A talent-laden group of 21 high school seniors -- including a pair of local prep standouts -- have signed National Letters of Intent or a Letter of Acceptance to attend and play football for the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2018.
    
"This is an exciting day for UMD football," said sixth-year UMD head coach Curt Wiese. "Our staff feels confident that we addressed both the future and immediate needs for our program. We have brought in another group of high-character student-athletes that we're looking forward to working with this summer."

The 2018 UMD recruiting class is comprised of seven incoming freshmen from Minnesota, 11 from Wisconsin and one each from Iowa and Nevada. It includes three individuals who played in Minnesota or Wisconsin state high school title games this past fall.

The Bulldogs wrapped up their 85th season of intercollegiate football this past fall with a 9-3 overall record and captured their 10th consecutive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division title and made their 10th. UMD tied for third in the final NSIC overall standings at 9-2 and earned a berth in the Mineral Water Bowl, marking the program's 10th straight postseason appearance.



POSITION BREAKDOWN
Defensive Backs - 8
Offensive Linemen - 5
Wide Receivers- 4
Linebackers - 2
Defensive Linemen - 1
Quarterbacks - 1
 

Player	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Hometown (High School)
Byron Bynum	WR	6-0	180	Blaine, Minn. (Blaine H.S.)
Treyvon Cahalan	OL	6-3	300	Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park H.S.)
Keagan Calchera	QB	6-3	200	Eau Claire, Wis. (Eau Claire Memorial H.S.)
Brad Dati	LB	5-11	220	Oconomowoc, Wis. (Brookfield East H.S.)
Michael Empting	DB	6-0	190	Alexandria, Minn. (Alexandria Area H.S.)
Dayvia Gbor	DB	5-9	170	Brooklyn Center, Minn. (Brooklyn Center H.S.)
Marcus Glodowski	DB	6-1	175	Stevens Point, Wis. (Amherst H.S.)
Spencer Goerdt	OL	6-4	230	Dubuque, Iowa (Walhert Catholic H.S.)
Trent Hamerski	DB	5-11	190	Plover, Wis. (Stevens Point Area Senior H.S.)
Logan Hendrickson	DL	6-4	240	Balsam Lake, Wis. (Unity H.S.)
Hayden Iverson	WR	5-11	170	Lake Mills,  Wis. (Lake Mills H.S.)
Jonny Jensen	DB	5-11	180	Brookfield, Wis. (Brookfield Academy)
Arik Johnson	OL	6-4	260	Birchwood, Wis. (Rice Lake H.S.)
Gavin Knott	WR	5-11	170	De Pere, Wis. (De Pere H.S.)
Branden Matteen	DB	6-1	175	Esko, Minn. (Esko H.S.)
Josh Pitz	OL	6-4	260	Appleton, Wis. (Appleton West H.S.)
Tim Pokornowski	DB	6-1	180	Cloquet, Minn. (Cloquet H.S.)
Noah Skifton	WR	6-0	165	Onalaska, Wis. (Onalaska H.S.)
Trent Tatur	OL	6-3	285	Maple Grove, Minn. (Maple Grove H.S.)
Chamere Thomas	DB	5-11	170	Las Vegas, Nevada (Palo Verde H.S.)
Bradley Woldt	LB	6-0	195	Thiensville, Wis. (Homestead H.S.)

Byron Bynum (WR • 6-0 • 180 • Blaine, Minn. • Blaine H.S.) - Three-year starter (wide receiver/running back) at Blaine High School ... collared 2017 Associated Press All-State first team honors as an all-purpose player and Minnesota Vikings All-State notice as a running back  ... was also voted the Metro North District Offensive Player of the Year as a senior ... rushed 204 times for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2017 ... caught 33 passes (including seven for touchdowns) for another 433 yards en route to landing a spot on the KARE 11 TV All-Metro Team ... played under head coach Thomas Develice and captained the 2017 Bengals ... switched from receiver to running back early in the 2017 season ... took part in the Minnesota Football Showcase at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 9, 2017 ... also is a four-time basketball letterman (point guard) at Blaine High School... Is the son of Bryon Sr. and Shareesa Bynum. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Treyvon Cahalan (OL • 6-3 • 300 • Champlin, Minn. • Champlin Park H.S.) - Three-year starter (offensive tackle and center) at Champlin Park High School ... served as team captain with the 2017 Rebels while playing under head coach Mike Korton ... landed both All-Northwest Suburban Conference and QCTV-All-Area recognition as a junior ... lettered one year in track and field (thrower) at Champlin Park High School ... Is the son of Tracee Cahalan. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Keagan Calchera (QB • 6-3 • 200 • Eau Claire, Wis. • Eau Claire Memorial H.S.) - Two-year starter (quarterback) at Eau Claire Memorial High School ... capped off his Old Abe career by securing 2017 All-Big Rivers Conference (second team) and Eau Claire Leader-Telegram All-City (first team) status ... played under head coach Mike Sinz ... ran and passed for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior team captain ... closed out his prep playing days with 2,547 yards of total offense and had a hand in 22 touchdowns ... took over the Eau Claire Memorial High School starting quarterback duties a couple of seasons after the departure of Ben Everhart, a junior with the 2018 Bulldogs ... also is a three-year baseball (All-Conference outfielder) and hockey (forward) letterman for the Old Abes ... Is the son of Jeff and Heidi Calchera. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Brad Dati (LB • 5-11 • 220 • Oconomowoc, Wis. • Brookfield East H.S.) - Three-year starter (linebacker) at Brookfield East High School ...  was a 2017 Associated Press All-State and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State first team honoree ...  holds the Brookfield High School single-season tackles record ... captained the Spartans as a junior (when they captured the WIAA Division II state title) and senior ... twice received All-Greater Metro Conference first team recognition and was that league's Defensive Back of the Year in 2017 ... played under head coach Ben Farley ... also lettered in both track and field (shot put and discus) and lacrosse (center mid) at Brookfield East High School ... Is the son of Brian and Tracy Dati. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Michael Empting (DB • 6-0 • 190 • Alexandria, Minn. • Alexandria Area H.S.) - Two-year starter (safety/quarterback) at Alexandria Area High School ... attained Associated Press All-State honorable mention honors as a senior defensive back ... captained the 2017 Cardinals to the Minnesota Section 8AAAAA  title game ... was a two-time All-Section pick (2017 and 2016) ... started for the 2016 Section 8AAAAA champion Cardinals and paced them in interceptions ...  played for his father, head coach Mike Empting ... competed in the Minnesota Football Showcase following the conclusion of his senior season ...  also has lettered three years in track and field (sprints and long jump) and once in basketball (shooting guard) at Alexandria Area High School ... Is the son of Mike Empting and Sue Empting ... has one younger sister (Katelyn) ... plans to major in biochemistry at UMD. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Dayvia Gbor (DB • 5-9 • 170 • Brooklyn Center, Minn. • Brooklyn Center H.S.) - Four-year starter (defensive back/quarterback) at Brooklyn Center High School. ... collared All-District citations as both a junior and senior ... served as the Centaurs' team captain both of those seasons ... had 21 tackles and one pick in during his final prep go-around after registering 74 tackles and three interceptions in 2016 ... played under head coach John Liccardi ... also is both a track and field and basketball letterman at Brooklyn Center High School ... Is the son of Dayton and Sylvia Gbor. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Marcus Glodowski (DB • 6-1 • 175 • Stevens Point, Wis. • Amherst H.S.) - Two-year starter (defensive back/quarterback) at Amherst High School ... captained the Falcons to the 2017 WIAA Division 5 state title and was chosen the Gatorade Player of the Game following their 28-21 championship bout victory over Lake Country Lutheran High School ... is the reigning Central Wisconsin Conference (Large) Offensive Player of the Year ... secured Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region and All-CWS (Large) honors as a senior ... was a 2017 Wisconsin Associated Press All-State selection (honorable mention) as well ... played under head coach Mark Lusic ... lettered four times in baseball (pitcher and shortstop) and twice in basketball (point guard) at Amherst High School ... Is the son of David and Janet Glodowski. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Spencer Goerdt (OL • 6-4 • 230 • Dubuque, Iowa • Walhert Catholic H.S.) - Two-year starter (offensive lineman/defensive lineman/tight end) at Wahlert Catholic High School ... carved out a spot for himself on the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State third team as a senior in addition to collaring All-Mississippi Valley Conference acclaim ... served as a team captain with the Golden Eagles in 2017 ... played under head coach Travis Zajac ... also has lettered in three other sports -- baseball (all-conference first baseman), basketball (center) and track and field (thrower) -- at Wahlert Catholic High School... Is the son of Tom and Peggy Goerdt. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Trent Hamerski (DB • 5-11 • 190 • Plover, Wis. • Stevens Point Area H.S.) - Two-year starter (defensive back/running back) at Stevens Point Area Senior High School ... earned Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region and All-State (honorable mention) honors in 2017 ... was cited as the Wisconsin Valley Conference's Defensive Back of the Year as a senior in addition to making the All-WVC Team for a second straight year ... played under head coach Pete McAdams ... has also lettered four times in track and field (sprints and jumps) with the Panthers ... Is the son of Jon and Dawn Hamerski. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Logan Hendrickson (DL • 6-4 • 240 • Balsam Lake, Wis. • Unity H.S.) - Three-year starter (defensive end/tight end/fullback) at Unity High School ... received Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region and WFCA All-State (honorable mention) recognition as a senior in addition to adding a second consecutive All-Lakeland North Conference first team citation to his prep resume ...  played under head coach Cory Nelson ... is also a three-time basketball (All-Conference power forward and center) and baseball (catcher, first baseman and third baseman) for the Eagles ... is the son of William Hendrickson and Tanya Tretsven. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Hayden Iverson (WR • 5-11 • 170 • Lake Mills, Wis. • Lake Mills H.S.) - Three-year starter (wide receiver/defensive back) at Lake Mills High School ... was bestowed with the 2017 Al Toon Award (most outstanding Wisconsin high school senior wide receiver) after setting a state record for touchdown receptions (27) during his final year in a L-Cat uniform ... hauled in 77 passes for 1,573 yards as a senior team captain ... made  82 catches for 1,067 yards the previous fall ... corralled both Wisconsin Associated Press (first team) and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State honors in 2017 ... was a two-time All-Capitol North Conference wide receiver and defensive back ... closed out his prep career with 195 receptions (No. 4 on Wisconsin's all-time list), 3,118 receiving yards (No. 3) and 41 touchdown catches (No. 3) ... also lettered four times in basketball (All-Conference guard), three times in baseball (All-Conference infielder) and once in golf at Lake Mills High School ... is the son of Jeffery and Jennifer Iverson. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Jonny Jensen (DB • 5-11 • 180 • Brookfield, Wis. • Brookfield Academy) - Three-year starter (defensive back/wide receiver) at Brookfield Academy ... was a semifinalist for the 2017 Jim Leonhard Award (top Wisconsin high school senior defensive back) in addition to attaining his second straight Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region citation ...  his senior year resume included All-Midwest Classic Conference honors ... also served as team captain with the 2017 Blue Knights while playing under head coach John Kahle ... has twice lettered in both baseball (outfielder) and track and field (sprints and long jump) at Brookfield Academy ... is the son of Joel and Carrie Jensen. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Arik Johnson (OL • 6-4 • 260 • Birchwood, Wis. • Rice Lake H.S.) - Three-year starter (offensive lineman) at Rice Lake High School ... anchored the Warrior offensive front and captained that team to the 2017 WIAA Division 3 championship ... secured All-Big Rivers Conference and Eau Claire Leader-Telegram All-Northwest honors for the second year in a row as a senior ...  played under head coach Dan Hill ... also has wrestled three years for the Warriors ... is the son of Tom and Diane Johnson. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Gavin Knott (WR • 5-11 • 170 • De Pere, Wis. • De Pere H.S.) - Two-year starter (wide receiver/return specialist) at De Pere High School ... was an All-Fox River Classic Conference wide out as a senior ... played under head coach Chad Michalkiewicz ... also lettered once in basketball (point guard) for the Redbirds... Is the son of Ty and Brandi Knott. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Branden Matteen (DB • 6-1 • 175 • Esko, Minn. • Esko H.S.) - Three-year starter (wide receiver/defensive back) at Esko High School ... nailed down All-Section 7AAA recognition as a senior after amassing 519 yards and six touchdowns on 34 receptions ... finished with 1,409 all-purpose yards during his last season with the Eskimos, the Section 7AAA runnersup  ... was named to the 2017 Duluth News Tribune All-Area Team, along with fellow incoming UMD freshman Tim Pokornowski ... played under head coach Scott Arntson ... participated in the 2017 Minnesota Football Showcase this past December at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis ... also was a three-time letterman in hockey (forward) and baseball (center fielder) in high school ... is the son of Kelvin Matteen and Brenda Daleiden (both UMD graduates). HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Josh Pitz (OL • 6-4 • 260 • Appleton, Wis. • Appleton West H.S.) - Three-year starter (offensive tackle/defensive end) at Appleton West High School ... earned All-Valley Conference first team status as both an offensive and defensive lineman in 2017 after being a second team honoree at the two positions the previous fall ... also was selected to the Appleton Post Crescent All-Area and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region teams as a senior ... captained the Terrors during this farewell prep season while playing under head coach Brent Engen ... lettered two seasons in basketball (forward/center) at Appleton West High School ... is the son of James Pitz and Michelle Pitz. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Tim Pokornowski (DB • 6-1 • 180 • Cloquet, Minn. • Cloquet H.S.) - Two-year starter (defensive back/quarterback) at Cloquet Senior High School ... is the reigning Duluth News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year ... helped lead the Lumberjacks to the 2017 Minnesota State Class AAAA title game (their first trip to the playoff finals since 1976) ... strutted his stuff at the 2017 Minnesota Football Showcase (an all-star game for Minnesota's top seniors) this past December ...  completed 100 of 179 passes for 1,439 yards and 16 touchdowns and rolled up another 1,156 yards on the ground as a senior en route to being chosen the Northeast Red sub-district Most Valuable Player ... played under head coach Tom Lenarz ... has lettered three seasons in both baseball (All-Conference centerfielder and pitcher) and basketball (All-Section guard) at Cloquet High School ... is the son of Brent Pokornowski and Shawna Pokornowski. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Noah Skifton (WR • 6-0 • 165 • Onalaska, Wis. • Onalaska H.S.) - Two-year starter (defensive back/quarterback/wide receiver/return specialist) at Onalaska High School ... was showered with a bevy of postseason honors following his senior year,  including selections to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region Team (quarterback), Wisconsin Associated Press All-State Team (honorable mention quarterback), All-Mississippi Valley Conference Team (first team quarterback and second team defensive back) and the All-La Crosse Tribune Team (first team all-purpose player) ... threw for 1,884 yards and 24 touchdowns (the second highest total in team history) and ran for 955 yards (a program record for a quarterback) and 11 touchdowns in 2017 ... was picked off just six times in 228 pass attempts ... captained the Hilltoppers to a share of the 2017 Mississippi Valley Conference championship ... played under head coach Tom Yashinsky ... also lettered four years in basketball (point guard) and three seasons in track and field (all-conference sprinter) for the Hilltoppers ... is the son of Russ and Jennifer Skifton. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Trent Tatur (OL • 6-3 • 285 • Maple Grove, Minn. • Maple Grove H.S.) - Three-year starter (offensive lineman) at Maple Grove High School ... was an All-District honoree as a senior while helping lead the Crimson to the semifinal round of the Minnesota State Class AAAAAA Playoffs ... worked out of all three positions on the offensive front while playing under head coach Matt Lombardi ... has lettered two years in track and field (thrower) and is serving as a Crimson team captain ... is the son of Jeff and April Tatur. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Chamere Thomas (DB • 5-11 • 170 • Las Vegas, Nevada • Palo Verde H.S.) - Four-year starter (defensive back/wide receiver) at Palo Verde High School ... follows in the Bulldog footsteps of his older brother Chaz (a UMD running back from 2010-13) .... closed the books on his senior prep season with 1,166 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 173 carries ... generated 126 points in 2017 and his 14.0 points per game average ranked 12th among all Nevada high school players ... was a 2017  All-Northwest League second pick as both a defensive back and running back ... also garnered 2017 Las Vegas Journal-Review All-State honorable mention honors ...  captained the Panthers during his senior year while playing under head coach Joe Aznarez ... has lettered three years in track and field (sprinter and long jumper) at Palo Verde High School ... is the son of Charles and Judy Thomas. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Bradley Woldt (LB • 6-0 • 195 • Thiensville, Wis. • Homestead H.S.) - Three-year starter (linebacker/running back/punter) at Homestead High School ... obtained Wisconsin Associated Press All-State first team honors as a punter in 2017 and was a first-team All-North Shore Conference running back ... also earned a spot on the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region team as both a punter and utility player ... rushed for 2,415 yards during his prep career ... played under head coach Dave Keel ...  is a three-time letterman in both baseball (shortstop) and track and field (relays) ... Is the son of Rick and Christine Wold. HIGHLIGHT VIDEO