Recruiting Classes Since 2003-2009

[star2city]

The classes are listed in the next several postings. The attrition some of these classes has taken is rather amazing, especially 2003 and 2005. With 2006 being a smaller and weaker class, little wonder there have been holes to fill. Keeping and developing at least 75-80% of a class is really needed to build a solid FCS program. Send an email if any class is incorrect (bound to be several corrections).

2009

JC-Transfers

Matt Moody - Linebacker

Connor McKendry - Offensive line

HS Signees

Joe Kleason - Offensive lineman

Mitch Overstreet - Tight end

Seth Stanchik - Defensive lineman

Blair Townsend - Quarterback

Caleb Nelson - Offensive lineman

Damon Andrews - Wide receiver/defensive back

Cordero Finley - Linebacker

Jay Jelinek - Running back

Brock Lundeen - Defensive lineman

Zebulon Miller - Kicker

Dominique Bennett - Linebacker

Marcus Binns - Running back

Darren DeNeui - Tight end/defensive end

Nick Doehling - Offensive lineman

Matt Field - Offensive lineman

Garrison Goodman - Linebacker

Karl Hager - Wide receiver/defensive back

Greg Hardin - Wide receiver

Jacob Hoerchner - Offensive lineman

Brian Otto – Linebacke

Walk-ons (unconfirmed)

Mike Nachtsheim (?)

Brendan Mochoruk

Brent Cole

Travis Greenwaldt

[star2city]

2008

Nichols Seth QB

Cameron Brett K

Hendrickson Marcus QB

Watkins Kenny DB

Bamba Ismael WR

Sutton Mitch RB

Magstadt Ethan RB

Mersereau Erik DB

Wisthoff Seth TE

McGurran Ian OL

Fonseca Filipe da Silva LB

Gillson Caleb OL

Heimler Jon WR

Benjamin Devin DL

Brenneman Ross DL

Lynch Emmett OL

2008- Left program

Sorenson Brian LB

Rosario Ian OL

2008- Walk ons

Beck Riley WR

Buchl Ben DB

Nelson Jay LB

[star2city]

2007

Goska Brent QB Wisconsin

Solum Catlin RB Fargo

Kudrna Mitch DB Dickinson

Hawkins Dominique DB Rockford

Hendrickson Dan LB Minot

Kelley Brad LB Coon

Kubacki Mark LB Stillwater

Goertz Mitch LB Rothschild

Quesenberry Brandon OL Billings

Daggett Drew WR Frazee

Anderson Chris WR Duluth

Schaan Chris DL Chandler

Bellmore Broc DL West

Ankenbauer Kris DB Plano

Murray Josh RB Pepin

Saporu Delano DB Blaine

2007 Walkon

Provo Alex DB Detroit Lakes

2007 - Left program

Bylin Nick OL Adams ND

Carruth Jon TE Eden Prairie MN

Hanson Cory S Wilmar MN

Nguyen Tru LB Burnsville MN

Simmons Matt OL Racine WI

Bryant Troy CB Menomonie WI

VanZee Derek WR Billings MT

Hicks Ben LB Colorado

[star2city]

2006

Cochran Ross LB Kenosha

Landry Jake QB Grand

Belotti Justin DB Kenosha

Schwenzfeier Joel DB Hallock

Kasowski Ryan LB Grand

Hanson Carl DB Oak

Dublanko Curtis FB Thorsby

German Paul LB Fargo

Bakke Matt OL Grand

Schroyer Creighton OL Pipestone

Queoff Keith OL Milwaukee

Long Nick TE Andover

Krusenstjerna Kyle DL Apple

Boyle Ty DL International

2006 - Left Program

Gibbs Peter LB Grand Forks

Henderson Ian OL Winnipeg

Ward Adam Maple Grove

Kalwasinski Steve TE Rochester

Glaser Dylan OL Bismarck

Stecher Reggie K Bismarck

2006 - Walkons

Dressler Ryan WR Bismarck

Gowan Michael TE Cando

Battle Steven RB Grand Forks,

2006 - Transfer

Sigl Jamie DB Bismarck

[star2city]

2005

Leith Clayton LB Hawthorne

Hellevang Brandon K Fargo

Konrath Ryan QB White

Heiser Tyson DB Waunakee

Miller Andrew LB Menomonie

Tescher Jeff LB Bismarck

Tibesar Marcus FB St.

Dombrovski Noah LB Foley

Wayne Nathan DL Menomonie

Keller Zach OL Minot

Bondy Kyle OL Williston

Gottbeheat Link DL Tomah

Koelln David OL Rochester

Nolte Nick DL Janesville

Farstveet Nick DL Bismarck

2005 - Left Program

Chappell Ryan RB Grand Forks

Rambeck Nate WR EGF

Schaley Randy LB Larimore

Wahlin Kenley WR Crookston

Oksendahl Tim QB Cavalier

Nelessen Chris DL MenomoneeFalls

Stroup Bobby LB Fargo

Mueske Alex OL Merril

Franta Andy OL Mahtomedi

Safranski Nick Stephen-Argyle

Hiltner Pere OL Brainerd

2005 - Walk ons / transfers

Cole Matt WR Sacramento

Fashant Stephen K Eagan

Dungy Branden RB Eagan

Pollow Ryan LB Germantown

Kabanuck Rylan LB Max

Larson Mike LB Plymouth

Leupp Kellen WR Stanley

[star2city]

2004

Dressler Weston WR Bismarck

Otto Drake DB Kenosha

Freund Danny QB Kenosha

Nicholas Alex WR Franklin

Holinka Brett LB Dickinson

Trenbeath Brady WR Cavalier

Manke Rory DB Detroit

Bodoh Matt LB Mishicot

Jordan Brandon DB Winnipeg

Giles Tyson LB Warren

Malner Derek DB Gilbert

Moe Erik OL International

Troen Brian OL Racine

Caufield Jake WR Minot

Grover Blair TE Mequon

Richter Jeff DL St.

DeMontigny Ward DL Washburn

2004 - left program

Armentrout

Rohde Mike Schofield

Henderson Reece Stephen-Argyle

Yilek Mike OL Eden Prairie

Rousseau Brett Hopkins

2004 - walk on

Brady Brandon RB Bloomington

[star2city]

2003

Braegelmann Mitch OL

Brett Bauer, OL, Dickinson,

Nick Bonnet: OL, West Fargo

Andy Soll: OL, Fond du Lac

Ott, Troy TE, Dickenson

Alexander , Donovan, DB, Winnipeg

Alex Cadwell, DL, Stillwater

White, Andy DL WI

Meek, Robbie, LB Bloomington, MN

2003 - Left Program

Preston Stewart, RB, Flasher-Carson, ND

Alan Sundby, RB, Cavalier, ND

Drew Thomas, TE, Grand Forks, ND

Turgeon, Jake WR

Wenzel, Duane, DB, Janesville,

Jordan Muro, DL, Maple Grove

Aaron Austin

Presthus, Rick, WR, Edina

Reiff, Dustin, LB Dell Rapids, SD

[DI IN FARGO]

How can you try to compare a coach who has only had one year to recruit against a coach who had many years to compare against? I think the poll question you are asking is a few years premature.

[star2city]

How can you try to compare a coach who has only had one year to recruit against a coach who had many years to compare against? I think the poll question you are asking is a few years premature.

First off, all of these are opinion questions attempting to get a conversation going. It's not like we're voting for a UND athletic Hall or Fame award. Second, most of the verbals to the 2008 class were made to Mussman, not Lennon.

The whole nature of recruiting changed over these years, so comparing classes isn't really fair either, but important in understanding the current state of the UND football program. During 2004, NDSU and SDSU's impending transitions made it easier to compete against their full scholarships. By 2006, without the capability of offering full scholarships, the class size was way down and arguably the quality (are there any all-conference candidates in that class?).

Don't have the data to prove it, but one of the reasons that SDSU seems to be so successful at the FCS level is their retention of players. They don't necessarily have the star-quality recruits that NDSU necessarily has had, but they have had good solid recruits that have been retained, giving them depth and experience everywhere.

Defining overlooked traits tough for coaches. COLLEGE RECRUITING

It's the character, the toughness, the desire and the attitude that are difficult to identify. Yet those characteristics are often more important in defining a prospect

[UND92,96]

Somebody voted the class of 2009 as "most disappointing"?

[moser53]

Looking at the list of players made me wonder what the starting lineup would be next fall.

What's the offensive line going to look like? Does UND have the horses upfront to get the job done?

Maybe he is not done recruiting. I'd bet he would like another JC offensive lineman.

Also does anybody think there will be any changes on offense?

[UND92,96]

Looking at the list of players made me wonder what the starting lineup would be next fall.

What's the offensive line going to look like? Does UND have the horses upfront to get the job done?

Maybe he is not done recruiting. I'd bet he would like another JC offensive lineman.

Also does anybody think there will be any changes on offense?

My best guess for the starting offensive line next year is Bondy and McKendry at tackle; Keller and Schroyer at guard; and Koelln at center.

[star2city]

Maybe he is not done recruiting. I'd bet he would like another JC offensive lineman.

The OL depth and LB depth have been the foundation of the program. Now, it seems the skilled positions are the foundation.

In the previous four recruiting class, nine recruited OL dropped out - almost two full sets. If Kelley is out, two full sets of LB's have also been lost from the program.

The two JC transfers are already on campus (correct?), so they should be able to compete in spring drills. The problem with JC transfers at this late date is they'll only have August to adapt to the system.

[iramurphy]

Somebody voted the class of 2009 as "most disappointing"?

That would be someone who has no clue. Looks good on paper right now and the coaches seem happy. How anyone thinks they know anything about these recruits (not having evaluated them on film, talked to their coaches, parents the kids and reviewed their grades and character) only proves they dont' know what they are talking about.

[UND92,96]

The class of 2004 was exceptional. Obviously Dressler was the best player from that class, but you also had all-conference or at least all-conference caliber players in Trenbeath, Freund, Troen, Manke, Grover, Holinka and Otto, and solid starters in Nicholas, Caufield, Moe, DeMontigny, Malner, Bodoh and Giles, plus juco transfer Enger who also earned all-conference honors. Perhaps the post season accomplishments weren't as good as some earlier classes, but overall this was among the best classes I can recall.

[iramurphy]

The class of 2004 was exceptional. Obviously Dressler was the best player from that class, but you also had all-conference or at least all-conference caliber players in Trenbeath, Freund, Troen, Manke, Grover, Holinka and Otto, and solid starters in Nicholas, Caufield, Moe, DeMontigny, Malner, Bodoh and Giles, plus juco transfer Enger who also earned all-conference honors. Perhaps the post season accomplishments weren't as good as some earlier classes, but overall this was among the best classes I can recall.

Agreed, easily the best class of the group from what we have seen so far. Manke, Trenbeath and Bruggeman were academic All-Americans weren't they?

[UND92,96]

I thought it would be interesting to resurrect this thread, because I believe it helps explain why the offense is probably not as strong as we'd like to see in terms of talent and/or experience.

By my quick count, we've had the following early departures from the past five recruiting classes (counting only those who signed letters of intent and therefore presumably were receiving some scholarship money):

2009: 2

2008: 3

2007:11

2006: 7

2005:11

I think these departures are felt most prominently on the offensive line, receiver, running back and to some extent linebacker. It's hard to consider the classes of 2005 and 2007 as anything other than a disaster in terms of retention rates.