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Grand Forks Herald
UND's Caleb Goodloe translating practice habits to game production
- Story byGrand Forks Herald
- UND's Caleb Goodloe translating practice habits to game production
Sep. 4—GRAND FORKS — Wide receiver Caleb Goodloe's UND debut last Thursday in the 2026 season opener, despite a drop of a possible touchdown on the first play of the game, was an eye-opener for many Fighting Hawks fans.
In playing just the first half due to a 42-point halftime lead on Long Island University, Goodloe caught five passes for 118 yards, which was the most receiving yardage by a Missouri Valley Football Conference player during the opening weekend.
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He had three 20-plus yard receptions, including a 28-yard catch, juke and run in the second quarter that went for his first collegiate touchdown.
For UND coaches, Goodloe's performance was simply an extension of everything he's shown since arriving in Grand Forks.
"You watch the workouts in January, February, you watch spring ball ... there's just a consistency of always doing the right thing, always making the play, whether the ball is coming to him or not," UND offensive coordinator Danny Freund said. "I feel like that's what the best players do. I feel like Bo Belquist was that way — guys you can always think back to ... the best practice players usually end up being the best guys on gameday."
Goodloe spent two seasons at Bowling Green and is a junior for the Hawks. With college football's new 5-for-5 eligibility rule, Goodloe would have two seasons of play remaining after this year.
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Goodloe didn't catch any passes in two seasons at Bowling Green. He redshirted in 2024 and played sparingly in four games in 2025. He transferred to UND on the recommendation to UND's staff by new wide receivers coach K.J. Maye, who had been recruiting Goodloe to his previous coaching stop.
Goodloe is a Clearwater, Fla., native who has spent his college years in Ohio and North Dakota.
"Really any opportunity that comes toward me is what I'm going to embrace," Goodloe said. "I never had a problem leaving home. I feel like being away from home actually gives me something I can look to do new things and be able to find out more about myself."
Goodloe was drawn to UND by the new facilities around Memorial Village.
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"The facilities are insane," Goodloe said. "I'd even say they're some of the best in the country. That really got my attention."
It was an ideal addition for the Hawks' wide receiver unit, which was losing Nate DeMontagnac to the CFL and B.J. Fleming to Tarleton State.
"The guys love him ... to be able to go in the portal and get a guy like that who is not only a really good player but a good fit for what UND football is all about, that's huge for our program," Freund said.
UND head coach Eric Schmidt often talks about being drawn to transfers who have shown the ability to rise a depth chart at a previous stop and come to UND with game experience. With Goodloe, though, Schmidt placed his trust in Maye's advocacy.
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"I think the consistency factor is No. 1," Schmidt said of his Goodloe impressions. "I think what he did out of on the field Thursday night is what he's done in the practice field. Since he's got here, I think there's been a high level of production, a high level of toughness. I think he's got all the attributes you're looking for in a receiver. It's doing a lot of things without the football in his hand — digging out a linebacker, cracking a safety. He takes pride in his performance. His compete level has definitely been a plus for that room. I think everybody else feeds off that and gets better."
