Fargo North's standout running back hopes to be NDSU's next impact linebacker

FARGO Peder Haugo grew up in the shadows of the Fargodome, hoping one day he could star inside the building where he watched so many great games.

That happened for Haugo at Fargo North High School, where he had two standout performances in the Dakota Bowl, including a two-touchdown, 108-yard performance in the Spartans 31-6 win over Grand Forks Central in 2023, clinching Norths first state championship since 2000.

By that point, Haugo was already committed to play at North Dakota State, but would be switching positions from running back to linebacker.

Shortly after fall camp started last August, Bison head coach Tim Polasek moved Haugo back to running back.

I think day three of fall camp is when I got switched over to running back, Haugo said.

It was minimal time at linebacker.

The switch happened because of a lack at depth at running back.

Haugo was the number four running back behind Marty Brown, TK Marshall and Barika Kpeenu.

A strange thing happened as fall camp played out last summer.

Haugo was picking things up quickly.

So quickly that Polasek traveled Haugo to NDSUs season opener at Colorado and dressed for the game.

Haugo got his first game action the following week, carrying the ball eight times for 40 yards in mop-up time against Tennessee State.

Haugo ended up playing in four games, finishing with 27 carries for 94 yards along with 19 yards receiving.

He showed enough to beg the question if he would stay at running back for the upcoming year? At least that's what Haugo wanted to know prior to spring football.

We just sat down after the season, and Coach P really just put it to me, you can play both positions, and it's up to me what, what I want to pick, Haugo said.

I came in, I was recruited as a linebacker, and I figured I might as well give that a shot during the spring.

Haugo made the full-time move to linebacker in spring football and seemed like a natural when the 15 practices wrapped up at the end of spring.

With the departure of Enock Sibomana in the transfer portal, Haugo may be asked to play an even bigger role this spring.

It didnt surprise me one bit about Peder, said NDSU defensive coordinator Grant Olson.

I told a lot of people that Peder Haugo would be a heck of a talent for us.

Im extremely excited about what Peder can do.

With the departure of six players from the linebacker position off of last years team there are reps to be earned.

Juniors Nathaniel Staehling and Austin Altepeter are expected to play bigger roles, as is sophomore Donovan Woolen.

The Bison added Minnesota transfer Alex Elliot in May.

But Haugo has a different perspective, having seen the defense from the other side of the line of scrimmage last year.

I think it does help, said Haugo.

It helps me see the defense from a different perspective that a lot of the other guys don't really have.

So its definitely an advantage.

But sometimes I get caught up in the offensive calls here at practice, and I'll get tossed out of my defensive mindset.

Haugos size is the prototypical for the outside linebacker spot at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds.

His defensive numbers at North werent anything to sneeze at with 27 tackles for loss, six interceptions and three forced fumbles.

He knows there is work to be done when fall camp rolls around in about six weeks.

I need to get better at practicing, just learning how to practice as a linebacker again, Haugo said.

I think it's a lot different than running back.

Just learn as much as I can.

I know I'm going to make mistakes.

It's been, more than six months that I have played defense, so I can't expect to be perfect.

But just go out, have fun, and most importantly, and learn behind Logan, Nate and Austin.

It doesnt seem that long ago that Haugo was hoping for a chance to play college football.

Now hes got a national championship ring and has seen the field as a Bison, with the opportunity to make an even bigger splash this fall.

Personally, it was huge, said Haugo.

I got the experience to get my toes wet.

I wouldn't have believed you that I would have been playing any offensive snaps, and then help win the national championship.

Never would have believed that..

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