Former North Dakota State wide receiver DJ Hart announced today via Twitter and Instagram that he has decided to commit to Northern Iowa out of the transfer portal. He informed Coach Mark Farley and his staff on  Friday morning of last week, December 9th, that he'd be committing. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

The Suwanee, Georgia native shared his intentions to enter the transfer portal in late November at the end of the Bison's regular season. Following his decision to enter the portal, Hart received offers from FCS programs UNI, Tennesee-Martin, Gardner-Webb, and Illinois State before deciding to play in Cedar Falls.

Over the last season in Fargo, he played in all eleven games, starting just one. Over those eleven games, he posted 13 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown. In 2021, he caught just two passes for 30 yards in eight games.

Hart will join a strong receiving corps in 2023 for UNI, despite the graduation of both Quan Hampton and Deion McShane, and the transfers of Terrance Kamara and Peter Udoibok.

The remaining group of wideouts that return includes Sam Schnee, Sergio Morancy, Desmond Hutson, and possibly Logan Wolf. Schnee led the team in receptions (48) and receiving yards (764), and Morancy led the Panthers in receiving touchdowns (six) in 2022. In total, the four receivers caught 110 passes for 1,817 yards.

Additionally, Tysen Kershaw, Devell Washington, Brady McCullough, and incoming freshman Grant Larkin are all expected to compete for snaps.

Hart will have his shot at playing time as a slot receiver next to Schnee. With Hampton, both Deion and Vance McShane, and Dom Williams graduating, Hart will also have the chance to return punts and kicks.

Out of high school, Hart received offers from Maryland, New Mexico, Samford, East Tennessee State, and Valdosta State before choosing NDSU. He also received interest from Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Kansas, Duke, Toledo, and others.

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