LkvlleUNDFan

Three of our verbals from the Twin Cities were just named to the All-Metro team by KARE11, the local NBC affiliate. They are: Harry Momoh, LB from Hopkins Carl Engwall, DE from Lakeville North John Santiago, RB from St. Francis Defense: http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/11/14/kare-all-metro-defense-kare-11-2014/18969943/ Offense: http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/11/14/all-metro-offense-2014-kare-11/18972507/

Since I'm new to this board, I have a question or two that I hope some of the closer followers of UND football can answer. First, how does the number of player departures compare to past years? I understand that with any coaching transition you're likely to see some of that - but how many departures are typical, if there is a typical? Second, how does this affect recruiting? When players with experience leave, does it lead to more juco recruits and other transfers to try to fill that experience gap? Or do you just expand the high school recruiting class and be prepared to deal with inexperienced players having to step up and play earlier than they otherwise would have? I'm sure the answer is somewhere in the middle, but I'm curious what you've seen.

Lakeville North beat Hopkins and is heading to the Minnesota state playoffs. Tristyn Hanson was in uniform but did not play - just 7 weeks from a broken tibia, fibula, and displaced ankle. He's planning to play this week. Amazingly tough kid that has been going to painful therapy sessions twice a day to get back on the field. Amazing toughness from that kid. He'd look really good in green and white.

I've talked with the kids in our area that the current UND staff has recruited, and none of them have experienced any negative comments about other programs.

I know he really likes UND and the coaching staff and had really good things to say after visiting. From what I hear it's still very much on his list. I heard he really liked Air Force after visiting there, too, but I really don't know which way he's leaning right now.

Two of our commits will be facing each other again on Friday when WR/DB Harry Momoh and Hopkins return to Lakeville to face Lakeville North and DE/TE Carl Engwall . There's also rumor of a slim chance that North's Tristyn Hanson might be ready to make an appearance in this game after missing the last 7 with a broken leg. The two teams played played on August 28 and North won that one 39-13, but the North defense came up with 25 points in that game. The rematch should be a much better game.

Good point. He didn't actually say it explicitly - I kind of read between the lines and figured it out. Position will be interesting... He played a lot of OLB in the game I saw and I could see him being effective there. He's not tall, but solid and fast. Sounds like a pass-rushing OLB to me.

I saw one of the UND coaches at a game last night. He told me that Harry Momoh from Hopkins, MN has committed. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2546824/harry-momoh-hm3 I saw Momoh play earlier this season - kid's a baller.

I'm no QB coach, but: Harfield looks to be really promising. Here's what I noticed right away. Height: at 6'7" he's obviously got no problem seeing the field. Arm: It's hard to really judge arm strength from these videos, but he looks to have a solid combination of strength to zip it in when necessary and touch to drop it in on the longer passes. Most impressed with: Pocket poise. So many young and mobile QBs panic when pressured and immediately look to run. He is mobile enough to get out of trouble at this level, but looks to find space to pass. This is a kid that gets it - he'll make more plays with his arm than his legs. Concern: 6'7" and 191 pounds - he's going to have to beef up. Somebody might break him in half if he doesn't. That's an issue that's easily fixed, though, once he's on a college workout program and schedule. Mayock: Again, hard to judge on the video, but he doesn't look to have blazing speed. He does seem to have a knack for getting open, though, and shows great ability to focus on the ball and come down with it in traffic. He's a kid that coaches would definitely want to see in camps - although I'm sure he's been to some already as a '15 grad.

For all that are complaining about the banners and other things about the Alerus Center, how 'bout sending those comments to someone who can actually act on them? I think I heard there's a new head of operations, and all the staff email addresses are listed right here: http://www.aleruscenter.com/alerus-center/management. Just a thought...

I can confirm that Tristyn Hanson was there. I haven't heard anything about how his day went or his reaction. He'd look good in green.

I know nothing about his recruiting status, but I did watch him play when his Hopkins team played against Lakeville North last week. Simply put, he's a force on defense. Hopkins plays kind of an unconventional 4-4 defense and as the 4th LB they free him up to go pretty much wherever he pleases. His ability to get to the ball, run through or around blocks, and generally wreak havoc on an offense is what allows them to do that. He's not huge - but he can play! Where he fits on a D1 defense is a good guess. He's listed as a safety, and that's probably the right spot for him.

It's a little early to tell - I'm not as familiar with the 2016 class, but there's a few kids that really stood out in the first game last week. Give me another game or two and I'll have more of an opinion on future prospects. The 2014 and 2015 classes at North might be a bit of a statistical anomoly with the number of D1 and DII athletes and state tournament/playoff teams they've had.

Two updates from Lakeville: - Tristyn Hanson will be making the trip to GF for the game against Robert Morris this weekend. - In an odd coincidence, Carl Engwall's uncle is the superintendent of schools in the Florida Keys, where the twins George and Henry Jacobsen are from.

I am from Lakeville and I know both Hanson and Engwall a bit. Tristyn is a great all-around athlete who just keeps getting better. Top 5 wrestler in the state and very disciplined. In addition to his OLB position, he's also going to see action at the tailback spot in certain situations. Fast and strong - just a great athlete and a real leader on his team. I don't know which way he's leaning - offers from Air Force and Illinois State in addition to UND. He was really impressed with the UND coaching staff. Engwall is also a two-sport athlete, and got significant minutes as a forward on Lakeville's state championship basketball team. At 6'4" he's never the tallest on the floor, but his strength and leaping ability make him a force on the boards, and he has quick feet in the lane. He's extremely competitive and won't back down. As a DEnd he's only going to get better as he gets stronger and continues to work on technique. I'd love to see them play together for Bubba.

Rumor is that Tristyn is going to GF for a game day visit sometime this fall.