South Dakota State University head football coach John Stiegelmeier announced Wednesday that 29 high school standouts officially committed to the Jackrabbits on National Signing Day, indicating they will further their educations at SDSU in the fall.
“We are excited to add the 2016 recruiting class to our football family,” Stiegelmeier said. “We have, in this class, players at every position with all of them ready to excel as student-athletes at SDSU. We continue to have great success in recruiting because of the tireless work of our assistant coaches.”
The newest Jackrabbits include:
• Braydon Allen, 6-6, 205, tight end, Carl Junction, Mo. (Carl Junction H.S.);
• Logan Backhaus, 6-4, 200, linebacker, Spirit Lake, Iowa (Spirit Lake H.S.);
• Austin Barrett, 6-2, 240, defensive end, Box Elder (Douglas H.S.);
• Jarek Berg, 6-0, 185, safety, Oconomowoc, Wis. (Oconomowoc H.S.);
• Jacob Brown, 5-11, 180, wide receiver, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Paradise Valley H.S.);
• Patrick Burmeister, 5-11, 175, wide receiver, Marquette, Mich. (Marquette Senior H.S.)
• Alec Cromer, 6-5, 225, quarterback, Beatrice, Neb. (Beatrice H.S.);
• Paddy Devlin, 6-6, 185, wide receiver, Chicago, Ill. (Saint Patrick H.S.);
• Mike Dobrenski, 6-4, 275, offensive lineman, Franklin, Wis. (Franklin H.S.);
• Jack Domandle, 6-4, 295, offensive lineman, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West H.S.);
• Donald Gardner, 6-1, 165, cornerback, Chicago, Ill. (Wendell Phillips H.S.);
• Wes Genant, 6-4, 295, offensive lineman, Parkston (Parkston H.S.);
• Hunter Hanley, 6-2, 280, offensive lineman, Hartford (West Central H.S.);
• Marshon Harris, 5-11, 175, cornerback, Lansing, Ill. (Thornton Fractional South H.S.);
• Cade Johnson, 5-10, 170, wide receiver, Papillion, Neb. (Bellevue West H.S.);
• Joshua Manchigiah, 6-0, 190, cornerback, Papillion, Neb. (Papillion La Vista South H.S.);
• Justin Maratik, 6-0, 190, safety, Fond du Lac, Wis. (Fond du Lac H.S.);
• Monte McGary, 6-2, 180, cornerback, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha South H.S.);
• Pete Menage, 5-11, 185, safety, Rock Rapids, Iowa (Central Lyon H.S.);
• Blair Mulholland, 5-10, 195, linebacker, Appleton, Wis. (Kimberly H.S.);
• Kanin Nelson, 6-4, 200, quarterback, Mitchell (Mitchell H.S.);
• Tolu Ogunrinde, 6-1, 230, running back, Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park H.S.);
• C.J. Roths, 5-10, 200, running back/athlete, Rock Rapids, Iowa (Central Lyon H.S.);
• Kaden Roy, 6-5, 210, defensive end, Neosho, Mo. (Webb City H.S.);
• Bradey Sorenson, 6-2, 235, long snapper, Yankton (Yankton H.S.);
• Thomas Stacker, 6-3, 250, defensive tackle, Calumet City, Ill. (Saint Rita of Cascia H.S.);
• Preston Tetzlaff, 6-0, 210, linebacker, Brookings (Brookings H.S.);
• Kyle Tuttle, 6-2, 200, linebacker, Jupiter, Fla. (Jupiter Christian H.S./Salisbury School (Conn.));
• Elijah Wilson, 6-4, 260, defensive lineman, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central H.S.);
Allen earned all-district honors as both a wide receiver and tight end at Carl Junction High School. A three-year starter, he was a two-time first-team all-conference selection as a wide receiver and also earned all-state honors as a tight end. His career totals included 87 receptions for 1,252 yards and 13 touchdowns. Allen plans to major in economics.
Backhaus played a key role on both sides of the ball for 2015 Class 2A state champion Spirit Lake High School. The captain of all-state teams selected by the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Newspaper Association, Backhaus ranked second among all players in the state for total offense with 3,866 yards by throwing for 2,251 yards and rushing for 1,615 yards. He also was named Sioux City Journal Player of the Year as he recorded 40 tackles (six for loss), intercepted three passes and averaged 46.3 yards per punt. Backhaus was named the outstanding player of the state championship game after accounting for more than 500 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, along with catching a pass for 24 yards and intercepting a pass on defense. Backhaus, who plans to major in biology/pre-medicine, has been an academic all-state honoree in both football and baseball.
Barrett earned Class 11AA all-state honors at Douglas High School in the fall of 2015 after recording 26 tackles and three sacks. He previously attended Papillion-La Vista South High School in the Omaha metro area. Barrett plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Berg earned all-Wisconsin Little Ten honors while playing on two conference championship teams at Oconomowoc High School. He recorded four interceptions in each of his sophomore and junior seasons before missing his senior campaign due to injury. Berg also has competed in basketball, baseball and track and field at the varsity level. An honor student, he plans to major in engineering.
Brown was a prolific pass-catcher at Paradise Valley High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where received first-team all-Arizona honors. A two-time Wide Receiver of the Year award winner, Brown’s career receiving totals included 177 receptions for 3,338 yards and 46 touchdowns, while finishing with more than 4,000 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns in his career. He will join his older brother, Jordan, who will be a sophomore cornerback for the Jackrabbits this season. Brown intends to pursue a degree in hospitality management.
Burmeister was named to the Upper Peninsula Dream Team as a senior and was a two-time Great Northern Conference selection at Marquette Senior High School. He tallied 31 receptions for 730 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games as a junior, followed by 31 catches for 640 yards and nine scores over an eight-game slate his senior season as he earned a roster spot in the U.P. All-Star Game. Burmeister also has run on state champion 4×100 and 4×200 relays. A member of the National Honor Society, he intends to major in entrepreneurial studies or business economics.
Cromer excelled both under center and on special teams in earning first-team all-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World Herald and Super State recognition from the Lincoln Journal Star. He began his prep career with an all-state selection at Fairbury High School before moving on to Beatrice, where he was a two-time all-state honoree at punter. Cromer completed 58.6 percent (89-of-152) of his passes for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns, and rushed for 336 yards and nine scores as a senior, adding a 43.2-yard punting average. He also has performed well in the classroom, earning induction into the National Honor Society.
Devlin was an all-conference selection after catching 27 passes for 540 yards and 10 touchdowns in earning team most valuable player honors as a junior at Saint Patrick High School in Chicago. He plans to major in history.
Dobrenski was an honorable mention all-state selection and a semifinalist for the Joe Thomas Award as the top prep offensive lineman in Wisconsin during his senior season at Franklin High School. He also was a first-team all-region and all-area honoree. Dobrenski plans to major in mathematics and financial engineering.
Domandle was widely considered as the top-ranked offensive lineman prospect in the state of Nebraska after starting 35 consecutive games at Millard West High School. A member of the All-Nebraska First Team by the Omaha World Herald and a Super State selection by Lincoln Journal Star, Domandle anchored an offensive unit that averaged nearly 360 yards of total offense per game. He plans to major in entrepreneurial studies.
Gardner played on both sides of the ball for the Wendell Phillips High School team that claimed the 2015 Class 4A state championship. He was a starting cornerback for a defensive unit that held opponents to a total of 87 points over an undefeated 14-game schedule. As a receiver, Gardner tallied 14 catches for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He intends to pursue a business degree.
Genant (pronounced guh-NANT) earned all-state honors in both 2014 and 2015, helping lead Parkston to the 2014 Class 11B state title. A three-time all-conference selection, he was named to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader Elite 45 after serving as a two-way starter. As a defensive lineman, he totaled 63 tackles with seven tackles for loss and five sacks during his senior season. An academic all-state selection in both football and basketball, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, Genant plans to major in biochemistry.
Hanley earned all-state honors two times while anchoring both lines for West Central High School. He played on teams that reached the class 11A state title game twice in three seasons, including a state championship in 2013. As a defensive lineman, he was credited with 52 tackles and eight sacks his senior season. An academic all-state honoree, Hanley will enroll in the aviation program at SDSU.
Harris played all over the field at Thornton Fractional South High School, seeing action as a defensive back, running back and kick returner. An all-conference selection, he finished second in the state with six interceptions during his senior season, while adding 43 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Harris also competed in track and field at the prep level and plans to major in sports, recreation and park management.
Johnson has been an all-state selection in both football and basketball at Bellevue West High School. He set school receiving records with 43 catches for 1,061 yards and 16 touchdowns during his senior season, adding 240 return yards and four interceptions. Johnson also played on a state championship basketball team as a sophomore. He intends to seek a degree in communications.
Manchigiah (pronounced MANCH-ah-guy-ah) has been selected to play in the 2016 Semper Fi All-American Game after recording 68 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups during his senior season at Papillion La Vista South High School. A first-team Super State selection by the Lincoln Journal Star in 2014, Manchigiah also saw action as a wide receiver and kick returner. He also has qualified for the state track and field meet, individually in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and on the 4×100-meter relay. An Honor Roll student, he plans to pursue his degree in exercise science.
Maratik (pronounced mah-RAH-tick) excelled on both sides of the ball during his career at Fond du Lac High School, but is projected as a defensive back at the collegiate level. He set school records with 4,296 career rushing yards and 332 career points in earning all-state honors during both his junior and senior seasons. Maratik also was a finalist for the Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch Running Back of the Year award. He plans to major in business economics and sports management.
McGary set receiving records at Omaha South High School, but is expected to move to play on the defensive side of the ball with the Jackrabbits. In two seasons at Omaha South, McGary totaled 61 receptions for 1,341 yards with 12 touchdowns, averaging 21.9 yards per catch. He also tallied nearly 600 return yards. He intends to study biology/pre-medicine.
Menage earned all-district honors twice and was an honorable mention all-state selection his senior season for the Central Lyon/George-Little Rock football program. A three-year letterman, Menage tallied more than 5,400 yards of total offense during his prep career, throwing for 4,117 yards and 36 touchdowns while running for 1,307 yards and 16 touchdowns. Menage, who intends to major in education, also has been recognized for his work in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society.
Mulholland put up prolific offensive numbers at Kimberly High School, but will likely move to the defensive side at SDSU. An all-state running back and the Wisconsin Associated Press Player of the Year, Mulholland racked up 5,821 career rushing yards and 97 total touchdowns while playing on three state championship teams. During his senior season, he totaled 2,971 rushing yards, averaged 9.6 yards per carry and scored 47 touchdowns in being named the recipient of the Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch Running Back of the Year award. Mulholland also is a two-time state qualifier in wrestling, finishing third at 182 pounds as a junior, and has won the regional 100-meter title for state championship track and field squad. An academic all-state honoree, Mulholland plans to major in electrical engineering.
Nelson (first name is pronounced Cannon) was a dual-threat quarterback at Mitchell High School who competed on the varsity since his freshman season. He accumulated more than 4,400 yards of total offense, which included separate seasons in which he ran and threw for 1,000 yards. During his senior season, Nelson threw for 734 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 1,189 yards and 20 TDs. He also served as his team’s punter and kicker in football and was an Eastern South Dakota Conference tennis champion in both singles and doubles. An Honor Roll student, Nelson has already enrolled in classes at SDSU and is majoring in agricultural business.
Ogunrinde (pronounced OH-gun-rin-dee) led his Park High School team in both rushing and receiving en route to all-Suburban East Conference honors during his senior season. He gained 649 yards rushing, averaging 7.9 yards per carry with seven touchdowns, while collecting 19 receptions for 325 yards and two scores. Ogunrinde also has been an all-conference honoree in basketball. He plans to study engineering.
Roths earned first-team all-state recognition as both a running back and linebacker during his senior season as a member of the Central Lyon/George-Little Rock program. As a defender, he tallied 118 tackles and two interceptions, while gaining 1,541 yards rushing and scoring 19 touchdowns for a squad that advanced to the state quarterfinals.
Roy was a key member of the nationally ranked Webb City High School program which compiled a 58-2 record and won three state titles over the last four years. An all-state selection as a senior, Roy was credited with 236 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and four sacks over his last two seasons. He also recorded three fumble recoveries intercepted two passes. An Honor Roll student, he plans to major in exercise science.
Sorenson is a highly rated long snapper who played on back-to-back state championship teams at Yankton High School in 2014 and 2015. A three-year starter at left guard, Sorenson was named to the 2015 Class 11AA All-State Team and also was selected as the outstanding lineman of the state championship game. In addition to football, Sorenson is serving as a team captain for the Bucks’ basketball team this winter. He plans to major in athletic training.
Stacker was named team defensive MVP and received first-team all-conference honors after recording 45 tackles, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries from his interior defensive lineman position during his senior season at Saint Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago. A Big Brothers volunteer and an Honor Roll student, Stacker intends to study psychology.
Tetzlaff was a two-time team captain at Brookings High School who capped his career by earning spots on the Class 11AA All-State Team and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader Elite 45. He finished his career with 273 total tackles, including 18 for loss, and two interceptions. Tetzlaff, who plans to major in economics, will following in the footsteps of his father, Kevin, who was an all-conference performer in football at SDSU and is a member of the Jackrabbit Sports Hall of Fame.
Tuttle was selected to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and Palm Beach County all-star games following a stellar senior season at Jupiter Christian High School. A first-team all-state linebacker, he registered 150 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss. He then moved on to play at the Salisbury School, a prep school in Connecticut, where he was credited with 72 tackles and six sacks en route to all-New England honors. Tuttle plans to pursue a biology degree.
Wilson was named an honorary captain of the Omaha World Herald’s All-Nebraska Team who was a force on both lines for Omaha Central High School. The Metro Coaches Defensive Player of the Year, he finished his senior season with 86 tackles, including 65 solo stops and 15 tackles for loss. His career totals included 30 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and four forced fumbles. A two-time all-state selection, Wilson also started at guard on the offensive unit. An honor student, he plans to major in business economics.
South Dakota State has qualified for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs each of the past four seasons, making it one of only five programs with that track record of success. The Jackrabbits finished the 2015 season with an 8-4 overall mark, posting final rankings of 15th in the STATS media poll and 16th in the FCS coaches’ poll.
