News

USD Recruiting Update

South Dakota knew what it needed and, judging exclusively by the numbers, it looks like they got it. 

More than half of the 31 high school football standouts that inked a National Letter of Intent  with the Coyotes Wednesday (Feb. 1) will play either offensive or defensive line. There's no way to know if any of them will make an immediate impact, the added depth 

Size may have been the primary focus, but speed and athleticism were also attributes that were emphasized by Bob Nielson and his staff during this most recent recruiting cycle. Those things are represented across the board, but particularly at positions like running back, wide receiver and defensive back. 

Overall, it sounds like the consensus is that this class - dubbed AlphaPack17 - has the chance to be pretty special.

"As of now it's the best I've been around," said one assistant. "Never had this many kids turn down FBS schools."

The true evaluation of these signees is a few years down the road. But for a program that's eager to take the next step in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the FCS, initial excitement and paper-backed potential is a good foundation to set. 

Florida (3) Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/HS Highlight Reel
Kai Henry RB 5-9 190 Miami. Fla. (Northwestern HS) http://bit.ly/2jrBRFc
Jonathan Joanis DB 6-0 195 Orlando, Fla. (Boone) http://bit.ly/2iFgH4E
Jakob Parks QB 6-4 200 Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater Central) http://bit.ly/2aBt1jA
           
Illinois (4)          
Sam Ambrogio OL 6-4 280 St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles North) http://bit.ly/2k0eq4Q
Jack Clement OL 6-3 285 Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin) http://bit.ly/2fPaCBl
John Pempek DL 6-4 300 Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin) http://bit.ly/2j5kLg2
Austin Wallace OL 6-5 290 Metamora, Ill. http://bit.ly/2aKCSiB
           
Iowa (9)          
William Blaser OL 6-3 260 Epworth, Iowa (Western Dubuque HS) http://bit.ly/2fozIXk
Kody Case WR 5-10 170 Lake City, Iowa (South Central HS) http://bit.ly/2foBRlK
Jack Cochrane LB 6-3 205 Mount Vernon, Iowa http://bit.ly/2jxIxxk
Jackson Coker DL 6-3 265 Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Kennedy HS) http://bit.ly/2ha1Del
Dalton Godfrey LS 6-2 215 Cedar Falls, Iowa http://bit.ly/2kOnIC7
Nathan Kneifl TE 6-5 220 Lawton, Iowa (Lawton-Bronson HS) http://bit.ly/2bjguyl
Weston Schultz LB 6-3 215 Mason City, Iowa http://bit.ly/2jwHulm
Mitchell Stanley DL 6-6 260 Glenwood, Iowa http://bit.ly/2aSOqno
           
Kansas (3)          
Peter Klug DL 6-6 250 Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley North) http://bit.ly/2bfHPm4
Cameron Seck OL 6-5 285 Paola, Kan. http://bit.ly/2bfGDz8
Braden Schneider OL 6-6 280 Winchester, Kan. (Jefferson Cty North) http://bit.ly/2ktcLpp
           
Minnesota (4)          
Kolade Amusan LB 6-2 205 Woodbury, Minn. http://bit.ly/2kR2HCL
Luke Chuol DL 6-3 240 Circle Pines, Minn. (Centennial HS) http://bit.ly/2gHTFLm
Matt Gilray OL 6-5 285 Burnsville, Minn.  http://bit.ly/2gHUP9N
Alex Jensen TE 6-6 210 Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata HS) http://bit.ly/2gjbQTx
           
Missouri (3)          
Darion Bolden DB 5-10 175 St. Louis, Mo. (Trinity Catholic HS) http://bit.ly/2f42xty
Reggie Crawford WR 6-3 195 St. Louis, Mo. (Chaminade HS) http://bit.ly/2jRQZbV
Jordan Sommerville DB 6-1 177 St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran North HS) http://bit.ly/2aMJE9o
           
Nebraska (2)          
Tyler Ciurej OL 6-4 300 Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West) http://bit.ly/2bfHpMq
Dominic Long K/P 5-11 140 Gothenburg, Neb. http://bit.ly/2fPaodn
           
South Dakota (3)          
Lincoln Gibbs RB 5-11 205 Langford, S.D. http://bit.ly/2fCWKaA
Ty Paulsen  OL 6-6 260 Pierre, S.D. http://bit.ly/2krACFL
Riley Peters  DL 6-6 210 Vermillion, S.D.  http://bit.ly/2ko6URB
           
Wisconsin (1)          
Nathan Schultz DL 6-4 270 Hartland, Wisc. (Arrowhead HS) http://bit.ly/2gLbIOJ

Class Breadown By Position (31):

Offensive Line, 9 | Defensive Line, 7 | Linebacker, 3 | Defensive Back, 3 | Running Back, 2 | Wide Receiver, 2 | Tight End, 2

Quarterback, 1 | Kicker/Punter, 1 | Long-Snapper, 1


Filed Under Football | College | USD