Five UND football players inform coaching staff they plan to use fifth season –

GRAND FORKS — UND star wide receiver Bo Belquist recently confirmed he plans to take advantage of his COVID-impacted season to return to the Fighting Hawks for a fifth year.

He’s not alone.

UND head coach Bubba Schweigert said this week that four others have informed him they also plan to return for a fifth season — tight end Quincy Vaughn, linebacker Josh Navratil, cornerback Devin Hembry and defensive tackle Elijah Beach.

All five could be starters in 2024 for a Fighting Hawks team that reached the FCS Playoffs for the fourth time in five years this fall, but lost to Sac State in the first round.

Belquist is the headliner of the group, but the others figure to play prominent roles.

Vaughn came to UND as a quarterback but transitioned to tight end in 2023.

The Fighting Hawks still used him at quarterback in third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 situations, as well as at the goal line. Vaughn scored seven rushing touchdowns this season.

“Obviously, he’s been a valuable member for us as a quarterback, short-yardage package, quarterback sneaks,” Schweigert said. “There’s only two he’s missed in his career there. He plays an important role there. He’s got a good knack for it. Plus, he’s big and strong.”

At tight end, Vaughn caught eight passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

“At the tight end position, I really feel he’s going to take that next step,” Schweigert said. “He’s had a year of playing. He’s athletic. He has good ball skills. You saw him catch the game-winner against Indiana State. We need to see more of that. I think now that we’ve been able to play him there, this spring is really huge how we continue to expand his role in the offense.”

Navratil had 33 tackles last season, including 2.5 sacks.

“He has a lot of experience at outside backer,” Schweigert said. “For him, his leadership in that group (is important). We’re really excited for him to commit to another year. Josh has graduated. He’s in grad school. He decided to put life on hold for another year to be a college football player for another season. We’re really excited for that, because he brings a lot of stability to the outside backer position.”

Hembry came on strong last season, finishing with 32 tackles. He also led the Fighting Hawks with two interceptions.

The departures of C.J. Siegel (graduation) and Edmund Ocansey (transfer) will open the door for Hembry to anchor the secondary.

Beach also should be a regular in the defensive line rotation. He played in all 12 games last season, finishing with eight tackles and a sack.

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