I took some time off over the holiday break to recharge the batteries and get ready to attack 2022 with a vengeance. Now that we came out the other side it’s time to get back to work.
The Hawks are back in class and the team started up workouts last week. It will be a shorter heavy workout season than normal due to spring ball starting early this year.
If you can believe this, UND starts spring practice on February 20th already! I am used to them running spring ball from mid-March to early May but those days are long gone. The 2022 Spring Scrimmage will be held on April 2nd, which is very early IIRC. It will more than likely be a glorified “scrimmage” of sorts with some small stuff mixed in so don’t expect a game-type setup.
Look for UND to run 2-3 practices per week, work out the other days, and take spring break week off before culminating with the annual spring game.
A focus of the staff will be to take it easy on the players this winter/spring. This is necessary after playing back to back seasons last spring and fall, while working out all summer. There could be more no-pad practices than normal. The Hawks have a number of players sitting out the start of winter workouts due to injuries from the fall season.
The Hawks added two more walk-on transfers over the winter in RB Grant Romfo (NDSU) and safety/OLB Hunter Hansen (Northern State). Romfo is the twin brother of current UND QB Simon Romfo and is projected to be a wide receiver at UND, I believe. He is the second player to transfer to UND from NDSU (Seth Anderson).
Hansen is an intriguing prospect who will have one year of eligibility remaining. At 6’4″-230, he is an oversized safety who may project well as an OLB in the Hawks 3-4 scheme. Hansen was 4th on the Wolves team in tackles with 72, while notching one INT and two forced fumbles. Hansen is originally from Dell Rapids, SD.
I believe the Hawks are sitting at 23 for the 2022 recruiting class. They will be looking to add a few more pieces over the next couple weekends now that recruiting season is back underway. Look for them to bring in specialists, first and foremost. They need a kicker and long snapper for sure as Ross Hinders is a senior and they didn’t sign a kicker in the early period. There are usually kickers available in the portal if need be but that would happen in May.