2026 Committed Recruits List

[Hambone]

Looking at this list here with the competing offers (I know there are probably more that either weren't updated or announced by the kids), but if you look at competing offers this is a very good class.  I'm excited to get them on campus - hopefully the other two without a signature yet are still in.

[Shawn-O]

48 minutes ago, Hambone said:

Looking at this list here with the competing offers (I know there are probably more that either weren't updated or announced by the kids), but if you look at competing offers this is a very good class.  I'm excited to get them on campus - hopefully the other two without a signature yet are still in.

The days of UND jostling recruits away from the Northern Sun thankfully seem to be over. 

[UNDDOM]

I see Pierce Parks, Payne parks brother, committed today.  I would assume a walk on? Interesting, he didn’t play anywhere this year 

[Siouxperman8]

 

 

[geaux_sioux]

 

[shep]

3 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

 

I know he's a new recruit who has signed, but can he leave at any time in what is now the wild wild west? 

[UND-FB-FAN]

17 minutes ago, shep said:

I know he's a new recruit who has signed, but can he leave at any time in what is now the wild wild west? 

No, not until the next transfer portal window. He’ll at least be at UND one season. 

[sioux24/7]

6 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

No, not until the next transfer portal window. He’ll at least be at UND one season. 

I mean that’s not really true, is it? See Joe Schobert. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

 

4 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I mean that’s not really true, is it? See Joe Schobert. 

That’s not true. Apples to oranges.

Schobert was a walk on for UND and never signed his letter of intent. Riffle signed a letter to play for UND.

“And if not for a last-minute phone call from former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema in July 2012 asking Schobert to consider a walk-on spot with the Badgers, he would have been headed for North Dakota of the FCS -- also as a walk-on.”

Source: ESPN

 

[sioux24/7]

3 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

That’s not true. Apples to oranges.

Schobert was a walk on for UND and never signed his letter of intent. Riffle signed a letter to play for UND.

https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/123366/badgers-linebacker-joe-schobert-thriving-after-being-overlooked-in-high-school

My mistake. Still feel like nothing is binding in this world anymore. 

[GoHawks]

On 12/12/2025 at 7:39 PM, UNDDOM said:

I see Pierce Parks, Payne parks brother, committed today.  I would assume a walk on? Interesting, he didn’t play anywhere this year 

According to his Instagram he has committed to UND 3 days ago. Nothing on X about him from anyone though? 

[GoHawks]

4 minutes ago, GoHawks said:

According to his Instagram he has committed to UND 3 days ago. Nothing on X about him from anyone though? 

Seems kind of weird to me that 360 or Tom Miller hasn't said anything about it?

[geaux_sioux]

 

[bubbaball69]

3 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

 

One or both will play on Sundays. They are men playing against boys. Any fears of losses on the DL will be forgotten shortly.

[GoHawks]

I think with these Beaver boys coming in Schmidt isn't worried about getting much DL help from the Portal. Still would not hurt to get some help but they look to me like they will play right away. 

[siouxfan512]

16 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

 

If you had to guess, where does this compare to what some of our current DL are in terms of strength and lifting. The crazy part is they will only get stronger once they get on campus, but I'm excited to see these guys play.

 

[geaux_sioux]

2 hours ago, siouxfan512 said:

If you had to guess, where does this compare to what some of our current DL are in terms of strength and lifting. The crazy part is they will only get stronger once they get on campus, but I'm excited to see these guys play.

 

Repping 4 plates plus is rarefied air. For reference, Aaron Donald had a 500lb max and was considered the strongest guy in the league at his peak. 435 for 5 is likely more than anyone on our team by a lot. The equivalent max bench based on that rep count at that weight is 500lbs. Based on look I would’ve guessed Oligbaju had a big bench but I would be surprised if it was this level. For a hs senior 435 for 1 rep is nuts let alone 5.

[USTBench]

I am pretty excited to watch these guys develop in a proper program designed to maximize their raw strength. As impressive as it is, and it IS impressive, I just don't know that raw benching north of 400lbs for reps is something that should be done often, if at all, if your goal is to be a great DL, as opposed to an elite power lifter. That being said, you can't argue that at least from a strength standpoint the Beavers won't be ready to contribute immediately. Might take some time to get technique and concept down, but good luck dealing with these boys late in the game. 

[GoHawks]

1 hour ago, USTBench said:

I am pretty excited to watch these guys develop in a proper program designed to maximize their raw strength. As impressive as it is, and it IS impressive, I just don't know that raw benching north of 400lbs for reps is something that should be done often, if at all, if your goal is to be a great DL, as opposed to an elite power lifter. That being said, you can't argue that at least from a strength standpoint the Beavers won't be ready to contribute immediately. Might take some time to get technique and concept down, but good luck dealing with these boys late in the game. 

I am not a football expert by any means but If you watch some of their film which I know is just high school it looks like they have the technique part down. With some help from coach Schmidt it will just improve! Can't wait to see what these two young men can do on the field!

[geaux_sioux]

12 minutes ago, GoHawks said:

I am not a football expert by any means but If you watch some of their film which I know is just high school it looks like they have the technique part down. With some help from coach Schmidt it will just improve! Can't wait to see what these two young men can do on the field!

Motor. They both have it. It’s tough to teach. You can teach scheme and technique. 

[iramurphy]

On 12/16/2025 at 8:19 PM, bubbaball69 said:

One or both will play on Sundays. They are men playing against boys. Any fears of losses on the DL will be forgotten shortly.

Maybe, but let’s  not get ahead of ourselves. We did that with the Jerry FB nonsense. 

I think there is a good chance they play as true freshman but they will be playing against a lot of men who are bigger and have 2-3 yrs of experience.  My hope is for them to develop into guys who get a chance to play Sundays but we need them to excel on Saturday’s first. I think they will. Then we need to keep them here for 4 yrs. 

[bubbaball69]

6 hours ago, iramurphy said:

Maybe, but let’s  not get ahead of ourselves. We did that with the Jerry FB nonsense. 

I think there is a good chance they play as true freshman but they will be playing against a lot of men who are bigger and have 2-3 yrs of experience.  My hope is for them to develop into guys who get a chance to play Sundays but we need them to excel on Saturday’s first. I think they will. Then we need to keep them here for 4 yrs. 

You cant teach strength and you cant teach high motor that goes a long way. Im being overly optimistic for once.