Commitment Report: Nick Radunz (Becker & NDSCS)

<strong><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Nick Radunz </span></strong><span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">is a 6'4, 300 lb. olineman who played his prep ball at </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Becker High School</em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif"> where he won a state championship with the the </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Bulldogs </em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">in 2015. The former 3rd Team AP All-State selection in Minnesota and </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">SaintCloudTimes </em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">All-Area team member went onto play junior college (juco) ball in Whapeton, North Dakota at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), which has one of the strongest juco traditions in the Midwest. </span><strong><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">Radunz </span></strong><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">transitioned from <em>Becker </em>to have a great career that is wrapping up with the Wildcats, as he was selected 1st Team All-MCAC (Minnesota College Athletic Conference) and a First Team NJCAA All-American last season as a freshman. Now a sophomore captain who has appeared in 15+ games, <strong>Radunz </strong>recently pulled the trigger and committed to to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State University where he will join his older brother and First Team All-MVFC selection <strong>Dillon Radunz </strong>(<a href="https://gobison.com/sports/football/roster/dillon-radunz/8476">https://gobison.com/sports/football/roster/dillon-radunz/8476</a>) who also plays oline for the Bison. The last time the two <strong>Radunz </strong>boys played a football together was that 2015 state championship game at TCF Bank Stadium. With a less traditional path taken to a college football program, I felt extremely excited and honored when <strong>Radunz </strong>agreed to be interviewed for a "Commitment Report" for <em>Northstar Football News</em>. I learned quite a lot about <strong>Radunz, </strong>the juco football experience, NDSCS, and <strong>Radunz's </strong>decision to join the FCS #1 ranked Bison football team. I hope you enjoy!</span></span> [caption id="attachment_14878" align="alignright" width="140"] Radunz[/caption] <span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif"><i>NFN: Hello, Nick. Congratulations on the commitment to NDSU! How did that occur? As you're in the unique position of being a junior college athlete, give us some insight into the recruiting process out of a two year </i></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif"><i>juco?</i></span> <strong><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Radunz: </span></strong><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">"I started hearing from schools about midway through this summer. It first started when I was on my way to a baseball game. I play in a summer league, and I got a call and in one phone call I got an offer. I was so excited as it was so unexpected and completely caught me by surprise. Recruiting in juco doesn't happen until the month you graduate due to the fact that we don't come in with five years or with a redshirt, we come in with sometimes two or three so just receiving interest this early made me appreciate the importance of feeling wanted <em>and </em>needed instead of just needed." </span> <span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif"><i>NFN: Go Bison, baby. Tell our readers a little bit about juco ball. How was it different than MN prep football and what are some important things we should know about the juco grind?</i></span></span> <span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif"><b>Radunz: </b>"Juco is just a completely different grind. We don't get paid (stipends), and we have to pay for everything that we need or want. I once had a teammate blow out a pair of cleats and you could see his foot through the side of the cleat, but we just taped it up and kept going. This sounds harsh but I wouldn't do it any other way because this has brought me a second family and we have such an amazing bond on this team and I just hope we keep winning and I'm going to keep giving it everything I have for my black and red."</span> [caption id="attachment_14879" align="alignright" width="300"] Radunz at Becker[/caption] <em><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">NFN: "Share with us how your 2019 season has gone for NDSCS? How was it blocking for Desean Phillips (NJCAA All-American and STMA grad) and what were some highlights of this year?</span></em> <strong><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Radunz: </span></strong><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">"We are having an amazing this year and we played Itasca in the semifinals last Sunday at 1:30 at our home field. They are an amazing team with great talent and it was a tough, hard-fought game. We have been playing hard and grinding all season long and it has helped us change the mentality of this team. I love Phillips, he truly is a generational talent and I wish I could keep blocking for him wherever I go. The way he runs the ball and what he sees and his mind for the game is just out of this world. He is a dude and has a lot ahead of him. The biggest highlight this year is just all the change. I have played all over the place and it has made me such a better player." </span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">I know I'm looking forward to seeing the <strong>Radunz </strong>boys on the oline for the Bison next season. Best of luck to you, Nick.</span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">True Freshman All-American Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6247388/5bdba12e96765110d0178a5e">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6247388/5bdba12e96765110d0178a5e</a></span>