The UND football team’s experienced defense, which rose to one of the top units in the Big Sky Conference in 2014, has taken a hit early in 2015.
Nose guard Jordan Hinojosa, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, has decided to transfer closer to home due to personal reasons.
UND coach Bubba Schweigert said he’s appreciative of Hinojosa’s contributions to the program and will assist in helping him find a landing spot.
Hinojosa, a Miami, Fla., native, was expected to start at nose guard.
Hinojosa appeared in eight games for UND in 2014 and started four. Injuries cost him the Missouri State game on Sept. 13 and the final three games of the year.
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He finished with 16 tackles, including 5.0 for a loss. He had one sack.
Hinojosa’s departure leaves UND rather thin at nose guard. The team’s fall preseason depth chart lists redshirt freshman Tank Harris as the backup.
Kyle Woodsmall is also a potential starter at nose guard. The senior from Wildwood, Mo., appeared in six games in 2014 and started four at nose guard before suffering a season-ending injury vs. Montana on Oct. 4.
Woodsmall, who sat out spring ball recovering from the injury in the fall, finished the year with five tackles, including 2.5 for loss and his first career sack.
