Bemidji State University Athleticathletic Mediamedia Relationsrelations

Bemidji State University AthleticAthletic MediaMedia RelationsRelations

DATE: Feb. 2, 2011 // FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dax Larson, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations (218-755-2763 / [email protected])

Football Tesch announces the addition of 33 for the 2011 season Bemidji State gets commitments from 32 incoming freshmen and a transfer

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University head football coach Jeff Tesch today announced the addition of 33 student-athletes to the BSU roster for the 2011 season. Of the 33 commitments, 16 signed National Letters of Intent, one is a transfer and 16 have inked offers of admission to attend Bemidji State.

The class is comprised of 32 high school seniors who will join the program as true freshmen next year.

The 16 NLI signees include seven offensive players, eight defensive players and one athlete. The transfer is a defensive lineman.

Sixteen other players will be joining the BSU program after accepting written offers of admission with nine on the offensive side of the ball, six defensive recruits and a special teamer.

The 2011 class was drawn from seven states, with 15 hailing from Minnesota. In addition, committed players currently reside in Wisconsin (5), Illinois (4), California (3), North Dakota (3), Georgia (2) and South Carolina (1).

The student-athletes listed on the roster have signed National Letters of Intent to play football at Bemidji State. Student-athletes are only listed above if the Bemidji State Athletics Compliance Office has verified the National Letter of Intent and financial aid agreement or the student-athlete has been accepted by the Bemidji State Office of Admissions.

The 2010 Beaver football team finished the season 7-4 overall and 6-4 in NSIC play, tying for fifth in the league standings with Winona State. Three losses came to three NCAA post-season participants, University of Minnesota Duluth, Augustana College and St. Cloud State University. The other loss was to 2010 Mineral Water Bowl participant, Concordia University, St. Paul. Under head coach Jeff Tesch, BSU has recorded 12 above .500 seasons in his 15 years at the helm.

Bemidji State will kick-off the 2011 campaign at Chet Anderson Stadium August 25 at 7 p.m. against nonconference-foe Minot (N.D.) State University in the annual ‘Beaver Bash.’

2011 Football Signing Class National Letter of Intent Signees (16) Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (Last School) Colton Blascyk DB 5-11 190 Fr.-HS 5-4 Kensington, Minn. (West Central Area HS) Greg Button LB 6-2 215 Fr.-HS 5-4 Eau Claire, Wis. (Eau Claire North HS) Brian Grant DB 6-0 210 Fr.-HS 5-4 Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein HS) Taylor Harren DE 6-2 235 Fr.-HS 5-4 Marietta, Ga. (Sprayberry HS) Jermell Harris RB 5-9 165 Fr.-HS 5-4 Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg HS) Tyler Irvin QB 6-4 220 Fr.-HS 5-4 Cokato, Minn. (Dassel-Cokato HS) Jordan Noskowiak TE/HB 6-3 210 Fr.-HS 5-4 Sun Prairie, Wis. (Sun Prairie HS) Chris Ostby OL 6-4 275 Fr.-HS 5-4 Gatzke, Minn. (Grygla HS) Connor Quinn LB 6-1 210 Fr.-HS 5-4 Geneva, Ill. (Geneva HS) Nick Saponara WR 6-1 190 Fr.-HS 5-4 Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Matt Seibert OL 6-2 300 Fr.-HS 5-4 Grand Rapids, Minn. (Greenway HS) Jon Smith WR 6-2 180 Fr.-HS 5-4 Joliet, Ill. (Joliet West HS) Mario Stephens DE 6-3 250 Fr.-HS 5-4 Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chippewa Falls HS) Andrew Tibbs OL 6-4 260 Fr.-HS 5-4 Ontario, Calif. (Colony High School) Dylan Valentine CB 5-9 175 Fr.-HS 5-4 Temecula, Calif. (Chaparral HS) Desean Waters Athlete 5-9 180 Fr.-HS 5-4 Grossmont, Calif. (Grossmont HS)

Transfer Commitments (1) Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (Last School) Dereck Jordan DE 6-2 250 Jr.-Tr. 3-2 Jackson, S.C. (Chaffey CC)

BSU Offer of Admission Signees (16) Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (Last School) Matt Bergman FB 6-1 195 Fr.-HS 5-4 Angora, Minn (Cook HS) Billy Binstock RB 5-6 165 Fr.-HS 5-4 Mandan, N.D. (Mandan HS) Brad Folkestad, Director of Athletic Media Relations • [email protected] • 218-755-4603 Dax Larson, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations • [email protected] • 218-755-2763 1500 Birchmont Drive NE #29 • Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 • www.bsubeavers.com Nick Chiono OL 6-5 315 Fr.-HS 5-4 DeForest, Wis. (DeForest HS) Ethan Favor-Jackson DL 6-3 210 Fr.-HS 5-4 Alexandria, Minn. (Jefferson HS) Kevin Longtin DE 6-2 235 Fr.-HS 5-4 Plummer, Minn. (Red Lake County Central HS) Jared Mack LB 5-11 215 Fr.-HS 5-4 Cavalier, N.D. (Cavalier HS) Robbie Miller FB 5-9 210 Fr.-HS 5-4 Goodridge, Minn. (Goodridge HS) Derek Ostman OL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS 5-4 Stacy, Minn. (Forest Lake HS) Taylor Otto WR 6-4 175 Fr.-HS 5-4 Big Lake, Minn. (Big Lake HS) Tony Peterson RB 5-10 190 Fr.-HS 5-4 Frederic, Wis. (Frederic HS) Aaron Pipenhagen LS 6-2 230 Fr.-HS 5-4 Elk River, Minn. (Elk River HS) Dalton Rolland TE 6-5 185 Fr.-HS 5-4 Warren, Minn. (Warren-Alvarado-Oslo HS) Brock Russell DL 6-0 245 Fr.-HS 5-4 Mandan, N.D (Mandan HS) Tyler Schulz DB 5-11 185 Fr.-HS 5-4 Grygla, Minn. (Grygla HS) Ben Schwanberg DL 6-3 250 Fr.-HS 5-4 Rice, Minn. (Holdingford HS) Brandon Seiffert WR 6-1 165 Fr.-HS 5-4 Chaska, Minn. (Chaska HS)

The Class Breakdown: Total: 33 Freshmen: 32 Transfers: 1 By State: Minnesota (15): Bergman, Blascyk, Favor-Jackson, Irvin, Longtin, Miller, Ostby, Ostman, Otto, Pipenhagen, Rolland, Schulz, Schwanberg, Seibert, Seiffert Wisconsin (5): Button, Chiono, Noskowiak, Peterson, Stephens Illinois (4): Grant, Harris, Quinn, Smith California (3): Tibbs, Valentine, Walters North Dakota (3): Binstock, Mack, Russell Georgia (2): Harren, Saponara South Carolina (1): Jordan

By Position: Offense (17): Bergman (FB), Binstock (RB), Chiono (OL), Harris (RB), Irvin (QB), Miller (FB), Noskowiak (TE/HB), Ostby (OL), Ostman (OL), Otto (WR), Peterson (RB), Rolland (TE), Saponara (WR), Seibert (OL), Seiffert (WR), Smith (WR), Tibbs (OL) Defense (14): Blascyk (DB), Button (LB), Favor-Jackson (DL), Grant (DB), Harren (DE), Jordan (DE), Longtin (DE), Mack (LB), Quinn (LB), Russell (DL), Schulz (DB), Schwanberg (DL), Stephens (DE), Valentine (CB) Special Teams (1): Pipenhagen (LS) Athlete (1): Waters

NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES

• Colton Blascyk (DB, 5-11, 190; Kensington, Minn. / West Central Area HS) Blascyk was West Central Area High School’s top quarterback and defensive back... Earned all-conference honors his junior and senior seasons and was awarded most valuable quarterback by the Heart O’Lakes Conference... On the offensive side of the ball he racked up 865 yards rushing, 2,928 yards passing and totalled 27 touchdowns in his career... As a defensive back he led the team in tackles with 74 his senior year... Was named by his teammates as the squad’s most valuable defensive back, offensive back and offensive player... The 10-time letter winner was captain of the Knights football and basketball teams his senior year... He earned all-conference honorable mention in basketball his junior season.

• Greg Button (LB, 6-2, 215; Eau Claire, Wis. (Eau Claire North HS) Button was a versatile player at Eau Claire North High School that will play the linebacker position at BSU... A captain his senior year, he was named a Big Rivers Conference First Team Defense player and was a honorable mention all-state performer... Led the team in tackles his junior and senior seasons totaling 130 tackles, 16 for loss, eight forced fumbles, six sacks and one blocked punt in those two years... Button is a four-sport athlete, earning eight letters in, football (3), baseball (3), basketball (1) and powerlifting (1)... Named all-conference in baseball after his sophomore and junior seasons, including conference pitcher of the year laurels his junior year and finished second at nationals in the 220 pound weight class in powerlifting in 2008.

• Brian Grant (DB, 6-0, 210; Mundelein, Ill. / Mundelein HS) Played wide receiver and defensive back for the Mundelein High School Mustangs... Started all four years on offense and defense... Led the team in receiving for three of his four years... He brought down 25 receptions his senior season for 376 yards and four touchdowns... Also served as the team’s punter in 2010, booting the ball 42 times and averaging 33.7 yards per punt... Caught 19 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns his junior season... Also earned letters competing for the track team.

• Taylor Harren (DE, 6-2, 235; Marietta, Ga. / Sprayberry HS) A two-sport athlete at Sprayberry High School, Harren earned letters in football and lacrosse... Was named to the All-Cobb County Defensive Team his junior season... Played defensive line, linebacker and was on special teams in coverage and as a long snapper... Named by his teammates as the Defensive Lineman of the Year... Was a scholar-athlete and a constant on the honor roll though high school.

• Jermell Harris (RB, 5-9, 165; Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg HS) Harris was an all-conference performer his junior and senior seasons and earned all-area honors his senior year... Recorded more than 80 carries for 550-plus yards and 10 touchdowns his senior year... Is the younger brother of Napoleon Harris, who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs... Was a high school teammate of current BSU freshman redshirt Brent Kondziolka.

• Tyler Irvin (QB, 6-4, 220; Cokato, Minn. / Dassel-Cokato HS) Irvin was a three-sport athlete at Dassel-Cokato High School, earning all-conference awards in football (four letters), wrestling (four letters) and track (three letters)... Totaled 1,231 passing yards, completing 101 of his 149 passing attempts for 13 touchdowns... His senior year 67.8 completion percentage was first among starters in Wright County Conference, guiding the Chargers to a 9-2 overall and 7-1 conference record that finished tied for first... Also rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns... Mustered a 36-30 overtime victory against then-No. 3 Glencoe-Silver Lake, throwing three touchdowns, two of which came in a 16-point fourth quarter comeback... Was a state entrant in both wrestling and track... Earned three academic letters, while earning a spot on the A and B honor rolls through high school.

• Jordan Noskowiak (TE/HB, 6-3, 210; Sun Prairie, Wis. / Sun Prairie HS) The multi-talented Noskowiak played both sides of the ball at Sun Prairie High School, earning all-conference honors on offense (wide receiver) and defense (defensive back) to conclude his junior and senior seasons... Helped guide the Cardinals to an 8-2 overall and 8-1 Big Eight Conference record that tied for first... Led the team and ranked 10th in Division I in reception yards with 633... Brought down 46 receptions and scored five touchdowns his senior season, averaging 13.8 yards per catch... Rushed twice for 68 yards and a touchdown... Was named a top five finalist for the Jim Leonhard Award that honors the top safety in the State of Wisconsin... Played in eight games as a junior, finishing with 346 reception yards and eight touchdowns, while also throwing for a 41-yard touchdown... A captain his senior season, Noskowiak was named all-area and all-state... Earned six letters, three for football and three for basketball.

• Chris Ostby (OL, 6-4, 275; Gatzke, Minn. / Grygla HS) Helped guide the Goodridge-Grygla 9-man squad to a 7-0 record and a (12-1 overall) Top of State Conference championship his senior year and a trip to the state semifinals... Earned all-conference nods his junior and senior seasons and an all-state mention his senior year... Paved the way for an offense that scored 536 points in 13 games (41.2 ppg)... Has earned letters in football, basketball and track... Is a academic honor roll student... Was teammates with fellow 2011 BSU additions, Tyler Schulz and Robbie Miller.

• Connor Quinn (LB, 6-1, 210; Geneva, Ill. / Geneva HS) Quinn excelled as a running back and linebacker at Geneva High School and guided the team to a conference championship his senior season... His senior accomplishments include all-state, Upstate Eight Conference Most Valuable Player, Chicago Tribune Player of the Month and player of the year honors from Republican Newspaper, Kane Co. Chronicle and Daily Hearld... He totalled 1,254 rushing yards on 210 carries with 16 touchdowns on offense to lead the conference and finish fifth in Division 6A in rushing yards... Tallied six 100-plus rushing games and one 100-plus receiving game... Added 17 receptions for 367 yards and three scores... His 68 (45 assisted, 23 solo) tackles on defense led the Vikings and ranked third in the conference... Got to the quarterback twice on the season.

• Nick Saponara (WR, 6-1, 190; Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth High School) Competed for North Forsyth High School as he earned all-county and all-region awards his junior and senior seasons... The three-year starter brought down 15 receptions for 317 yards and five touchdowns his senior season... Also played defensive back for the Raiders... Is a two-sport athlete that has earned letters in football and track.

• Matt Seibert (OL, 6-2, 300; Grand Rapids, Minn. / Greenway High School) A four-year letterwinner in football for the Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin Titans, Seibert was an all-conference and all-area performer his junior and senior seasons... Helped guide the team to .500 or better records his final three years on the gridiron.

• Jon Smith (WR, 6-2, 180; Joliet, Ill. / Joliet Weste HS) Led Joliet West High School in receiving with 35 receptions for 445 yards and six touchdowns his senior year that earned him all-conference and all- area accolades... Also a state qualifier on the Tiger track team that earned him all-area honors... Earned three letters between football and track... Was named to the academic honor roll his junior year.

• Mario Stephens (DE, 6-3, 250; Chippewa Falls, Wis. / Chippewa Falls HS) A versatile lineman for Chippewa Falls High School, Stephens played both sides of the ball and earned first team all-county and second team all- conference offensive honors... Helped the Cardinals to a 6-4 overall and 5-2 Big Rivers Conference record and a trip to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) playoffs his senior year... Paved the way for a 1,000-plus yard rusher and a 1,000-plus yard quarterback his senior season where the team averaged 25.1 points per game... Earned three letters in football and one in basketball.

• Andrew Tibbs (OL, 6-4, 260; Ontario, Calif. / Colony HS) Stood tall on both the offensive and defensive line for Colony High School as the Titans posted a 7-4 overall and 5-1 conference record to finish second in league standings... Posted a tackle in every game and totalled 26 tackles (seven assisted, 19 solo), four pass break-ups, three fumble recover- ies, one sack and one interception... Also played on an offensive line of an offense that averaged 23.2 points per game... Earned all-conference first team honors for his play as an offensive tackle and all-conference second team laurels for his ability on the defensive line his senior year... Also earned 2010 All-Inland Valley Second Team honors on the offensive line... Was a two-time team most valuable player... The four-year varsity team member played on the 2007 conference championship team and helped guide the squad to the conference playoffs in all four seasons.

• Dylan Valentine (CB, 5-9, 175; Temecula, Calif. / Chaparral HS) A three-year letter winner in football, Valentine recorded 45 tackles (40 solo, five assists), seven pass break-ups and led Chaparral High School in interception yardage his senior year... A captain in his final year as a Puma, was named first team all-conference, all-region and was an honorable mention on California’s Inland Elite Team... Helped the team win the Southern Section California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship game his junior season with three touchdown pass break-ups and was a major part of the 2010 championship season... Finished his football career with more than 90 tackles and broke the school record with a 98-yard kick return... Also competed on the tack squad, competing in the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter races.

•Desean Waters (Athlete, 5-9, 180; Grossmont, Calif. / Grossmont HS) Multi-position athlete for Grossmont High School playing running back, quarterback and defensive back... Was the starting running back his junior year, then moved to the starting quarterback position his senior year... The three-time all-conference player also played defensive back for the Foothill- ers... Was a three-time all-county player, second team all-east county decade team and a two-time team most valuable player... As a running back his junior year he totaled 1,453 rushing yards (121.1 yards per game) with 17 touchdowns... A signal caller his senior year, posted 1,115 pass yards with six touchdowns through the air, gained 1,190 yards on the ground with 18 touchdowns, totalled 192.8 yards per game... Is a four-sport athlete, having competed in football, basketball, track and lacrosse... Earned all-conference accolades in basketball.

TRANSFER COMMITMENTS • Dereck Jordan (DE, 6-2, 250; Jackson, S.C. / Chaffey College) Comes to Bemidji State after two seasons at Chaffey College, a community college in Southern California... Played in 10 of 11 games for the Panthers in 2010 and recorded 18 tackles (13 assisted and five solo)... Recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss, pushing back the opposing offense six yards and added a pass break-up... Saw time in eight games in 2009 and finished with 25 tackles, 13 solo... Totalled six tackles for loss that resulted in 24 lost yards by the opposing offense... Also added two sacks for 11 yards lost and tallied a quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery.

BSU OFFER OF ADMISSION SIGNEES • Matt Bergman (FB, 6-1, 195; Angora, Minn. / Cook HS) Helped guide the Cook High School 9-man team to a 9-2 overall record and a trip to the section finals... A piece of an offensive unit that averaged a conference-best 30.5 points per game... Earned all-conference nods sophomore, junior and senior seasons and was named St. Louis County North Division Most Valuable Player... Was team’s offensive player of the year his junior season and the squad’s defensive player of the year his senior year... A two-sport athlete in football (three letters) and basketball (four letters)... Was all-conference basketball player... Excelled in the classroom as a B honor roll student.

• Billy Binstock (RB, 5-6, 165; Mandan, N.D. / Mandan HS) Rushed for over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns after earning the starting spot in the backfield as a senior on the Mandan High School team… Se- lected to Class AAA All-State team as a running back… An All-West Region selection… Helped lead the Braves to Class AAA quarterfinals where they lost 24-15 to West Fargo High School, ranked No. 1 in the state at the time… Joins high school teammate Brock Russell, as a 2011 BSU addition.

• Nick Chiono (OL, 6-5, 315; DeForest, Wis. / DeForest HS) A two-time second team all-conference performer at DeForest High School, Chiono helped guide the Norskies to a Badger North Conference championship his junior season, going 5-1 for a three-way tie for the title... Helped pave the way for a 700-plus yard rusher and 1,000-plus yard passer his senior season as DeForest High School advanced to the second round of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) tournament... Was named an honor athlete.

• Ethan Favor-Jackson (DL, 6-3, 210; Alexandria, Minn. / Jefferson HS) Favor-Jackson guided Jefferson High School to consecutive appearances at the section finals where the Cardinals fell twice by a total of three points... Earned all-conference and all-section honors and was named most valuable defensive lineman by his teammates... Helped the defense hold the opposing offense to 14.4 points per game that ranked second in the conference... Recorded seven tackles and one sack in an 18-0 win against Apollo High School Sept. 24... Also excelled in the classroom as a scholar-athlete and honor roll student... Father, Michael Favor, was a center for the North Dakota State University 1985, 1986 and 1988 national championship teams, earned all-america status and is in the NDSU Bison Hall of Fame.

• Kevin Longtin (DE, 6-2, 235; Plummer, Minn. / Red Lake County Central HS) Longtin is a four-sport athlete at Red Lake County Central High School with 10 letters in football (four), basketball (three), baseball (2) and track (1)... Earned all-conference and all-selection laurels his junior and senior seasons and was an all-conference honorable mention after his sophomore season... Guided the Rebels to a 6-3 overall and 5-2 conference record his senior season... Was the defensive points leader on the squad his junior and senior seasons... Excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society and honor roll.

• Jared Mack (LB, 5-11 215; Cavalier, N.D. / Cavalier HS) Mack was named Class A First Team All-State selection at linebacker as a senior and earned second team all-state honors his junior season at Cava- lier High School… Helped lead the team to Class A semifinals where the Cavalier Tornadoes lost to Milnor/North Sargent 31-14… Was an all-region player his sophomore, junior and senior seasons… Led Cavalier to 11-1 record and perfect 7-0 conference mark... A three-sport athlete, Mack earned letters in football, basketball and baseball... Excelled in the classroom as a National Honor Society and honor roll student... Was the student body president and was involved with poetry, spelling and student council.

• Robbie Miller (FB, 5-9, 210; Goodridge, Minn. / Goodridge HS) In his senior season helped guide the Goodridge-Grygla 9-man squad to a 7-0 (12-1 overall) Top of State Conference championship and a trip to the state semifinals... An all-conference and all-state player that helped the Blue Devil offense average a conference-best 41.2 points per game that ranked sixth in the State of Minnesota.... Was teammates with fellow 2011 BSU signees, Tyler Schulz and Chris Ostby.

• Derek Ostman (OL, 6-4, 240; Stacy, Minn. / Forest Lake HS) Served on the offensive line of an offense that scored 32 touchdowns and averaged 23.4 points per game... Named to the All-Suburban East team his senior season... The Rangers finished the 2010 season winning four of their last six games, the last being in the section semifinals... Led the way for four different players that rushed for more than 300 yards... Was a three-year letter winner in football.

• Taylor Otto (WR, 6-4, 175; Big Lake, Minn. / Big Lake HS) Otto’s height and athleticism made him an asset on the football field, as well as, the basketball court and in track and field at Big Lake High School... The three-sport athlete played both sides of the ball for the Hornets and finished second on the team in receiving yards with 273 on 26 receptions, while finding the end zone five times... On defense his 39 tackles (20 assisted, 19 solo) was good for fifth, while the eethr interceptions tied him for second on the squad... Scored three touchdowns and added 57 yards Oct. 1 in a 46-13 victory against Elk River... Otto is a two-year letter winner on the basketball team and was a state qualifier in the triple jump... He is the nephew of Bemidji State hockey all-america and former National Hockey League player Joel Otto... His father, Craig Otto, played football at University of Minnesota

• Tony Peterson (RB, 5-10, 190, Frederic, Wis. / Frederic HS) Guided the Frederic High School Vikings to a 9-2 overall and 7-1 Lakeland - Small Conference record his senior season, earning first team all-conference honors... Posted 192 carries, 1,551 yards (8.1 yards per carry, 141 yards per game), with 19 touchdowns and ranked 32nd in the state (all divisions) in rushing yards... Also added seven receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown... Rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-0 victory in the first round of the 2010 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) playoffs... Led the state of Wisconsin in rushing Oct. 1 after finishing with 330 yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns in a 56-20 homecoming victory... Is a 10-time letterwinner, football (four), track (four) and basketball (two)... A National Honor Society Academic Letter winner, Peterson was on the honor roll every quarter... Was a high school teammate of Frederic High School standout and current Beaver junior safety Jake Schmidt.

• Aaron Pipenhagen (LS, 6-2, 230; Elk River, Minn. / Elk River HS) Pipenhagen was a center for the Elk River High School offense and also played defensive end... The two-sport athlete earned all-conference honors and All-Section 8 Honorable Mention... Team awards included outstanding blocker (twice), lineman of the year (twice), glue award and nails award... Earned four letters and was a captain for both the football and baseball squads. • Dalton Rolland (TE, 6-5, 185; Warren, Minn. / Warren-Alvarado-Oslo HS) Rolland was a tight end and defensive lineman on the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School team that finished with an 8-3 overall record, 4-1 conference mark that finished tied for first and made a trip to the section finals for the third consecutive season... The Ponies finished the season averaging 25.2 points per game and recorded 27 or more points on five occasions... Was named all-conference his junior and senior seasons and was a all-section choice in 2010... On the defensive side the of the ball the Ponies held their opponents to 8.6 points per game... A two-sport athlete in football and basketball... Was a member of the National Honor Society and A honor roll.

• Brock Russell (DL, 6-0, 245; Mandan, N.D. / Mandan HS) Russell is a three-year letterwinner at Mandan High School where he was a two-year starter for the varsity team at center and defensive tackle… Named to Class AAA All-State team on defense… Selected to participate in the North Dakota Shrine Bowl featuring the top high school seniors in the state… Earned spot on All-West Region team as offensive and defensive lineman… Helped lead Mandan Braves to Class AAA quarterfinals where they lost 24-15 to West Fargo High School, ranked No. 1 in the state at the time... Joins high school teammate Billy Binstock as 2011 signees.

• Tyler Schulz (DB, 5-11, 185; Grygla, Minn. / Grygla HS) Helped guide the Goodridge-Grygla Blue Devils 9-man squad to a 7-0 (12-1 overall) record, a Top of State Conference championship and a trip to the state semifinals his senior season... Earned all-state honorable mention and was an Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention... Was also a two-time all-conference player and conference special teams player of the year... A key member of a defense that allowed just 12.5 points per game to rank tops in the conference... The three-sport athlete earned letters in football (four), basketball (three) and track (three)... Also excelled in the classroom as an A and B honor roll student... Was the teammate of fellow 2011 BSU addition, Chris Ostby and Robbie Miller.

• Ben Schwanberg (DL, 6-3, 250; Rice, Minn. / Holdingford HS) Was a lineman for Holdingford High School... Earned all-conference, all-section and all-area nods his senior season... Anchored an offensive line that paved the way for a one-two running back punch that gained a combined 1,000-plus yards and 12 touchdowns and guided the team to almost 1,500 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns... Was also named all-conference and all-section his junior seasons... Helped the offense to 19.8 points per game... Earned letters as two-sport athlete on the football field and basketball court.

• Brandon Seiffert (WR, 6-1, 165; Chaska, Minn. / Chaska HS) Seiffert brought down 38 receptions for 539 yards and two touchdowns his senior season at Chaska High School... His 539 receiving yards (14.2 yards per reception) ranked 39th in the State of Minnesota... Also played defensive back and recorded five tackles (four assisted, one solo) and recovered one fumble... Named all-conference after his senior season and was an honorable mention his junior year... Was a go-to return man for the Hawks that returned 18 punts for 282 yards, which included a long of 30 and received 10 kickoffs, eight of which he brought back for 29 yards... A two-sport athlete in track (three letters) and football (two letters)... Was captain of both the football and track squads... Was a state performer on the track team.

--bsu--