Linn-Mar tailback Jer Garman said Wednesday he has committed to play football at the University of North Dakota next season.

Garman was honored as the 2010 Metro Player of the Year after rushing for 1,601 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns for the Lions.

North Dakota assistant coach Josh Kotelnicki visited Garman Tuesday night. They played ping-pong and Garman offered Kotelnicki a deal, based on the outcome of their match.

"I played a little trick on him," Garman said. "I told him if you win, I'll commit to North Dakota. And if I win, I'll commit to North Dakota.

"I won," he reported.

Garman, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, said he picked North Dakota over the University of Northern Iowa. He also had offers from Eastern Illinois and South Dakota.

"It felt right," he said. "The coaches love me, and I love the coaches."

Garman visited the university in Grand Forks, N.D., in December, and North Dakota head coach Chris Mussman visited Garman here a few weeks ago. Mussman told Garman he'll have a chance to play as a true freshman in 2011 as a tailback and kick returner.

"If I'm the best one, they're going to play me," he said.

North Dakota competes in the Great West Conference, but plans to move to the Big Sky Conference in 2012.

Garman is the career rushing leader at Linn-Mar and holds 12 school records. He rushed for 1,861 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior.