GRAND FORKS, N.D.--Former University of North Dakota wide receiver and return specialist Weston Dressler, UND's Glenn “Red” Jarrett Male Athlete of the Year in 2007-08, has signed a free agent contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
As a senior in 2007, Dressler caught 76 passes for a school-record 1272 yards and 13 touchdowns and was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division II football. Dressler also had 2,059 all-purpose yards to become the first player in UND history to post consecutive seasons of 2,000 all-purpose yards.
The Bismarck, N.D., native was named to the All-North Central Conference first team at three different positions (wide receiver, return specialist, utility) as a senior and is believed to be the first player in league history to do so. He also became just the fourth player in league history to earn All-NCC first team honors in each of his four seasons.
In 51 career games, Dressler caught 243 passes for 3,382 yards and 38 touchdowns, all school records. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Dressler graduated with 19 school records to his name and led NCAA Division II with 90 receptions as a junior in 2006. He also led the NCAA ? all divisions ? in punt return yardage (613) as a freshman in 2004.
The Fighting Sioux advanced to the NCAA postseason in each of Dressler's four seasons and went a combined 42-10 during his career.
Dressler will join another former Fighting Sioux standout ? defensive tackle Scott Schultz ? on the Saskatchewan roster. Schultz played at UND from 1997 to 2000 and is entering his eighth season with the Roughriders, the CFL's defending Grey Cup champions.
Dressler is the second UND senior to sign a professional contract since the conclusion of the 2007 season. Former cornerback Donovan Alexander (Winnipeg, Manitoba) signed with the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks in April.
Dressler's Career Rushing Statistics
|
Year |
GP-GS |
Att. |
Yards |
Avg. |
Long |
TD |
|
2004 |
13-0 |
10 |
67 |
6.7 |
27 |
0 |
|
2005 |
13-9 |
27 |
205 |
7.6 |
57 |
0 |
|
2006 |
13-13 |
20 |
121 |
6.1 |
26 |
1 |
|
2007 |
12-12 |
18 |
121 |
6.7 |
28 |
1 |
|
Totals |
51-34 |
75 |
514 |
6.9 |
57 |
2 |
Dressler's Career Receiving Statistics
|
Year |
GP-GS |
Rec. |
Yards |
Avg. |
Long |
TD |
|
2004 |
13-0 |
13 |
141 |
10.8 |
25 |
1 |
|
2005 |
13-9 |
64 |
754 |
11.8 |
69 |
8 |
|
2006 |
13-13 |
*90 |
1,215 |
13.5 |
66 |
^16 |
|
2007 |
12-12 |
76 |
^1,272 |
16.7 |
61 |
13 |
|
Totals |
51-34 |
^243 |
^3,382 |
13.9 |
69 |
^38 |
Dressler's Career Punt Return Statistics
|
Year |
GP-GS |
Ret. |
Yards |
Avg. |
Long |
TD |
|
2004 |
13-0 |
46 |
*613 |
13.3 |
70 |
0 |
|
2005 |
13-9 |
33 |
503 |
15.2 |
86 |
^3 |
|
2006 |
13-13 |
20 |
253 |
12.6 |
63 |
0 |
|
2007 |
12-12 |
28 |
329 |
11.8 |
43 |
0 |
|
Totals |
51-34 |
127 |
^1,698 |
13.4 |
86 |
^3 |
Dressler's Career Kick Return Statistics
|
Year |
GP-GS |
Ret. |
Yards |
Avg. |
Long |
TD |
|
2004 |
13-0 |
13 |
250 |
19.2 |
32 |
0 |
|
2005 |
13-9 |
18 |
453 |
25.2 |
93 |
1 |
|
2006 |
13-13 |
19 |
438 |
23.1 |
66 |
0 |
|
2007 |
12-12 |
17 |
337 |
19.8 |
43 |
0 |
|
Totals |
51-34 |
67 |
^1,478 |
22.1 |
93 |
1 |
Dressler's Career All-Purpose Yardage
|
Year |
GP-GS |
Rush |
Rec. |
Punt |
Kick |
Total |
|
2004 |
13-0 |
67 |
141 |
*613 |
250 |
1,071 |
|
2005 |
13-9 |
205 |
754 |
503 |
453 |
1,915 |
|
2006 |
13-13 |
121 |
1,215 |
253 |
438 |
2,027 |
|
2007 |
12-12 |
121 |
^1,272 |
329 |
337 |
^2,059 |
|
Totals |
51-34 |
514 |
^3,382 |
^1,698 |
^1,478 |
^7,072 |
* - Indicates led Division II
^ - Indicates UND record
###
