FARGO - When Hunter Brozio arrived on campus at North Dakota State in August of 2019, he was prepared for a football career in the shadows. Brozio was recruited out of Lake Gibson High School in Florida to be a long snapper.
A funny thing happened to his career out of the spotlight. Brozio's athleticism got him noticed. When starting fullback Hunter Luepke was out of the NDSU lineup with a shoulder injury to begin the spring season in February of 2021, Brozio got his chance.
He played in all nine games during the spring, making two starts and picked up his first two receptions. Brozio was set to see the field even more last fall, but an ankle injury sidelined him for just six games.
But circumstances would again turn for Brozio. When the starting long snapper, Mike Florentine went into the transfer portal last January, the coaching staff asked Brozio about doing double-duty.
"It was kind of surreal. I never would have seen myself doing that here." Brozio said. "It's starting to turn into muscle memory now, so it's pretty crazy."
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Double duty would be a great nickname for Brozio. He is now literally all over the field for NDSU, playing fullback, tight end and long snapping. He's contributing even more on offense, with four receptions this season, including two in the quarterfinal win over Samford.
"Knowing the whole offense I can line up pretty much anywhere and I feel like the coaches have confidence that I can get the job done." Brozio said. "Knowing what I know it just gives me all the confidence in the world."
On a typical scoring drive for the Bison, Brozio can be seen perhaps blocking for Kobe Johnson for a touchdown and then on the next play, organize the special teams unit to snap the ball on the extra point.
"Realistically I have no idea how he does it." said NDSU punter Kaedin Steinforf. "During periods of practice we're just going back and forth. During the game, it's like where are you, how can I help you and make sure you're at your best."
North Dakota State and South Dakota State will meet for the FCS Championship and so much is at stake. The Jackrabbits seek their first national championship, looking to hand NDSU its first loss in the title game.
The Bison are a beat up team right now, dealing with several injuries to key players, ranging from TaMerik Williams to Kobe Johnson to Will Mostaert.
WDAY's Dom Izzo and the Forum's Jeff Kolpack go thru an early preview of the matchup and what advantages does each team have in a game when the opponent knows you so well?
Brozio excelled enough this fall to be recognized by the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He was named to the all-conference second team at long snapper. When asked what skill Brozio has improved the most at this season between blocking, catching and long snapping, he had a perfect fullback answer.
"On the ball tight end blocking. In the spring, I was straight out of the backfield. But now they're starting to line me up on the ball and I'm running more routes."
Those routes are getting noticed by his family back home in Florida. After those two catches against Samford, Brozio got a special call.
"My grandma was the first call, she was pretty happy about that."
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