As near as we can tell, Coach Bubba Schweigert and his staff should be about done with recruiting as far as the official 2015 recruiting calendar goes.
By our math they are sitting at 26 scholarship commitments and 6 preferred-walk on commitments. That means they can sign five more players for the 2015 season, if they are so inclined. A team can only sign 30 players in one recruiting season.
The one player we are waiting to hear something on is LB Troy Hansen of Canada Prep. He visited UND in December and was waiting on word from the University of California about a scholarship, but we haven’t heard or read anything concrete on his decision. Per reports, he was offered a grey shirt or PWO by Cal (not sure which). While it is probably a coin flip chance, we are hoping he will be signing with UND, but it appears we will have to wait until Wednesday to know for sure. He would definitely be a nice cherry on top of this solid 2015 signing day class. Inside linebacker is still a position of need right now when breaking down this class (below).
UND may also still be in the market for a transfer defensive lineman in the next few months – a player that would start with the team come summer time. If it is an FBS transfer it would be announced in May.
Signing Day is on Wednesday, February 4th. UND will be holding their annual Signing Day Party at the Alerus Center, Ballroom 5 on Wednesday night at 5:30 pm.
Quarterback (2)
1. Brad Heidlebaugh – QB (ND)
2. Aidan Hartness – QB (ND) (PWO)
Running Back (3)
1. Brady Oliveira – RB (MB)
2. Ja’Won Arrington – RB (UAB)
3. Austin Gordon – RB (MN) (PWO)
Fullback (0)
1. None
Wide Receiver (6)
1. Carter Blackwell – WR (ND)
2. John Santiago – WR (MN)
3. Clive Georges – WR (Arizona-FBS)
4. Alex Reed – WR (Iowa Western-J)
5. Tim Dulin – WR (MI)
6. Tristan Hartness – WR (ND) (PWO)
Tight End (1)
1. Luke Keller – TE (ND) (PWO)
Offensive Line (6)
1. Elijah Grady – (ND)
2. Zack Williams – OL (MB)
3. Justus Merz – OL (KS)
4. Patric Rooney – OG (MN)
5. Kevin Camy – OL – (Butte CC)
6. Bryce Blair – OL – (CO)
Defensive Line (3)
1. Carl Engwall – DL (MN)
2. Steve Greer – NG (MO)
3. Logan Alm – NG (MN) (PWO)
Outside Linebacker (3)
1. Mason Bennett – OLB (MB)
2. Jade Lawrence – OLB (MN)
3. Keelan Poole – OLB (CO)
Inside Linebacker (1)
1. Donnell Rodgers – ILB (MN)
Safety (4)
1. Zach Arnell – S (Santa Barbara CC)
2. Jawon Johnson – S (New Mexico Military JC)
3. Tanner Palmborg – S (MN) (PWO)
4. Awarri Smith – S (MI – could also be a RB)
Cornerback (3)
1. Tyus Carter – CB (CO)
2. Robert Hilton – CB (CA)
3. Jeremy Webb – CB (IL)
I believe Bennett played DE in a 3-4 alignment for the Canadian U-18 game against the US. What are the chances he plays DE instead of OLB?
Right away – zero. He has been labeled as an OLB in everything we have seen. If he continues to get bigger than, yes, he could move down to defensive end.
I saw my shadow today … 4 more years of mediocrity from the UND football team.
All because UND didn’t recruit the Jacobsen twins, right? Your schtick is getting old.
Better go check the police blotter for bison players.
Where do we see Gordon fitting in now that he has committed?
The DB Webb from Illinois who was in last weekend apparently didn’t commit or was he even offered?
We haven’t seen anything yet. Would have to think they offered him if they brought him in on a late visit.
I think you’re listing 6 PWO’s (Hartness, Gordon, Hartness, Keller, Alm, and Palmborg). Is there a limit to the number of PWO’s that a team can sign in one year?
We get more athletic and longer at safety with the additions. Reyes, Blackmon, Arnell and Johnson will make a nice 2 deep.
Really like what we brought in at WR. We have size, speed and elusiveness. Not sure most of the other recruits will have an immediate impact.
Overall, looks like a solid class on paper.
Great class. Congrats to bubba and staff.
I won’t write off any of these recruits for playing time next year. If you would have told me that Greely and Dranka would have been as solid as they were last season I would have had my doubts. There will be surprises in this class on the kids who may be ready. The easy guess, would be WR or DB but I think one or two of the OL will be physically ready to log minutes next season.
Any idea if UND will be doing a live chat again tomorrow for signing day? I know they’ve done it the last few years but they haven’t released anything indicating they will be doing so tomorrow. Always nice to see the names pop up as the faxes roll in.
Just FYI – We will more than likely do our own signing day Q & A in our comments section of our signing day post, either tomorrow or Thursday. We don’t want to step on toes of UND’s efforts on their chat and website etc, so stay tuned on day and time. We’re thinking 1 or 2 pm on whichever day. As always, we’d love to have as much participation from our readership as possible.