The depth chart release is always a fun time for fans. We get to see who jumped up and earned a starting spot or who isn’t listed at all.  This year for the UND Football team there were both as the initial fall camp roster was released prior to practice #1.

Here is the UND fall camp depth chart (via fightinghawks.com):

Let’s unpack some stuff based on what we see –

  1. The QB situation, as detailed by Tom Miller of the Herald, is going to go on for awhile.  Andrew Zimmerman is getting the first looks now but that will change next week.  Nate Ketteringham and Brock Boltmann are going to be in this thing for a few weeks at least, alongside Zimmerman.  The odds on favorite in our opinion is Ketteringham based on his spring body of work along with his experience at Sac State.
  2. Offensive line is about as we thought earlier.  One surprise is Sean Russo starting at right tackle.  Both Russo and Bennett Helgren will battle throughout camp for that job – the problem is neither has any experience.
  3. At wide receiver everyone knows about Toivonen and Wanzek but after that it gets a bit murky.  UND is perennially searching for that smaller, quicker WR to go with the big boys.  This year it will be down to Izzy Adeoti, Cam McKinney, and Mikey Greibel to be that guy.  We saw Greibel with a brace on his hand Friday, meaning he has already gotten injured.  Not sure what happened or how long but not a good start.
  4. Look for true freshman 6’5″ WR Garrett Maag to be in the rotation very early and play immediately.  He is looking really good.  By the time Mississippi Valley State comes around UND will be playing with three WR’s that go 6’5″-6’4″-6’3″.
  5. At nose guard it appears freshman Jalen Morrison has passed up Steve Greer for the backup spot to Tank Harris.  I am sure both will play but found it interesting since Morrison missed the spring season due to injury.
  6. Not seeing transfer ILB Everett Williams in the Top 2 at inside linebacker is a bit surprising.  Donnell Rodgers is the rightful starter but sophomore Cam Hunt is listed as the backup.  Hunt showed some promise in limited duty towards the end of last year so we aren’t totally shocked.  Williams will play, no doubt, but sosethsomto watch play out.
  7. Freshman Noah Larson is the starting weakside ILB.  Larson was set to play last year as a true freshman before getting injured in fall camp.
  8. Junior transfer Lenny Nelson is the #1 strong safety.  Nelson had an outstanding spring after signing with UND at Xmas break but we are mildly surprised he got shifted to strong safety.
  9. Warren Taylor is the mystery punter we were told about.  All we can find about him is he transferred from Denver University but did not play football there since they don’t have football.  However, when watching his highlights it is obvious he has plenty of punting experience somewhere.
  10. Long Snapper Ross Hinders is going to be the next Jacob Holmen in the fact he is going to start at long snapper as a true freshman.  Holmen, who just finished up his Hawk career in 2017, was a four-year starter for UND.
  11. Even though freshman TE Graham Devore isn’t listed on the depth chart look for him to work his way up.  Devore had a big spring season and brings some solid play-making ability to that group.
  12. Deion Harris back at his rightful spot at starting right cornerback.  Will be good for Harris to have all camp to work through the post-injury bugs.
  13. Jordan Canady is the starting free safety with Hayden Galvin backing him up.  We need a big year from Canady.  He got a taste last year – now he knows the speed of the game and it’s time to step up and make some plays back there.