Bison football add Plankers, Stumpf

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FARGO — North Dakota State landed what was generally considered the best offensive high school prospect in the state before the season began with Kindred offensive lineman Jack Plankers. The end of the season brought perhaps the state’s best defensive recruit.

Harvey safety MJ Stumpf verbally committed to the Bison, saying Fargo is a place he sees himself for the next five years. He comes with a strong backing from veteran Harvey head coach Brad Sandy, who calls Stumpf the hardest hitter he’s ever coached.

There’s also some toughness to him. He continued to play in a playoff game against Enderlin-Maple Valley despite dislocating his shoulder.

“I did not want to let my team down like that,” he said. “I knew I had to be out there.”

Stumpf picked NDSU over the University of North Dakota, his other scholarship offer. He considered the University of Mary in Bismarck, where he used to live.

His sister, Amanda, goes to school at NDSU.

Also helping NDSU’s chances is the success smaller-town players like Langdon linebacker Travis Beck, Hillsboro fullback Andrew Grothmann and Wahpeton receiver Ryan Smith are having this season.

Beck, especially, stood out.

“He’s a young guy at a position I see myself playing,” Stumpf said. “They compared me to him. He’s a North Dakota kid — the small-town thing — and that was part of my decision, too.”

Stumpf had 47 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. As a quarterback, he had 488 yards on 76 carries and threw for 1,163 yards.

Football signing day is not until the first Wednesday in February.

Kolpack is a sports reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead,

which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: ndsu football, sports, football, bison