.South Dakota head football coach Bob Nielson has announced the signing of 24 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.
In addition, Nielson announced that seven other high school standouts have accepted an offer of admissions to the University of South Dakota and plan to join the Coyote football program in the fall.
The class includes players from 12 states including South Dakota (5), Nebraska (4), Minnesota (4), California (4), Florida (3), Illinois (3), Iowa (2), Wisconsin (2), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Colorado (1) and Oklahoma (1). The list includes 16 offensive players and 15 defensive players.
Dakarai Allen | Largo, Fla. | Largo High School | Wide Receiver | 6-2, 190 lbs.
Parents: Daniel & Heather | Coach: Marcus Paschal
Allen is a first-team all-county football and basketball player … led the Packers in receptions and receiving yards this past season on the gridiron and was the team’s leading scorer at 15 points per game on the hardwood as a junior … was selected to the Pinellas County Athletic Conference all-star football game … is a member of 5,000 Role Models, SR&R and Largo Leadership … is the youngest of seven siblings (four brothers, three sisters) … is interested in studying sport management at USD
Andy Aune | Golden Valley, Minn. | Hopkins High School | Linebacker | 6-2, 210 lbs.
Parents: Jeff & Kathy | Coach: John DenHartog
Aune compiled 227 tackles and four interceptions for Hopkins during the last three seasons … earned all-conference and all-metro honors this past season after leading the Lake Conference with 122 stops … served as a captain during his senior year … also plays baseball for the Royals … is on the Honor Roll and is interested in studying biology at USD
Randy Baker | Daytona Beach, Fla. | Mainland High School | Wide Receiver | 5-10, 165 lbs.
Mother: Ruth | Coach: Scott Wilson
Baker was an East Coast All-Star game pick and was named Player of the Year by Quarterback Club … earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Associated Press this past season after catching 55 passes for 950 yards and 13 touchdowns … also played cornerback and had two interceptions … also returned a punt for a score … runs track and was honored by Mainland with the Iron Man Award, which is presented to an athlete who plays a sport during every season … is an honor roll student who is interested in studying medicine at USD
Alonge Brooks | Compton, Calif. | River City College | Wide Receiver | 6-3, 200 lbs.
Mother: Charleen Richardson | Coach: Tom Craft
Attended Newman Smith High School in Texas where he played for coach Paul Ressa … also ran track at Newman Smith … last year at Riverside City College, caught 29 passes for 476 yards and had five touchdowns … is interested in studying kinesiology and sport science at USD
Sean Chisholm | Camarillo, Calif. | Camarillo High School | Offensive Lineman | 6-5, 290 lbs.
Parents: Wayne & Lisa | Coach: Jack Willard
Chisholm was named Camino League Lineman of the Year this past season … was also named Ventura County Lineman of the Year … was a second-team all-state honoree and earned first-team all-county and all-conference honors … also competed in track for the Scorpions … is interested in studying criminal justice at USD
Kameron Cline | San Diego, Calif. | Patrick Henry High School | Defensive End | 6-5, 225 lbs.
Father: Shawn | Coach: Mike Martinez
Cline’s career stats at Patrick Henry include 105 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, three blocked field goals, one blocked punt and one interception … was named first-team all-league defense for the City League and was selected to the San Diego Friday Night League all-star game … also played tight end where he caught 21 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns … plays basketball for the Patriots as well … is interested in studying sport management at USD
Mark Collins Jr. | Overland Park, Kan. | Blue Valley West High School | Defensive Back | 5-11, 175 lbs.
Parents: Mark & Darlene | Coach: Scott Wright
Collins was named to the all-Eastern Kansas League for two consecutive seasons … career stats include 98 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 11 touchdowns … as a junior, led the league in kick return yards … letttered three years at Blue Valley West and also plays baseball for the Jaguars … was on the Principal’s Honor Roll from 2012-15 and is interested in studying business administration at USD
Michelby Davis | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Millwood High School | Defensive End | 6-5, 210 lbs.
Father: Keante Parker | Coach: Darwin Franklin
Davis is a three-sport athlete who competes in football, basketball and baseball for Millwood … on the gridiron, was named an all-city honoree … in 2013, helped lead the Falcons to a state runner-up finish … saw time as a defensive end, linebacker, tight end and receiver for Millwood this past season and also served as the Falcons’ kicker … is interested in studying criminal justice at USD
Trystn Ducker | Bellevue, Neb. | Bellevue West High School | Wide Receiver | 5-10, 165 lbs.
Parents: Dontrell & Krista | Coach: Michael Huffman
Ducker tied the Bellevue West record for receiving touchdowns in a game with four and was invited to play in the Nebraska Shrine Game … was named to Nebraska’s all-class first team by the Omaha World Herald … earned all-state honors at the Class A level and was a super-state pick by Lincoln Journal-Star … senior numbers include 66 catches for 1,177 yards and 18 touchdowns … also had one kick return score … during his sophomore and junior years at Creighton Prep, compiled 27 catches for 453 yards and six scores … is interested in studying marketing at USD
Jacob Headlee | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg High School | Defensive Lineman | 6-3, 280 lbs.
Parents: Jason & Valerie | Coach: Brandon White
Headlee is the all-time career sack leader at Harrisburg … is an all-state defensive end and was named an “Elite 45” end by The Argus Leader … as a three-year starter, compiled 119 tackles including 12 sacks and forced eight fumbles … was the offensive and defensive MVP for Harrisburg this past season … also plays basketball and baseball for the Tigers … is an academic all-state honoree and is interested in studying medicine at USD
Chalo Judge Jr. | Tampa, Fla. | Tampa Bay Tech High School | Defensive Back | 5-9, 175 lbs.
Parents: Marchalo & Rhonda | Coach: Jayson Roberts
Judge is a two-time defensive MVP and two-time all-conference choice at Tampa Bay Tech … was a first-team choice of both the Tampa Tribune and Tampa Bay Times after netting a school-record 117 tackles as a cornerback this past season … was invited to the East vs. West All-Star Game … career totals for Tampa Bay Tech include 279 tackles, eight interceptions, 24 tackles-for-loss, five forced fumbles and two sacks … carried one of the top grade point averages on the team and is interested in studying media & journalism at USD
Ben Klett | Lake Zurich, Ill. | Lake Zurich High School | Linebacker | 6-2, 220 lbs.
Parents: Dan & Connie | Coach: David Proffitt
Klett is a two-time all-conference honoree for Lake Zurich and an honorable mention all-state Class 7A choice … is the career rushing leader for the Bears with 2,312 yards and 28 touchdowns on 350 carries (6.6 yards per tote) … also caught 35 passes for 818 yards and 14 scores … on defense, had 31 stops, six tackles-for-loss, two picks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries … is an all-conference track performer and a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash … has appeared on the honor roll every semester and is interested in studying criminal justice at USD
Nick Kramer | Plymouth, Minn. | Wayzata High School | Defensive Lineman | 6-4, 235 lbs.
Parents: Matthew & Debbie | Coach: Brad Anderson
Kramer is an all-state defensive lineman for Wayzata … is a three-time all-conference performer and was named all-Midwest as a junior … as a four-year letterwinner, compiled 182 tackles including 54 for loss and 20.5 sacks … also forced five fumbles and had seven recoveries … also runs track and twice has earned all-section honors … is an honor roll member who is interested in studying biology at USD
Justin Lewis | Arnold, Mo. | Christian Brothers High School | Offensive Lineman | 6-2, 305 lbs.
Parents: Jeff & Patti | Coach: Scott Pingel
Lewis is ranked as the 47th-best offensive tackle in the nation … helped lead Christian Brothers to an undefeated season in 2015 and back-to-back state titles … is a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree … also competes in track and field for the Cadets … is interested in studying political science at USD
Jake Matthew | Omaha, Neb. | Millard North High School | Linebacker | 6-3, 240 lbs.
Parents: Daniel & Lisa | Coach: Fred Petito
Matthew is an all-state fullback who helped lead Millard North to an 11-2 record and a state championship this past season … played both sides of the ball … top rushing marks came as a junior when he ran for 1,386 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry … ran for a career-high 306 yards in a game against Papillion La Vista … also wrestles for the Mustangs … is interested in studying marketing at USD
Phillip Powell | Chicago, Ill. | Christ the King College Prep | Cornerback | 6-0, 210 lbs.
Parents: Phil & Chantel | Coach: Lonnie Williams
Powell accumulated more than 1,500 receiving yards with 27 touchdown grabs and 17 interceptions for King College Prep … earned all-conference and all-city honors for the Jaguars and was invited to the city-wide all-star game … has been on the honor roll every semester and is interested in studying kinesiology and sport science at USD
Elijah Reed | Denver, Colo. | Rangeview High School | Defensive Back | 6-3, 195 lbs.
Parents: Larry & Donna | Coach: Justin Hoffman
Reed is a three-time, first-team all-conference defensive back in the 5A South Metro League … accumulated 123 tackles, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries at Rangeview … was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and set the school record for interceptions in a season in 2013 when he was named Defensive Back of the Year … on special teams, returned seven kicks for 182 yards and had two touchdowns … also plays basketball for the state-ranked Raiders … is a three-time athletic honor roll member and is interested in studying media & journalism at USD
Jake Richardson | Kansas City, Kan. | Minnehaha Academy (Minn.) | Defensive Lineman | 6-3, 240 lbs.
Mother: Leanne | Coach: Collin Quinn
Richardson led the state of Minnesota with 25 sacks and 36 tackles-for-loss this past season when he was named Defensive Player of the Year … also earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors … forced six fumbles and had three defensive touchdowns … is a member of the National Honor Society and is interested in studying dental hygiene at USD
Ethan Roth | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg High School | Defensive Lineman | 6-3, 300 lbs.
Parents: Bob & Sarah | Coach: Brandon White
Roth, whose parents Bob and Sarah attended USD, was an all-state performer for Harrisburg this past season … accumulated 58 tackles including six sacks and forced three fumbles for the Tigers and played on both sides of the ball … is a three-year letterwinner in football and a two-year letterwinner in basketball at Harrisburg … is interested in studying kinesiology and sport science at USD
Sam Ruetz | Franklin, Wis. | Franklin High School | Offensive Lineman | 6-3, 265 lbs.
Parents: Joe & Julie | Coach: Louis Brown
Ruetz, a Joe Thomas Award finalist, is an all-conference, all-suburban and an honorable mention all-state honoree for Franklin … was a three-year letterwinner for the Sabres and was named a team captain ahead of his senior season … is also an all-conference lacrosse player and a member of the basketball team … is interested in studying to be a physician’s assistant at USD
Brett Samson | Oconomowoc, Wis. | Oconomowoc High School | Tight End | 6-3, 220 lbs.
Mother: Kim | Coach: Ryan McMillen
Samson twice earned all-state honors as a tight end and was also an all-state linebacker for Oconomowoc … caught 44 passes this past season for 663 yards and four touchdowns … on defense, had 59 tackles including nine for loss and three sacks … also forced two fumbles and had an interception … in addition to his skills on the gridiron, is a four-time state qualifier on the wrestling mat … has finished as the state runner-up and has amassed more than 160 victories during his high school careeer … is interested in studying criminal justice at USD
Mason Scheidegger | Fonda, Iowa | Newell Fonda High School | Offensive Lineman | 6-5, 310 lbs.
Parents: Kyle & Tami | Coach: Brian Wilken
Scheidegger is an all-state offensive and defensive lineman who was invited to compete in the Iowa Shrine Bowl … a four-year letterwinner, he helped lead Newell Fonda to its first-ever state championhip in 2014 … also holds Newell Fonda’s shot put record at 50-feet-3.5-inches and is an all-conference basketball player who averaged 12 points per game as a junior … is an academic all-state honoree and a National Honor Society member … is interested in studying history education at USD
Conner Thiele | Oakland, Neb. | Oakland-Craig High School | Linebacker | 6-2, 210 lbs.
Parents: Pete & Joan | Coach: Joe Anderson
Thiele is an all-state linebacker who led Oakland-Craig to back-to-back state runner-up finishes … finished his senior season with 124 tackles including 62 solo stops and three sacks … was named the honorary defensive captain for the Fremont Tribune All-Area Team … was a three-year letterwinner on the gridiron for the Knights … is also a standout basketball player and a state track medalist three years in a row … is a four-time academic all-state honoree … has been a member of the student council for three years, a quiz bowl captain, and has served as president of the National Honors Society … is undecided in his area of study
Tyler Tsagalis | Arlington Heights, Ill. | Notre Dame College Prep | Quarterback | 6-3, 220 lbs.
Parents: Angelo & Julie | Coach: Mike Hennessey
Tsagalis holds Notre Dame records for single-season passing yards (1,970) and single-season passing touchdowns (18), which he set this past season when he was named an honorable mention all-state pick … also ran for 667 yards and nine scores … helped lead the Dons to an 8-2 record in 2015 and the program’s first conference title since 1981 … completed 242 of 436 passes for 3,317 yards as a two-year letterwinner for the Dons … ran for 1,369 yards and combined to score 46 touchdowns (32 passing, 14 rushing) … also competes in track and wrestles for the Dons … is a member of the National Honors Society and is interested in studying kinesiology and sport science at USD
In addition, the following high school standouts have accepted an offer of admissions to the University of South Dakota and plan to join the Coyote football program in the fall.
Connor Herrmann | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Mount Vernon High School | Tight End | 6-4, 200 lbs.
Parents: Rich & Deb | Coach: Lance Pedersen
Herrmann was named an Elite first-team all-state pick by The Des Moines Register … is also a first-team all-state class 2A choice and was invited to the Iowa Shrine Bowl … holds Mount Vernon records for career receptions (160), receiving yards (2,254) and touchdowns (27) … set single-season records this past year with 102 catches for 1,410 yards and 18 touchdowns … the 102 catches are a state record … helped the Mustangs to a state runner-up finish this past season … hauled in 10 passes for 204 yards and four scores in the championship game … is a three-time academic all-conference honoree and a member of the National Honor Society … is interested in studying excercise science at USD
Brevin Kaiser | Pierre, S.D. | T.F. Riggs High School | Quarterback | 6-4, 195 lbs.
Parents: Bill & Kim | Coach: Jayson Poppinga
Kaiser is a 2015 South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year finalist … was named the Class 11AA Player of the Year and was a first-team all-state quarterback this past season … in two years as the starter for T.F. Riggs, passed for 3,574 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,347 yards and 19 scores … is a three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track for the Governors … won a state title on the gridiron in 2013 and was the state runner-up this past season … on the hardwood, has been named to the last two all-state tournament teams and is an all-state honoree … is a member of the Dakota Schooler Basketball Program … is the 2015 recipient of the Derek Paulson Award … is undecided in his area of study
Dodi Makwinja | Gaborone, Botswana | O’Gorman High School (S.D.) | Linebacker | 6-0, 215 lbs.
Guardians: Setshadi Makwinja (sister) & Rea Sebata (brother-in-law) | Coach: Steve Kueter
Makwinja was twice named an all-state honoree and is an Argus Elite 45 pick … was a three-year varsity starter at O’Gorman who played a variety of positions … career numbers include 206 carries for 1,577 yards and 16 touchdowns on offense, and 61 tackles including 11 sacks on defense … ran for 970 yards and 10 scores as a senior … also competes in track and field for the Knights and is a national champion power lifter at the 198-pound level … is interested in studying business administration at USD
Tre Morris | Grand Forks, N.D. | Centennial Pines High School (Minn.) | Offensive Lineman | 6-2, 270 lbs.
Parents: Jeremy & Bernice | Coach: Mike Diggins
Morris earned honorable mention all-district honors for the Cougars this past season … is interested in studying excercise science at USD
Jack Peery | Sioux Falls, S.D. | O’Gorman High School | Wide Receiver | 6-5, 200 lbs.
Parents: Curtis & Janelle | Coach: Steve Kueter
Peery, the son of USD graduates Curtis and Janelle, is the all-time single-season receiving yards record holder for O’Gorman … as a senior, caught 36 passes for 673 yards and had eight receiving touchdowns and three rushing scores … helped lead the Knights to the 11AAA championship game … amassed more than 1,000 yards in his career with the Knights … the Argus Leder named him an “Elite 45” honoree … also competes in basketball and track for O’Gorman … earned an academic achievement award and is interested in studying business administration at USD
Joe Schlager | McCook, Neb. | McCook High School | Running Back | 5-10, 190 lbs.
Parents: Russ & Bev | Coach: Jeff Gross
Schlager is a first-team all-conference, all-district and all-state honoree who competed for the south in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl … career numbers at McCook include 157 tackles, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and three recoveries … was also credited with 37 pass breakups and two blocked kicks … on special teams, led the state with a 25.9-yard average on 13 kickoff returns … was a part of three consecutive Class B semifinal teams … also competes in track for the Bison … brother, Jake, plays safety for Colorado State and father, Russ, played collegiately at Fort Lewis College … is interested in studying sports management at USD
Caleb Vander Esch | San Jose, Calif. | Willow Glen High School | Wide Receiver | 6-2, 180 lbs.
Parents: Doug & Elizabeth | Coach: Oscar Caballero
Vander Esch, whose father, Doug, is a USD Hall of Famer, was named Willow Glen’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player this past season … is a two-time all-league honoree who caught 40 passes for 509 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Rams … is also a California Club varsity lacrosse state champion … is interested in studying kinesiology and sport science at USD