Add 30 more candidates for the University of South Dakota football team. South Dakota head football coach Joe Glenn is pleased to announce the signing of 25 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent and five players who have signed institutional letters of intent to join the Coyote football team this fall.
“There are similarities between this year’s class and last year’s class in that we are looking for long, athletic and fast players who can compete at the Division I level,” said Glenn. “Our staff did a terrific job of identifying, recruiting and landing the type of athlete we think it takes to win at South Dakota.”
The class includes players from 10 states including South Dakota (6), Illinois (6), Iowa (5), Nebraska (3), California (3), Missouri (2), Wisconsin (2), Florida (1), Kansas (1) and Oklahoma (1). The list includes 15 defensive players, 11 offensive players, three listed as athletes and one long snapper.
“The areas we recruit heavily are where families can be a part of their son’s life,” said Glenn. “They are a day’s drive from Vermillion and in most case a day’s drive to away games. In the strongest years that I have seen our program, these are the places where we have got our best athletes.”
The Coyotes will graduate five starters from its secondary and that area was certainly a focus for this year’s class, which includes nine defensive backs. Three linebackers, three linemen on both sides of the ball and three wide receivers are included as well.
“We hit big on the lines a year ago,” said Glenn. “This year, we are a lot of heavier in the secondary, linebacker and athlete level. We are anxious to see the junior college players come in and get on the field right away. We also have some high school athletes who have the ability to contribute as soon as they hit campus with their athleticism and speed.
“There were so many close games last year and we were just a few athletes away last year on offense, defense and special teams from 2-3 more wins. These players can help us get over the hump.”
