an outstanding center.  He has absolutely stoned NG Tank Harris multiple times during one-on-one drills.
  • All eyes are on Mat Cox at right tackle.  Cox is being counted on to shore up the spot vacated by Elijah Grady.  Thus far in camp he has done a decent job in one-on-one’s but will need to show he can pick up the speed rushers off the edge.  UND likes to run play-action after the run has been established and that takes time.
  • The UND punting situation has us a bit concerned right now.  Transfer Austin Dussold and former 2014 punter Connor Bolduc are both competing for the starting job.  Neither has done much to this point to lock up the spots, as near as we can tell.  Outstanding punting by Mitch Meindel last season was a big part of the success they had.
  • Nate Nguon is the most physically ready of the true freshman offensive linemen.  Not sure as of yet if UND will need him but he would be the first candidate at one of the interior OL positions.  He has the strength and agility to play but is only a true freshman.