First Thoughts 2026

Gearing Up for Greatness: A Look at the 2026 UMary Marauders Football Roster
As the University of Mary Marauders prepare for the 2026 season, anticipation is building across the Bismarck-Mandan area and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). With a blend of seasoned senior leadership, dynamic local talent, and high-upside underclassmen, the 2026 Marauders roster presents an exciting blueprint for the season ahead.

Here are the key takeaways and storylines from this year’s squad as they get ready to hit the gridiron:

1. Heavy Local Flavor & North Dakota Pride
One of the most defining characteristics of the 2026 roster is the strong presence of local North Dakota talent, particularly from the Bismarck-Mandan region:

The Mandan & Bismarck Connection: Key returners such as wide receiver Karsyn Jablonski (Senior, Mandan HS), linebacker Charles Richter (Sophomore, St. Mary’s HS), and local QBs Quin Hafner (Redshirt Sophomore, Bismarck HS) and Hudsen Sheldon (Sophomore, Mandan HS) bring deep community ties and high school championship pedigree to the field.

In-State Depth: From kicker/punter Christian Jangula (Century HS) to running back Carl Henry and DB Isaac Emmel (Shiloh Christian), the Marauders continue to build a strong foundation of North Dakota grit.

2. An Action-Packed Quarterback Room
The quarterback position will feature great competition and depth entering 2026. UMary brings a diverse set of signal-callers to the table:

Gavin Frye (R-So., Mound, Minn.) & Issac Madrigal (R-Jr., Tolleson, Ariz.) offer experienced depth with dual-threat capability.

Quin Hafner (R-So.), Hudsen Sheldon (So.), and Easton Bergrud (R-Fr., 6’5” out of Legacy HS) give the coaching staff a variety of skill sets and physical profiles to push the offense forward.

3. Senior Leadership Drives the Defense & Skill Positions
Senior leadership will be crucial for UMary on both sides of the ball in 2026:

Offensive Sparkplugs: Senior wide receivers Karsyn Jablonski and Brayden Iverson (Las Vegas, Nev.) alongside veteran running back Andrew Trandahl (New Richmond, Wis.) give the offense experienced targets and dynamic playmaking out of the backfield and out wide.

Defensive Anchors: On defense, veterans like defensive back Jett Solomon (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.), defensive lineman Christian Arteaga (R-Sr., Corcoran, Minn.), DB Abram Jopp (Sr., Mayer, Minn.), and linebacker Cayden Floyd (Sr., Buffalo, S.D.) provide vital leadership and physical play in the front seven and secondary.

4. Trench Warriors: Big Additions Up Front
Contending in the physical NSIC requires continuous growth along the line of scrimmage:

Offensive Line: Senior transfers and veterans like Amir Graham (6'0", 270 lbs, Tuskegee Univ.) and Daniel Contreras (6'4", 300 lbs, Glendale College) bring seasoned experience alongside returning junior Chris Frazier Jr. (Omaha, Neb.).

Defensive Line: Mandan’s own Owen Gress (Jr., 315 lbs) anchor a bulked-up interior defense alongside key young prospects like Caleb Mortensen (R-Fr., Stanley, N.D.) and Naveer Singh Kaile (R-So., Everett, Wash.).

Final Thoughts
The 2026 UMary Marauders boast a balance of veteran poise, impactful transfer additions, and a strong core of homegrown talent. As fall camp approaches, the focus is clear: turn physical growth and local pride into wins on the field.