CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston football team is set to officially open up camp with their first practice Thurs., Aug. 10. The Golden Eagles have 99 players headed into camp, the biggest roster UMC has come into camp with in recent history. UMC will look to build upon their 1-10 record last season as they bring back 35 letter winners from the 2016 squad.

The 2016 season will be the fourth season for Mike Fritze. He also returns the majority of his staff with Offensive Coordinator Robby Case and Defensive Coordinator Mark Dufner both returning. The Golden Eagles look poised to continue to build and move up in the NSIC North.

On the offensive staff, UMC also returns assistant coaches Taylor Summers and Dave Volk, while defensively Levi Bullerman and Tom Miller return to the fray.

The Golden Eagles will open up two-a-day practices on Tues., Aug. 16. In all, UMC will have 21 practices leading into the first game Sept. 1 against Winona State University. UMC will hold their first scrimmage Wed., Aug. 17 at 9:30 a.m. and a mock game Thurs., Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.

Quarterbacks

(Alphabetical Order)

Sr. QB 15 Nathan Cole, 6-4 225, Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Fr. QB 9 Joseph Nava, 5-11 185, San Antonio, Texas

Fr. QB 14 Jeremy Neuman, 6-1 195, Andover, Minn.

R-So. QB 13 Tommy Singer, 6-2 200, Apple Valley, Minn.

R-Fr. QB 10 Taylor Spier, 6-2 205, Buffalo, Minn.

The most experienced player returning at the quarterback position is Nathan Cole (Sr., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.), who enters Fall Camp as the starter at quarterback. Cole passed for over 1,000 yards with four touchdowns last season. He is joined by Tommy Singer (R-So., QB, Apple Valley, Minn.), Taylor Spier (Fr., QB, Buffalo, Minn.) and Joseph Nava (Fr., QB, San Antonio, Texas), all who were with the Golden Eagles during Spring Ball. Newcomer Jeremy Neuman (Fr., QB, Andover, Minn.) will also provide depth.

Running Backs

R-Fr. RB 34 Shane Curtis, 5-11 201, Stewartville, Minn.

Sr. RB 5 Harold Halcomb, III, 5-7 180, Oakland, Calif.

Fr. RB 22 Ty Jochim, 5-11 195, Fargo, N.D.

Fr. RB 27 Justice Ogueri, 5-10 185, Carrollton, Texas

Sr. RB 30 Dre Person, 5-10 207, Detroit, Mich.

The leader at running back for UMC is 2015 All-NSIC North Second Team pick Dre Person (Sr., RB, Detroit, Mich.). Person had a strong junior year rushing for over 750 yards and seven touchdowns for an average of 69.7 yards per game. Also returning for UMC is Harold Halcomb, III (Sr., RB, Oakland, Calif.), who rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown last season. The Golden Eagles also have redshirt Shane Curtis (R-Fr., RB, Stewartville, Minn.), who has one year in the program.

Newcomers Justice Ogueri (Fr., RB, Carrollton, Texas) and Ty Jochim (Fr., RB, Fargo, N.D.) will also fight to see the field during Fall camp.

Fullbacks/Tight Ends

R-Fr. TE 86 Richard Cobble, 6-4 200, Bemidji, Minn.

R-Fr. TE 80 De'Shaun Diggs, 6-2 237, Haslet, Texas

Fr. TE 83 Matt Haire, 6-2 200, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

R-Sr. TE 85 Stan Harvey, 6-2 207, Long Prairie, Minn.

Fr. FB 33 Cody Kowalenko, 6-0 215, Coon Rapids, Minn.

Fr. TE 98 Dloyd Mitchell, 5-11 200, Milwaukee, Wis.

R-Fr. TE 88 Devante Nutall, 6-3 285, Plymouth, Minn.

Fr. TE 84 Bobby Schmidt, 6-3 230, Poulsbo, Wash.

R-Jr. TE 19 Spencer Stephens, R-Jr., 6-3 228, Orange, Calif.

The Golden Eagles have acquired a lot more depth at tight end this season, a position they didn't have that luxury with last season. UMC returns three players who redshirted last season who will look to see the field this season in Richard Cobble (R-Fr., TE, Bemidji, Minn.), Devante Nutall (R-Fr., TE, Plymouth, Minn.) and De'Shaun Diggs (R-Fr., TE, Haslet, Texas). Stan Harvey (Sr., TE, Long Prairie, Minn.) also will fight to see the field for UMC.

In addition, UMC adds newcomers Matt Haire (Fr., TE, Detroit Lakes, Minn.), Dloyd Mitchell (Fr., TE, Milwaukee, Wis.) and Bobby Schmidt (Fr., TE, Poulsbo, Wash.). Spencer Stephens (R-Jr., TE, Orange, Calif.) suffered an injury and will have to miss the 2016 season.

At fullback, Cody Kowalenko (Fr., FB, Coon Rapids, Minn.) comes in as a freshman.

Wide Receiver

Jr. WR 11 Adam Connette, 5-10 191, Corona, Calif.

Sr. WR 17 Ryan Hutton, 5-11 180, Thief River Falls, Minn.

R-Fr. WR 1 Depriece Isenberg, 5-6 142, Bloomington, Minn.

Sr. WR 3 Dante Jones, 5-8 145, Landover, Md.

So. WR 16 Rodney Stewart, 5-11 200, Fort Worth, Texas

Fr. WR 89 Jacob Remsza, 6-4 200, East Troy, Wis.

R-So. WR 18 Triston Richert, 6-0 180, Oakdale, Minn.

So. WR 8 Lincoln Tappe, 5-10 170, Aiea, Hawai'i

Fr. WR 87 Tom Tellers, 5-11 160, Sebeka, Minn.

Fr. WR 81 Justice Walton, 6-3 183, Apple Valley, Minn.

The Golden Eagles return a plethora of experience at wide receiver led by 2015 All-NSIC North Second Team pick Adam Connette (Jr., WR, Corona, Calif.). A multi-purpose threat, Connette rushed for 174 yards and caught 54 passes for 671 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore. In addition to Connette, UMC returns Rodney Stewart (So., WR, Fort Worth, Texas), who had nearly 300 yards receiving as a freshman. Triston Richert (R-So., WR, Oakdale, Minn.) also returns after 216 yards receiving, while Lincoln Tappe (So., WR, Aiea, Hawai'i) had a strong first year with 180 yards through the air.

The Golden Eagles also return Ryan Hutton (Sr., WR, Thief River Falls, Minn.), who appeared in 10 games. Dante Jones (Sr., WR, Landover, Md.) saw the field two years ago and returns, while Depriece Isenberg (R-Fr., WR, Bloomington, Minn.) redshirted in 2015.

Newcomers Jacob Remsza (Fr., WR, East Troy, Wis.), Tom Tellers (Fr., WR, Sebeka, Minn.) and Justice Walton (Fr., WR, Apple Valley, Minn.) will also fight for time on the field.

Offensive Line

So. OL 66 Kolby Castillo, 6-1 296, Aiea, Hawai'i

So. OL 78 Sam Davis, 6-3 240, Richardson, Texas

Fr. OL 61 Brian DuBose, 6-2 315, Bloomington, Minn.

Sr. OL 70 Tyman Hayashi, 6-0 287, Kalihi, Hawai'i

R-Fr. OL 50 Adam Heder, 6-4 250, Bloomington, Minn.

R-So. OL 69 Noah Lee, 6-3 301, Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Fr. OL 65 John Lipscomb, 6-3 305, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Sr. OL 64 Drew McDurmin, 6-3 270, Aiea, Hawai'i

Jr. OL 73 J.T. Moran, 6-5 290, North Richland Hills, Texas

R-Fr. OL 76 Logan Moreau, 6-3 316, Maple, Wis.

Fr. OL 72 Jonah Niere, 6-4 260, Woodbury, Minn.

Sr. OL 74 Eric Rodriguez, 6-6 335, Woodlake, Calif.

Fr. OL 51 Malic Selimi, 6-3 267, Oak Creek, Wis.

Fr. OL 63 Terry Smith, 6-2 286, Chicago, Ill.

Fr. OL 53 Tyler Surma, 6-0 250, Oak Creek, Wis.

The Golden Eagles return their most experience offensive line to the fray in years as they enter 2016. A vital position is one where UMC has a plethora of experience at heading into camp. Minnesota Crookston returns four starters on the offensive line. Those four starters made 43 starts last season and a combined 68 starts in their careers with the Golden Eagles. Anchoring the offensive line will be 2015 All-NSIC North Honorable Mention pick Noah Lee (R-So., OL, Vadnais Heights, Minn.), who returns at guard. In addition, the Golden Eagles return senior starters Drew McDurmin (Sr., OL, Aiea, Hawai'i) and center Tyman Hayashi (Sr., OL, Kalihi, Hawai'i). Also coming back at tackle is J.T. Moran (Jr., OL, North Richland Hills, Texas).

In addition to the returning starters, Kolby Castillo (So., OL, Aiea, Hawai'i) also brings starting experience to the table. The Golden Eagles also return Sam Davis (So., OL, Richardson, Texas) and Eric Rodriguez (Sr., OL, Woodlake, Calif.).

Also competing for time will be two guys who redshirted last season in Adam Heder (R-Fr., OL, Bloomington, Minn.) and Logan Moreau (R-Fr., OL, Maple, Wis.).

The Golden Eagles have also added several newcomers to the fray for the 2016 season. UMC has Jonah Niere (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.), John Lipscomb (Fr., OL, Grand Rapids, Mich.), Brian DuBose (Fr., OL, Bloomington, Minn.), Malic Selimi (Fr., OL, Oak Creek, Wis.), Tyler Surma (Fr., OL, Oak Creek, Wis.) and Terry Smith (Fr., OL, Chicago, Ill.). The newcomers will look to provide depth in the trenches in 2016.

Defensive Line

Sr. DL 45 Isaiah Armstrong, 6-1 235, Fairfield, Calif.

Fr. DL 95 Ben Branscom, 6-1 225, Woodbury, Minn.

Sr. DL 67 Jake Christopherson, 6-1 245, Sturgeon Lake, Minn.

Fr. DL 92 Taylor Comstock, 6-0 224, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

So. DL 94 Bubba Cook, 5-10 300, Surprise, Ariz.

Sr. DL 56 Austin Howard, 6-0 256, New Albany, Miss.

Fr. DL 91 Logan Huso, 6-3 240, Eagan, Minn.

Fr. DL 99 Josh Kauck, 6-3 245, Coon Rapids, Minn.

R-Jr. DL 28 Casey Kraska, 6-3 226, Stephen, Minn.

R-Fr. DL 55 Garrett Mead, 6-1 217, Santee, Calif.

R-Jr. DL 90 Jerrod Miller, 6-0 290, Carol Stream, Ill.

Fr. DL 71 Ryan Ratcliff, 6-3 293, Bloomer, Wis.

R-Fr. DL 68 Brent Reed, Jr., 6-0 281, Arlington, Texas

UMC returns three starters and five players with ample experience heading into Fall Camp. The Golden Eagles are led by Bubba Cook (So., DL, Surprise, Ariz.), who had a strong freshman season with 40 tackles and five tackles for loss. The Golden Eagles also return Isaiah Armstrong (Sr., DL, Fairfield, Calif.) at an end spot and Jake Christopherson (Sr., DL, Sturgeon Lake, Minn.), who has the potential to play at an end or tackle position. In addition, Austin Howard (Sr., DL, New Albany, Wis.) and Casey Kraska (R-Jr., DL, Stephen, Minn.) have experience starting and coming off the bench.

Also adding to the depth on the D-Line will be Jerrod Miller (R-Jr., DL, Carol Stream, Ill.) and Garrett Mead (R-Fr., DL, Santee, Calif.), who both redshirted last season.

The Golden Eagles welcome several newcomers to the fray that will help to add depth with Ben Branscom (Fr., DL, Woodbury, Minn.), Josh Kauck (Fr., DL, Coon Rapids, Minn.), Ryan Ratcliff (Fr., DL, Bloomer, Wis.), Skyler Quinn (Fr., DL, Evansville, Minn.), Taylor Comstock (Fr., DL, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Logan Huso (Fr., DL, Eagan, Minn.).

Brent Reed, Jr. (R-Fr., DL, Arlington, Minn.) will have to miss the season due to injury.

Linebackers

So. LB 7 Ali Alkhatib, 5-9 193, Rosemount, Minn.

Fr. LB 49 Ted Androli, 6-0 180, Kenyon, Minn.

Fr. LB 38 Tanner Berby, 6-2 195, Perham, Minn.

R-Fr. LB 58 Sully Breckheimer, 5-10 205, Luverne, N.D.

R-Fr. LB 54 Will Cross, 5-11 205, Turtle Lake, Wis.

Fr. LB 52 Gabe Hall, 6-1 215, Cannon Falls, Minn.

Jr. LB 57 Jamal Lewis, 5-11 215, Houston, Texas

R-So. LB 41 Chuck Lofquist, 6-2 211, South St. Paul, Minn.

Fr. LB 43 Sean Perry, 6-1 218, Cooperstown, N.D.

Jr. LB 12 Dalvin Richardson, 6-1 200, Surprise, Ariz.

R-Jr. LB 48 Major Rogers, III,, 5-9 227, Sterling, Va.

Fr. LB 26 Riley Schreader, 6-1 210, Rochester, Minn.

Fr. LB 46 Hunter Sherman, 6-0 195, LaMoure, N.D.

Fr. LB 32 Emmitt Stevens, 6-0 210, Albert Lea, Minn.

Fr. LB 21 Tyler Swanlund, 6-0 205, Winneconne, Wis.

Sr. LB 31 Anthony Talford, 6-0 219, Fresno, Calif.

The Golden Eagles have 16 linebackers entering camp but not a ton of game experience. Leading the way for UMC is a familiar last name for Golden Eagle fans over the past five years. Chuck Lofquist (R-So., LB, South St. Paul, Minn.), who follows his brother Greg's footsteps, was a starter last season, making 46 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Also returning is Ali Alkhatib (R-So., LB, Rosemount, Minn.), who had 59 tackles last season, which was second on the team. Anthony Talford (Sr., LB, Fresno, Calif.) is the only other player at linebacker with game experience.

Also look for junior college transfer Dalvin Richardson (Jr., LB, Surprise, Ariz.) to make an immediate impact at the position. Redshirts Will Cross (R-Fr., LB, Turtle Lake, Wis.), Sully Breckheimer (R-Fr., LB, Luverne, N.D.) and Major Rogers, III (R-Jr., LB, Sterling, Va.) will also battle for playing time.

The Golden Eagles have several newcomers who will also compete in Camp with Ted Androli (Fr., LB, Kenyon, Minn.), Jamal Lewis (Jr., LB, Houston, Texas), Tyler Swanlund (Fr., LB, Winneconne, Wis.), Gabe Hall (Fr., LB, Cannon Falls, Minn.), Hunter Sherman (Fr., LB, LaMoure, N.D.), Sean Perry (Fr., LB, Cooperstown, N.D.), Emmitt Stevens (Fr., LB, Albert Lea, Minn.), Riley Schreader (Fr., LB, Rochester, Minn.) and Tanner Berby (Fr., LB, Perham, Minn.).

Secondary

Fr. DB 35 Kyler Banks, 6-1 160, Cannon Falls, Minn.

So. DB 6 Aeric Berner, 5-10 170, Aniwa, Wis.

Fr. DB 31 Jayveonte' Bright, 5-7 175, Oak Creek, Wis.

So. DB 25 William Cole, 6-1 170, Compton, Calif.

Fr. DB 29 Anfernee Cooper, 5-10 175, Fort Worth, Texas

Sr. DB 24 Markeith Dews, 6-1 180, Upper Marlboro, Md.

Fr. DB 30 Aaron Fiske, Maple Grove, Minn.

R-Jr. DB 4 Terry Ford, II, 5-11 184, West Covina, Calif.

Fr. DB 23 Treyton Hought, 5-9 175, Breckenridge, Minn.

Fr. DB 2 Jaylen Hunter, 5-11 190, Katy, Texas

R-Jr. DB 39 Jeremy Johnson, 5-9 185, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Fr. DB 17 Jake Larkin, 6-0 175, Kensington, Minn.

R-Fr. DB 40 Trevor Long, Jr., 5-11 165, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Sr. DB 23 Kenneth McChriston, 5-10 180, Bloomington, Minn.

Jr. DB 47 Jake Newman, 6-1 190, White Bear Lake, Minn.

Fr. DB 36 Omar Porte, 5-11 180, Osseo, Minn.

Fr. DB 42 Lasana Sesay, 5-11 200, Maple Grove, Minn.

R-So. DB 20 Dion Wallisch, 5-11 185, Oakdale, Minn.

R-Sr. DB 35 Tanner Walsh, 6-1 180, Gaylord, Minn.

Leading the way for UMC in the secondary are returning starters Jake Newman (Jr., DB, White Bear Lake, Minn.) at safety and Dion Wallisch (R-So., DB, Oakdale, Minn.) at corner. Newman had 58 tackles with three interceptions as a sophomore, while Wallisch had 56 tackles with one interception and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Also returning with experience at corner are Kenneth McChristion (Sr., DB, Bloomington, Minn.) and Aeric Berner (So., DB, Aniwa, Wis.). At safety, UMC returns William Cole (So., DB, Compton, Calif.) and Tanner Walsh (Sr., DB, Gaylord, Minn.). All have seen time for the Golden Eagles during their careers.

Redshirt players Terry Ford, II (R-Jr., DB, West Covina, Calif.), Jeremy Johnson (R-Jr., DB, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Trevor Long, Jr. (R-Fr., DB, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) will also look to make an impact for the Golden Eagles.

Transfer Markeith Dews (Sr., DB, Upper Marlboro, Md.) along with newcomers Omar Porte (Fr., DB, Osseo, Minn.), Anfernee Cooper (Fr., DB, Fort Worth, Texas), Aaron Fiske (Fr., DB, Maple Grove, Minn.) and Jayveonte' Bright (Fr., DB, Oak Creek, Wis.) will look to find playing time at corner.

At safety, newcomers Lasana Sesay (Fr., DB, Maple Grove, Minn.), Jake Larkin (Fr., DB, Kensington, Minn.), Kyler Banks (Fr., DB, Cannon Falls, Minn.), Treyton Hought (Fr., DB, Breceknridge, Minn.) and Jaylen Hunter (Fr., DB, Katy, Texas) will look to find playing time at safety.

Special Teams

R-So. K/P 37 Stephen Day, 6-1 171, Eveleth, Minn.

Sr. K 82 Mike Maw, 5-7 181, White Bear Lake, Minn.

So. LS 44 Zach Greenberg, 5-10 200, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Fr. LS 59 Stephan Reed, 6-0 190, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

UMC returns their punter and kicker heading into 2016. At kicker, Michael Maw (Sr., K, White Bear Lake, Minn.) returns for a fourth season after going 5-of-9 as a junior with a long of 41. At punter, Stephen Day (R-So., K/P, Eveleth,Minn.) returns after averaging 35.5 yards per punt with 13 punts inside the 20 and nine of 50 yards or more.

On kickoffs, both Maw and Day garnered experience last season. Day averaged 63.5 yards per kick with two touchbacks, while Maw averaged 52.0 yards per kick with four touchbacks.

At long snapper, Zach Greenberg (So., LS, Winnipeg, Manitoba) returns, while newcomer Stephan Reed (Fr., LS, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) will look to make an impact in camp.