UND picks up QB commitment from highly ranked Minnetonka product

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Apr. 7—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program has landed a commitment from one the highest-ranked quarterback prospects in recent Fighting Hawks history.

Minnetonka 2027 quarterback Caden Gutzmer announced his commitment to the Fighting Hawks on Tuesday. Gutzmer holds offers from Miami (Fla.), Bowling Green, Memphis, Sacramento State and South Dakota.

According to the recruiting rankings of On3, Gutzmer is the No. 6 prospect in Minnesota in 2027 and the No. 47 quarterback in the country. He's listed as a three-star recruit.

Gutzmer told UND's coaching staff of his commitment a couple of days ago while he was on vacation in Mexico. He left a UND recruiting visit on Saturday and went for a spring break trip on Sunday.

"It was on my mind all trip," Gutzmer said. "I got a lot of opinions and talked to my parents every day. UND was just the place that truly cares about me and celebrates me. I'm not their fifth option."

Gutzmer was impressed by UND head coach Eric Schmidt and offensive coordinator Danny Freund.

"Their staff … I could have my grandma and grandpa call Schmidt or Freund and they would pick up and care what they had to say," Gutzmer said. "That's who I want to surround myself with. They can help develop me as a player and man."

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Gutzmer has reportedly ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, with a 37-inch vertical and 9-foot-10 broad jump.

Gutzmer split time as a sophomore at quarterback at Minnetonka, then was the main starter as a junior. He played in seven games after suffering a knee injury in Week 4. He returned for a postseason run that ended in the state semifinals to Edina, the eventual state champions.

Gutzmer says he's a passing quarterback with running abilities.

"I'm technically a pocket passer but a lot of people write me down as a dual threat," he said. "If I need to make a play with my legs, I can do that. That's not a problem. I ran for 400 yards in seven games. The game I got hurt, I was at 90 rushing yards in the first quarter."

Gutzmer is UND's second verbal commitment of the 2027 class, joining Minot North edge Ethan Howey.

Gutzmer was scheduled to visit Miami in mid-April but no longer plans to take the visit.

"There were like four quarterbacks ahead of me, and I don't want to go somewhere where the staff is going to bring in a new quarterback from the portal every year," Gutzmer said. "How UND develops players is amazing."

UND took one quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class, Brooks Hendrickson of Mount Horeb, Wis., who's already on campus in Grand Forks as an early enrollee at spring ball.

Gutzmer also plans to early enroll.

"I started the whole process," he said. "I started the process as a sophomore before I knew where I was going. I took summer classes last year and will be taking summer classes this upcoming year. I think it's a huge part."

Now, Gutzmer is excited to focus on his senior season.

"(The commitment) was a huge weight off my shoulders," he said. "I'm beyond excited. I've been pacing around my house all night. I'm so excited."

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