UND's 2024 recruiting class stresses offensive line emphasis
Dec. 19—GRAND FORKS — After four games in 2023, UND guard Brayden Bryant, who was beat out for a starting job during fall camp with the Fighting Hawks, entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
There, Bryant collected multiple NCAA Division I offers — including New Hampshire, Western Illinois and McNeese State — before eventually opting to play at San Diego State.
After the 2023 season, UND starting tackle Easton Kilty entered the portal. He was labeled the No. 2 available offensive lineman in the country — regardless of division.
Kilty collected offers from many of the Power 5's most established programs before eventually choosing Kansas State.
Clearly, the market for offensive lineman in the portal is a tough place for an FCS school like UND if it happens to be in search of help.
That cranks up the urgency for high school recruitment and development on the offensive line.
With that in mind, UND plans to bring in eight offensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class, a group that can begin to sign Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Scholarship athletes will sign National Letters of Intent, while preferred walk-ons can also be announced by schools if the proper paperwork is filed in time.
An unofficial count of 24 high school prospects have given verbal commitments to the Fighting Hawks. In addition, two transfers — Iowa Central linebacker Daniel Knudsen and University of Mary quarterback Cole Hentges have give verbal commitments.
Of the eight verbal commitments along the offensive line, three are from Iowa, a recruiting area emphasis under offensive line coach Joe Pawlak. UND's starting center, true freshman Cade Borud, is an Iowa native.
The three prospects from Iowa are William Stobbe of Waukee (6-foot-4, 270 pounds), Jonah Reiling of Lisbon (6-4, 280) and Mark Bussan of Monroe (6-7, 275).
Two of the offensive linemen are from Minnesota: Isaac Cariveau of Detroit Lakes (6-3, 275) and Wyatt Bell of Rogers (6-4, 290).
Alton Williams of Sun Prairie (6-8, 280) is the lone offensive lineman from Wisconsin. Former UND defenders Kadon Kauppinen and Caden White hailed from Sun Prairie, as does young quarterback Jerry Kaminski. Williams' high school teammate, safety Sam Ostrenga, is also expected to sign Wednesday.
UND also holds a commitment from Grand Forks Red River center Lawson Lotysz (6-3, 270), the brother of former UND center Peyton Lotysz and the son of the late Greg Lotysz, a former UND standout offensive lineman.
The newest addition to the offensive line commitment list is Tyler Thaden (6-6, 260), who flipped his commitment this fall from Indiana State. The Omaha product is the brother of UND offensive lineman Trace Thaden, who's expected to compete for the starting tackle job at UND during spring ball after transitioning to offensive line from tight end this past season.
Note: This is an unofficial list, based on the social media activity of prospects.
* Gunnar Lym, S, Bennington, Neb.
* Erick Paye, DE/OLB, Grand Forks
* Tray Kuntz, TE, Grand Forks (PWO)
* Deng Deng, WR, Tokio, N.D. (Four Winds High School)
* Sam Ostrenga, S, Sun Prairie, Wis.
* William Stobbe, OL, Waukee, Iowa
* Jonah Reiling, OL, Lisbon, Iowa
* Jack Sulik, QB, Burlington, WI
* Colton Brunell, RB, Columbus, WI
* Henry Theobald, CB, Sioux Falls, SD
* Jayden Jones, CB, Chicago
* Keegan Ryan, WR, Lake City, Minn.
* Alton Williams, OL, Sun Prairie, Wis.
* Lawson Lotysz, OL, GF Red River (PWO)
* Mark Bussan, OL, Monroe, Iowa
* Isaac Cariveau, OL, Detroit Lakes
* Wyatt Bell, OL, Rogers, Minn.
* Tyler Thaden, OL, Omaha
* Packson Bettis, DL, Topeka, Kan.
* Caden Cetak, DL, Lincoln, Neb.
* Brennen Blegen, DL, Van Horne, Iowa
* Langden College, DL, Minneapolis
* Kenten Laughman, K-P, Shawnee, Kan.
* Asher Jenkins, LB, Bellevue, Neb.
* Daniel Knudsen, LB, Iowa Central CC (transfer)
* Cole Hentges, QB, University of Mary (transfer)
