UND transfer Matt Lawson pushing returners for role as lead back
Apr. 17—GRAND FORKS — As the 2026 spring ball schedule nears an end for the UND football program, the Fighting Hawks are sorting out running back depth in search of a new lead ball carrier. That's nothing new for UND in recent history, as the Hawks have had a different leading rusher five years in a row — Sawyer Seidl (2025), Isaiah Smith (2024), Gaven Ziebarth (2023), Tyler Hoosman (2022) and Otis Weah (2021).
UND seems to have a knack for developing new blood at the position. The Hawks aren't naming a starter yet for the fall, but there's a new emerging candidate in Grand Forks. Illinois State transfer Matt Lawson, a 5-foot-10, 197-pound sophomore, will be pushing redshirt freshman Charles Langama and sophomore Colton Brunell in fall camp.
"He's a humble kid, hard-worker and comes to work with a right mindset each and every day," UND running backs coach D. J. Davis said.
Lawson played as a true freshman in 2024 at Illinois State, racking up more than 400 rushing yards. He redshirted in 2025. Lawson played in 12 games in 2024.
He was third on the team with 447 rushing yards for 4. 3 yards per carry. He rushed for a career-high 84 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown at Northern Iowa.