North Dakota received votes in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Fighting Hawks finished 5-7 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2025 UND football squad under first-year head coach Eric Schmidt.
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Returning 2024 FCS All-Conference Players (3)
2nd Team
S Zach Lewis (Northern Arizona transfer)
Honorable Mention
OL Seth Anderson
K C.J. Elrichs
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (6)
Watson Hafer (TE), Missouri State
BJ Fleming (WR), Northern Arizona
Zach Lewis (DB), Northern Arizona
Tyler Henry (DL), Sac State
Xavier Leigh (RB), Sacred Heart
Emmanuel Olagbaju (DT), St. Thomas
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (6)
Jamal Young II (WR), Arizona State
Kristen Hoskins (WR), Minnesota
Michael Devereaux (LB), ODU
Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson (QB), San Diego State
Bennett Walker (DB), San Diego State
Hunter Kallstrom (TE), Wyoming
Transfers Lost To The FCS (0)
Transfers Lost To The FBS (0)
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Offensive Outlook
UND returns its starting quarterback, two of its top three running backs, and four starting offensive linemen. It loses its top RB and leading wide receiver.
Simon Romfo is back at quarterback, entering his senior season after winning the starting job last year. He’s in another QB competition, though, as UND brought in San Diego State transfer Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson, who is a sophomore. Jerry Kaminski, another sophomore, is also in the mix.
Romfo finished 183/301 passing (60.8%) last year for 2,051 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while rushing for 296 yards and four scores. Tupou’ata-Johnson started one game with four total appearances in 2024 at San Diego State, going 20/39 for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Bo Belquist’s 65 catches for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns need to be replaced, as he graduated after last season. UND returns its No. 2 and 3 receivers to help fill that void. Caden Dennis hauled in 32 receptions for 245 yards and one touchdown last season. Nate DeMontagnac added 19 catches for 238 yards and two TDs. Arizona State transfer WR Jamal Young II adds to the group, as does Minnesota transfer Kristen Hoskins. BJ Fleming, another transfer WR coming from Northern Arizona, has more college production than the FBS transfers. In three seasons at NAU, Fleming totaled 29 catches for 510 yards and two scores.
UND’s offense will start with the run, though.
Gaven Ziebarth and Sawyer Seidl provide a 1-2 punch in the backfield. In the last two seasons, Ziebarth has rushed for a combined 1,234 yards and 17 touchdowns. Seidl showed off his explosiveness last fall as a freshman, rushing 91 times for 494 yards and three TDs. Xavier Leigh brings FCS production as a transfer from Sacred Heart. In 2024, he rushed 93 times for 517 yards and five touchdowns.
The Fighting Hawks will trot out an experienced offensive line, returning four starters.
Liam Becher (6-7, 320 lbs) and Seth Anderson (6-5, 300 lbs) both logged more than 790 snaps last fall, with Anderson earning All-MVFC accolades. Caleb Olson (6-3, 310 lbs) added more than 780 snaps. Ben Buxa (6-3, 310 lbs) started all 12 games at center and played nearly 450 snaps, while Carter Gorder (6-4, 300 lbs) rotated in at center with around 380 snaps.
All-Conference kicker C.J. Elrichs adds to the offense. In 2024, he made 14/19 field goals with a long of 47 yards while going 44/45 on extra points.
Defensive Outlook
UND’s defense returns only four of its top 11 tacklers but 10 of its 17 players who logged 225 or more snaps last year. The Fighting Hawks also added an All-Big Sky safety.
Linebacker Malachi McNeal highlights the unit as he enters his third year as a starter. In 2023, he finished with 68 tackles, seven TFLs, three sacks, and 10 QB hurries. Last fall as a team captain, McNeal totaled 68 tackles (No. 2 on the team), including six TFLs, two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups.
Defensive end Lance Rucker is another notable returner and is the top returner in snaps played, logging 538. McNeal was right behind him with 531 snaps. Rucker tallied 37 tackles (No. 6 on the team), two sacks, three pass breakups, and four QB hurries. DE Grady Kentch added nearly 300 snaps with eight tackles and five QB hurries. DT Montre Samuels-Parker played 220+ snaps, recording 12 tackles and a sack.
UND’s secondary returns six players who logged between 265 and 425 snaps.
Nickel Jonnie Wiltshire finished No. 4 on the team with 48 tackles, appearing in all 12 games with two starts. Tyler Erkman started 11 games at safety, recording 31 stops, one interception, and three pass breakups. Antonio Bluiett started the first nine games at cornerback before an injury. He totaled 24 tackles and four pass breakups. Nickel Avery Scott added four starts and appeared in 12 games, recording 22 tackles and two interceptions. Safety Jett Sutton logged 10 starts, notching 20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, and three pass breakups. Jy Martin, another safety, started two games with 11 game appearances, tallying 20 stops and an interception.
Zach Lewis is a big safety addition from Northern Arizona. Last year at NAU, he made 66 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, five pass breakups, and two interceptions, earning All-Big Sky Second Team honors.
2025 Preseason Preview Central
UND Football Schedule
8/30 at Kansas State
9/6 vs Portland State
9/13 at No. 7 Montana
9/20 vs Valparaiso
10/4 at Northern Iowa
10/11 vs Youngstown State
10/18 at No. 16 Southern Illinois
10/25 vs Indiana State
11/1 at No. 4 South Dakota
11/8 vs No. 1 North Dakota State
11/15 at Murray State
11/22 vs No. 3 South Dakota State
Bold indicates MVFC games
HERO Sports’ rankings
