PWO (accepted?): Trae Steckler

[tony]

Trae Steckler, 6-4, 205, WR/DE/TE, Mandan, ND

Plays forward on BB team with his twin brother Camren.

Indicated on twitter that he is an NDSU PWO.

[southcliffbison]

Twin bro Cam is not a football player ?

[tony]

Twin bro Cam is not a football player ?

He is. And his HUDL highlights for his junior season are well worth a look... made me laugh at least. I think he's a bit more interested in BB.

Also, the height I see for Camren is 6-6... for Trae, I saw 6-3 and 6-5.

[HerdBot]

This kid looks like an athlete. 11.73 100 meter, good shot put, discus, and javelin. Were probably looking at a Jeff Illies or Bonnet type of skill set

[SUBISON247]

I don’t think he verbally agreed yet, I think he was offered a preferred walk on opportunity. Also had a similar twitter post when he was offered a scholarship from MSUM this summer.

[SUBISON247]

He is a very good athlete. His basketball skills will translate well to the football field. Knows how to use his body and is a very gritty post player.

[ndsubison1]

Theyve been playing varsity fb and bb for awhile. Good athletes

[tony]

I don’t think he verbally agreed yet, I think he was offered a preferred walk on opportunity. Also had a similar twitter post when he was offered a scholarship from MSUM this summer.

Ah, that could be. Fell into the trap that on Bisonville, PWO means they've accepted when it doesn't.

[SUBISON247]

Signed Today, excellent pick up!!

[North End Zone Resident]

Comes from good stock too. Father was a good athlete out of Bowman ND (FB and BB)

[SUBISON247]

Trae decommited from NDSU and has signed with UND. https://twitter.com/stecklertrae/status/945787247844102144

[BisManBison]

Trae decommited from NDSU and has signed with UND. https://twitter.com/stecklertrae/status/945787247844102144

I just puked in my mouth. Assuming they offered a scholarship and apparently he never signed a LOI?

[StL Bison Fan]

Some guys want to play right away and NDSU doesn't like to do that.
Or perhaps the school up north met more of his educational goals.
You can decide if I needed purple.
Either way, good luck to him

[Bisonator98]

Guessing Bubba offered a scholarship. Can't blame a kid for taking a scholly over a PWO. Good luck to him on his future after college.

[Professor Chaos]

So apparently PWOs don't sign NLIs? NDSU announced him as part of the signing day class last Wednesday so I would assume he didn't sign an NLI unless he already requested a release and NDSU granted it... if that's the case it would be very strange indeed.

EDIT: He was also mentioned by Klieman in his signing day press conference. Not sure how that's possible if a NLI hasn't been signed.

[TAILG8R]

So apparently PWOs don't sign NLIs? NDSU announced him as part of the signing day class last Wednesday so I would assume he didn't sign an NLI unless he already requested a release and NDSU granted it... if that's the case it would be very strange indeed.

EDIT: He was also mentioned by Klieman in his signing day press conference. Not sure how that's possible if a NLI hasn't been signed.

Does this become a lesson learned with the early signing period to only announce those kids that signed NLI and not announce the PWOs?

[EndZoneQB]

Sounds like walk-ons can sign for scholarship money. They aren't "official" until they enroll I think.

[56BISON73]

Sounds like walk-ons can sign for scholarship money. They aren't "official" until they enroll I think.

The walkon connotation has changed drastically over the years. Now walkons are recruited and vetted like any other player. Very rarely to you have a kid walk in to the coaches office and say---I want to play. They then have the pecking order of who gets money when some comes available.

There is also the possibility that they dont actually sign because there is no scholarship involved. Which would leave them open to sign with another school.

[Bisonwinagn]

Does this become a lesson learned with the early signing period to only announce those kids that signed NLI and not announce the PWOs?

I don't think a coach is allowed to mention a kids name that is being recruited regardless if PWO or not. Something seems really fishy about this deal.

[TAILG8R]

I don't think a coach is allowed to mention a kids name that is being recruited regardless if PWO or not. Something seems really fishy about this deal.

Come to think of it you’re right. But if a PWO can switch commitments after signing day my guess is they won’t be mentioned in the future. Wasn’t an issue before because signing day came and went. Well now there is a second signing day.


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[StL Bison Fan]

Come to think of it you’re right. But if a PWO can switch commitments after signing day my guess is they won’t be mentioned in the future. Wasn’t an issue before because signing day came and went. Well now there is a second signing day.


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So, is the first signing day a pretend signing that doesn't count? I can't imagine this so there must be something more to this that we might never know.

[Hammersmith]

An NLI is a binding agreement on the part of both parties, but it requires some level of scholarship offer from the school. No scholarship, no NLI. There is nothing binding a PWO to a school until they've enrolled and started practicing/attending classes. Occasionally a PWO recruit will send in a signed NLI for show, but it's a meaningless document.

Steckler received a PWO offer(no money) from NDSU and accepted it. (We know because he was announced as part of the signing class.) We know he didn't sign a binding NLI because PWOs don't sign them. We know UND came in and offered him money because he announced that he signed an NLI with UND. What we doon't know(or I don't know at least) is whether Bubba offered money before or after NDSU announced their class on signing day.

Thinking it over, there's actually a bit of a problem. There was only a 2-day NLI signing window, and I don't see how Steckler could have signed with UND before the window closed on the 22nd. I think he only posted it on his social media in the last day or two. Unless he secretly signed with UND on the 22nd and we're just hearing about it now. But if he did just sign today, then I don't believe it's legally binding until the regular signing period starting Feb. 7. Until then, he's actually just a verbal with a meaningless signed piece of paper.

[Bisonator98]

Yeah something here stinks. NDSU puts him in with their signing media info. UND has nothing about him in their media info. 2 days after the signing period ends he tweets about signing with UND and now UND re-tweets it. Yeah nothing fishy here at all.....

[Bison"FANatic"]

Ya a PWO does not sign anything binding. It could happen to all of our PWO's.

The more telling thing with this is that UND is putting our Walk-on's on Scholarship. Just let that sink in for minute!!!!!

Good luck to the kid!

[wagsabison]

Good luck to him. If he has an opportunity somewhere else and he can get a scholarship out of it I can't blame him for going that route.

[ByeSonBusiness]

Ya a PWO does not sign anything binding. It could happen to all of our PWO's.

The more telling thing with this is that UND is putting our Walk-on's on Scholarship. Just let that sink in for minute!!!!!

Good luck to the kid!

honestly, UND probably needs to do this sort of thing right now especially for In-State kids.

[thebigund]

This reminds me of when we had current NFL starter Joe Schobert coming in as a walk on and he was poached last minute with a scholarship by the Badgers after he dominated the Wisconsin Shrine Game.

[runtheoption]

I was excited to see another big ND WR/TE suit up for the Bison, but totally understandable for him to go where there is immediate money being offered. Best of luck to him (except when he is up against us).

[RedRiver]

honestly, UND probably needs to do this sort of thing right now especially for In-State kids.

Not probably, UND football has to do this to try and remain somewhat relevant in the sport. UND only signed 2 in-state recruits while NDSU dominated again on the recruiting path in North Dakota and Minnesota. Not to mention that all of the in-state fan and media interest is always focused on Bison football.

[Bison"FANatic"]

Joe Schobert coming in as a walk on and he was poached last minute with a scholarship by the Badgers after he dominated the Wisconsin Shrine Game.

You do understand how that is in no way the same, don't you.

[56BISON73]

This reminds me of when we had current NFL starter Joe Schobert coming in as a walk on and he was poached last minute with a scholarship by the Badgers after he dominated the Wisconsin Shrine Game.

No big deal. Its all part of the recruiting game.

[tjbison]

This reminds me of when we had current NFL starter Joe Schobert coming in as a walk on and he was poached last minute with a scholarship by the Badgers after he dominated the Wisconsin Shrine Game.

Yeah, its the same thing...lol

[JohnnyExtacy]

Makes no sense. How is NDSU able to introduce soneone who doesnt sign an NLI?

[wagsabison]

Makes no sense. How is NDSU able to introduce soneone who doesnt sign an NLI?

Wisconsin listed their walk-ons.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2017/12/20/uw-football-early-signing-period-underway/966452001/

[JohnnyExtacy]

Wisconsin listed their walk-ons.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2017/12/20/uw-football-early-signing-period-underway/966452001/

So if they do sign, its against ncaa regulations for other cosches to contact signees. If he didnt sign anything, its against ncaa regulations for coaches to talk about unsigned recruits. Something is missing here.

[thebigund]

You do understand how that is in no way the same, don't you.

No way? Why did you guys announce him on signing day then?

[Bisonator98]

No way? Why did you guys announce him on signing day then?

Bigger question is why didn't UND announce his signing? Just a re-tweet several days after the signing period ended......:confused:

[thebigund]

Bigger question is why didn't UND announce his signing? Just a re-tweet several days after the signing period ended......:confused:

Yea, there are some curious things surrounding this situation. Both sides are confused.

[Grizzled]

I've seen him play. Good player, good athlete but someone that we can likely replace. I'm sure there are a few more like him on the recruiting list.

[BisManBison]

No way? Why did you guys announce him on signing day then?

Because he had committed to NDSU...see the link to a post on Facebook by his mother (personal friend, so no, I'm not creeping)...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213506758537150&set=a.2174670220097.117122.1647065873&type=3&theater

While I'm disappointed he won't be playing for NDSU, can't blame the kid for taking the scholarship offer and wish him nothing but the best, except when he plays against the Bison, then I wish him and his teammates resounding failures :biggrin:

Still baffled by the rules surrounding walk ons, when can they be announced, are they free game, and if so, for how long?

[thebigund]

Because he had committed to NDSU...see the link to a post on Facebook by his mother (personal friend, so no, I'm not creeping)...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213506758537150&set=a.2174670220097.117122.1647065873&type=3&theater

While I'm disappointed he won't be playing for NDSU, can't blame the kid for taking the scholarship offer and wish him nothing but the best, except when he plays against the Bison, they I wish him and his teammates resounding failures :biggrin:

Still baffled by the rules surrounding walk ons, when can they be announced, are they free game, and if so, for how long?

They’re free game until fall camp. Schobert was snatched up late in the summer.

[perthbison]

When you add the FCOA onto the full scholarship it really is a lot of money for a student and I'd assume und has a academic program that he is interested in. Hope it all works out.

[RedRiver]

The Bison will find someone else to fill that PWO spot. It's not like he was a recruited scholarship player that moved on to another program. The Bison didn't offer any money so he took what he could get somewhere else.

[Mr Meaty]

This reminds me of when we had current NFL starter Joe Schobert coming in as a walk on and he was poached last minute with a scholarship by the Badgers after he dominated the Wisconsin Shrine Game.

Not really since all FBS football players get schollies.

[thebigund]

Not really since all FBS football players get schollies.

It’s pretty simple. You guys thought you had the guy as a PWO and we give him a late scholarship and steal him.

[EndZoneQB]

Not really since all FBS football players get schollies.

Lol, what? That isn't true at all. You don't think they have walk-ons in the FBS? Lol doh'k.

[tjbison]

Lol, what? That isn't true at all. You don't think they have walk-ons in the FBS? Lol doh'k.

Think he means full vs partial but i could be wrong

[Bison Dan]

It’s pretty simple. You guys thought you had the guy as a PWO and we give him a late scholarship and steal him.
You mean you bought him - right?

[Mr Meaty]

Think he means full vs partial but i could be wrong

Correct , I guess I did not full express that. Full schollie vs maybe someday getting something at FCS level.

[Bisonator98]

It’s pretty simple. You guys thought you had the guy as a PWO and we give him a late scholarship and steal him.

Hope he works out for you guys like that Grady kid.

[thebigund]

Hope he works out for you guys like that Grady kid.

Nice. Classy. Merry Christmas.

[2011BisonAlumni]

Nice. Classy. Merry Christmas.

Is he back in New Town working at the Casino or still playing? Last I heard he knocked some gal up, had to quit football then was thinking of coming back, but didn’t see that he was playing last year.

[El_Chapo]

bisman


Because he had committed to NDSU...see the link to a post on Facebook by his mother (personal friend, so no, I'm not creeping)...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213506758537150&set=a.2174670220097.117122.1647065873&type=3&theater

While I'm disappointed he won't be playing for NDSU, can't blame the kid for taking the scholarship offer and wish him nothing but the best, except when he plays against the Bison, then I wish him and his teammates resounding failures :biggrin:

Still baffled by the rules surrounding walk ons, when can they be announced, are they free game, and if so, for how long?

speaking of his momma she sent me a whiny email on a facebook page I admin. "why didn't you add walk ons on your singing day lists huh? " mommy dearest thinks her boy is on par with 4 star Saybein Clark... hope that wasn't why he ran away

[DIBISON]

The Bison will find someone else to fill that PWO spot. It's not like he was a recruited scholarship player that moved on to another program. The Bison didn't offer any money so he took what he could get somewhere else.

UND finally figured out that this is the only way they can get a recruit that NDSU is interested in, by offering money to those walk-ons that NDSU did not offer.

[NDSU1980]

It’s pretty simple. You guys thought you had the guy as a PWO and we give him a late scholarship and steal him.

I think I heard the same comments from you regarding Mollberg, except that this is a walk on. And how can you steal something we never paid for? No scholly offered.

[mtoutfitter]

Is he back in New Town working at the Casino or still playing? Last I heard he knocked some gal up, had to quit football then was thinking of coming back, but didn’t see that he was playing last year.

He's busy mentoring the new recruit Rain Slater.....

[Hammersmith]

So if they do sign, its against ncaa regulations for other cosches to contact signees. If he didnt sign anything, its against ncaa regulations for coaches to talk about unsigned recruits. Something is missing here.

PWO "signings" consist of the university presenting the recruit with an official offer of enrollment(the same thing every other student gets when they get accepted) and the recruit paying the standard deposit for enrollment. Once that's done, the university can publicly talk about the recruit. (I looked this up in the DI manual.) But unlike a NLI from a scholarship player, none of these documents are binding.

The prohibition on another program speaking to a PWO only applies after the first practice or the first day of classes, whichever comes first.



The only question really remaining is whether Steckler is actually officially signed(NLI) with UND. NDSU announced him on the 20th and UND did not. The signing period ended on the 22nd. So UND had to offer, Steckler had to accept, and Steckler had to sign the NLI on either the 21st or 22nd for the NLI to be valid. If UND/Steckler didn't get the paperwork done in time, then Steckler is really just a UND verbal until early Feb. when they can sign a binding NLI. Without that binding NLI, other schools could offer and Steckler could switch again without losing eligibility.

Not that this part really matters. Just a curiosity at this point. I support the kid in taking the offer that comes with money. No dislike from me, just a little fascination in how it all went down.

[TransAmBison]

PWO "signings" consist of the university presenting the recruit with an official offer of enrollment(the same thing every other student gets when they get accepted) and the recruit paying the standard deposit for enrollment. Once that's done, the university can publicly talk about the recruit. (I looked this up in the DI manual.) But unlike a NLI from a scholarship player, none of these documents are binding.

The prohibition on another program speaking to a PWO only applies after the first practice or the first day of classes, whichever comes first.



The only question really remaining is whether Steckler is actually officially signed(NLI) with UND. NDSU announced him on the 20th and UND did not. The signing period ended on the 22nd. So UND had to offer, Steckler had to accept, and Steckler had to sign the NLI on either the 21st or 22nd for the NLI to be valid. If UND/Steckler didn't get the paperwork done in time, then Steckler is really just a UND verbal until early Feb. when they can sign a binding NLI. Without that binding NLI, other schools could offer and Steckler could switch again without losing eligibility.

Not that this part really matters. Just a curiosity at this point. I support the kid in taking the offer that comes with money. No dislike from me, just a little fascination in how it all went down.If there is a problem, UND will just petition the NCAA...usually works out for them.

[2011BisonAlumni]

I was at my Dentist on December 22nd. His wife is Cousins with this kid. Him and his wife went to SDSU for their undergrads, so he was chuckling about having to cheer for NDSU when watching him play.

He made no mentioning of Trae going to UND. It was all NDSU talk.

[siouxfan512]

Ya a PWO does not sign anything binding. It could happen to all of our PWO's.

The more telling thing with this is that UND is putting our Walk-on's on Scholarship. Just let that sink in for minute!!!!!

Good luck to the kid!

Is this really that surprising? These programs are in two completely different places right now. The caliber PWO that NDSU usually gets, could play on Scholly a number of places. That is just what you get with Bison football right now. There are players that want to be there regardless of money, because they want to win. Makes sense to me. UND gets some of the same with hockey. It is just a testament to how good certain programs are.

Some kids aren't in the position to pass up a scholly though, whether it is from UND or anyone else. Also, who know what his educational ambitions are, and how those align with the school. Obviously, I'm a UND guy, but I see plenty of positive from both UND and NDSU in terms of education. If my kids ever decide to attend NDSU, I would naturally support that (though you won't get me to wear a gold shirt unless they're playing for a team :) )

I don't know much about this kid, but certainly hope he contributes to UND. I know we had some injuries last season, but OUCH. Need to gain a little more talent, and A LOT more depth, before we get to the MVFC.

[abc123]

If there is a problem, UND will just petition the NCAA...usually works out for them.

Don't sell yourself short here, NDSU has the expertise in petitions. UND just goes straight to lawsuits.

[SUBISON247]

He did sign his LOI on the 22nd. Not as fishy as it seems, he is just a young man who could not pass up scholarship money. SU wanted him to walk on and earn a scholarship, UND gave it right away. I have no doubt that he would have earned a scholarship at NDSU and knowing this young man I hope we regret not offering him money.

[Bison"FANatic"]

Don't sell yourself short here, NDSU has the expertise in petitions. UND just goes straight to lawsuits.

After the 30th committee

[TransAmBison]

Don't sell yourself short here, NDSU has the expertise in petitions. UND just goes straight to lawsuits.Haha...well played.

[Mr. Burgundy]

best of luck to the kid. He will have a much better chance to play, or play sooner. I just wonder what took Bubba so long? he literally offered him a scholarship AFTER he has agreed to be a PWO on signing day? why wasn't he all over that kid like last year? I have said this many times, I have no idea what Bubba and staff did this year in recruiting. They were not on the same kids that other valley schools recruit from the region. Like none. No doubt they will find some diamonds in the rough, but shocked they do not want to get into battles with other regional schools. Again, best of luck to this kid!

[ndsubison1]

Maybe Bubba aint what they thought he was going to be

[Bisonator98]

Maybe Bubba aint what they thought he was going to be

Bubba's awesome, not only recruiting but developing studs. I mean remember that Ratatouille guy? His track record speaks for itself. Guy deserves a lifetime contract!

[2011BisonAlumni]

Bubba's awesome, not only recruiting but developing studs. I mean remember that Ratatouille guy? His track record speaks for itself. Guy deserves a lifetime contract!

He’s extremely low energy. Way better suited to sit in a boat tossing bait over the side.

[westnodak93bison]

He’s extremely low energy. Way better suited to sit in a boat tossing bait over the side.Lmao. I have a friend up in El Forko who knows Bubbles. He has tried recruiting her to be a fan. She is die hard Bison fan and just torments the hell out of the poor guy via text message.

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[thebigund]

He’s extremely low energy. Way better suited to sit in a boat tossing bait over the side.

Head coaches don’t need to be cheerleaders. There are tons of examples of that at all levels.

[garbageman]

Maybe Bubba aint what they thought he was going to be

He and Lennon did run southern Illinois into the groung

[BisManBison]

Maybe Bubba aint what they thought he was going to be

His track record speaks for itself, look at the contributions he made in taking SIU to the next level.

[BisonFanAnn]

Lmao. I have a friend up in El Forko who knows Bubbles. He has tried recruiting her to be a fan. She is die hard Bison fan and just torments the hell out of the poor guy via text message.

I work at UND, and our van has a big Bison head on a side window. More than once I've driving past their IPF just as Bubba is coming out of the building - he sees me and just shakes his head. I smile and wave!

I do appreciate that he walks around campus on Friday afternoons, giving away tickets to the game the next day. Football attendance has definitely gone up since his arrival (except when it conflicts with a hockey game, of course).

[Bisonator98]

He and Lennon did run southern Illinois into the groung

SIU is just hard to recruit to and they were left a complete mess by the last coaching staff.......;)

I mean look at what he accomplished in 2 years at UMD. The guy is a Knute Rockne at this level. They should replace that stupid statue outside the ralph with one of Bubba!

8167

[semobison]

I work at UND, and our van has a big Bison head on a side window. More than once I've driving past their IPF just as Bubba is coming out of the building - he sees me and just shakes his head. I smile and wave!

I do appreciate that he walks around campus on Friday afternoons, giving away tickets to the game the next day. Football attendance has definitely gone up since his arrival (except when it conflicts with a hockey game, of course).

I've known Bubba for a long time. Personally, he is a good guy. I almost feel bad for him that he coaches up there!

[2011BisonAlumni]

Head coaches don’t need to be cheerleaders. There are tons of examples of that at all levels.

As Donald Trump would say “ LOW Energy”

He’s apparently great at getting the Canucks excited to play there but Christ the guy is so dam boring. Wonder how long it takes for a recruit to check the time when he is giving his sales pitch.

[El_Chapo]

Traes mommy sent us a whiny message on Facebook when we didn't add the walk ones for recruit list. Like 3 of them. NDSU don't need mommas boys

[unbison]

Trae Steckler a finalist for mr basketball

[El_Chapo]

Trae Steckler a finalist for mr basketball

so what , his mommy cried to bisonation to delete a message haha. good riddance to them.

[westnodak93bison]

so what , his mommy cried to bisonation to delete a message haha. good riddance to them.What is bisonation?

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[SamsRams]

What is bisonation?

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He meant bisonation nd cause you need to know the state. It’s a site he uses to email obnoxious things to radio stations so his buddy McFooly can read them on air and try to make the real BISONATION look bad

[El_Chapo]

He meant bisonation nd cause you need to know the state. It’s a site he uses to email obnoxious things to radio stations so his buddy McFooly can read them on air and try to make the real BISONATION look bad

real? the one you stole from me? most everyone has seen what you are. go away, its been nice & quiet & peaceful not hearing from you