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Home > Bison Media Zone > Three things to watch during NDSU's final spring practice
Podcast: Bison Media Zone
Episode:

Three things to watch during NDSU's final spring practice
Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2022-04-23 12:00:00
Description: North Dakota State football will honor its 2021 national championship team before having fans get a brief glimpse of the 2022 squad Saturday at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

We are a few years removed from the last Green and Gold game and I don't think it's coming back any time soon. Saturday will serve truly as a practice, with individual drills to special teams work, to some actual practice reps featuring the first stringers.



Here's a couple of storylines to watch for Saturday:



A NEW CORE OF LINEBACKERS



NDSU said goodbye to two starters since the title win over Montana State, Jackson Hankey (graduation) and Jasir Cox(transfer portal). James Kaczor returns for a fifth year, but there is some new blood that will see the field this year. Watch for Nick Kubitz to get plenty of reps tomorrow. Kubitz is now a junior, who has been a special teams warrior, will rotate in the middle linebacker spot with Luke Weerts. Kubitz is 6-2, 225 pounds and has impressed the coaches this last month.




Another name to get to know at the linebacker spot is safety Julian Wlodarczyk. Wlodarczyk is now a senior and has spent his entire career as a safety. He's 6-3, 207 pounds and along with being a special teams standout, he is getting some consideration to play outside linebacker in Cox's absence. He has the size and speed that could be a difference maker when the season kicks off in September.



THE FUTURE BACKFIELD?



Spring practice always is intriguing to see what young players take a step towards getting on the field. Two offensive players have done that this spring.



Quarterback Cole Payton has already appeared in three games, scoring two touchdowns last year. We have only seen Payton throw the ball once during a game, but expect him to sling it on Saturday.



https://twitter.com/NDSUfootball/status/1454572475778482177

Quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg told me: "I didn't get to see Cole throw live during his recruitment because of COVID. He has a better arm than I thought and it continues to get stronger. He is going to be a very special player for us."




Payton's potential running back is Sheyenne alum Barika Kpeenu. Kpeenu turned down a late offer from Iowa State and signed with NDSU in December of 2020. He redshirted last year and head coach Matt Entz hasn't missed an opportunity to praise Kpeenu when given the chance.



The Bison running back returns everyone this season, from Dominic Gonnella to Tamerik Williams to Jalen Bussey. West Fargo Sheyenne fans know special Kpeenu was for the Mustangs, Bison fans will get a sneak peek tomorrow.



THE GUYS UP FRONT



Defensive line is one position that has undergone massive change with Logan McCormick, Lane Tucker and Costner Ching all graduating and moving on. Spencer Waege will return this fall after an ACL tear in September, but there are some new names to get to know Saturday.



Dylan Hendricks has had a winding road to the field, and now has switched positions from linebacker to defensive end. Hendricks is an intriguing talent for fans to get a look at tomorrow.




Mandan's Jaxon Duttenhefer saw the field briefly as a true freshman in 2021 and there is optmism that he will take a bigger step to be ready to go for the fall. Duttenhefer has been described as a "true Bison" and seems poised to see some extended reps Saturday.



The Mostaert twins are now set to play side by side with each other, a fact they did to some acclaim in high school, leading Lakeville North to a state championship.



You can watch the entire final practice and ring ceremony beginning at 2pm at Inforum.com.

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