MSU Moorhead receiver Madden Thorson commits to North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Madden Thorson, a four-year contributor at Minnesota State Moorhead, has committed to the University of North Dakota as a preferred walk-on after entering the transfer portal. The 5'11, 185-pound receiver accepted the UND offer earlier this month and brings one season of eligibility to a Fighting Hawks program that reached the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2025.

Thorson arrives with steady production and experience. Over his MSUM career, which included a redshirt season, he caught 172 passes for 1,951 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2025 he posted 37 receptions for 472 yards and four scores. Those numbers underline a reliable chain-moving receiver who should be able to step into the slot rotation at UND and provide immediate depth.

The move is notable for its level jump: Thorson is stepping up from Division II into D-I FCS competition. Thorson said a visit to UND and the program’s facilities and coaching staff convinced him to make the transition. He is projected to operate primarily in the slot, where his hands, route savvy, and experience against tight coverage can translate in the quicker, more physical FCS game.

Signing as a preferred walk-on means Thorson will join UND’s roster without an initial scholarship guarantee, a common path for portal transfers seeking an opportunity at the next level. For Fighting Hawks coaches, that low-risk addition gives them a veteran option at slot receiver as they evaluate spring and fall camp while managing scholarship allocations. For Thorson, the move offers a chance to showcase his game on a bigger stage and compete in a program coming off a playoff run.

For Minnesota State Moorhead, Thorson’s departure removes a veteran leader from the receiving corps and creates a spot for younger players to step into targets and snaps. His career totals and game-to-game consistency leave a measurable gap in production MSUM will need to replace heading into their next season.

For fans and local communities, this is a classic portal success story: a D-II standout earning an opportunity at the FCS level through performance and persistence. Watch UND’s spring drills and early fall depth charts to see how quickly Thorson can carve out meaningful snaps. If he translates his MSUM production to the FCS level, he could factor into the Fighting Hawks’ short-yardage passing packages and slot-based schemes as they aim to build on last year’s postseason progress.