When Coach Schweigert and his staff began their tenure at UND last January, they noticed a roster that was in their opinion lacking the size, speed and depth needed to compete at the FCS level. There were a few pieces here and there but not what they believed to be requisite. After last winter’s workouts they were even more convinced they needed immediate help to stem the tide until their recruiting classes were put in place. Hence, the need for junior college and FBS transfers.
When looking back at last year’s transfer list (the one’s that actually made it to campus), we saw a trend that should not have been surprising. The majority of the transfers that arrived in Grand Forks in mid-summer or fall camp struggled to adjust and did not end up being major contributors. For example, the UND defense is tough to learn, no matter how much the staff tries to simplify it. Guys like Flowers, Blackmon, and Bakker didn’t pick it up quick enough and either redshirted or played sparingly because of it.
For the 2014 season UND had the following players join the team in the fall:
- Charles Flowers (redshirt)
- Colton Boas (started at center but had growing pains)
- Dom Blackmon (played sparingly, needed to learn system)
- Dylan Bakker (redshirt)
- Alex Tillman – FBS (arrived in summer, started at corner, had 4 years experience at Houston)
- Jordan Hinojosa – FBS (started at NG)
- Miguel Cerriteno (played sparingly, struggled with drops)
- Cedric Simmons (injured early on and never played again)
After talking to a member of the defensive staff, he kept stressing how important it is to sign the transfers at semester break and get them on campus immediately. They would work out with the team for 2.5 months, go through a full spring session, and then get full summer workouts in, as well. This would then have them ready to play fast come fall camp instead of spending the first couple months of the season trying to acclimate to the playbook, change in lifestyle, etc.
As this coaching staff stockpiles their own recruiting classes, the need for and number of Juco/FBS transfers will trend downward over the next couple years. You will no doubt see less of them as the depth chart fills in with 4-year high school recruits. The staff would obviously never turn down a difference-making FBS drop down player (like Tillman), but Juco transfers could be scarce over the next couple years.
UND currently has the following transfers on campus and competing in spring football:
- Clive Georges – WR
- Jawon Johnson – S
- Ja’Won Arrington – RB
- Zach Arnell – S (injured)
- Trent Galkoski – S
- Oscar Nevermann – RB
- Kevin Camy – OT
- Alex Reed – WR
A few random notes from what we heard about winter workouts and who had made big strides heading into spring ball:
- Charles Flowers tested out as the strongest cornerback. The staff redshirted him to let him get stronger and not waste a year. It has appeared to paid off.
- OT Kevin Camy increased his strength numbers almost exponentially from where he started. He still has a long way to go physically but from all accounts made huge strides.
- S Cole Reyes tested extremely well in most categories, including fastest 40 yard dash (4.68 laser), Pro test, and VJ (36″). He also weighed in at 218 pounds.
- S Jawon Johnson had a 10’6″ standing long jump and 36″ vertical.
- WR Alex Reed tested well also with the fastest 10 yard dash.
- Not surprisingly, LB Will Ratelle blew everyone out of the water in total lifting (bench, squat, clean).
- DE Brandon Dranka had the highest lifting total among all D-lineman.
