GRAND FORKS — The UND football program’s latest addition to the 2027 recruiting class had his pick of the Division I Dakota schools.
With offers from North Dakota State, South Dakota State and South Dakota, Omaha cornerback Re’Aire Washington opted to head north to UND, announcing his verbal commitment to the Fighting Hawks over the weekend.
Washington’s commitment bumps UND’s 2027 recruiting class to nine members. A sign of UND’s recruiting competitiveness since the hiring of head coach Eric Schmidt last offseason, four of the nine 2027 commitments held offers from NDSU — a program leaving the Missouri Valley Football Conference this season for the Mountain West.
At Omaha North, Washington had 25 tackles and three interceptions as a junior for the Vikings.
Another recent commit, linebacker-edge Andrew McGee of Shakopee, Minn., had offers from NDSU, Northern Iowa, Central Michigan and South Dakota.
“I had a couple of opportunities but nothing compared to North Dakota,” McGee said. “It was all a perfect fit for me.”
McGee is a cousin of UND edge Braden Mohr.
“I think (coaches) agreed about the physicality, and that’s what I want to bring to the team,” McGee said. “At linebacker, you need to have that dog in you and that’s what I’ve heard through the entire recruiting process.”
Tight end Marlowe Strain is another recent addition to the recruiting class. Strain is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect from Hastings, Minn.
Strain, who also had an offer from South Dakota, missed most of his junior year with a knee injury.
“The coaches were great and felt a really good connection with the coaches,” Strain said. “The facilities are great. They have everything you need to perform and be the best you can.”
Strain’s dad played college football at the University of Minnesota.
“I see myself as a physical player who wants to put his head down and hit you,” Strain said. “I’m also a good pass catcher. Put me out wide, and I can go get a ball.”
Strain said he’s talked to UND offensive coordinator Danny Freund and tight ends coach Gordie Haug about his role at UND.
“A tight end who’s going to block but also get the ball,” Strain said. “I’m excited to do both and not just set on one.”
UND 2027 recruiting class
1. Ethan Howey, Minot North, edge
2. Caden Gutzmer, Minnetonka, QB
3. Brady Lee, La Crosse (Aquinas) Wis., S
4. Carson Wilson, Garland, Texas, CB
5. Jonah Cummings, Minnetonka, CB
6. Andrew McGee, Shakopee, LB/Edge
7. Marlowe Strain, Hastings, Minn., TE
8. Gavin McMillan, Waverly, Neb., WR
9. Re’Aire Washington, Omaha, CB
