Minot State University (MSU) is no different. The football staff had a few days off once the season ended – mostly around the holidays – but the recruiting trail was quickly on the ‘To Do’ list for the coaching staff under head coach Ian Shields.

“We will celebrate this group of outstanding athletes today and into spring football,” said Shields. “Once the spring game is over, the entire recruiting process for 2026 will begin. It is a full time process and is never ending.”

One of the major focus groups for the MSU staff this year has been to welcome local talent to the program. Two of the NLI signees can’t be more local than Jett Lundeen and Drew Zwak from Bishop Ryan. The Lions have a school that is nearly part of the MSU campus and play home games on the turf at the MSU Stadium.

Zwak is listed as a linebacker with Shields mentioning that he is a tremendous multi-sport athlete that “will be a dual-sport athlete at MSU” – most likely as a wrestler as well.

Lundeen is listed as a quarterback/athlete with Shields commenting on his ability as a “dual threat talent as a QB and position flexibility” Lundeen brings to the team.

Another local talent that signed with MSU was Minot High senior Dylan Huber. The Magician is listed as a defensive lineman on the recruiting roster and Shields commented that it was “very important for us to keep here at home… he has size, athleticism and power to be an impact performer” for the MSU program.

Some of the other North Dakota seniors that sent their NLI to MSU were;

Samuel Benson, DL, Underwood HS – Underwood ND

George Bradly, DL, Standing Rock Community HS – Fort Yates ND

Jordan Hernandez, RB, Alexander HS – Alexander ND

Samuel Larson, OL, Bismarck HS – Bismarck ND

There are athletes from Florida to California and even several from Canada who are committed to MSU for the fall.

“Our recruiting process has a couple of key focus points,” said Shields. “We look for student-athletes who are high character people first. We look for players who want to go to school and are interested in obtaining a degree. We want those players to have a love for the game. Football is not easy. Being recruited is fun but practices are not always fun. We look for student-athletes who like the process because they love the game.”

As Shields said, spring practice is only 12 days away. Returning players and the new transfer players are the first indicators of the 2025-2026 team makeup followed by the arrival of the recruiting class this fall