KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsSMSU Signs 33 on National Signing Day

MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head football coach Cory Sauter announced today the signing of 33 high school and junior college student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and football careers at SMSU. That announcement came today on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign National Letters of Intent. The one junior college transfer has already enrolled at SMSU for 2012 spring semester.

The list includes student-athletes from 10 different states including Minnesota (17), Iowa (6), Illinois (2), Colorado (2), South Dakota (2), Wisconsin (1), Texas (1), Indiana (1) and California (1). The list of signees includes six offensive lineman, six defensive lineman, six wide receivers, six defensive backs, six linebackers, one running back, one fullback, one tight end and one kicker/punter.

"Today is another special day for Mustang football," Sauter said on Wednesday. "There are 33 student-athletes who have made a huge commitment to Southwest Minnesota State University. This is an important recruiting class because they will be part of the foundation that this program is built upon. Our entire coaching staff has worked extremely hard over the past year to attract the best student-athletes to SMSU. This recruiting class has several players who will be able to compete for playing time in the near future. I can't wait to see this group unite with our returners to become an improved team in 2012 and beyond."

Sauter also stated the program is expected to announce more signings in the next week or later this spring.

Southwest Minnesota State is an NCAA Division II school located in Marshall, Minn., and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU finished with an overall record of 3-8 in 2011, including a 3-7 mark in conference play finishing in 11th place in the 14-team conference.

SMSU is scheduled to begin spring practice on March 26. The Mustangs will open the 2012 season on Saturday, Sept. 1, with a conference home game versus the University of Minnesota Duluth.

2012 SMSU National Letter of Intent signees Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School / Previous College) Wes Bednar DB 6-0 202 Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman HS) Lance Boozer LB 6-3 210 Springfield, Ill. (Lanphier HS) Jack Carney WR 5-11 172 Huxley, Iowa (Ballard HS) Evan Chanley OL 6-6 300 Nappanee, Ind. (NorthWood HS) Zachary Crow WR 6-1 179 Esko, Minn. (Esko HS) Brandon DuCharme OL 5-11 287 Vadnais Heights, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS) Jeff Engler Pooler WR 6-0 160 Glenwood, Minn. (Minnewaska HS) Tyler Flud LB 6-0 220 St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Grant Greenfield OL 6-6 240 Sibley, Iowa (Sibley-Ocheyedan HS) Nick Hansen WR 6-5 185 New Hope, Minn. (Brooklyn Center HS) Sid Hart K/P 6-2 189 Centerville, S.D. (Viborg-Hurley HS) Casey Hertz LB 6-2 195 Ocheyedan, Iowa (Sibley-Ocheyedan HS) Rob Hunt DL 5-11 240 New Brighton, Minn. (Irondale HS) Shane Keith DL 6-1 235 Parker, Colo. (Chaparral HS) Graham Ketterling DL 6-5 225 Rochester, Minn. (Century HS) Trevor Knapek LB 6-0 225 Foley, Minn. (Foley HS) Quincy Lamp DB 6-0 180 Moville, Iowa (Woodbury Central HS) Garret Lilly DL 6-4 255 Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall HS) Max Mattila LB 6-2 215 Bloomington, Minn. (Bethany Academy HS) Chris McLeod DL 6-3 266 Coon Rapids, Minn. (Blaine HS) Andrew McReynolds DB 5-10 170 Aurora, Colo. (Chaparral HS) Jake Meyer TE 6-3 195 New Prague, Minn. (New Prague HS) Nathan Meyers OL 6-3 280 New Franken, Wis. (Notre Dame Academy HS) Jeremiah Morse OL 6-3 275 Inver Grove Heights, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Curtis Olson OL 6-1 285 Rochester, Minn. (Mayo HS) DJ Palmer DB 5-8 180 Cottage Grove, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Jeff Polsean LB 6-1 195 Rockford, Ill. (Christian Life HS) David Schotanus ** FB 6-0 230 Adams, Minn. (Southland HS / Rochester Community Technical College) Isaac Seymour RB 6-1 200 Ojai, Calif. (Nordhoff HS) Ty Steffensen WR 5-8 170 Marshalltown, Iowa (Marshalltown HS) Adam Teunissen WR 6-4 190 Alvord, Iowa (West Lyon HS) Alec Waite DL 6-3 230 River Falls, Wis. (Irondale HS, Minn.) Joe Williams DB 5-10 160 Albertville, Minn. (St. Michael-Albertville HS)

** already enrolled at SMSU for 2012 spring semester

Complete bios of each of the signees by state listed on pages 2-4 MINNESOTA Zachary Crow, WR, 6-1, 179, Esko, Minn. (Esko HS) Prepped at Esko HS for coach Bill Hudspith ... all-conference honorable mention honoree ... recorded 47 receptions for 675 yards and four touchdowns as a senior ... finished career with 79 catches for 1,100 yards and six touchdowns ... also earned all-conference honors in track ... son of Brett and Jill Crow.

Brandon DuCharme, OL, 5-11, 287, Vadnais Heights, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS) Prepped at White Bear Lake HS for coach Bob Jackson ... two-year letterwinner ... named all-conference ... son of John DuCharme.

Jeff Engler Pooler, WR, 6-0, 160, Glenwood, Minn. (Minnewaska HS) Prepped at Minnewaska HS for coach Steve Hill ... named all-section ... honorable mention all-conference ... twice named team special teams player of the year ... caught 33 passes for 486 yards and six touchdowns as a senior ... averaged 23.1 yards per kickoff return with one touchdown ... two-year letterwinner ... also in basketball and track ... son of Daphne and David Pooler.

Tyler Flud, LB, 6-0, 220, St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Prepped at Cretin-Derham Hall for coach Mike Scanlan ... named all-conference ... named to St. Paul All-Pioneer Press honorable mention team ... three-time letterwinner ... racked up 75 tackles and 12 tackles for loss during senior season ... also in baseball ... son of Diana Donahue.

Nick Hansen, WR, 6-5, 185, New Hope, Minn. (Brooklyn Center HS) Prepped at Brooklyn Center HS for coach George Leistikow ... named all-conference honorable mention ... team captain ... also in baseball, track and basketball.

Rob Hunt, DT, 5-11, 240, New Brighton, Minn. (Irondale HS) Prepped at Irondale HS for coach Ben Geisler ... team captain ... all-conference honoree ... three-year letterwinner ... three-year starter ... academic all-conference ... recorded five sacks and 64 tackles during senior season ... also in baseball ... son of Sarah and Robert Hunt.

Graham Ketterling, DE, 6-5, 225, Rochester, Minn. (Century HS) Prepped at Rochester Century HS for coach Jon Vik ... team captain ... two-year letterwinner ... all-conference honoree ... also in lacrosse ... son of Rhett and Judith Ketterling.

Trevor Knapek, LB, 6-0, 225, Foley, Minn. (Foley HS) Prepped at Foley HS for coach Larry Herm ... named all-section ... two-time honorable mention all-conference ... named team defensive MVP ... three-year letterwinner ... recorded 50 tackles and five forced fumbles as a senior ... also in basketball ... son of Tim and Kthey Knapek.

Max Mattila, LB, 6-2, 215, Bloomington, Minn. (New Life Academy/Bethany Academy HS) Prepped at New Life Academy/Bethany Academy for coach Paul Mork ... four-year letterwinner ... two-time all-conference honoree ... rushed for 630 yards and nine touchdowns ... all-state honorable mention ... team captain ... also letterwinner in basketball and baseball ... son of Gary and Kerry Mattila.

Chris McLeod, DL, 6-3, 266, Coon Rapids, Minn. (Blaine HS) Prepped at Blaine HS for coach Shannon Gerrety ... two-time all-conference honoree ... named all-section ... finished career with 65 tackles, including 15 for loss and four sacks ... also in track ... grandson of Connie and Tim Bauman.

Jake Meyer, TE, 6-3, 195, New Prague, Minn. (New Prague HS) Prepped at New Prague HS for coach Jim Benick ... all-conference honoree ... two-year letterwinner ... named team defensive player of the year ... team captain ... racked up 41.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks ... caught one touchdown pass ... also in basketball and baseball ... son of Brent and Jane Meyer.

Jeremiah Morse, OL, 6-3, 275, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Prepped at Cretin-Derham Hall HS for coach Mike Scanlan ... also competes in wrestling and baseball ... son of Stephen and Bridget Morse.

Curtis Olson, OL, 6-1, 285, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo HS) Prepped at Rochester Mayo HS for coach Kevin Landherr ... team captain in football and track ... named all-conference honorable mention ... also in track ... son of Erik and Jean Olson.

DJ Palmer, SS, 5-11, 180, Cottage Grove, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) Prepped at Cretin-Derham Hall HS for coach Mike Scanlan ... named all-conference ... racked up 45 tackles and four interceptions during senior season ... also in baseball ... son of Derrell and Felicia Palmer.

David Schotanus, FB, 6-0, 230 , Adams, Minn. (Southland HS / Rochester Community Technical College) Transfer from Rochester Community and Technical College ... enrolled at SMSU for 2012 spring semester ... has two years of eligibility remaining ... member of 2011 RCTC team that finished 11-1, including a state championship ... named all-divisoin second team ... 2010 graduate of Southland HS ... son of Brian and Sherry Schotanus.

Alec Waite, DE, 6-3, 230, River Falls, Wis. (Irondale HS, Minn.) Prepped at Irondale HS (Minn.) for coach Ben Geisler ... named all-conference ... team MVP ... team captain ... two-year letterwinner ... recorded 144 career tackles with 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss ... forced seven fumbles and blocked two punts ... also in wrestling and track ... all-conference in wrestling ... son of Diane and Ernie Waite.

Joe Williams, CB, 5-10, 160, Albertville, Minn. (St. Michael-Albertville HS) Prepped at St. Michael-Albertville HS for coach Jared Essler ... two-year letterwinner ... honorable mention all-conference ... ranks 10th in school history in kick return yards ... had three interceptions as a senior ... also in track ... son of Joe and Cheryl Williams.

IOWA

Jack Carney, WR, 5-11, 175, Huxley, Iowa (Ballard HS) Prepped at Ballard HS for coach Al Christian ... two-time all-conference honoree ... named second team all-state ... three-year letterwinner ... academic all-district ... finished with 34 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns during senior season ... recorded 64 career receptions for 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns ... also in basketball and baseball ... son of Traci Carney and Dan Carney.

Grant Greenfield, OL, 6-5, 233, Sibley, Iowa (Sibley-Ocheyedan HS) Prepped at Sibley-Ocheyedan HS for coach Jordan Menning ... three-year letterwinner ... two-time all-district and two-time all-state honoree ... also in baseball, track and basketball ... son of Rob and Lynette DeJong and Glenn Greenfield.

Casey Hertz, LB, 6-2, 195, Ocheyedan, Iowa (Sibley-Ocheyedan HS) Prepped at Sibley-Ocheyedan HS for coach Jordan Menning ... three-year letterwinner ... named first team all-district as a senior ... recorded 99 tackles as a senior and 116 tackles during junior season ... academic all-state ... honorable mention all-district as a sophomore ... also in basketball, track and baseball ... son of Kevin and Marcie Hertz.

Quincy Lamp, DB, 6-0, 180, Moville, Iowa (Woodbury Central HS) Prepped at Woodbury Central HS for coach Kelly Manker ... also in track ... son of Scott and Jolene Lamp.

Ty Steffensen, WR, 5-8, 170, Marshalltown, Iowa (Marshalltown HS) Prepped at Marshalltown HS for coach Dave Holdiman ... firs team all-conference ... as a senior he set Iowa Class 4A record with 97 receptions for 1,289 yards and 13 touchdowns ... finished career with 152 receptions for 1,943 yards and 20 touchdowns ... also in track ... son of Ty and Melissa Steffensen.

Adam Teunissen, WR, 6-4, 190, Alvord, Iowa (West Lyon HS) Prepped at West Lyon HS for coach Jay Rozeboom ... three-time first team all-district ... named district offensive player of the year ... two-time all-state ... team captain ... selected to play in 2012 Shrine Bowl ... also in basketball and track ... son of Dan and Michelle Teunissen.

ILLINOIS

Lance Boozer, LB, 6-3, 210, Springfield, Ill. (Lanphier HS) Prepped at Lanphier HS for coach Jason Nikson ... three-year letterwinner ... team captain ... named honorable mention all-conference ... recorded 64 tackles, including 15 for loss during senior season ... also had two sacks ... academic all-conference ... also in baskeball and track ... son of Lance and Shelia Boozer.

Jeff Polsean, LB, 6-1, 195, Rockford, Ill. (Christian Life HS) Prepped at Christian Life HS for coach Chuck Leonard ... four-year letterwinner ... two-year team captain ... named team defensive MVP ... team MVP as a junior ... three-time second team all-conference honoree ... rushed for more than 2,000 yards in career with 26 touchdowns ... also recorded 180 tackles ... also in track ... son of Jeff and Jill Polsean.

COLORADO

Drew McReynolds, CB, 5-10, 170, Aurora, Colo. (Chaparral HS) Prepped at Chaparral HS for coach John Vogt ... first team all-conference defensive back as a senior ... named second team all-conference as a return specialist ... finished with six interceptions for 62 yards as a senior ... recorded 174 tackles in career ... also in basketball, baseball and track ... son of Scott and Debbie Reynolds.

Shane Keith, DE, 6-1, 235, Parker, Colo. (Chaparral HS) Prepped at Chaparral HS for coach John Vogt ... three-year letterwinner ... team captain ... first team all-conference ... named all-state ... finished with 81 tackles and six sacks during senior season ... racked up 82 tackles and six sacks as a junior ... named honorable mention all-conference as a junior ... also in baseball and wrestling ... son of Pat and Karen Keith.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Wes Bednar, DB, 6-0, 202, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman HS) Prepped at Sioux Falls O'Gorman HS for coach Steve Keuter ... team captain ... named all-conference ... all-city honoree ... named second team all-state ... two-year letterwinner ... finished with 59 tackles and three interceptions during senior season ... had six career interceptions and 144 tackles ... also in track ... son of David Bednar and Tracy Linder.

Sid Hart, K, 6-2, 189, Centerville, S.D. (Viborg-Hurley HS) Prepped at Viborg HS for coach John Nyhaug ... two-time Class 9B all-state honoree ... made 51 extra points and had 46 touchbacks during senior season ... son of Tut and Sandy Hart.

TEXAS

Garrett Lilly, DT, 6-4, 255, Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall HS) Prepped at Rockwall HS for coach Scott Smith ... named first team all-district ... three-year letterwinner ... finished with 32 tackles and five sacks during senior season ... son of Chuck and Kristy Lilly.

WISCONSIN

Nathan Meyers, OL, 6-3, 280, New Franken, Wis. (Notre Dame Academy HS) Prepped at Notre Dame Academy HS for coach John Nowak ... named first team all-conference ... helped team lead the conference in rushing ... second team all-area ... three-year letterwinner ... four-year honor roll member ... also letterwinner in track ... son of Paul and Lynn Meyers.

INDIANA

Evan Chanley, OL, 6-6, 290, Nappanee, Ind. (NorthWood HS) Prepped at NorthWood HS for coach Scott Hoover ... team captain ... named to region all-star team ... named to Class 4A all-state team ... two-time AP all-state honorable mention ... two-time all-conference ... member of section championship team ... son of Terry Chanley and Dawn Walker-Chanley.

CALIFORNIA

Isaac Seymour, RB, 6-1, 200 , Ojai, Calif. (Nordhoff HS) Prepped at Nordhoff HS for coach Tony Henney ... named all-conference ... selected conference offensive player of the year.