Grading The 2012 Class

DISCLAIMER:  These are strictly our rube opinions and NOT to be considered expert analysis by any means.  We graded based on need, numbers at each position, and quality of the recruits at each position.  Past performance is not indicative of future results.

OFFENSE

Biggest areas of need:  QB, WR, TE

QB – With landing the region’s top recruit in Joe Mollberg, UND had already got exactly what it was looking for with a QB of the future.  The PR trophy that came with landing Mollberg over I-29 rivals NDSU and SDSU was just the cherry on top.  They then added Ryan Bartels from Illinois to this class and turned what was an uncertain position into a strength moving forward into the Big Sky.  Braden Hansen’s transfer from The University of North Carolina to UND to play his senior season in 2012 could be the perfect bridge to the future at the QB spot.
GRADE:  A

RB/FB – While we are uncertain what position Kodee Varner will end up playing at UND, we anticipate he will start off at the running back position.  As the defending state champ in the 100 meter dash in Montana, Varner’s speed will be his biggest asset.  Kevin Bayer looks to be a perfect candidate to play fullback in the UND 2-back sets.  The Illinois product definitely has the demeanor that it takes to play the FB position.  Mott-Regent’s Tanner Vesledahl also fits into the H-back mold and could add some much needed depth to the position with his size and athleticism (6’3″-215).
GRADE:  B-

WR – 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.  Chicago, Omaha and Phoenix provided UND with a wide receiver class that hasn’t ever been this loaded with talent and size.  Kenny Golladay could be the steal of the 2012 class with the skill set he possesses and looks to be the complete package.  He also is a candidate to have his redshirt pulled and play immediately.  Zach Oliver is another big, physical WR who can make plays in traffic and go up over smaller defenders in jump ball situations.  Anthony Fletcher probably possesses the best top-end speed in the group.  Whoever ends up coaching the WR position group will inherit a wealth of young talent.
GRADE:  A

TE – Harvey native Tucker Nordby (6’5″-235) is an athletic North Dakota kid who will definitely be in the shuffle at the TE spot in his younger years.  Luke Mathewson (6’5″-235) is another Illinois recruit who is a high-energy, athletic, physical talent who also played a good defensive end position.  These two will add much needed depth at the position moving forward with 2 TE’s graduating after 2012 and should be in the rotation after their redshirt year.  We seem them both as good blocking tight ends who probably won’t put up big numbers in the passing game but will definitely be a factor in the running game.
GRADE:  B

OL – With 15 returning OL currently on the UND roster, and 9 of them having been true or redshirt freshman last season, there didn’t seem to be a huge need to add to this position group.  It also probably speaks highly of what the coaching staff thinks of what they already have in house.  However, the addition they did make in 6-4, 285 pound Joel Isenberg will definitely help with depth at guard or center in the future.  (We gave this position a low grade based on numbers, not talent).
GRADE:  C-

Punter/Kicker – No signees in 2012 class.
GRADE:  Incomplete

DEFENSE

Biggest areas of need:  DL, ILB, Safety

DL – This was a big area of need for the defense.  The immediate addition of JUCO transfer defensive end EJ Welch (6’2″-290) will no doubt help next season in the Big Sky.  Welch is a monster who should be a dual threat against the pass and the run.  It has been stated by UND coaches that Mike Edwards “dominated” the noseguard spot at their summer camp and was the best player at the position that included Western Michigan signee Jonathan Harden from Cretin-Derham Hall.  This is especially impressive considering Edwards primarily played guard on offense in high school.  Alec Carrothers is another Millard West product who reminds us of a young Ross Brenneman – high praise to be sure – and could be another sleeper who flew under the radar and end up being a steal.  Devon Hall, a 6′-4″ 245lb signing day surprise, is another pass rushing threat off the edge from California who we are still learning about.  This position of need was addressed well overall by the staff with talent and depth.
GRADE:  B+

OLB – Pass rushing pressure is most dependent upon the edge rushers in this 3-4 defense.  The outside linebackers have been notorious playmakers throughout the years and the athletic trend continues with the additions in this class.  Taj Rich, Jared Tuilagi and Joe Schobert are exactly the type of athletes UND coaches search for at the OLB positions. Schobert is another preferred walk-on who is incredibly athletic and played multiple positions – could be another steal.
GRADE:  A

ILB – This was a position of need and we believe the staff did a great job of addressing it.  JUCO transfer Derrick Goard will be relied on to step in immediately and contribute and potentially start if warranted.  Detroit Lakes’ Brian Labat is the gem of this group and could play a variety of positions, but we expect to be an athletic playmaking weakside linebacker.  We’re excited about the potential of Bemidji’s Brandon Larson and Mandan’s Jake Watson.  Both are preferred walk-ons but both have the potential to be solid players in the near future, on special teams and from their LB positions.
GRADE:  B

Safety – This position was the biggest area of need in the secondary (even though they signed a few last year in Butler, Fifita, Idowu) and UND signed a good one from Northern Iowa’s backyard.  UNI & USD both offered Ryan Cain a scholarship, but he ultimately decided on UND.  The 6 foot Cain could be a late-blooming prospect because of his injury during his senior year and cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd did a great job of landing the “Hawkeye State” product.  Mandan, ND athlete Devin Coyle could potentially be starting his career at the safety spot as well.  There is also talk that it’s very possible there could still be a late addition to this spot, which would be warranted.  We factored into our grade the fact UND only signed one safety.
GRADE:  C+

Cornerback – At corner, UND added Wisconsin’s Dan Konowalski.  Konowalski’s instincts and feel along with his physical play specifically impressed us on film. While we don’t feel corner was a huge need this year, he will add great depth at the corner spot for the future, which is paramount in the pass-happy Big Sky. Hopefully, he can push for playing time early in his career.  Once again, we factored into our grade the fact they only signed one corner.
GRADE:  C

RECAP
UND’s recruiting over the last 4-5 years has taken a step up each and every year and the quality of the athletes being brought in has definitely been on the upswing.  The different variables holding them back in the past that opposing recruiters have used against them are starting to dry up.  The transition is over, UND is in the Big Sky, and they are now playoff eligible – 3 HUGE hurdles gone.  Combine that with the Indoor Practice Facility that is on the immediate horizon and recruiting should continue to improve dramatically over the next 3 years.  This has been evident by UND’s being able to win the head-to-head recruiting battles against regional FCS schools this year, which has been easier said than done since the transition started.

Football facility improvements are the last big hurdle to overcome in the recruiting battles and we feel the IPF project will be announced before kickoff this fall.  As we stated, recruiting has gotten much better the last few years, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.  The most important position of need (QB) was addressed in a big way in this class.  Congrats to the entire staff.

OVERALL GRADE FOR 2012 CLASS:  B+

Key Misses:
CB – DJ Hebert (UNI)
DE – Brett Pierce (NDSU)
OT – Ben Lauer (Minnesota Walk-On)
NG – Austin Farnlof (NDSU)
S – Ben Holcomb (Minnesota Walk-On)
DE – Chris Wiseman (USD)
OT – Landon Lechler (NDSU)
S – Charles Elmore (SDSU)
S/Punter – Sam Foltz (Nebraska Walk-On)
OG – Dustin Adams (Northern Illinois)
DE – Ross Dzuris (Nebraska Walk-On)
NG – Dylan Utter (Nebraska Walk-On)
LB – Zach Riopelle (NDSU)