I think North Dakota State is a real sleeper pick for next year. They were a very young team and they are a well coached team. This is shown by their dominance in the second half of games. Their real weakness was at the Quarterback slot as they had multiple guys play the position and multiple starters throughout the year.
They return their two defensive ends, Boyer and Stroczynski, who started every game and were quite good. Boyer had 10 sacks last year. Together the DE's got more than 100 tackles. They also return DJ McNorton who was the workhorse RB and second on the team in receptions. His 19 TD's led the team.
Their biggest losses will come in the Defensive back field as they lose three productive Corner Backs and a Strong Safety. JOsh Gattlin is being looked at by the NFL, so you know they will miss him. He did lead the team in INTs. They will also lose Matt Anderson, a high tackle high interception Linebacker. Lineman always need to be replaced and it is no different here as one D-Lineman and three O-Lineman are on their way out. The offensive side of the ball is almost untouched as they lose only one major WR and the starting TE, but relatively little else in the way of serious production. They did lose their punter as well.
North Dakota State's recruiting seems to address most of those needs. They continued recruiting well in Minnesota with 5 guys coming out of that state while only 2 came from in state. They only got one scholarship Offensive lineman, but sometimes goes who come in on D-Line get switched over to O-Line. Also they have invited three more O-Line guys to walk on without a scholarship. They got two fullbacks to replace the two that left. Oddly enough they are both from Iowa, although Berkley Grimm also played linebacker, and may well end up there despite them listing him as a Fullback. They picked up a wide receiver, a punter, a couple of tight ends, and a running back, some D-line guys and a couple of Linebackers were added as well.
The real interesting pick ups were the defensive back field help and the quarterbacks. Five defensive backs including two FS's, a strong safety, and two cornerbacks. Among them Danell Miles needs to be pointed out. A free safety 4-A Arizona all state team looks like he can tackle and pick the ball off. 50 solo tackles in one season is nothing to overlook. Add 4 picks and some forced fumbles, and Miles is a name to watch. The other guy to watch is Frank Veldeman, Strong Safety. He was a Finalist for Mr. Football in Minnesota. He has 179 career tackles, and is pretty athletic. He should be an impact guy as well.
The Quarterbacks should also be noted as they have a chance to see real playing time. Jose Mohler and Brock Jensen will both be back. One as a red-shirt sophomore and the other as a junior. They each started 7 games last year and neither really left a strangle hold on the starting spot for next year. Dante Perez, who has another year to play, would not be in the mix if he returns. He has already been four years and we will see if he returns to the team or not. Mohler was the better passer completing almost 60% of his passes, but Jensen was the better runner gaining 231 net yards to Mohler's 25. Although Mohler took a lot of tackles for loss to make that total so low. Jensen actually threw for more TD's (7 to 5), but threw more Interceptions as well. So Carson Wentz and Ryan Stanford have long shots, but they do have a shot to see playing time. Stanford was the number 2 rated QB in Arizona, and has an impressive passing resume. Wentz comes from Bismarck and is more of the running QB. He played DB as well, so you know he is tough. He ran for 13 TD's his senior season. Both of these guys look pretty good.
Remember the NDST Bison only lost in Overtime to the eventual champs Eastern Washington at their place after upsetting Montana state in the playoffs. They got better as the season went on and I bet they will be even better this next season.
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