GRAND FORKS — The UND football program didn't have to go far to land the first verbal commitment for the 2025 recruiting class.
Carter Peterson of nearby Thompson High School announced his transfer to the Fighting Hawks Tuesday morning.
Peterson, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 205 pounds, is projected as a tight end for the Fighting Hawks.
“I felt a great connection with Coach Kostic, Coach Fruchte and Coach Schweigert,” Peterson said of UND's tight ends coach, offensive coordinator and head coach, respectively. “It was also a school close to home where I could play near family and friends.”
Peterson caught 36 passes for a team-high 416 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He was an all-region honorable mention.
Peterson has played varsity football at Thompson since his freshman season and varsity basketball since the eighth grade. He also does track and field.
Peterson said the UND coaching staff envisions a versatile tight end role for his future.
“Not only could he go and make plays, but he could also put his hands in the dirt and block,” Peterson said.
Peterson lived in Grand Forks until the third grade, before his family moved to Thompson.
“We’ve been watching (UND football games) since we were really young,” he said.
UND football has former Thompson football player linebacker Josh Yong on the roster, who is recovering from an injury sustained in 2023.
Like Peterson, UND's 2024 recruiting class also features players in football, including Four Winds Minnewawkan's Mr. Basketball Deng Deng and Grand Forks Central's EDC Basketball and three-time All-EDC selection Eric Paye. A recruiting class centered around promising North Dakota State basketball standouts was highlighted.
The UND football program is nearing the end of spring ball at the Pollard Center. The Hawks will hold a spring recap from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. This event is free and open to the public.Doors open at 7:45am
