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DSU Football announces 32 recruits on National Signing Day
February 2, 2011
Dakota State University coach Josh Anderson announced the signing of 32 student-athletes for 2011 season.
Read below for more information on Anderson's interview and answers along with 32 recruits information:
Q: How is your recruiting class shaping up?
Coach Anderson: “We are certainly excited about the class that we have signed. This is our third class as a staff, but only the second class we actually had a full year to recruit. We are excited about adding another quality recruiting class and feel like we have met a lot of our needs.”
Q: Will anyone play right away?
Coach Anderson: “There are some recruits we will take a serious look at that possibility, but it is totally dependent on whether each recruit is both physically and mentally ready for such a challenge. It would, however, be nice to red-shirt all our incoming freshmen, which is a luxury we have not had since I have been the head coach. The transfer athletes definitely stand the best chances of playing right away as they are not right out of high school. Some are already here for the spring semester.”
Q: Did you lose any guys that you wanted?
Coach Anderson: “We try not to worry about the athletes we don’t get. But there were a couple guys that we lost out on. Every year we will lose a few recruits, it’s just the nature of the beast. However, if we don’t lose a few recruits each year that would mean we are recruiting the wrong guys.”
Q: How is this class the most talented?
Coach Anderson: “We probably have more speed-recruited in this class, as a whole, than in previous years. Because of last year’s record, we did not get as much interest with in-state athletes and that forced us to recruit a little harder out-of-state. I think that worked out pretty good in our favor this year to be honest and it might be something we stick with because of the talent we were able to find. Signing Brandon Large, quarterback, was a huge plus and upon his arrival for spring semester has proven to be a huge plus for the entire program.”
Q: What were your top priorities?
Coach Anderson: “First and foremost was gaining an experienced quarterback. Every year, it’s good to gain as many quality, big offensive and defensive linemen as we can. Defensively was where we struggled the most as a team, so we put a huge emphasis on getting speed and talent in the secondary and gaining size in our defensive line. College football has changed now with all the spread offenses. We needed to expand with guys in the back who could run and big guys up front that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. We feel good about the size, skill and depth we’ve added to the defensive side of the ball. We are not fully done with recruiting, but I would say we are at least 90 percent complete at this point.”
Quarterbacks
Zach Ely – 6’0” and 175 lbs. – West Central High School; son of Scott and Sara Ely of Colton, S.D.; All-Conference, ‘Old Spice’ Player of the Week; Head Coach: Kent Mueller
Kyle Franklin – 6’1” and 175 lbs. – Central High School – son of Jason Franklin and Nicky Esau of Davenport, Iowa; Head Coach: Mark Roering.
Paul Lake – 5’9” and 170 lbs. – Lake Havasu High School – son of Eric Lake and Melissa Swan of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; 2nd Team All-Region, Honorable Mention All-Region, Team Captain; Head Coach: Karl Thompson.
Brandon Large – 6’4” and 210 lbs. – Westwood High School – transfer from Eastern Illinois – son of Derek and Cathy Large of Mesa, Ariz.; 2nd Team All-State, 1st Team All-Region; Head Coach: Eddy Zubey.
Running Backs
Jeb Olsen – 5’9” and 175 lbs. – Canistota High School – son of Jelene of Canistota, S.D.; All-American, All-State, All-Conference, member of the State ‘9B’ Champions; Head Coach: Lenny Schroeder.
Collin Rofshus – 5’9” and 170 lbs. – Luverne High School – son of Michael and Lucinda Rofshus of Luverne, Minn.; Honorable Mention All-Conference; Head Coach: Todd Oye.
Payton Wells – 5’10 and 195 lbs. – Bear River High School – son of Rodney and Gina Wells of Tremonton, Utah; 2nd Team All-State, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-Area; Head Coach: Chris Wise.
Wide Receivers
Chase Casper – 6’0” and 160 lbs. – Lake Preston High School – son of Tim and Treva Casper of Lake Preston, S.D.; Team Captain, four-year letter winner; Head Coach: Clint Smith.
Nick Cortes – 5’9” and 170 lbs. – Tri-Valley High School – son of Dan and Kathy Cortes of Colton, S.D. – member of the State ‘11B’ championship runner-up team in 2009; Head Coach: Brad McDonald.
Connor Juhl – 6’2” and 190 lbs. – Wayzata High School – son of Patrick Juhl of Plymouth, Minn. – three-year letter winner, member of the conference and state championship teams; Head Coach: Brad Anderson.
Dru Strand – 5’7” and 150 lbs. – Adrian High School – son of Randy and Lisa Strand of Adrian, Minn.; All-Conference, All-Area; Head Coach: Randy Strand.
Alex Bishop – 6'0" and 175 lbs. - Victor High School - son of Chris and Christine Bishop of Victor, Mon.; All-Conference Honorable Mention, All-State; Head Coach: Brandon Howell.
Offensive Linemen
Seth Christensen – 6’4” and 250 lbs. – Atlantic High School – son of Rodney and Ruth Christensen of Atlantic, Iowa; Head Coach: Gaylord Schelling.
Nate Kirk – 6’1” and 275 lbs. – Springboro High School – son of Donald and Betty Kirk of Franklin, Ohio; Head Coach: Ryan Wilhite.
Joey Wuolle – 6’3” and 250 lbs. – Shelton High School – son of Craig and Jamie Wuolle of Olympia, Wash. and Craig and Denise Velthuysen of Olympia, Wash.; two-time All-League; Head Coach: Matt Hinkle.
Defensive Backs
Jantz Arbon – 5’9” and 175 lbs. – Weber High School – son of Brett and Chris Arbon of Pleasant View, Utah; 1st Team All-Region, Honorable Mention All-Area; Head Coach: Richard Corbridge.
Andrew Curtis – 6’1” and 205 lbs. – Desert Ridge High School – son of Michael and Linda Curtis of Mesa, Ariz.; three-year letter winner; Head Coach: Jeremy Hathcock.
Ryan Huizenga – 6’1” and 175 lbs. – Hitchcock-Tulare High School – son of Jerry and Kristi Huizenga of Hitchcock, S.D. – Argus Leader ‘Elite 45’ team, 9-Man Player of the Year; member of State ‘9B’ Champions in 2009; Head Coach: Kenny Huether.
Matt Moyte – 5’7” and 170 lbs. – Cheyenne East High School – son of Rueben Moyte and Pamela Ruhaak of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 2nd Team All-Conference; Head Coach: Chad Goff.
Cordell Muilenburg – 6’0” and 170 lbs. – Hitchcock-Tulare High School – son of Steve and Carmen Muilenburg of Virgil, S.D. – member of State ‘9B’ runner-up; Head Coach: Kenny Huether.
Garrett Schmidt – 5’9” and 160 lbs. – Sioux Valley High School – son of Paul and Tamara Schmidt of Volga, S.D.; All-Conference, Brookings All-Register Team, Team Captain; Head Coach: Peter Books.
Linebackers
Trent Peterson – 6’1” and 190 lbs. – Hitchcock-Tulare High School – son of Brad and Denise Peterson of Hitchcock, S.D.; All-State, All-Conference; member of the State ‘9B’ Champions in 2009 and runner-ups in 2008 and 2010; Head Coach: Kenny Huether.
Britton Stratton – 6’4” and 215 lbs. – Luverne High School – son of James and Jennifer Stratton of Luverne, Minn.; All-Conference; Head Coach: Todd Oye.
Alex Waba – 6’0” and 180 lbs. – Rutland High School – son of Mark Waba and Jan Hansen of Nunda, S.D.; Honorable Mention All-State, All-Conference; Head Coach: Jason Hanson.
Colton Ward – 6’2” and 175 lbs. – Jackson Country Central High School – son of Gary and Kay Ward of Jackson, Minn. – three-year letter winner; Head Coach: Tom Schuller.
Defensive Linemen
Lain Bernhardt – 6’4” and 355 lbs. – Akron High School – son of Rod and Denise Bernhardt of Otis, Colo.; Head Coach: Brian Christensen.
Jared Hahn – 6’3” and 245 lbs. – Rosholt High School – son of Keith and Annette Han of Rosholt, S.D.; Honorable Mention All-State, Team Captain; Head Coach: Steven Shiltz.
Tyler Lippert – 6’3” and 255 lbs. – Hamilton High School – son of Tandi Gelwicks of Chandler, Ariz.; 2nd Team All-Region, three-time Class ‘5A’ D1 State Champions; Head Coach: Steve Belles.
Kyle Moe – 6’3” and 180 lbs. – Howard High School – son of Merlin and Mary Moe of Howard, S.D.; member of State ‘9AA’ Champions in 2009; Head Coach: Pat Ruml.
Cliff Monroy – 6’3” and 250 lbs. – T.F. Riggs High School – son of Dennis Monroy and Heather Gust of Pierre, S.D.; two-time letter winner; Head Coach: Joe Kramer.
Tyler Poggemeyer – 6’1” and 225 lbs. – Lake Havasu High School – son of Jerry and Nancy Poggemeyer of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Head Coach: Karl Thompson.
Matt Vostad – 6’6” and 260 lbs. – Canton High School – son of Mike and Rhonda Vostad of Canton, S.D.; Honorable Mention; Head Coach: Rich Lundstrom.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
