A talent-laden group of 31 high school seniors have signed their National Letters of Intent or Letter of Acceptance to attend and play football for the University of Minnesota Duluth football in 2026.
 
"Today is an exciting day for our program to welcome 31 new members into our Bulldog Family," said head coach Curt Wiese. "Our staff and campus community worked hard to make sure we have signed young men who we feel to be the right fit for our program, campus, and community. Our program has always been about the development of high school student athletes that can help embrace the UMD Football culture. We look forward to working with this group in the fall as they begin their collegiate career at UMD."
 
The 2026 recruiting class is composed of 15 incoming freshmen from Minnesota, 12 from Wisconsin, one from Nevada, one from Michigan, one from Illinois, and one from North Dakota.
 
2026 CLASS BY POSITION BREAKDOWN
 
Defensive Backs - 5
 
Defensive Linemen - 3
 
Linebackers - 4
 
Running Backs - 3
 
Offensive Linemen - 7
 
Wide Receivers - 4
 
Tight Ends - 2
 
Quarterbacks - 3

 
Jayvon Anderson (WR – 5' 11" – 171 – Fargo, N.D. – Fargo South High School)
 
Julian Beckstrand (DB – 5'11" – 185 – Barnum, Minn. – Barnum High School)
 
Mitchel Bilicki (OL – 6'4" – 303 – Hartland, Wis. – Arrowhead High School)
 
Max Blandin (LB – 6'2" – 199 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
 
Landon Burg (WR – 6'2" – 175 – Hermantown, Minn. – Hermantown High School)
 
Carter Crawford (DL – 5'10" – 288 – Lakeville, Minn. – Lakeville North High School)
 
Brady Kaufman (RB – 5'11" – 170 – Marshall, Wis. – Sun Prairie East High School)
 
Noah King (OL – 6'5" – 265 – Chippewa Falls, Wis. – Chippewa Falls High School)
 
Ben Knaup (DL – 6'3" – 231 – Woodbury, Minn. – East Ridge High School)
 
Ryan Lempke (TE – 6'3" – 229 – Cedarburg, Wis. – Cedarburg High School)
 
Todd Marx (OL – 6'3" – 290 – Appleton, Wis. – Appleton East High School)
 
Johnny Mathews (RB – 5'10" – 175 – Racine, Wis. – Racine Case High School)
 
Luke Mathewson (DL – 6'2" – 235 – Wauwatosa, Wis. – Marquette University High School)
 
Aiden Mbinda (WR – 5'9" – 170 – Prior Lake, Minn. – Prior Lake High School)
 
Aidan McClure (LB – 6'3" – 197 – South Elgin, Ill. – St. Charles North High School)
 
Carter Meincke (OL – 6'5" – 220 – Byron, Minn. – Byron High School)
 
Jeffrey Nordvold (TE – 6'1" – 215 – Maple Grove, Minn. – Maple Grove Senior High School)
 
Robert Piskula (LB – 6'2" – 207 – Cedarburg, Wis. – Cedarburg High School)
 
David Pritchard (OL – 6'1" – 300 – Las Vegas, Nev. – Liberty High School)
 
Grady Recer (DB – 5'10" – 170 – Eagan, Minn. – Eagan High School)
 
Chris Rehak (LB – 5'10" – 205 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
 
Kaaleem Reiland (RB – 5'8" – 200 – Spring Valley, Minn. – Kingsland High School)
 
Alex Reinke (DB – 6'0" – 185 – Jackson, Wis. – Germantown High School)
 
Ford Richardson (QB – 6'2" – 190 – Marquette, Mich. – Marquette Senior High School)
 
Austin Rideout (WR – 6'2" – 185 – Eau Claire, Wis. – Regis High School)
 
Easton Ridlehoover (DB – 6'1" – 190 – Rogers, Minn. – Rogers High School)
 
Tanner Rothbauer (QB – 5'11" – 190 – Oak Grove, Minn. – St. Francis High School)
 
Danny Sather (DB – 6'0" – 190 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
 
Ethan Sather (OL – 6'3" – 275 – Eden Prairie, Minn. – Eden Prairie High School)
 
Bryson Schmid (QB – 6'1" – 196 – Tigerton, Wis. – Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School)
 
Brody Wilcox (OL – 6'5" – 249 – Oak Creek, Wis. – Oak Creek High School)
 

THE 2026 BULLDOG RECRUITING CLASS AT A GLANCE
 

Jayvon Anderson (WR – 5' 11" – 171 – Fargo, N.D. – Fargo South High School)
Played under head coach Tyler Kosle at Fargo South High School… team captain for two seasons… team MVP as a senior… offensive MVP in two seasons… participated in track and field in all four years… earned the Sam King award.   

Julian Beckstrand (DB – 5'11" – 185 – Barnum, Minn. – Barnum High School)
Played under head coach Robert Minkkinen at Barnum High School… team captain his senior year… earned two team Offensive MVPs, two All-District selections, and an All-District Offensive MVP honor…  selected for the Duluth News Tribune All-Area list twice… a two-time Pine Journal Player of the Year… selected to the Viking All-State Team in his senior year and a Mr. Football Nominee… was his team's leading scorer in his junior and senior years... led the Barnum Bombers to the first section 7A Championship and State Tournament since 2012…participated in basketball earning the Ball Hawk Award and a Polar League All-Star team selection… ran in track and field, holding the 100m dash record at BHS with a state meet appearance… Honor Roll member in high school.

Mitchel Bilicki (OL – 6'4" – 303 – Hartland, Wis. – Arrowhead High School)
Played under head coach Matt Harris at Arrowhead High School… team captain, All-Conference member in 2025, and 2025 state champion… received lineman of the year in 2025… participated in track and field for two seasons.

Max Blandin (LB – 6'2" – 199 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
Played under head coach Jon Pieper at Farmington High School… team captain last season… All-Conference honorable mention in 2024… All-Conference recipient in 2025… started as a guard for two years in basketball, receiving an All-Conference selection in 2025.

Landon Burg (WR – 6'2" – 175 – Hermantown, Minn. – Hermantown High School)
Played under head coach Mike Zagelmeyer at Hermantown High School… team captain for a season… earned All-Conference and All-Section… participated in basketball and track and field… member of the National Honor Society.

Carter Crawford (DL – 5'10" – 288 – Lakeville, Minn. – Lakeville North High School)
Played under head coach Brian Vossen at Lakeville North High School… team captain for a season… three-time All-District selectee… three-time Lineman of the Year recipient… Toughman award winner… participated in wrestling in high school.
 
Brady Kaufman (RB – 5'11" – 170 – Marshall, Wis. – Sun Prairie East High School)
Played under head coach Brian Kaminski at Sun Prairie East High School… team captain his senior year… First Team All-Conference and All-Region selectee… earned three Second Team All-Conference selections… All-State honorable mention… all-time leading rusher for his high school… participated in basketball and track and field… member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team at high school.

Noah King (OL – 6'5" – 265 – Chippewa Falls, Wis. – Chippewa Falls High School)
Played under head coach Chuck Rayckovich at Chippewa Falls High School… earned an honorable mention to the 2023 All-Conference team… All-Conference in 2024 and All-Region in 2025… participated in track and field for four seasons in high school.

Ben Knaup (DL – 6'3" – 231 – Woodbury, Minn. – East Ridge High School)
Played under head coach Dan Fritze at East Ridge High School… team captain in 2025… two-time First Team All-District member… led the team in sacks and tackles for losses… powerlifted in the APO, placing 2nd in the 2024 Nationals.

Ryan Lempke (TE – 6'3" – 229 – Cedarburg, Wis. – Cedarburg High School)
Played under head coach Matt McDonnell at Cedarburg High School… earned Offensive MVP and was team captain his senior year… two-time All-Conference selectee.

Todd Marx (OL – 6'3" – 290 – Appleton, Wis. – Appleton East High School)
Played under head coach Mark Krommenacker and Jarrius James at Appleton East High School… two-time team captain… two-time first team All-Conference member… team MVP… participated in wrestling and golf at high school.

Johnny Mathews (RB – 5'10" – 175 – Racine, Wis. – Racine Case High School)
Played under head coach Anton Graham at Racine Case High School… earned All-Conference as a running back… participated in track and field for two seasons at high school.

Luke Mathewson (DL – 6'2" – 235 – Wauwatosa, Wis. – Marquette University High School)
Played under head coach Jon Kahle at Marquette University High School… earned an All-Conference Honorable mention senior year… participated in soccer for two seasons at high school.

Aiden Mbinda (WR – 5'9" – 170 – Prior Lake, Minn. – Prior Lake High School)
Played under head coach Matt Gegenheimer at Prior Lake High School… in 2025 earned First Team All-District and District Offensive MVP… holds his high school's all-time receiving yards record and most receiving yards in a single season… participated in basketball and track and field… earned Principals Honor Roll in high school.

Aidan McClure (LB – 6'3" – 197 – South Elgin, Ill. – St. Charles North High School)
Played under head coach Robert Pomazak at St. Charles North High School… two-time team captain… Defensive MVP in 2025...  a Chicago Bears Player of the Week in the 2025 season...  earned two All-Area and three All-Conference selections... tied for most interceptions in his high school career... participated in lacrosse for two seasons as team captain, earning three All-Conference selections, two team MVPs, and the most caused turnovers in program history.

Carter Meincke (OL – 6'5" – 220 – Byron, Minn. – Byron High School)
Played under head coach Ben Halder at Byron High School… All-Conference honorable mention in 2025.

Jeffrey Nordvold (TE – 6'1" – 215 – Maple Grove, Minn. – Maple Grove Senior High School)
Played under head coach Adam Spurrell at Maple Grove Senior High School… led the team as a receiver and helped the team become 2024 State Champions… participated in baseball and track and field in high school… two-time DECA state qualifier and participant.

Robert Piskula (LB – 6'2" – 207 – Cedarburg, Wis. – Cedarburg High School)
Played under head coach Matt McDonnell at Cedarburg High School… a Second Team All-Conference selection… earned All-Region in his senior year… helped the team to two playoff appearances… participated in basketball for four seasons in high school.

David Pritchard (OL – 6'1" – 300 – Las Vegas, Nev. – Liberty High School)
Played under head coach Rich Muraco at Liberty High School… a First Team All-State selectee…  honored with offensive line MVP… participated in track and field in high school.

Grady Recer (DB – 5'10" – 170 – Eagan, Minn. – Eagan High School)
Played under head coach Nick Johnson at Eagan High School... was team captain, team MVP, and All-District in 2025... was an All-District honorable mention in 2024... recorded the most career and single-season interceptions in school history... participated in track and field in all four years.

Chris Rehak (LB – 5'10" – 205 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
Played under head coach John Piper at Farmington High School… earned an All-State selection, MFCA All-Star, MFCA All-Star Defensive Player of the Game, Offensive MVP, and Two-Way Player of the Year selection in 2025… a two-time All-District honoree… earned the team's defensive MVP in two seasons… participated in track and field in high school.

Kaaleem Reiland (RB – 5'8" – 200 – Spring Valley, Minn. – Kingsland High School)
Played under head coach Matt Kolling at Kingsland High School… spent three seasons as team captain… Offensive Co-Player of the Year… holds his high school's record in total touchdowns (85)… two-time Academic All-Conference… participated in basketball and track and field in high school.

Alex Reinke (DB – 6'0" – 185 – Jackson, Wis. – Germantown High School)
Played under head coach Jake Davis at Germantown High School… team captain in 2025… earned the 2025 We Over Me award… honored with the 2025 No "I" in Team award…. A 2024 First Team All-Conference honoree… participated in baseball for three seasons, earning a Second Team All-Conference selection…. Member of the National Honor Society… his father, John, played football for UMD.

Ford Richardson (QB – 6'2" – 190 – Marquette, Mich. – Marquette Senior High School)
Played under head coach Eric Masonat at Marquette Senior High School… team Captain for two seasons… selected to the All-Region team… a three-time All-Conference selection… a three-time All-Upper Peninsula team member… earned team MVP… participated in basketball with a season as captain, earning two All-Conference team selections and an All-Region team selection… holds his high school records in track and field for the 300m hurdles, 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m… a member of the National Honor Society.

Austin Rideout (WR – 6'2" – 185 – Eau Claire, Wis. – Regis High School)
Played under head coach Bryant Brenner at Regis High School… helped the team become State Champions…was a team captain… a two-time First Team All-Conference… participated in basketball, baseball, and track and field in high school… as a track athlete was an All-Conference selection twice and a state champion… member of the National Honor Society.

Easton Ridlehoover (DB – 6'1" – 190 – Rogers, Minn. – Rogers High School)
Played under head coach Marc Franz at Rogers High School… … was team captain in 2025… a two-time All-Conference selection… an MFCA High School All-Star and MFCA High School All-Star Defensive MVP… three-time Academic All-District honoree… earned the Rogers High School Football Best Role Model Award… three-time letter winner in football… participated in baseball, earning the 2025 Perfect Game All-Midwest Region Team, Perfect Game MLK Championships All-Tournament selection, and Perfect Game National Showcase Top Performer… in baseball, was a Section Runner-Up for two seasons… four time baseball Academic All-Section… earned Student Leadership Recognition... National Honor Society member in high school.

Tanner Rothbauer (QB – 5'11" – 190 – Oak Grove, Minn. – St. Francis High School)
Played under head coach Tracy Torson at St. Francis High School… a two-time All-District recipient… a three time Academic All-District selection… team captain for two seasons... District Quarterback of the Year in 2025… participated in Basketball earning a Newcomer of the Year award (2023), Defensive Player of the Year award (2024), and two Academic All-Conference honors… played baseball for two seasons earning All-Conference, Pitcher of the Year (2025), and two Academic All-Conference selections… member of the National Honor Society.

Danny Sather (DB – 6'0" – 190 – Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School)
Played under head coach Jon Pieper at Farmington High School… was a team captain… earned an All-District selection… holds the school record for longest interception for a touchdown… participated in track and field, qualified for the state meet in the 100m, and earned an All-Conference selection… earned Honor Roll in high school.

Ethan Sather (OL – 6'3" – 275 – Eden Prairie, Minn. – Eden Prairie High School)
Played under head coach Mike Grant at Eden Prairie High School… was team captain in 2025… two-time All-District selectee… earned All-Conference in 2025… played in the MFCA All-Star game… lettered in wrestling in high school.

Bryson Schmid (QB – 6'1" – 196 – Tigerton, Wis. – Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School)
Played under head coach Jason Rieck at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School… spent two seasons as team captain… earned Second Team All-Conference in two seasons… was the team's top rusher in his sophomore and junior years… participated in wrestling, baseball, and track and field in high school.

Brody Wilcox (OL – 6'5" – 249 – Oak Creek, Wis. – Oak Creek High School)
Played under head coach Brian Calhoun and Joel Parr at Oak Creek High School… 2025 team captain and was awarded First Team All-Conference.