Feb. 2—GRAND FORKS — A football coaching staff change at Iowa State has become UND’s gain.
Prior Lake offensive lineman Ethan Beckman, 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, committed to the Fighting Hawks on Sunday.
The 2026 senior was committed to Iowa State for about a year before Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell left to take a job at Penn State.
“Two days after (signing day), Campbell leaves and on Dec. 8, I got a call from the (Iowa State General Manager) that they’ve released me from my signing and didn’t have a spot for me,” Beckman said. “During the release of my signing, I was super upset but I definitely noticed something better was going to come out of it, and I’m blessed to receive this opportunity from UND and super excited for the next chapter of my life.”
Beckman was also being recruited by South Dakota.
“I really enjoyed the (Grand Forks) community … the town was way different than South Dakota,” Beckman said. “I really enjoyed meeting new people and the coaching staff there was immaculate. There are only big things coming for those guys.”
Beckman is a three-year starting left tackle at Prior Lake, which plays at the 6A level in Minnesota. Beckman also throws the shot put during the spring and finished fifth at the state meet last season.
UND’s new facilities were also a draw.
“Everything is new over there,” he said. “The nutrition and strength staff was special. I don’t think anyone in the FCS can beat that.”
Beckman, a first team all-state pick and No. 3-ranked offensive lineman in Minnesota by at least one scouting service, plans to come to UND in mid-June.
UND’s 2026 recruiting class now sits at 28 with a flurry of commits at the end of the cycle with high potential. The last four commits include cornerback Christian Davis (flipped from Northern Illinois), linebacker Jake Starcevic (attended prep school at Army), safety Ethan Headings (flipped back to UND from Iowa) and Beckman.
The Hawks now have six offensive linemen committed in the 2026 class. The group includes Aiden Wunderlich of Central Cass, Jackson Stein of Lake Mills, Wis., Brady Goihl of Melrose Area, Minn., Jordan Ellis of Gurnee, Ill., and Evan Zabel of Alexandria, Minn.
UND finished 8-6 in 2025, losing at Tarleton State in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
During the offseason, the top regulars in the offensive line eligible to return all announced they’re coming back for the 2026 season, including Liam Becher, Trace Thaden, Ben Buxa, Caleb Olson, Isaac Cariveau and Ayden Teeter.
