From wide receiver at USD to corner at UND, Evan Kludt's rookie season was 'shocking'

Aug. 14—GRAND FORKS — In the summer of 2025, Evan Kludt was a rookie wide receiver at the University of South Dakota. Six months later, the 6-foot-3 Alexandria product was starting a second round FCS playoff game for UND at cornerback. Earlier this week at UND's fall camp ahead of the 2026 season, Kludt summarized his true freshman year in one word. "Shocking," Kludt said. "It was crazy. It was a lot of pressure, but it all worked out and I got a lot of experience." When Kludt decided to leave USD, he used an Alexandria connection to land in Grand Forks. Former UND safety Teagan Pfeffer, also an Alexandria native, put in a good word with Fighting Hawks head coach Eric Schmidt. "Very, very pleased," Schmidt said of his late arrival who came to camp just days ahead of fall practices. "There was some position uncertainty at first. Am I a wide receiver or am I a defensive back? We had a need at defensive back when he showed up, and he's been a shot in the arm. He shows up at the end of July and was one of four who didn't redshirt, although he gets that year back now with the 5-for-5 rule." Kludt has developed in the offseason, emerging as UND's No. 3 corner during fall camp. "From Day 1 here, he learned it, which isn't easy especially when you think you're a wide receiver," Schmidt said. "He had to learn coverages and technique and all those skills. He's grown a ton. He still needs reps yet but he's competing to be a guy you'll see a lot on Saturday afternoons." Kludt was deep on the depth chart to start the 2025 season. Injuries piled up at cornerback throughout the season. Bennett Walker, Antonio Bluiett and Avery Scott all suffered significant injuries. Prior to UND's second round playoff game at Tarleton State, starting UND corner Grant Noland was unable to play and Kludt was thrust into action. Kludt finished with six tackles and a pass break-up in the loss to the Texans. "Out of high school, I committed to the University of South Dakota as a wide receiver," Kludt said. "It was a good time down there, but it wasn't the right fit for me. I was able to step away from that for a little bit. I thought I was coming in (to UND) to play wide receiver, but they needed a safety. Two weeks go by and a couple guys go down and now I'm playing corner. All of the guys were really inviting when I got here." Kludt feels more equipped for a role at corner as he enters Year 2. "I think the main reason is (UND corners coach Travis Stepps) talks about 3-D players — know what you're doing and what the two guys next to you are doing," Kludt said. "Knowing that — who's in the flat and who's deep — you can really know what part of the field you're responsible for and where you can angle. That helps with my confidence, and it's something I kind of lacked last year, honestly." Kludt and the Hawks, who are ranked No. 10 in the first FCS preseason Top 25, open the season Thursday, Aug. 27, at home against Long Island.