Recruiting Tidbit

[Corella]

I know that there were Ivy League schools recruiting Caufield, and the bison were as well. So much for DI lure.

[Wilbur]

Caufield is from my home town (Minot obviously) and just watching the kid play football makes you smile. He was a man among boys during high school football and completely took over some games with his ability. He's also got a firey side to him as he's been known to take some 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalties.

[Corella]

UND is recruiting Brandon Jordan, a WR/DB/return specialist from Winnipeg. He was his league's offensive player of the year, all-conference on both sides of the ball, and his teams offensive and defensive MVP's.

[UND92,96]

UND is recruiting Brandon Jordan, a WR/DB/return specialist from Winnipeg. He was his league's offensive player of the year, all-conference on both sides of the ball, and his teams offensive and defensive MVP's.

I really like the fact that UND is getting back into Canada for recruiting. There was a dry spell between the signings of Lotysz, Schultz and Juhasz until last year's signing of Alexander. The Sioux have had many great Canadian players over the years (Milson Jones, the Robson's, Tim Prinsen, etc.) There is more and more talent being developed north of the border, and while there are several division I schools who recruit there, I think UND's proximity to Canada and the history of developing Canadian players will still result in UND signing our fair share of them.

[UND92,96]

This is from allcanadagridiron.com regarding Jordan:

CB Brandon Jordan from Miles Mac in Winnipeg is hoping to follow the footsteps of fellow Winnipeger, Donovan Alexander, currently a freshmen at North Dakota.

[donalexander]

Sioux looking at a RB in Colorado:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/prep...2493600,00.html

[PCM]

According to today's Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck High School tailback Weston Dressler has committed to UND. He also considered NDSU and the University of Mary. Unfortunately, I can find no story to link to.

[UND92,96]

According to today's Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck High School tailback Weston Dressler has committed to UND. He also considered NDSU and the University of Mary. Unfortunately, I can find no story to link to.

After watching the Cal-Virginia Tech game last night, I'm more confident than ever that a kid the size of Dressler can play at this level. Cal had a quick little guy who was about 5'7", 150 who was able to contribute as a receiver and even scored a touchdown on a reverse against one of the most athletic teams in the country. Dressler certainly has the speed and quickness, and if he's as tough as people say, he has a pretty good chance to contribute in a few years.

[RD17]

Dressler is a tremendous football player and I think he'll definitely be a big play guy for UND. To me, he looks like a quicker version of Brandon Strouth and Dressler seems to have that rare instinctive ability to make people miss in the open field. He could be very dangerous as a return man and catching passes.

[UND92,96]

A summary of recruiting so far (NOTE: I can't vouch for the 100% accuracy of these names as they have come from various internet sources, recollection from area newspaper articles and/or my own speculation):

verbal commitments

Jake Caufield, wr, 6'2", 190, Minot

Weston Dressler, rb/wr/returns, 5'6"?, 150?, Bismarck

probably have either visited or will visit, or at least have been contacted

Zach Harrington, dl, 6'2", 270, Carrington

Tyson DesCamps, rb, 5'9", 190, Aberdeen

Rory Manke, qb/db, 6'1", 195, Detroit Lakes

Jared Bardon, te, 6'3", 225, Deforest (WI)

Brandon Jordan, wr/db, Winnipeg

Tyler Morrow, lb, 6'3", 232, NDSCS (formerly Wahpeton High and NDSU)

Jordan Armentrout, rb, Madison Memorial (WI)

Jordan Meier, qb, Madison Memorial (WI)

Mike Klepatz, te/de, 6'6", 225, New Berlin (WI)

Bobby Coy, rb, 5'10", 175, Heritage (CO)

Brady Trenbeath, wr, 6'0", 175, Cavalier

Wayne Samson, ol/dl, 6'4", 275, Cavalier

Trevor Dally, ol, 6'4", 285, Fosston

Kole Heckendorf, wr, 6'1", 175, Mosinee (WI)

other possibilities from the area

Dustin Timmersman, fb, 6'2", 210, Roseau

Jesse Vote, fb/db, 5'10", 200, Cando

Jerry Netland, fb/punter, Bagley

Josh Karch, lb, 6'2", 195, Moorhead

Nolan Oliver, lb, 6'1", 205, Moorhead

Ryan Brathwaite, db, 6'2", 175, Grand Forks Central

Wade Haugland, dl, 6'0", 285, Grand Forks Central

Eric Schaumberg, db, 6'1", 165, Mahnomen

[UND Fan]

It is interesting to see Kole Heckendorf on the list of potential recruits. I believe he is Keith's (St. Cloud's QB) brother - both played for Mosinee HS. What a talent this kid is: sprint champion is track, plays hockey but, most importantly, his FB stats. He caught a national high of 116 passes as a junior, 60+ this last year, set a WS HS record for TD receptions, etc. It would be great if we could land him!

[UND92,96]

Three more Canadians, all from Toronto, whom UND may be recruiting per a post on the allcanadagridiron.com message board:

Ricky Clarke, wr, 6'0", 180

Allistair Blair, rb, 5'10", 225

Tristan Black, lb, 6'2", 228

[UND92,96]

A link to the Bismarck Tribune article on Dressler's commitment.

[CoteauRinkRat]

Dressler will be a very good player in a couple of years. Glad to see him commit to the Sioux.

[sodakfan]

More recruiting news from Aberdeen: Word is that Brian Jark, receiver from Aberdeen Central has verballed to the Sioux. I know that Brian had been to UND for camp this past summer. Also, if Dressler has commited to UND it may indicate that Tyson DesCamps has deceided to stay in state at SDSU, or maybe the Sioux have him in the bag too.... I've heard his visit is later, is that significant???

[UND92,96]

More recruiting news from Aberdeen:  Word is that Brian Jark, receiver from Aberdeen Central has verballed to the Sioux.  I know that Brian had been to UND for camp this past summer. Also, if Dressler has commited to UND it may indicate that Tyson DesCamps has deceided to stay in state at SDSU, or maybe the Sioux have him in the bag too....  I've heard his visit is later, is that significant???

I don't believe Dressler's commitment should signify that UND is not actively pursuing other running backs such as DesCamps. Dressler is likely not going to be an every-down running back. He'll probably play more of a 3rd-down back/receiver/returner role.

[UND92,96]

A profile of Brian Jark from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader:

Brian Jark - Aberdeen Central

This explosive athlete provided big plays for the Golden Eagles, who went 9-0 during the regular season for their first outright ESD title since 1964. As a wide receiver, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Jark caught 48 passes for 684 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 285 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 16 punts for 363 yards and three scores. As a defensive back, he had 36 tackles and two interceptions for Aberdeen Central, which went 12-0 to reach the "11AA" finals, where it lost to Spearfish.

[UND Fan]

Sounds like Jark is a good one - you would like your receivers to be a bit taller than that but talent can make up for a lack of height.

Does anyone know what area Bubba was recruiting? I know he wouldn't actively attempt to change a kids mind who was leaning towards UND - but if a kid truly wanted to play for Bubba, we could lose a recruit or two to UMD!

[UNDvince97-01]

I believe Bubba's recruiting territory was all of ND. If not all, for sure the western half of the state. He may have had more territory that i am not aware of, but I know he was our ND recruiter for sure.

[UND Fan]

Thanks - that makes sense that he handled ND with his good relationships out west. That should also help in not losing recruits to UMD - if he was assigned to MN or WS, that could have been a problem. Unlikely a ND kid would want to go to UMD. Besides, I don't think there are many really good ND kids this year. The top four have already commited - two to SU and two to UND.

[UNDvince97-01]

I am surprised that Chris Erdmann, QB from Crookston, hasnt been mentioned at all so far on this thread. That kid is a flat out PLAYER. He has a big-time, strong arm and is a very good, elusive runner as well. I have seen him play in alot of games in high school, and he is a great competitor. I hope that UND really tries hard to at least bring him in. He would probably be a cheap recruit as far as scholarship dollars are concerned. He would be a steal for UND, I guarantee it. There is no doubt in my mind that he can physically compete in the NCC. Hopefully he doesnt go anywhere else. If anyone has heard anything regarding him, please feel free to post it.

[star2city]

Three more Canadians, all from Toronto, whom UND may be recruiting per a post on the allcanadagridiron.com message board:

Ricky Clarke, wr, 6'0", 180

Allistair Blair, rb, 5'10", 225

Tristan Black, lb, 6'2", 228

UND92,96:

Great info. As I think you have stated previously, recruitment of Canadians football players, with UND's geography, is a must. There has got to be a lot of athletes up there, especially in highly populated eastern Ontario, that do not receive the level of coaching nor recruiting that many U.S. high schools kids receive. It will be interesting if UND can establish a recruiting base there.

Contrasting UND's recruits with NDSU's will be especially interesting this year, as they are supposed to be targeting not only the Chicago metro area again, but Cleveland/Detroit and southern JUCO players. This

article says they missed out on a JUCO TE from Oklahoma who was quoted as:

North Dakota State is making the jump to NCAA Division I-AA next season, and that appealed to Poteete. But he felt it was too far from home, and the cold weather was definitely something he could do without.

[UND92,96]

Contrasting UND's recruits with NDSU's will be especially interesting this year, as they are supposed to be targeting not only the Chicago metro area again, but Cleveland/Detroit and southern JUCO players.  This

article says they missed out on a JUCO TE from Oklahoma who was quoted as:

I am surprised that NDSU has signed as many transfers as they have the past few years, and that they are apparently planning to continue this practice. Especially considering they have next to nothing to play for over the next five years, it seems odd to sign guys who only have two years to play. If it is true that Summerville is leaving or already has left, as has been stated on the Bison board, that would mean that NDSU signed about six jucos last year (Summerville, Ware, Irby, Byrd, Fleming and Mamula?) and only one seems to have really panned out. Not a very good percentage. Why not just sign the best high school players you can find and develop them? I guess it's just a different philosophy, but I certainly hope UND does not take this route for football.

[UND92,96]

From allcanadagridiron.com:

The top defensive line prospect still available at this time, is likely the best in the country, Mike Stadnyk. While being heavily recruited by North Dakota, Mike has the potential to play for any school in North America.

Stadnyk is a 6'3", 235 lb. defensive end, and runs the 40 in 4.80.

[sodakfan]

Dang!! I am so sorry....... Earlier I had reported Jark had committed to UND-----the fact is it was NDSU!!! I cannot tell you people how dumb I feel right now. The person telling me was wrong.