North Dakota State appears to be getting close to the halfway mark of its 2007 football recruiting class. The Bison got verbal commitments from three more players, including its first offensive skill player.
Running back Matt Voigtlander from Centennial High in the Twin Cities is one of the "best athletes to come through here in quite a long time," said Centennial head coach Mike Watson.
Also committing to NDSU are linebacker Luke Senger of Bismarck High and offensive lineman Paul Cornick from Orono, Minn. That brings the number of known commitments to six.
Watson said the 6-foot-1,205-pound Voigtlander was being courted by the University of Minnesota for an extended period. He was never offered a scholarship.
"I don't know what happened," Watson said. "I think they figured he would be a recruited walk-on and he lost interest in them."
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Voigtlander was a rare four-year starter for Centennial. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry this year on 141 carries for 934 yards. He was also the kicker, punter and finished fourth in defensive total points despite playing part-time.
Senger, 6-1 and 225 pounds, chose NDSU over the University of North Dakota. He cited NDSU's eligibility for the Division I Championship Subdivision playoffs as his principle reason.
"I just wanted to play at the highest level I could," Senger said.
UND is beginning its Division I reclassification next season.
Cornick's best position at Orono was defensive end, head coach Jeff Weiland said. But he said he believes NDSU is looking at the 6-6, 275-pound Cornick as an offensive lineman.
"What I like is he plays offense with a defensive mentality," Weiland said. "He has a little nasty streak to him. His size is just incredible."
Weiland said Cornick's list of finalists included the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State. He also got early looks from the University of Missouri and Colorado State.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546
