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Mar. 21—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program returned to the practice field to start spring ball Thursday morning with a new head coach, new training facilities and a batch of new transfers.
What you won't see for now is a Fighting Hawk wearing a single-digit jersey number.
UND's current online roster starts at No. 10.
Eric Schmidt, entering his first season as head coach after taking over for veteran Bubba Schweigert this offseason, says those single-digit jerseys will need to be earned. Specifically, the staff will be diligent about who wears the Nos. 7, 0 and 1 — with 701 the North Dakota area code.
"We want guys to have to earn those off of it," Schmidt said. "We won't just give numbers away. We have a process to go through. The 7, 0 and 1 will be special in our program. There'll be competition for those single digits."
Schmidt said those jersey decisions will be made in late spring or early summer.
"The 7, 0 and 1 are going to be the ones we feel we'll put a lot of onus on the guys who wear those," Schmidt said. "It'll mean something to wear those. It'll be guys who exemplify who we're about day in day out with consistent leadership and work ethic ... all the things I think go with being an elite football player and person."
The change in number philosophy impacts more than 10 players from 2024 returning in 2025.
At least temporarily, wide receiver Deng Deng has moved from No. 2 to No. 17, defensive back Sam Ostrenga from No. 2 to No. 23, wide receiver Michael Gross from No. 3 to No. 85, long snapper Troy Phillips from No. 3 to No. 48, defensive back Jy Martin from No. 4 to No. 20, defensive back Clayton Bishop from No. 5 to No. 21, quarterback Simon Romfo from No. 6 to No. 17, quarterback Jack Sulik from No. 7 to No. 13, defensive back Marcus Wahl from No. 7 to No. 12, defensive back Gunnar Lym from No. 8 to No. 16 and defensive back Tyler Erkman from No. 9 to No. 14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has implemented a similar system for single-digit jerseys, a tradition he used at Temple and Baylor, as well.
At Montana, the jersey No. 37 began a legacy in 1983 when Griz fullback and Montana native Kraig Paulson began passing down No. 37 to a younger player from the state of Montana.
According to Montana's athletics website, No. 37 goes to a player who represents the spirit of Montana: "hard work, dedication to the team, and tough play on the gridiron."
Continue reading...
What you won't see for now is a Fighting Hawk wearing a single-digit jersey number.
UND's current online roster starts at No. 10.
Eric Schmidt, entering his first season as head coach after taking over for veteran Bubba Schweigert this offseason, says those single-digit jerseys will need to be earned. Specifically, the staff will be diligent about who wears the Nos. 7, 0 and 1 — with 701 the North Dakota area code.
"We want guys to have to earn those off of it," Schmidt said. "We won't just give numbers away. We have a process to go through. The 7, 0 and 1 will be special in our program. There'll be competition for those single digits."
Schmidt said those jersey decisions will be made in late spring or early summer.
"The 7, 0 and 1 are going to be the ones we feel we'll put a lot of onus on the guys who wear those," Schmidt said. "It'll mean something to wear those. It'll be guys who exemplify who we're about day in day out with consistent leadership and work ethic ... all the things I think go with being an elite football player and person."
The change in number philosophy impacts more than 10 players from 2024 returning in 2025.
At least temporarily, wide receiver Deng Deng has moved from No. 2 to No. 17, defensive back Sam Ostrenga from No. 2 to No. 23, wide receiver Michael Gross from No. 3 to No. 85, long snapper Troy Phillips from No. 3 to No. 48, defensive back Jy Martin from No. 4 to No. 20, defensive back Clayton Bishop from No. 5 to No. 21, quarterback Simon Romfo from No. 6 to No. 17, quarterback Jack Sulik from No. 7 to No. 13, defensive back Marcus Wahl from No. 7 to No. 12, defensive back Gunnar Lym from No. 8 to No. 16 and defensive back Tyler Erkman from No. 9 to No. 14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has implemented a similar system for single-digit jerseys, a tradition he used at Temple and Baylor, as well.
At Montana, the jersey No. 37 began a legacy in 1983 when Griz fullback and Montana native Kraig Paulson began passing down No. 37 to a younger player from the state of Montana.
According to Montana's athletics website, No. 37 goes to a player who represents the spirit of Montana: "hard work, dedication to the team, and tough play on the gridiron."
Continue reading...
