Size definitely isn’t an issue when evaluating the UND Class of 2021.  They had tall, hybrid type WR/TE’s, a big running back and a couple offensive lineman. However, now they’ve added that high-end speed element to the class with their two latest commits.

Last Friday the Hawks got a commitment from Champlain Park High School product Edmund Ocansey.  The Rebels were a MN powerhouse last season going 12-2, losing in the 6A state championship game to Wayzata.

The 6’0″-165 corner is the type of player that coaches go after for the pure speed and twitch alone.  Ocansey is a track and field standout for the Rebels with PR’s of 22′-11″ in the long jump, 47′-0″ in the triple jump.  Both those numbers show the twitch that caught recruiters eyes.

Ocansey will most likely be a special teams returner very early in his career. With that type of burst and speed it makes sense to put him back deep to field punts and kickoffs if possible.

The Hawks headed down to the Grand Canyon state to pick up their latest commitment in Damien Owens of Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale.  Owens, 6’1″-170, was a pretty sought after athlete with offers from SUU, Idaho, SDSU, and ACU.  Owens joins Nathan Demontagnac as the two receivers in the class.

Owens reminds us a bit of former UND WR Clive Georges. He runs very precise, technical routes and has a high-end burst to accompany it, which allows him to separate quickly.  His speed is quite noticeable on film.  Owens is also a polished return man so he will definitely be used in that manner, as well.

He is the type of player that UND has desperately been looking for to accompany their bevy of tall, physical receivers.  Owens visited campus a couple weeks and that allowed him to get a feel for UND and what they had to offer. Getting kids on campus has obviously been an issue as recruiting has been shut down since April due to Covid-19.

In the offseason Owens competes in 7-on-7 with the Tucson Turf Elite program.

For those of you that noticed he wrote “Recruitment still open” on his commitment tweet here is what we think it means.  If a P5 school comes offering he will most likely take that.  If a G5 school would come offering he would look at that as well, if its the right fit.  Basically put, an FBS offer could change things but his FCS commitment is to UND.

The Hawks now have 12 commitments the Class of 2021, which you can see here.

 

Cover photo courtesy of Sophia Briseo.  AZ Central.