A talent-laden group of 32 high school seniors -- have signed to attend and play football for the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2023. 

"This is an exciting day for UMD football," said eleventh-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 who we're looking forward to working with this fall." 

The 2023 UMD recruiting class comprises 16 incoming freshmen from Minnesota, 11 from Wisconsin, three from Nevada and two from Illinois.
 

First	Last	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	State	High School
John	Barrow	DL	6'1	285	Minneapolis	Minn.	Robbinsdale Cooper High School
AJ	Boarman	QB	6'4	187	Minneapolis	Minn.	Academy Of Holy Angels
Trace	Bowman	TE	6'5	240	Prior Lake	Minn.	Prior Lake High School
Nate	Branch	TE	6'2	225	Palatine	Ill.	Palatine High School
Taye	Derrico	DB	5'9	155	Chilton	Wis.	Appleton East High School
Joey	Flaherty	WR	6'2	195	Oak Creek	Wis.	Oak Creek High School
David	Gauderman	OLB	6'2	220	Wittenberg	Wis.	Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School
Carter	Geerts	OL	6'3	275	Rochester	Minn.	Byron High School
Chuck	Gilbert	WR	6'2	185	Bloomington	Minn.	Academy of Holy Angels
Colin	Gregorio	DB	5'10	180	Las Vegas	Nev.	Liberty High School
Caden	Healy	ILB	6'3	190	Athens	Wis.	Colby High School
Drew	Henson	K/P	6'4	195	Owatonna	Minn.	Owatonna High School
Zach	Johnson	OL	6'4	285	St. Louis Park	Minn.	Saint Louis Park High School
Jordan	Karras	DB	5'11	188	River Falls	Wis.	River Falls High School
Haden	Kelly	OL	6'6	250	Northfield	Minn.	Northfield High School
Mason	Keyes	QB	6'0	190	DeForest	Wis.	DeForest Area High School
Joey	Krouse	DB	5'10	185	Savage	Minn.	Prior Lake High School
Damien	Lee	OLB	6'3	225	La Crosse	Wis.	Aquinas High School
Preston	McQueen	DB	6'3	175	Henderson	Nev.	Coronado High School
Najeh	Mitchell	WR	5'10	170	De Pere	Wis.	West De Pere High School
Ty	Neils	ILB	6'2	205	Mankato	Minn.	Mankato West High School
Ryder	Patterson	WR	5'10	185	Lakeville	Minn.	Lakeville South High School
Allen	Pearson,  Jr.	DL	6'0	275	Maplewood	Minn.	Tartan Senior High School
Alex	Riley	RB	5'11	205	Waconia	Minn.	Waconia High School
Ethan	Sam	OL	6'4	280	Plainfield	Ill.	Plainfield North High School
Wesley	Sauvao	OL	6'3	300	Henderson	Nev.	Liberty High School
Taylor	Schaefer	OLB	6'4	235	Sturgeon Bay	Wis.	Southern Door High School
Jonathan	Shrum	DB	5' 11	175	Farmington	Minn.	Farmington High School
Leo	Smalley	OL	6'2	270	Chaska	Minn.	Chaska High School
Ben	Vallafskey	RB	5'10	195	Appleton	Wis.	Appleton West High School
Aidyn	Vondra	DB	5'9	175	Brodhead	Wis.	Brodhead Senior High School
Landon	Weyer	DB	5'11	178	Stillwater	Minn.	Stillwater Area High School

The Bulldogs closed out their 89th season of intercollegiate football with an 8-3 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record.


THE 2023 BULLDOG RECRUITING CLASS AT A GLANCE • • • • • •

John Barrow (DL • 6-1 • 285 • Minneapolis, Minn. • Robbinsdale Cooper H.S.) 
Four-year starter (Defensive Tackle) at Robbinsdale Cooper High School…played under head coach Willie Howard…a two-time All-District Performer…voted Defensive Line MVP, along with leading the Hawks in sacks… played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game…an Honor Roll student at Robbinsdale Cooper

AJ Boarman (QB • 6-4 • 187 • Minneapolis, Minn. • Academy of Holy Angels) 
Two-year starter (Quarterback) at the Academy of Holy Angels…played under head coach Jim Gunderson…a 2022 Captain led the Stars to their 3rd MSHSL State Tournament berth…led the team in rushing and passing as a senior…voted Conference and Team MVP this past fall…an All-District performer along with being a member of the Academic All-District team…an All-Conference performer on the basketball court for the Stars…Also, a member of the Track & Field and Golf Programs at Holy Angels…the Jim Kelley Award winner and 6-time Honor Roll student during his years at Holy Angels…an active member of the Campus Ministry team

Trace Bowman (TE • 6-5 • 240 • Prior Lake, Minn. • Prior Lake High School)
Two-year starter (Tight End) at Prior Lake High School…played under head coach Matt Gegenheimer…1st Team All-District performer this fall…member of the Laker track & field (Shot Put and Discus) program

Nate Branch (TE • 6-2 • 225 • Palatine, Ill. • Palatine High School)
Three-year starter (tight end) at Palatine High School…played under head coach Corey Olson ... was elected captain twice during his prep career for the Pirates … two-time All Mid-Suburban League player, as well as two-time All Area Team member … has started for 4 years in baseball (catcher) with the Pirates, a two-time all-conference performer … National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, and Foreign Language Honor Society member

Taye Derrico (DB • 5-9 • 155 • Chilton, Wis. • Appleton East High School) 
Two-year starter (Defensive Back/Running Back/Wide Receiver) at Appleton East High School…played under head coach Mark Krommenacker…a 2022 team captain for the Patriots…a two-time All-Conference and All-Region performer during his prep career…participates in wrestling and track & field…a Life Skills team member at Appleton East, helping kids with disabilities

Joey Flaherty (QB • 6-2 • 195 • Oak Creek, Wis. • Oak Creek High School) 
Three-year starter (Wide Receiver) at Oak Creek High School…played under head coach Joel Paar…finished his career as the All-Time leader in Receiving TD's for the knights…a 2022 team captain…voted the Southeastern Conference Wide Receiver of the Year…earned All-Conference, All-Region and Honorable-Mention All-State honors this fall…was a member of the Academic All-State team this fall…has started for 2 years in basketball (Guard) with the Knights…an All-Conference performer as a Junior… a 4 year honor roll student and ranked in the top 10% in his graduating class

David Gauderman (OLB • 6-2 • 220 • Wittenberg, Wis. • Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School) 
Four-year starter (Defensive End/Linebacker/Running Back) at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School…played under head coach Jason Rieck ... 1st Team All-State Running Back his Senior as well as 1st Team All-Central Wisconsin Conference (Large) Running Back and Linebacker in 2022 … Was voted team captain and team MVP during his senior year … During his senior season, David led the Chargers in tackles, sacks, rushing & total points ... has started for 4 years in wrestling with the Chargers, a two-time state meet participant finishing 4th (2020) and 3rd (2021)... Athletic Club group member

Carter Geerts (OL • 6-3 • 275 • Rochester, Minn. • Byron High School)
Three-year starter (Offensive Line) at Byron High School…played under head coach Ben Halder…2022 Bear football captain…a three-time All-Conference performer, 1st Team (senior season) & Honorable Mention (junior and sophomore seasons)... as a senior, was selected as an All-Area honoree…played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game…a six year starter for the Bears wrestling team (heavyweight)...a two-time captain and MSHSL state meet qualifier as a Junior…member of the National Honor Society, Link Crew, Student Council, FCCLA, Leadership Academy and FCA

Chuck Gilbert III (WR • 6-2 • 185 • Bloomington, Minn. • Academy of Holy Angels) 
Three-year starter (Wide Receiver/Defensive Back) at the Academy of Holy Angels…played under head coach Jim Gunderson…an All-District and All-State Performer as a senior… helped lead the Stars to their 3rd MSHSL State Tournament berth…voted as the Offensive MVP this past fall…competed in basketball for Holy Angels during his career.

Colin Gregorio (DB • 5-10 • 180 • Las Vegas, Nev. • Liberty High School) 
Four-year player (Safety/Wide Receiver/Quarterback) at Liberty High School…played under head coach Richard Muraco…the 2022 Patriot Pride award winner…a member of the Patriot track and field team (100m & 200m)

Caden Healy (ILB • 6-3 • 190 • Athens, Wis. • Colby High School) 
Four-year starter (Defensive Back/Linebacker/Running Back) at Colby High School…played under head coach Jim Hagen ... 2021 WIAA State Champion … Was a member of the All-Marawood team as both a Runningback and Linebacker his senior season as well as being voted the Marawood Conference Player of the Year … was a Honorable Mention member of the Wisconsin All-State football team in 2022 … along with his on field accomplishments, Caden was also a member of the Wisconsin All-State Academic team his senior year… a 3 year starter for Colby basketball program…this spring, will mark his fourth season running for the track (100m, 200m, Long Jump) program… a member of the Colby student council

Drew Henson (K/P • 6-4 • 195 • Owatonna, Minn. • Owatonna High School) 
Two-year starter (Kicker/Punter) at OwatonnaHigh School…played under head coach Jeff Williams ... a two-time all-conference selection during his prep career, along with being voted the Big 9 special teams player of the year during the 2021 & 2022 seasons  … For the Huskies, Drew was twice voted the team's special teams player of the year … during his senior season he was able to garnish 2nd Team All-State honors … played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game…2 year starter for the Husky Soccer program… Active in the DECA program at Owatonna

Zach Johnson (OL • 6-4 • 285 • St. Louis Park, Minn. • St. Louis Park High School) 
Three-year starter (Offensive/Defensive Line) at St. Louis Park High School…played under head coach Jason Foster ... was voted the Orioles Offensive Lineman of the Year during the 2021 & 2022 seasons … Earned All-Conference (senior season) and Honorable Mention All-Conference (junior season) honors during his time in the Orange and Black …This spring, will mark his 3rd season as a member of the baseball (1st Base & Pitcher) program…During his prep career, he was also a member of the Oriole hockey program

Jordan Karras (DB • 5-11 • 188 • River Falls, Wis. • River Falls High School) 
Two-year starter (Defensive Back/Wide Receiver) at River Falls High School…played under head coach Ryan Scherz…helped lead the Wildcats to back to back conference championships as a senior captain…excelled at multiple positions during his career, leading the Wildcats in receiving (senior season) and kick return yards (senior & junior seasons)...was an All-Conference and All-Region performer in 2022…has competed for four seasons with the track & field program (Sprints & Jumps) at River Falls…qualified for the state track meet in the 4x200m relay…member of several leadership groups at the school and within the football program

Haden Kelly (OL • 6-6 • 250 • Northfield, Minn. • Northfield High School) 
2022 starter (Offensive Line) at Northfield High School…played under head coach Brent Yule…voted All-District this past fall…voted by his teammates as the Most Disciplined Player of the Year…active member of the basketball, track & field and trap shooting teams at Northfield

Mason Keyes (QB • 6-0 • 190 • Deforest, Wis. • Deforest High School) 
Two-year starter (Quarterback) at Deforest High School…played under head coach Aaron Mack…a two-time All-Badger (Small Division) performer captained the Norskies this fall…a back to back All-Region performer was also elected the Badger Conference Player of the Year…an Honorable Mention All-State honoree…a two-year member of the Norskie basketball program

Joey Krouse (DB • 5-10 • 185 • Savage, Minn. • Prior Lake High School) 
Three-year starter (Defensive Back/Wide Receiver/Running Back) at Prior Lake High School…played under head coach Matt Gegenheimer…a 2022 captain for the Lakers…was voted as the Lakers Offensive MVP for the 2nd consecutive season this fall…a two-time All-District player added All-Metro honors during his senior campaign…has started for two-years in basketball (guard) with the Lakers…competed in the sprints for two-seasons on the track & field team…member of the Business Honor Society…a 3 year Board Scholar…Heart of the Laker award winner

Damien Lee (OLB • 6-3 • 225 • Lacrosse, Wis. • Aquinas High School)
Two-year starter (Outside Linebacker/Tight End) at Aquinas High School…played under his father, head coach, Thomas Lee ... helped the Blugolds win back to back WIAA Division 5 State Championships … A first team All-Conference and All-Region player … at the conclusion of his career, was selected as an Honorable Mention member to both the WFCA & AP All-Wisconsin football teams … This spring will mark his third season on Blugold track program, throwing Shot Put and Discus…a member of the Impact group at Aquinas, which is a student led volunteer group

Preston McQueen (DB • 6-3 • 175 • Henderson, Nev. • Coronado High School) 
Two-year starter (Defensive Back/Wide Receiver) at Coronado High School…played under head coach Freddie Biletnikoff Jr…an All-Region Cornerback this season…member of the Basketball & Theatre programs at Coronado

Najeh Mitchell (WR • 5-10 • 170 • De Pere, Wis. • West De Pere High School)
Three-year starter (Wide Receiver/Running Back) at West De Pere High School…played under head coach Chris Greisen... was a two-time All-Fox River Classic Conference and All-Region selection, as well as the 2021 & 2022 FRCC Back of the Year … twice selected to the All-State team, Honorable Mention (junior season) and 1st Team (senior season) … In 2022, was a finalist for the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch award (Wisconsin's Running Back of the Year)…three-year member of the basketball team…a three-time state track meet participant (100m, 4x100m, and 4x200m)

Ty Neils (ILB • 6-2 • 205 • Mankato, Minn. • Mankato West High School) 
Three-year letterwinner (Inside Linebacker/Long Snapping) at Mankato West High School…played under head coach Jeffery Helget… helped the Scarlets appear in two Prep Bowls (2021 & 2022) during his career. Winning a state championship his Junior season … a 2nd Team All-State member, along with being a 1st Team All-Conference player his senior season … voted the Mankato West & Big Southeast Red District Defensive Player of the Year in 2022… played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game… has started two years in baseball (outfield) with the Scarletts…a member of the Mankato West Link Crew and DECA programs

Ryder Patterson (WR • 5-10 • 185 • Lakeville, Minn. • Lakeville South High School) 
Two-year starter (Wide Receiver/Running Back/Defensive Back) at Lakeville South High School…played under head coach Ben Burk ... In 2021, was able to bring home Lakeville South's first ever MSHSL state championship in Football… a 2022 Cougar Team Captain … was member of the All-District, All-Twin Cities Metro and All-State teams his senior year… played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game…a member of the Lakeville South hockey program…helps with the Cougars Leading Cougars program at Lakeville South

Allen Pearson, Jr. (DL • 6-0 • 275 • Maplewood, Minn. • Tartan Senior High School)
Three-year starter (Offensive/Defensive Line) at Tartan Senior High School…played under head coach Matthew Diediker …a Two-Time All-Conference Selection in 2021 & 2022 … was voted the 2022 Metro East and Tartan Titan Defensive MVP …During his senior year, he was the Titans leader in Sacks and Tackles for Loss… played in the 2022 Minnesota High School All Star Game… on the mat, 2-time letter winner and state meet participant at heavyweight for for the Titans wrestling program…a member of the Titan track and field team

Alex Riley (RB • 5-11 • 205 • Waconia, Minn. • Waconia High School)
Three-year starter (Running Back) at Waconia High School…played under head coach Corey Shea…Captained the Wildcats during his Junior and Senior seasons…this three-time letter winner earned his 2nd All-Conference selection this season…a 5-time letter winner in Track & Field and Wrestling for the Wildcats…a 3-time state wrestling meet entrant, finishing in 3rd place as a Junior…has amassed over 150 wins in his career…Honor Roll student at Waconia

Ethan Sam (OL • 6-4 • 280 • Plainfield, Ill. • Plainfield North High School)
Two-year Letterwinner (Offensive Line) at Plainfield North High School…played under head coach Anthony Imbordino… a member of the the All-Conference and All-Area teams in 2022…a 2 year starter in Wrestling…a 3 year member of the Plainfield North baseball program

Wesley Sauvao (OL • 6-3 • 300 • Henderson, Nev. • Liberty High School)    
Three-year starter (Offensive Line) at Liberty High School…played under head coach Richard Muraco… a two-time All-Conference performer at Offensive Guard

Taylor Schaefer (OLB • 6'4 • 235 • Sturgeon Bay, Wis. • Southern Door High School) 
Three-year starter (Linebacker/Tight End) at Southern Door High School…played under head coach Mark Jonas … a two-time captain led the Eagles the 2022 Packerland conference championship… Defensively, was named an All-Conference/All-Region Linebacker for the second year in a row in 2022. Along with his second straight Packerland Defensive Player of the Year this past fall…In 2022, he also added 1st Team All-Conference honors as a Runningback…Concluded his senior season with 1st Team All-State honors as a linebacker and was voted a finalist for the John Anderson award (Wisconsin's Linebacker of the Year)…a member of the Eagles basketball (2nd Team All-Conference) and baseball (Two-Year Starter) teams

Jonathan Shrum (DB • 5-11 • 175 • Farmington, Minn. • Farmington High School) 
Two-year starter (Defensive Back/Running Back) at Farmington High School…played under head coaches Jon Pieper & Rick Sutton … a two-time All-District performer captained the Tigers during the 2022 fall…During his senior season, was selected as the Tigers Offensive & Special Teams MVP adding to his Defensive MVP honor in 2021…Selected as a member of the MFCA Academic All-State team for the 6A division…a member of the Minnesota Prep Redzone All-State team… selected as a part of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings All-State Football Team…a two-time letter winner for the Tiger basketball team (2022 Captain)... On the track, a 2022 state meet participant in the 100m and 4x200m (8th Place)... a three-year member of the National Honor Society

Leo Smalley (OL • 6-2 • 270 • Chaska, Minn. • Chaska High School) 
Three-year starter (Offensive Line) at Chaska High School…played under head coach and Bulldog Football alum Bryan Dahl … this 2022 Hawk captain was selected as the Suburban White Offensive Lineman of the year…a three-time Academic All-Conference selection…a two-time all-district performer for the Hawks over his prep career…a two-year letter winner in track and field (Shot Put & Discus)...a 2021 Excel Award recipient and a National Honor Society Member

Ben Vallafskey (RB • 5-10 • 195 • Appleton, Wis. • Appleton West High School)
Three-year starter (Running Back/Wide Receiver/Defensive Back) at Appleton West High School…played under head coaches Jeremy Clifton, Dom Thompson and Jon Lamers…Captained the Terrors during his Junior and Senior seasons…a three time All-VFA selection at Running Back added All-Conference honors as a DB this fall…was voted as Team MVP as a Junior and Senior…Has started for two years with the Terrors basketball team.

Aidyn Vondra (DB • 5-9 • 175 • Brodhead, Wis. • Brodhead High School) 
Four-year starter (Defensive Back/Running Back/Wide Receiver) for the Brodhead/Juda Cardinals…played under head coach Jim Matthys...elected as the Cardinals MVP in 2022…a two-time All Conference and All-Region performer…earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in 2022…participates in Basketball & Baseball at Brodhead High School…an All-Conference performer on the diamond…a Youth to Youth co-leader

Landon Weyer (DB • 5-11 • 178 • Stillwater, MN • Stillwater Area High School) 
Two-year starter (Defensive Back/Running Back/Wide Receiver) at Stillwater Area High School…played under head coach Beau LaBore ...helped lead the Ponies to back-to-back conference championships his senior year…was able to propel the Ponies into the State Tournament with a section championship during his prep career…a three year sprinter with the Pony track program