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Jun. 3—GRAND FORKS — Bennett Stecker, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, has twin older brothers playing college football at opposite in-state FBS programs.
Dylan is a tight end at Iowa and Ethan is a safety at Iowa State.
Bennett had opportunities to join his freshman brothers at the FBS level.
Instead, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound tight end gave his verbal commitment Tuesday to play at UND, where the 2027 recruiting class continues to add players like Stecker with impressive offer lists.
Stecker became UND's 11th verbal commitment of the 2027 class. He held offers from Wake Forest, Air Force, Western Michigan, Liberty, Northern Iowa and others.
"For me, it was the coaches and that they bought into me from Day 1," Stecker said. "From the first time I visited, they were all about me and never let up. They built the relationship and that was important to me. In the end, it was the best fit."
Stecker was impressed with UND's investment in football facilities.
"Over recent years, they've been buying in to the football program," he said. "They have the nutrition program to get me up to 230-240 pounds, where I need to be."
Stecker also noticed a passionate fan base for the Fighting Hawks.
"After posting my commitment offer, there was so much love from the fans up there," Stecker said. "It was amazing."
Bennett's mom, Mieka Woudstra Stecker, is in the Sterling College Hall of Fame for a legendary NAIA basketball career.
The 1998 college graduate was the first Sterling College (Kan.) player to break 2,000 career points. She was the all-time leading scorer for the school at the end of her career and a two-time All-American.
Stecker plays basketball at Spirit Lake and ran track and field prior to this spring.
"Sports in general were a big thing at our house, playing multiple sports," Stecker said. "I don't know if any of us thought football would be our end-all, but playing multiple sports helped us in that."
Since committing, Stecker said UND's 2027 quarterback commit — Caden Gutzmer of Minnetonka — reached out on social media.
"After that conversation and talking to a couple of current players on my visit ... they have said everything the coaches have said," Stecker said. "They all tell you the truth. The 2027 class can be really special."
Now, Stecker can turn his attention to his senior year of high school football.
"It was a big weight off the shoulders," Stecker said. "Having the offers was amazing but you only get one school. I've been waiting to do (commit to UND) and it great great and felt right. I can't wait to show them what I can do."
Continue reading...
Dylan is a tight end at Iowa and Ethan is a safety at Iowa State.
Bennett had opportunities to join his freshman brothers at the FBS level.
Instead, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound tight end gave his verbal commitment Tuesday to play at UND, where the 2027 recruiting class continues to add players like Stecker with impressive offer lists.
Stecker became UND's 11th verbal commitment of the 2027 class. He held offers from Wake Forest, Air Force, Western Michigan, Liberty, Northern Iowa and others.
"For me, it was the coaches and that they bought into me from Day 1," Stecker said. "From the first time I visited, they were all about me and never let up. They built the relationship and that was important to me. In the end, it was the best fit."
Stecker was impressed with UND's investment in football facilities.
"Over recent years, they've been buying in to the football program," he said. "They have the nutrition program to get me up to 230-240 pounds, where I need to be."
Stecker also noticed a passionate fan base for the Fighting Hawks.
"After posting my commitment offer, there was so much love from the fans up there," Stecker said. "It was amazing."
Bennett's mom, Mieka Woudstra Stecker, is in the Sterling College Hall of Fame for a legendary NAIA basketball career.
The 1998 college graduate was the first Sterling College (Kan.) player to break 2,000 career points. She was the all-time leading scorer for the school at the end of her career and a two-time All-American.
Stecker plays basketball at Spirit Lake and ran track and field prior to this spring.
"Sports in general were a big thing at our house, playing multiple sports," Stecker said. "I don't know if any of us thought football would be our end-all, but playing multiple sports helped us in that."
Since committing, Stecker said UND's 2027 quarterback commit — Caden Gutzmer of Minnetonka — reached out on social media.
"After that conversation and talking to a couple of current players on my visit ... they have said everything the coaches have said," Stecker said. "They all tell you the truth. The 2027 class can be really special."
Now, Stecker can turn his attention to his senior year of high school football.
"It was a big weight off the shoulders," Stecker said. "Having the offers was amazing but you only get one school. I've been waiting to do (commit to UND) and it great great and felt right. I can't wait to show them what I can do."
Continue reading...
