RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesJul. 29—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program opened fall practices Wednesday morning for the start of Year 2 under head coach Eric Schmidt.
Here are five takeaways from opening day.
1. Wiltshire and Scott remain out
The two UND defensive backs — Jonnie Wiltshire and Avery Scott — pursuing a legal battle for an additional year of eligibility were in attendance on Day 1 but not in practice uniform.
Schmidt said he thinks both will begin practice soon.
"There's obviously an NCAA process they're working through, then there's also some things institutionally that they've got to work through," he said. "We do think we'll get them out here to practice in the next few days."
Wiltshire and Scott are awaiting late summer court dates in hopes of a preliminary injunction on their eligibility waivers.
"There's Hurdle 1, Hurdle 2 and Hurdle 3," Schmidt said. "I think we're through Hurdle 1 here and really close to Hurdle 2. It'll be Hurdle 3 sometime here in August, and we'll go from there."
2. A new look for the DL
UND's defensive line passed the eye test on Day 1, with the help of some big true freshmen.
UND's rookie class on the defensive line includes Eden Prairie's Braden Minta (6-foot-4, 245 pounds), twins Isaac (6-2, 285) and Mason (6-2, 280) Beaver of Kearney, Mo., and Cold Spring's Brody Woods (6-6, 230).
UND's 11-on-11 drills opened with returning starter Logyn Eckheart at one defensive tackle spot and the other tackle was Albany transfer Kylyn Macklin, who's 6-3, 276. The starting edges were preaseason All-Americans Lance Rucker and Kaden Vig.
3. OL testing new blood
The UND offensive line is a deep, experienced unit as the only starter gone from 2025 is Seth Anderson, who graduated.
But there was a still a new face in the starting mix during the opener of fall camp. Sophomore Alton Williams (6-8, 305) was taking snaps at starting right tackle.
It appears UND will start camp with Trace Thaden at left tackle, Isaac Cariveau or Caleb Olson at one guard spot, Liam Becher at opposite guard, Ben Buxa at center and Williams at right tackle. Ayden Teeter is a top option to fill in, as well.
Williams is from Sun Prairie, Wis., the same hometown as UND starting quarterback Jerry Kaminski. Kaminski's dad, Brian Kaminski, is the head high school football coach at Sun Prairie.
Sun Prairie has also produced current safety Sam Ostrenga and alums Kadon Kauppinen and Caden White.
4. Length at CB
It has been awhile since UND was tall at cornerback but that appears to have arrived in 2026.
UND started 11-on-11 situations with returning starter Grant Noland on one side, with Akron transfer Ben Kamara, who's 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, as the other starting corner.
Kamara will be pushed for playing time by sophomore Evan Kludt, who's up to 6-3 and 189 pounds in his second season on campus.
Kamara totaled 27 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in 10 games last season for the Zips.
5. Competition at kicker
UND is expected to have a competition for kicking roles this season.
Brainerd true freshman Sawyer Riffle practiced for the first time at UND on Wednesday.
Riffle, who's 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, has a reputation for a powerful leg.
Riffle will be challenged for roles by Kenten Laughman, a sophomore from Kansas who handled kicking duties a year ago after an injury to C.J. Elrichs midseason.
Laughman was 7-for-11 on field goals in 2025 with a long of 40 yards. He also had 24 touchbacks on 78 kickoff attempts. He was 24-for-24 on extra points.
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