UMD 2020 Recruiting Class Breakdown: Minnesota Boys

Now that every Northern Sun football team has announced their 2020 recruiting class I think it is as good as a time as any to start breaking down and analyzing each team in the conference’s 2020 recruiting class. Because the NSIC boasts seven (formerly nine) competitors that hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and every squad in the conference uses/needs Minnesota for its recruiting, PrepRedzoneMN took it upon ourselves to really get an in-depth look at each team’s Minnesota Boys signings and highlight the strengths of the MN preps in each class. Each team will have its share in the spotlight, and today we will begin with the always illustrious University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Having been born and raised in the state myself I understand the allure of UMD, as each and every year the Bulldogs pluck some of MN’s biggest heavy-hitter recruits and high school football players in the state know that it is some high quality football and being recruited by them is no small deal. This fact was once again cemented when UMD earned the commitment of 2016 MN Mr. Football Wade Sullivan - the only Mr. Football winner in MN history to not sign with a Division I program. Him and his fellow MN Bulldogs consistently help keep UMD near the top of the NSIC standings, and this 2020 crop has a great chance to continue this success. Learn more about these 14 studs here with this PrepRedzoneMN "Recruiting Class Breakdown", and thank you for reading. Overall, the class of MN kids was deep and covered almost every position on both sides of the ball except for DL. Some prominent prep pass-rushers such as Lakeville North’s [player_tooltip player_id="11018" first="Landon" last="Carter"] and Hutchinson’s [player_tooltip player_id="10992" first="Ethan" last="Beffert"] were moved back to play LB according to UMD’s 2020 roster, and Chaska’s All-Metro and Second Team All-State LB was listed as a TE - which I found interesting. Another noteworthy aspect of the MN recruits is the size of the WR’s, as Brainerd’s Owen Davis (6’6), Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin’s Third Team All-State Dylan DeChampeau (6’5), and Mankato West’s [player_tooltip player_id="10984" first="Spencer" last="Spaude"] (6’5) all are tall drinks of water, and when you throw in Hopkins’ speedy wideout BJ Murff there’s a lot to be excited about for future MN kids at the Bulldogs’ WR position. There’s also a great crop of accomplished and talented DBs in the class, as Prior Lake’s [player_tooltip player_id="11033" first="Dylan" last="Bair"], Alexandria’s Derek Piepho, Orono’s Nick Rutland, and Byron’s [player_tooltip player_id="11027" first="Ben" last="Stienessen"] all bring a variety of skill-sets to the position and will be great additions to the NSIC. Finally, there is - as always - some beefy OLineman. Get to know the MN boys a little more below! Justin Azure (Waseca) 6’4, 275 lbs. OL @JustinJAzure 2019 Team MVP, All-District, All-Section, Big South Oline MVP, MN All-Star. Also a four-year starter. Reported offers from Concordia-St. Paul. Also started four years in baseball for the Blue Jays. According to UMD’s roster profile: ""Justin played for a strong strong high school program and was enjoying a productive senior season before it ended with a lower body injury. He has the necessary drive and attitude to return to full health and have a successful career as a Bulldog. We’re excited for him to be joining us." UMD Offensive Line Coach Garth Heikkinen. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7667803/5de48a5c688ea7066c820f58">Senior Season Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="11033" first="Dylan" last="Bair"] (Prior Lake) 5’11, 185 lbs. DB @DylanBair32 Three-year starter (DB,RB,WR) who was twice named All-Distrct, was a two-year captain, twice named team offensive MVP, MN All-Star game participant. Three-year basketball starter as well. Visited South Dakota State, University of North Dakota. According to UMD’s roster profile: "Dylan has the instincts at safety you love to watch. He’s a smart football player that will bring an edge to the defensive back unit. I’m excited to coach Dylan and watch him grow as a human.” UMD Defensive Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Marcus McLin. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/9801482/5da9f50e4bb2bc0e383f1a5e">Senior SZN</a> [player_tooltip player_id="10992" first="Ethan" last="Beffert"] (Hutchinson) 6’2, 225 lbs. LB @ethan_beffert Three-year starter (LB,DE,TE) who captained Tigers to 2019 4A state semifinals with an 11-1 record. Was a 3x All-District and District DL MVP selection as a senior who totaled 10 sacks (ninth most in state) + 14 catches for 355 yards and 2 TDs as a senior. Also twice named All-Area and was an All-State Academic 4A selection in 2019. Finished his prep career with 108 tackles, 30 TFLs, 20 sacks. Also two-year baseball starter. Visited SDSU. Reported offers from Southwest Minnesota State, UMary, Concordia-St. Paul, Bemidji State, Northern State. According to umdbulldogs.com roster profile: “Ethan is versatile edge player who is able to play on his feet and down in a three point stance. He is a high-effort player, with skill set that allows him to be used in multiple ways.” UMD Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Trey Dill. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8019122/5dd1e20a0c53730d001b1628">Senior Film</a> [player_tooltip player_id="11018" first="Landon" last="Carter"] (Lakeville North) 6’2, 210 lbs. LB @landon_carter48 Three-year starter (DE/LB) First Team All-State, First Team Kare11 & StarTribune All-Metro, MN All-Star Game participant who totaled 18 TFLs and 10 sacks in his senior season of 2019. Started for the 2018 Minnesota State Class AAAAAA champion Panthers and also has competed in lacrosse for three years as a prep. According to UMD football’s roster bio: "“Landon is natural pass rusher, who plays with a relentless passion to get to the quarterback He’s a high-motor player who has been extremely productive during his prep career.” UMD Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Trey Dill. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CR1H7">Senior Year Highlight Film</a> Owen Davis (Brainerd) 6’6, 195 lbs. WR @owendavis023 Four-year starter (WR/FS/PR/KR) who was twice named All-District, twice named All-Area, captain and team MVP in 2019. Also Offensive Player of the Year, Special Teams MVP in 2019 for the Warriors and District Special Teams Player of the Year. Led Warriors in TDs and receiving yards for his junior and senior seasons and led the team in PBUs in 2019. Also four-year basketball starter and 2019 All-State Academic 5A team member. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2BpgYW">Senior Highlights</a> Dylan Dechampeau (Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin) 6’5, 190 lbs. WR @DDechampeau Senior year averaged 31.3 yards per reception (21 for 658) and scored 9 TDs to help lead Titans to a 7-3 season in 2019. Was a 2x All-District pick, 2019 MN All-Star game participant, DuluthNewsTribune All-Area, AP Third Team All-State. Also All-Conference in basketball. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10492590/5db9e3be19a59d0d843f31fd">Senior Year Football</a> [player_tooltip player_id="2209" first="Marcus" last="Holasek"] (Chaska) 6’3, 230 lbs. TE @m_holasek Three-year starter (LB/FB) who was a 2019 5A state champ with the Hawks and was a AP All-State Second Team pick, Vikings All-State Team, Kare11 All-Metro, StarTribune All-Metro Second Team, Suburban White District MVP, and 2x All-Distrct. Visited SDSU, UND, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Army, NDSU, Bemidji State and held offers from UMary, Bemidji State, and MSUM. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9800226/5d77e1939680ca01c4f0e568">vs. Chanhassen 2019</a> Luke Houdek (Jordan) 6’0, 235 lbs. OL @lukehoudek67 Three-year starter (OL/DL) who led the team in pancakes as a senior and was a captain and All-District selection. According to his UMD football bio: ""We first noticed Luke at our Big Dog Camp over the summer. He’s going to give you 100 percent on every rep. His effort and ability to finish are skills you can’t always teach and they will help him succeed at the next level. He understands what it takes to outwork the opponent and get the job done" UMD Offensive Line Coach Garth Heikkinen Never say that giving 100% every rep isn’t worth it! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7775513/5db8a9fa4797ce0d10ad028d">vs. Marshall HS</a> [player_tooltip player_id="11015" first="Nick" last="Moen"] (Chanhassen) 6’5, 260 lbs. OL Two-year starter who was a captain and team OL MVP in 2019 along with an All-District selection as a senior. According to his UMD football bio: ""Nick comes to us from a strong Chanhassen program He has the frame and ability to develop into an All-NSIC type of tackle. I believe Nick’s only scratched the surface as a football player and we’re excited for his future in Duluth." UMD Offensive Line Coach Garth Heikkinen <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11693795/5dbf6165bd6a810d0cb71b30">Senior Year</a> BJ Murff (Hopkins) 5’10, 160 lbs. WR @BrayoneMurff Led team in scoring and receiving yards in 2019 and was a captain and All-District selection as well. Started one year on the Royals nationally ranked basketball squad as well. Visited South Dakota State and North Dakota State. According to his UMD bio: ""I am excited to have BJ as a Bulldog. He does a phenomenal job of setting defensive backs up and getting open with his talent and understanding of the wide out position. He has a bright future as a slot wide receiver for us.” UMD Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chase Vogler <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CCySQ">Senior SZN</a> Derrek Piepho (Alexandria) 6’0, 195 lbs. DB @DerrekPiepho Three-year starter at DB who was twice named All-District, was a captain, and was named the North squad MVP at the MN All-Star Game. Also a 4x All-Conference pick in track and field. Offered by Bemidji State. According to his UMD roster bio: "“Derrek is a physical defensive back who will bring it every down. His style of play matches what we want to do in the back end. His ability to tackle and play man is what I’m looking forward to watching him do for us.” UMD Defensive Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Marcus McLin <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8367827/5c5fc03f2ab137033c21ceb6">vs. Moorhead HS</a> Nick Ruhland (Orono) 6’0, 180 lbs. DB @nruhland02 Three-year starter at CB/RB/OLB/K/PR who was a 2x All-Dsitrct pick for the Spartans who was the team’s offensive MVP and special teams MVP. 2019 StarTribune All-Metro preseason Dream Team. Led Orono in rushing and scoring and was a 4x letterman in T&F. Offered by Winona State, Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, UMC, Augustana, UMary. According to his roster bio: "Nick has a motor on the football field that you want from your defensive personnel. He’s versatile in what he can do and brings the right attitude to our program. We look forward to working with him.” UMD Defensive Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Marcus McLin <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7992869/5dab3eb404289a0d24e19364">Regular Season 2019</a> Spencer Spaude (Mankato West) 6’5, 215 lbs. WR @spencer_spaude1 Three-year starter, 2x All-District pick, captained Scarlett to 14th straight section win and caught 49 passes for 827 yards and 11 TDs his senior year. Named All-City and an MN All-Star Game participant who totaled 122 receptions (4th in MW history), 1,888 yards (5th in MW history), and 27 TDs (4th in MW history) in his career. Visited SDSU, Iowa State, UND, Minnesota State-Mankato. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8877017/5dc2dda706616e0cd0843dc7">Senior Year</a> [player_tooltip player_id="11027" first="Ben" last="Stienessen"] (Byron) 6’2, 190 lbs. DB Three-year starter, All-Section pick, All-District. Also four-year starter on basketball team and 2x All-Conference HM. According to his UMD roster bio: “Ben is an athletic football player who can play multiple positions. I’m excited to have him join us in the back end to expand our talents. Ben brings the ball skills and playmaking ability to the group. I’m looking forward to watching him compete.” UMD Defensive Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Marcus McLin <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7967604/5d8a52529680080c4cbe5aca">Senior Year midseason</a> Go Bulldogs!