MINNESOTA STATE Athletics
For Immediate Release Subject: Football
Minnesota State University, Mankato Athletics 135 Myers Field House • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: (507) 389-6111 Athletics Fax: (507) 389-2904 Minnesota State Athletic Communications 175 Taylor Center • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: (507) 389-2625 • AC Fax: (507) 389-1923 www.msumavericks.com • @msumavericks Athletics Administration Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman (
[email protected]) ..................(507) 389-6111 Associate AD/Fiscal Affairs & Operations Tim Marshall (
[email protected]) ..................(507) 389-5884 Associate AD/Communications Paul Allan (
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[email protected])................ (507 389.3229 Equipment Manager Dan Rickbeil (
[email protected]) ........................(507) 389-2481 Marketing and Promotions Nathan Christensen (
[email protected]..(507) 389-6010 Development Brandon Thiesse (
[email protected]).............(507) 389-6521 Student Development Karey Kalakian (
[email protected]).....................(507) 389-1969 Compliance & Eligibility Jay Bresnahan (
[email protected])......................(507) 389-2018 Head Coaches Baseball Matt Magers (
[email protected]) ....................(507) 389-2413 Basketball (men) Matt Margenthaler (
[email protected]). (507) 389-2311 Basketball (women) Emilee Thiesse (
[email protected])................... (507) 389-2678 Cross Country (men) Loren Ahonen (
[email protected])..................... (507) 389-5486 Track and Field (men) Jim Dilling (
[email protected])................................... (507) 389-5486 Cross Country & Track (women) Jen Blue (
[email protected])....................................(507) 389-6415 Football Todd Hoffner (
[email protected])...........................(507) 389-1339 Golf (men) Bryant Black (
[email protected])........................... (320) 760-3030 Golf (women) Nick Campa (
[email protected])........................ (507) 389-5236 Hockey (men) Mike Hastings (
[email protected]) ...............(507) 389-5196 Hockey (women) Eric Means (
[email protected])................................. (507) 389-3217 Soccer (women) Brian Bahl (
[email protected]).....................................(507) 389-2671 Softball Lori Meyer (
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[email protected]) ...................(507) 389-6326 Tennis (women) Christie Williams (
[email protected])......... (507) 389-6111 Volleyball Dennis Amundson (
[email protected])... (507) 389-2673 Wrestling Jim Makovsky (
[email protected]) ................(507) 389-6521
Feb. 4, 2015
Twenty-Two Strong Make Commitments to Join Maverick Football Team Minnesota State Finished its 2014-15 Season with a 14-1 Record
MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner has announced the signing of 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Minnesota State football team for the upcoming fall season. All signings are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse. This year’s signing class features 22 student-athletes from four different states including Minnesota (10), Wisconsin (8), Iowa (2) and Illinois (2). “It is with great pleasure that we unveil the 2015 Maverick football recruiting class and the staff and I are elated with the results of the 2015 commits,” head coach Todd Hoffner said. Special thanks to all the coaches, players, administrators, counselors and staff that helped make this amazing class become a reality. We fulfilled our mission of attracting gifted and talented student-athletes to Minnesota State by aggressively soliciting the brightest and the best. “Our vision for the future of this program will be delivered by the quality people, students and athletes that are contained within this release. Many of these young men reached a pinnacle in high school football by winning state championships, coming from winning programs and dominating their competition. As future Maverick leaders, these young men will emerge to represent this university with class in the near future.” “I am so proud of the 2015 class that have chosen the Maverick football family to continue their academic and athletic journey,” Hoffner said. Minnesota State finished its 2014 season with a 14-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history. -Continued-
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2015 MINNESOTA STATE FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
Student-Athlete Justin Arnold Jordan Bergren Ryan Borton Kenneth Cephus Jack Curtis Alex Goettl Evan Heim Spencer Hermus Dillon Holtan Kyle Johnson Nathaniel Loging Connor McCormick Blake Moreno Erik Nelson Ian Pribyl William Rains Ryan Schlichte Tyler Schmidt Nicolas Seiler Jon Wilgren Sawyer Witt Shane Zylstra
Pos. ATH DE SF DT CB LB OL SF OL DE CB DE TE OL LB RB QB TE WR OL DT WR
Ht. 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 5-10 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-4
Wt. 200 225 195 305 170 215 285 195 300 220 185 240 250 255 225 210 215 250 170 300 295 210
Yr. Hometown/High School/Previous School Fr. Chaska, Minn./Chaska Fr. Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North Fr. Muskego, Wis./Muskego Fr. Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette Fr. Lombard, Ill./Glenbard South Fr. North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West Fr. DePere, Wis./DePere Fr. Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly Fr. Rochester, Minn./Stewartville Fr. Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins Fr. Wautoma, Wis./Wautoma Fr. Appleton, Wis./Kimberly Fr. St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis Fr. Clive, Iowa/Waukee Fr. Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee Fr. Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie Fr. Mankato, Minn./Mankato West Fr. Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls Fr. Mankato, Minn./Mankato East Fr. Hudson, Wis./Hudson High Fr. Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson Fr. Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer
Mavericks By... Height 5-10........................................................................... 1 5-11........................................................................... 1 6-0............................................................................. 2 6-1............................................................................. 5 6-2............................................................................. 2 6-3............................................................................. 3 6-4............................................................................. 4 6-5............................................................................. 2 6-6............................................................................. 2 Weight 161-170....................................................................2 181-190....................................................................1 191-200....................................................................3 201-210....................................................................2 211-220....................................................................3 221-230....................................................................2 231-240....................................................................1 241-250....................................................................2 251-260....................................................................1 281-290....................................................................1 291-300....................................................................3 301-310....................................................................1
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State Illinois........................................................................2 Iowa............................................................................2 Minnesota.................................................................10 Wisconsin...................................................................8 Position Defensive Line.......................................................... 5 Defensive Tackles................................................. 2 Defensive Ends..................................................... 3 Defensive Backs........................................................ 4 Cornerback............................................................ 2 Safety.................................................................... 2 Offensive Line.......................................................... 4 Linebacker................................................................. 2 Tight End................................................................... 2 Quarterback............................................................... 1 Wide Receiver........................................................... 2 Running Back............................................................ 1 Athlete....................................................................... 1
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Justin Arnold Athlete 6-0 • 200 • Fr. Chaska, Minn. • Chaska High School: Arnold competed in football, baseball and basketball at Chaska High School…Started at quarterback during sophomore, junior and senior seasons… Also played as a safety during senior season…Threw for 477 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore, while earning allconference honors…Rushed for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore… Named team MVP as a junior to go along with all-conference honors and a conference championship…Threw for 1,519 yards and 19 touchdowns during junior season, to go with 1,123 rushing yards and nine touchdown carries…Helped team to a conference title during his senior season as a team captain…Gained all-conference honors as a senior to go along with team MVP honors…Threw 18 touchdowns to go along with 11 touchdown carries… Earned all-conference and all-section honors as a junior in baseball. Personal: Son of Mike and Brenda Arnold…Born August 20, 1996…Intends to major in exercise science...His brother Brandon currently plays baseball at St. Cloud State. Hoffner on Arnold: “Justin Arnold is a play maker. He is very athletic, quick, and elusive and will be a valuable asset to our team. A quarterback at Chaska, he is great with the ball in his hands and is a dangerous athlete in the open field, and he makes great decisions once he is in motion.” Jordan Bergren Defensive End 6-4 • 225 • Fr. Elgin, Ill. • St. Charles North High School: Bergren is a two-sport athlete out Elgin, Ill…Served as an outside linebacker and defensive tackle for the St. Charles North football team…Also played three seasons of baseball as a third baseman…Started all nine games as a junior where he gained all-conference honors… Notched 55 tackles, deflected seven passes and blocked a punt as a junior…Named team captain as a senior…Posted 90 tackles as a senior as he went on to claim all-state honors…Was named Defensive Player of the Year in the upstate area…Selected to play in the Shrine All-Star Game…Helped team get back to the state playoffs for the first time in five seasons during senior season…Led state in sacks (14) and tackles for loss (24) during his senior campaign. Per-
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sonal: Son of Daniel and Laurel Bergren… Born June 27, 1997…Intends to major in mechanical engineering. Hoffner on Bergren: “Jordan came in and really impressed us in his workout on campus. There is no doubt that he takes his academics and training very seriously. His technique is extremely sound for a high school football player and he understands how to use his hands to defeat blocks at the line of scrimmage.” Ryan Borton Safety 6-0 • 195 • Fr. Muskego, Wis. • Muskego High School: A two-sport athlete out of Muskego, Wis., Borton has played three seasons for the Muskego High School football and wrestling teams...Played as a running back, linebacker and kick returner... Earned first team all-state honors as a running back and second team all-state honors during his senior season...Named conference offensive player of the year...Posted 61 tackles and 1,285 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns...Won conference title in wrestling and advanced to the state tournament as a junior. Personal: Son of Kristin Harper...Born June 12, 1996...Currently undecided on a major. Hoffner on Borton: “Another do it all player in high school, Ryan’s change of direction makes him a very versatile player. He likes contact, but also has the quickness to cover you up. Ryan was mainly a tailback in high school but will translate into a defensive athlete for us. We feel with his speed an athleticism he will transition into a play maker for us while still having the opportunity as a returner.” Kenneth Cephus Defensive Tackle 6-1 • 305 • Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. • Marquette High School: Competed as a three-sport athlete at Marquette High School…Started four seasons on the offensive and defensive lines for the Hilltoppers…Helped squad to a pair of conference championships during junior and senior seasons, to go along with first team all-conference honors during his senior season…Played one season of basketball…Member of the swimming and diving team for two seasons where he competed in the freestyle and butterfly events. Personal: Son of Isaac and Loretta Cephus…Born December 21, 1996…Intends to major in nursing.
Hoffner on Cephus: “Kenneth has exceptional quickness for his size and plays with a very low pad level. He has the strength to defeat double teams and has the athleticism to react and make plays down the line of scrimmage. Kenneth played both ways for state semi-finalist Milwaukee Marquette. Great athleticism for his size with tremendous strike and will be a strong interior defensive lineman for us.” Jack Curtis Cornerback 6-1 • 170 • Fr. Lombard, Ill. • Glenbard South High School: A multi-sport athlete out of Lombard, Ill., Curtis was a three-year starter for Glenbard South High School… Member of the Glenbard South track and field team…Played multiple positions for the Raiders including cornerback, wide receiver, quarterback, running back and safety…Helped team to three consecutive first place finishes in conference…Earned all-conference honors as a junior and a senior…Posted six interceptions and one touchdown as a sophomore…Recorded six interceptions and three touchdowns as a junior, including three picks in the playoffs… Named team captain as a senior as he tallied seven interceptions, five touchdowns and two defensive touchdowns…Made the state tournament in the high jump event as a sophomore with a jump of 6’1”…Ranked 52nd in the nation in the high jump event as a junior…Finished third in state in the high jump with a mark of 6’9” as a junior which qualified for nationals…Also finished in the top-10 in state in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash events. Personal: Son of Mike and Cheryl Curtis…Born December 20, 1996…Currently undecided on a major. Hoffner on Curtis: “Jack has elite speed, with a nose for the football. He has great length and fits the run game with force. Jack will also compete on the Maverick track and field team.” Alex Goettl Linebacker 6-3 • 215 • Fr. North Mankato, Minn. • Mankato West High School: A three-sport athlete, Goettl started every game on the offensive and defensive lines his junior season…Helped team to an 8-2 record as a junior…Started every game on the offensive and defensive lines as he helped Mankato West win the 5A Minnesota State Championship as a senior…Named team captain during his msumavericks.com
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senior season, to go along with all-conference and all-city honors…Played four seasons of basketball and will begin his fourth season of baseball in the spring…Received Academic All-State Football honors and was named Big 9 Scholar Athlete…Member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Dan and Michele Goettl… Born August 13, 1996…Intends to major in accounting. Hoffner on Goettl: “Alex Goettl is very athletic, explosive, and competitive. He will be a great asset to our defense. Alex has the size and athleticism needed to play on his feet as an inside linebacker and will have opportunities to rush the passer in third down situations.” Evan Heim Offensive Line 6-3 • 285 • Fr. DePere, Wis. • DePere High School: Heim played four seasons of football, baseball and wrestling at DePere High School…Started on the offensive line during his four seasons…Named team captain as a junior and senior…Received all-conference honors as a senior…Team posted the second-most rushing yards in the conference during his senior season as it averaged 27.7 points per game…Named to honor roll…Wrestled three seasons as a heavyweight…Was DePere’s starting first baseman for three seasons and will start at first base in the spring for his senior season. Personal: Son of Dean and Connie Heim…Born January 26, 1997…Intends to major in business. Hoffner on Heim: “Evan has the ability to play just about every position on the offensive line after playing center his junior year and right tackle his senior year. He has great feet, frame and plays with a noquit attitude. We look forward to utilizing his athleticism at center as he grows to be another 300 pound linemen for the Mavericks.” Spencer Hermus Safety 6-1 • 195 • Fr. Combined Locks, Wis. • Kimberly High School: A two-year starter for the Kimberly High School football team that won back-to-back state championships during his junior and senior seasons…Earned an all-conference honorable mention as a junior…Team captain his senior season where he received first team all-conference honors…Named a scholar athlete and was
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named to the honor roll all four years. Personal: Son of Terry and Mary Kaye Hermus…Born October 22, 1996…Intends to major in exercise science. Hoffner on Hermus: “Spencer was a team captain and has the ability to come down and make open field tackles and make clean breaks on balls are what stood out to us on his junior and senior tape. He is a hard nose throwback safety and unbelievable tackler who can impose his will on opponents. He is also fast enough to be able to cover a wide receiver in the slot. Spencer impressed the coaches with his toughness and athleticism in his workout.” Dillon Holtan Offensive Line 6-5 • 300 • Fr. Rochester, Minn. • Stewartville High School: Holtan was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Stewartville High School football team…Earned all-conference honors as a junior as he helped the team to a conference championship…Started all 12 games as a senior, en route to a section championship…Advanced to state semifinals during his senior season. Personal: Son of Kelly Holtan… Born October 15, 1996…Relative Jim Maxwell coached under Bob Otto at Minnesota State…Intends to major in health sciences. Hoffner on Holtan: “Dillon Holtan is a long, rangy offensive linemen. He has a passion for playing football and will be a good fit on our offensive line. Dillon has the length and frame that we are looking for in our offensive linemen. He brings a no-nonsense approach to the game and competed at a high level in our summer camp last year.” Kyle Johnson Defensive End 6-4 • 220 • Fr. Minnetonka, Minn. • Hopkins High School: A three-year starter and letter winner out of Minnetonka, Minn., Johnson served as both a defensive end and a tight end for the Hopkins High School football team…As a freshman, he started every game and caught six touchdown passes… During junior season he posted six sacks, 60 tackles and three fumble recoveries… Earned all-conference honors during his senior season as he helped his squad to a second-place finish in the Lake Conference with a 6-4 record…Registered seven sacks, 83 tackles four fumble recoveries. Per4
sonal: Son of Jeffrey and Jill Johnson… Born on March 1, 1997…Intends to major in education. Hoffner on Johnson: “Kyle has good feet and has the frame we are looking for in a defensive end. He plays with an extremely high motor and finishes every play to the whistle. Kyle played multiple positions on the defensive line at Hopkins. You can see the passion he has for the game, by the great effort displayed on his game film. Kyle has ideal size and play making ability that we look for in a defensive end. He has a strong passion about being a Maverick.” Nathaniel Loging Cornerback 5-10 • 185 • Fr. Wautoma, Wis. • Wautoma High School: Loging was a four-year starter for the both the football and track and field team at Wautoma High School... Served as a running back and defensive back during his junior and senior seasons... Helped his team to a first place finish in conference during his season...Earned second team all-conference honors as a quarterback during his sophomore season and claimed second team all-conference honors as a linebacker and a wide receiver his junior season...Named Offensive Player of the Year in the South Central Conference during his senior season as he claimed allregion honors as a running back and defensive back...Received an all-state honorable mention as a running back...Named to the honor roll. Personal: Nathaniel is the son of Jodi Loging and Karisse Smiley...Born October 17, 1996...Intends to major in business. Hoffner on Loging: “Nathaniel came in and impressed us during his workout on campus. He showcased his ability to backpedal and change direction. He is a tough kid that is welcoming the challenge of switching positions. He is a great athlete with sweet feet and we are fortunate to have him as a Maverick.” Connor McCormick Defensive End 6-3 • 240 • Fr. Appleton, Wis. • Kimberly High School: McCormick was a four-year starter on the defensive line for Kimberly High School…Helped team to a pair of state championships during junior and senior seasons where his squad posted a combined record of 28-0…Earned first team all-state honors as a senior and was
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named Defensive Lineman of the Year for the VFA…Named to Honor Roll all four years. Personal: Son of Dave and Lizette McCormick…Born August 14, 1996…Intends to major in exercise science. Hoffner on McCormick: “Connor was a team captain for the D1 Wisconsin State Champions, Kimberly High School. He really stood out in the title game. He is fearless when attacking blocks and finishes each play to the whistle. Connor has a motor that doesn’t stop. He will look to bring a high motor and athleticism to practice and games every day and be another dynamic defensive end for the Mavericks.” Blake Moreno Tight End 6-6 • 250 • Fr. St. Francis, Minn. • St. Francis High School: A two-sport athlete out of St. Francis, Minn., Moreno earned three letters in both football and basketball for St. Francis High School…Started as a tight end during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons…Received all-conference honors as a junior as he caught eight passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns… Helped team to a 10-3 record as a senior, en route to claiming all-conference honors… Posted more than 300 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches as a senior…Set a school record for career touchdown catches…Garnered all-metro second team honors as a senior as his team advanced to the section finals…Played four seasons of basketball as a center including two seasons as a starter during junior and senior seasons. Personal: Son of Nathan Brandt and Tami Moreno…Born on April 19, 1997…Intends to major in marketing. Hoffner on Moreno: “Moreno is a match up nightmare for linebackers or safeties. He is physical at the point of attack on the line of scrimmage. Blake Moreno is a gifted athlete with good size and speed and he will be used as a point of attack blocking tight end while also being involved in the passing game.” Erik Nelson Offensive Line 6-6 • 255 • Fr. Clive, Iowa • Waukee High School: An academic all-state honoree, Nelson has competed in both football and track and field at Waukee High School…Was a three-year starter for the football team where he started on both offensive and defensive lines…Helped team
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to a pair of first place conference finishes during junior and senior seasons…Competed in the shot put and discus events as a member of the track and field team… Earned first team all-conference and allstate honors as a senior as he helped squad its most wins in a season in school history…Won a state championship with the boys track and field team as a junior… State qualifier in the discus and shot put events during junior season where he finished in sixth and ninth place, respectively. Personal: Son of Tim Nelson and Sonya Johnson…Born August 6, 1996…Intends to major in engineering. Hoffner on Nelson: “Erik Nelson played left tackle for a state semi-finalist team in Iowa. He has great feet and length and will be a big asset in the trenches for the Mavericks. Erik is an exceptional athlete for an offensive linemen. His quick feet and long arms make him an ideal left tackle in our offense. He earned all-state honors as he helped his team to an 11-2 record. Erik stayed firm in his commitment to us, and we feel he can be an impact player after a year of developing in our strength and conditioning program.” Ian Pribyl Linebacker 6-2 • 225 • Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. • South Milwaukee High School: Pribyl started all four years as a member of the South Milwaukee High School football team…Won three straight conference titles during sophomore, junior and senior seasons…Named team captain for junior and senior seasons… Received first team all-conference honors as a linebacker, running back and punter, to go along with all-regions honors during junior and senior seasons…Set school single-season record for rushing yards and touchdowns during senior season and also owns the school’s career records for rushing yards and touchdowns…Named to National Honor Society and the honor roll. Personal: Son of Jon Pribyl and Rachel Sorce…Born December 14, 1996…Intends to major in nursing. Hoffner of Pribyl: “Ian is a unique athlete that will make the transition from tailback to linebacker and has the size and aggressiveness to transition to being a tremendous inside linebacker. You will see on the highlights some very athletic plays for a player of his size. We are excited to have a college-ready athlete as a part of the Maverick football family.”
William Rains Running Back 5-11 • 210 • Fr. Eden Prairie, Minn. • Eden Prairie High School: A running back out of Eden Prairie, Minn., Rains was a four-year letter winner, earning three letters at Eastview High School, before earning final letter as a senior at Eden Prairie High School…Earned all-conference honors during sophomore and junior seasons, as he eclipsed the 1,000 rushing yard plateau each season…Posted 21 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore and 16 as a junior…As a senior, he rushed for 1,631 yards and 33 touchdowns, as he averaged 6.9 yards per carry…Also posted 300 receiving yards and five touchdown catches…Set Eden Prairie record with 38 touchdowns in a season as he helped his team to a state championship…Named a Mr. Minnesota Football Candidate as a senior after earning all-conference and first team all-state honors…Named to Star Tribune Dream Team. Personal: William is the son of Kevin Rains…Born August 3, 1996… Intends to major in business. Hoffner on Rains: “Will Rains is a physical running back who has the ability to make defenders miss while also breaking lots of tackles. Rains has the ability to run over and through tacklers as well as slip through and by defenders. Rains is able to combine a smooth, effortless stride with a power approach. He is a physical, downhill runner who fits in well with our power run game.” Ryan Schlichte Quarterback 6-1 • 215 • Fr. Mankato, Minn. • Mankato West High School: Three-year starter at quarterback for Mankato West…Also played for the Scarlet basketball and baseball teams… As a sophomore he threw for 2,220 yards and 25 touchdowns to go along with allcity and all-conference honors…Claimed all-state honors during junior season as he threw for 2,185 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 683 yards and 10 touchdowns…Guided his team to a state championship during his senior season as he threw for 3,141 yards and 45 touchdowns…Earned several player of the year accolades including Gaterade Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Big 9 Player of the Year and USA Today Minnesota Player of the Year…Named to honor roll… Finished career at Mankato West holding msumavericks.com
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every season and career passing record except for career passing yards…Served as a pitcher for the Mankato West baseball team and helped them to a 16-9 record as a junior…Played three seasons of basketball at Mankato West as well. Personal: Son of Dave and Jody Schlichte…Born November 25, 1996…His father Dave played football at MSU…Intends to major in education. Hoffner on Schlichte: “Ryan Schlichte led the Mankato West Scarlets to the state title this fall. His arm strength and football IQ will help him lead the Mavericks in the future. Ryan was our first commitment, and really got our class off to a good start. To sign the AP & Gatorade State Player of the year who led his team to a state championship is huge for our program. Ryan has an extremely strong arm, and is very accurate. He is a very smart player, with a great grasp of the tactical side of football. Ryan is a backyard recruit that has to stay in town and play for the home town fans.” Tyler Schmidt Tight End 6-5 • 250 • Fr. Cedar Falls, Iowa • Cedar Falls High School: Played all four years for the Cedar Falls High School football team… Also played two seasons of baseball… Caught three passes for 27 yards as a junior…Earned all-district first team offense honors, to go along with all-conference honors during senior season…Tallied 58 punts for 2,052 yards…Averaged 35.4 yards per punt…Posted a 71-yard punt… Helped team advance to the second round of the playoffs during senior season. Personal: Son of Dave and Nancy Schmidt… Born July 22, 1996…Intends to major in Pre-Med Biology. Hoffner on Schmidt: Tyler Schmidt gives us a physical presence as a tight end. He is versatile to block power and inside zone while also having the athleticism to stretch the field in the passing game. Tyler is an aggressive blocker and an excellent pass catcher. He is also an excellent student. At 6-5, 250, Tyler’s offense featured many things that we currently do with our tight ends, both in the run and pass games and he should be able to fit in quickly.” Nicolas Seiler Wide Receiver 6-2 • 170 • Fr. Mankato, Minn. • Mankato East High School: Three-year starter at quarterback for Mankato East…Posted 1,124
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passing yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore…Threw for 766 passing yards and eight touchdowns as a junior, en route to earning all-city honors and a Big 9 honorable mention…Named team captain his junior and senior seasons…Earned all-city and all-conference honors during senior season as he finished his career at Mankato East second all-time in pass attempts, pass completions and passing yards…Earned academic all-state honors as a senior and is a member of the National Honor Society… Also competed in basketball and track and field at Mankato East…Earned three academic all-state honors as a member of the track and field team. Personal: Son of Mark and Kellie Seiler…Born December 23, 1996…Intends to major in education. Hoffner on Seiler: “Nicolas Seiler played as a quarterback and defensive back for Mankato East throughout his career and has also excelled on the basketball court and on the track team. He is a very smart player and his speed and length will be a great asset for the Mavericks at wide receiver. It is important to the Mavericks to keep the best players at home where they belong.” Jon Wilgren Offensive Line 6-4 • 300 • Fr. Hudson, Wis. • Hudson High High School: A defensive lineman out of Hudson, Wis., Wilgren started three seasons for the Hudson High football team… Helped his squad to a pair of first-place finishes in conference…Earned second team all-conference honors as a junior as team earned a conference championship and advanced to the state semifinals…Earned first team all-state honors during senior season as he helped team to the state quarterfinals .Personal: Son of Wayne and Karyn Wilgren…Born September 8, 1996…Intends to major in business. Hoffner on Wilgren: “Jon plays with a lot of toughness and he truly works to finish each and every block he makes. His ability to run his feet through contact are what stood out the most on tape. Jon also did a great job competing in every drill. Jon is the prototype guard we look to recruit. He has ideal size for the position and is a tremendous puller in the run game. Jon impressed us this summer and earned this honor.”
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Sawyer Witt Defensive Tackle 6-1 • 295 • Fr. Hutchinson, Minn. • Hutchinson High School: Witt was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Hutchinson High School football team…Helped team to three straight conference championships…garnered all-conference honors during sophomore, junior and senior seasons…Helped team to three section championships to go along with a state championship during his sophomore and junior seasons…Named to Star Tribune AllMetro First Team and AP All-State First Team…Helped his team to a 37-1 record during his final three seasons. Personal: Son of Randy and Lisa Witt…Born June 3, 1996…Sister Julia played volleyball at Augustana…Intends to major in criminal justice. Hoffner on Witt: “Sawyer played on both sides of the line in high school, but came in and impressed us in the defensive line drills at camp last year. His feet and power through contact are what stood out. He has great body control for a big man. Coming from Hutchinson, Sawyer has toughness and a great work ethic.”
the ball in traffic. He can also be a threat as a returner. He has a unique skill set, as well as tremendous change of direction and exceptional leaping ability. Shane’s athleticism showed up in leading his high school to the state championship game.”
Shane Zylstra Wide Receiver 6-4 • 210 • Fr. Spicer, Minn. • New London-Spicer High School: A three-year letter winner out of New London-Spice High School, Zylstra started two seasons as a wide receiver and the team’s kick and punt returner…Helped team to a pair of second-place finishes in conference during his sophomore and junior seasons, to go along with a first-place finish during his senior season… Helped team to three section championships…Earned two all-conference, two allarea honors during his career, to go along with a second team all-state honor…Set a school record for 94 career catches…Finished career with 1,531 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns…Returned two kick and punt returns as a senior, to go along with 12 touchdown carries and four touchdown catches…Claimed all-state honors as a member of the track and field team in the long jump and high jump events. Personal: Son of Vonn and Marcia Zylstra…Born November 16, 1996…Intends to major in exercise science. Hoffner on Zylstra: “Shane Zylstra is a big, athletic wide receiver who can spread the field vertically and physical to go get
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