North Dakota State Football Signs 22 High School Athletes, Adds Three Junior College Players
2/3/2010 10:53:00 PM | Football
FARGO, N.D.?North Dakota State University head football coach CRAIG BOHL announced the signing of 22 high school athletes and three junior college athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football and continue their education at NDSU. That announcement came today on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign Letters of Intent.
The list includes student-athletes from 10 different states including North Dakota (4), Minnesota (8), Wisconsin (3), Nebraska (3), South Dakota (2), Texas (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (1), Texas (1), California (1) and Utah (1).
There are 11 offensive players and 14 defensive players.
Here are the bios of the new letter of intent signees:
NORTH DAKOTA (4)
Travis Beck, LB, 6-0, 185, Munich, N.D. (Langdon/Munich H.S.)--Two-time all-state for Langdon/Munich Cardinals and head coach Andy DelaBarre ... First team all-state in 2009, second team in 2008 ... Will play in 2010 Badlands Bowl ... Played linebacker, running back, quarterback and safety during career ... Led Cardinals to state runner-up finish in 2009 ... All-state, two-time all-region peformer on baseball diamond ... Two-time all-district in basketball ... Part of a successful Munich American Legion baseball team ... Born January 6, 1992 ... Son of Gary and Lynette Beck ... Has one brother, Riley, and three sisters, Monica, Rachel and Danielle.
Tyler Gefroh (Gef-Row), LB, 6-0, 200, Grand Forks, N.D. (Red River H.S.)-- Two-time all-state and three-time all-conference linebacker for Red River High School and head coach Vyrn Muir ... Three-year defensive point leader for Rough Riders, who advanced to the state playoffs last season ... Three-year starter ... Three-time all-city selection ... Earned all-state honors in track & field ... Member of school and state record 4x100 meter relay ... Honor student ... Born August 5, 1991 ... Son of Rick and Renae Gefroh ... Has one sister, Kasey ... Cousin of former NDSU football players Jayd, Matt and Cody Kittelson ... Father played football for Minot State.
Ryan Smith, RB, 5-8, 170, Wahpeton, N.D. (Wahpeton H.S.)--Two-time all-state and all-conference running back for Wahpeton High School and head coach Mike McCall ... Rushed for 2,781 yards as a senior and 2,135 yards as a junior ... The Huskies went 12-1 and reached the state AA semifinals in 2009, and went 9-3 and advanced to the state AAA quarterfinals in 2008 ... 2009-10 Old Spice National Red Zone Player of the Year ... Holds a dozen Wahpeton High School football records ... Won the state 100 meter dash championship in 2009 and was member of the 2009 Eastern Dakota Conference basketball championship team ... Set the EDC records in the 100 and 200 ... Born August 19, 1991 ... Son of Randy and Trudi Smith ... Has two sisters, KiKi and Allie, who competed in track & field at South Dakota ... KiKi ran at NDSU in 2001-02 ... Father played football and ran track at Northern State, while mother played volleyball and ran track at Jamestown College.
Esley (S-Ley) Thorton, QB, 6-3, 200, Bismarck, N.D. (Bismarck H.S.)--Two-time all-state and all-region quarterback for Bismarck High School and head coach Mark Gibson ... Bismarck compiled 23-1 record over past two seasons including a pair of state football championships ... Set school records for most passing yards in season and career ... North Dakota's 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year ... Member of Bismarck's 2008 state championship basketball team that went 25-2 ... First baseman and pitcher for baseball team, also throws the javelin for the track & field team ... National Honor Society ... AAA Senior Athlete Award ... Born August 16, 1991 ... Son of Esley and Melinda Thorton ... Has two brothers, Matthew and Rhannon ... Father played football NDSCS.
MINNESOTA (7)
John Crockett, RB, 6-0, 190, Minneapolis, Minn. (Totino Grace H.S.)-- Associated Press first team all-state running back for Totino-Grace High School and head coach Jeff Ferguson ... Rushed 180 times for 1,802 yards and 34 TDs as a senior ... Caught 26 passes for 495 yards and five TDs ... Returned eight kickoffs for an average of 44.8 yards per return and two touchdowns ... MVP of the North Suburban Conference, KARE 11 all-metro and all-conference as a senior ... Finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Football ... Totino-Grace compiled a 35-3 record during his career including the State 4A championships in 2007 and 2009 ... Honors included Minnesota Vikings all-state, six-time Minneapolis Star Tribune Player of the Week, five-time St. Paul Pioneer Press Player of the Week ... Also earned KFAN, KARE 11, MSBN Player of the Week awards ... Rushed for 2,849 yards and 60 TDs on 363 attempts during career, also caught 36 passes for 627 yards and 6 TDs ... Three-time all-conference basketball player ... Four-year letterwinner in track & field ... Qualified for state meet in high jump and holds school record in event ... Born February 16, 1992 ... Son of Jackie Martin, Minneapolis, and John F. Crockett, St. Paul.
Carlton Littlejohn, LB, 6-1, 205, Minneapolis, Minn. (North Community H.S.)--Associated Press all-state quarterback and safety for North Community High School and head coach Tony Patterson ... Helped North win 5AAA sectional advance to state football playoff semifinals ... Rushed for 1,448 yards and 18 TDs, and passed for 2,923 yards and 39 TDs during career ... On defensive side, had 172 tackles and 10 interceptions ... Minneapolis Conference Player of the Year ... Minnesota Vikings all-state, KARE 11 all-metro, all-section and all-conference pick ... KARE 11 Player of the Week ... Four-year starter ... Region wrestling champion and two-time state qualifier ... Compiled 59-35 record on the mat ... Two-time wrestling all-conference ... Four-year starter, three-time all-conference pitcher for baseball team ... Second state last spring with 108 strikeouts ... Born August 6, 1992 ... Son of Carl and Sonya Smith-Littlejohn ... Has two brothers, Edmond Smith and Markus Smith-Littlejohn, and one sister, Cardell Littlejohn.
Grant Olson, LB, 6-1, 220, Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata H.S.)--All-state performer for Wayzata High School and head coach Brad Anderson ... Member of 2008 state championship team ... Wayzata compiled 32-4 record during varsity career ... Recorded 301 tackles including 51 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in three-year career for Warriors, only second behind James Laurinaitis of the St. Louis Rams ... Added three interceptions, three forced fumbles, a pair of blocked kicks and one TD ... During junior and senior seasons, defense only allowed 11 TDs and 75.3 percent of defensive series were 3 and outs ... Two-time all-conference football selection, while also picking up all-area and all-metro honors ... Three-year state tournament qualifier and all-conference wrestler at 215 pounds ... Born Jan. 13, 1992 ... Son of Lee and Betty Olson ... Has one brother, Luke.
Andy Pfeiffer, S, 5-11, 185, Mankato, Minn. (West H.S.)--Honorable mention all-state player for West High School and head coach Mark Esch ... Selected Big 9 Offensive Player of the Year after recording 16 TDs on 1,217 rushing yards and 240 receiving yards ... Averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return ... Minnesota Vikings all-state, all-conference and all-city selection ... Sprinter on West's first True Team track & field championship squad ... All-conference track & field performer ... Two-year recipient of outstanding academic achievement award ... Born January 9, 1992 ... Son of Dan Pfeiffer and Shelly Schulz ... Has one brother, Lucas Schulz Pfeiffer.
Adam Schueller, OL, 6-3, 300, Fergus Falls, Minn. (Fergus Falls H.S.)--Three-year starter for Fergus Falls High School and head coach Richard Risbrudt ... Member of the 2008 Fergus Falls team that won conference and section titles on the way to 8-0 regular season record and state playoff appearance ... Honorable mention all-conference pick in basketball ... Born December 18, 1991 ... Son of Bill and Joyce Schueller ... Has one brother, Thomas.
Billy Turner, OL, 6-6, 280, Shoreview, Minn., (Mounds View H.S.)--All-state lineman for Mounds View High School and head coach Jim Galvin ... The Mustangs compiled a 26-8 record and won section titles and advanced to state playoffs all three years during career ... Landed spot on St. Paul Pioneer Press all-state, Minneapolis Star Tribune all-metro, metro all-star and all-conference first teams ... Entered season on Star Tribune and KARE 11's preseason metro squads ... Pitches and plays first for baseball team and was invited to several prospect camps ... Born October 17, 1991 ... Son of Maurice and Keren Johnson Turner ... Father played running back at Utah State, drafted by Minnesota Vikings in 1983 and played five years in NFL (Vikings, Green Bay and NY Jets) ... Has two brothers, Maurice Turner, who plays at UNI, and Bryan Kehl Line, who played at BYU and was drafted by the NY Giants in 2008.
Zach Vraa (Ver-aa), WR, 6-2, 200, Inver Grove Hts., Minn. (Rosemount H.S.)--All-state wide receiver for Rosemount High School and head coach Jeff Erdmann ... Finished career with 113 receptions for 1,985 yards and 25 TDs ... Led team in scoring as a junior and senior ... Rosemount reached the 2008 state 5A semifinals after rolling to 11-2 record, and claimed Lake Conference and section titles ... Minnesota's Mr. Football in 2009 ... 2009 St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minnesota Vikings all-state ... Honorable mention on Associated Press all-state team ... Minneapolis Star Tribune all-metro ... Two-time all-conference ... Two-time KARE11 all-metro ... All-conference and all-metro on the basketball court as a junior ... Has over 900 career points, averaging 18 points per game ... All-state and all-conference performer in track & field including second place in 110 high hurdles at 2009 state meet ... Rosemount won the state track & field championship in 2008, and the True Team state track & field titles in 2007 and 2009 ... National Honor Society ... 2010 KARE11 Academic All-Star ... Member of select choirs ... Born February 12, 1992 ... Son of Douglas and Monica Vraa ... Has two sisters, Ashley and Ellie ... Uncle, Steve Scheurer played football for the University of Iowa (1987-88).
WISCONSIN (2)
Zach Colvin, CB, 5-10, 175, Superior, Wis. (Superior H.S.)-- All-conference defensive back for Superior High School and head coach Robert Demeyer ... Three-year starter and four-year letterwinner ... Four-year letterwinner in track & field, competing in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump ... Two-year letterwinner in basketball ... Born December 4, 1991 ... Son of Penny Colvin and Lloyd Colvin ... Has three brothers, Andrew Watson, Seth Colvin and Chris Colvin.
Colten Heagle (He-gul), S, 6-0, 195, Appleton, Wis. (Kimberly H.S.)--Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association first team all-state safety for Kimberly High School and head coach Steve Jorgensen ... Part of 2007 and 2008 Division 2 state championship football teams, state runner-up in 2009 ... FUA Defensive Back of the Year and WFCA all-region pick ... All-area selection, first-team at safety, second team at running back ... Played centerfield and catcher for baseball team, member of basketball team as a freshman ... Will compete in track & field this spring ... Born October 17, 1991 ... Son of Jim and Heidi Heagle ... Has one brother, Jared, and one sister, Lindsay ... Father played football at Carroll College (1981-84).
NEBRASKA (3)
Christian Dudzik (Dud-Sick), S, 5-10, 175, Omaha, Neb. (Skutt Catholic H.S.)--All-Nebraska safety and all-state quarterback for Skutt Catholic High School and head coach Matt Turman ... Passed for 1,884 yards and 22 TDs, rushed for 1,125 yards and 15 TDs in leading Skutt Catholic to state runner-up finish as a senior ... Holds numerous school passing records ... Recorded 55 unassisted tackles and 126 total participations on defense ... Also returned punts and kickoffs ... Two-time all-conference player ... Gatorade Player of the Year nominee ... Plays centerfield for baseball team ... Second place in state 181-pound powerlifting class, as Skutt Catholic placed second at state Power Meet ... Born October 19, 1991 ... Son of Kenneth and Mary Dudzik ... Has one brother, Kyle, and one sister, Kara ... Cousin, Drew Dudzik, and uncle, Mike Dudzik, played quarterback at James Madison.
Kyle Emanuel, LB, 6-2, 225, Schuyler, Neb. (Schuyler Central H.S.)--Two-time Class B all-state player for Schuyler Central High School and head coach Seth McClain ... As a senior, rushed for 1,318 yards and 15 TDs, had 179 receiving yards and one TD, and recorded 84 tackles ... Selected to 2010 Shrine Bowl ... Three-time all-district ... Schuyler Central advanced to second round of 2008 Class B playoffs and won the district with 9-2 record ... Rushed for 1,461 yards and 16 TDs as a junior ... Two-time honorable mention all-state and all-conference on basketball court ... Also competed in track & field and soccer ... Three-time academic all-state selection ... Born August 16, 1991 ... Son of John and Jeanine Emanuel ... Has one brother, Phil, and two sisters, Emily and Gina.
Jesse Hinz (heinz, like the ketchup), OL, 6-4, 290, Beatrice, Neb. (Beatrice H.S.)--Two-time Class B all-state player for Beatrice High School and head coach Bob Sexton ... Helped Beatrice to 11-2 record and state runner-up finish in 2008 ... Will play in 2010 Shrine Bowl ... Two-time Super State Class B second team pick ... Four-year letterwinner in wrestling, finishing fourth at heavyweight in Class B state tournament ... Three-time academic all-conference ... Born March 7, 1992 ... Son of Tony and Ginger Hinz ... Has one brother, Nicholas.
SOUTH DAKOTA (2)
Trevor Gebhart, WR, 6-1, 180, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington H.S.)--All-state, Elite 45 and three-time all-conference wide receiver for Washington High School and Brian Hermanson ... Led Washington to 13-0 record and state championship as a senior ... Warriors compiled 34-5 record overall during career including a pair of state runner-up finishes ... Made 70 receptions for 1,239 yards and 14 TDs over junior and senior seasons, while also recording 118 tackles and 12 interceptions ... Had six kick returns for touchdowns ... Holds school record in 200 meter dash (22.00) ... 2009 state champion in 200, placing third in 100 and 400 ... Member of 4x400 relay team that broke state's all-time record at 3:19.2 ... Plays forward and center for basketball team that won Region IAA title ... Born August 23, 1991 ... Son of Everett and Joan Gebhart ... Father competed in track & field at South Dakota State, mother ran cross-country for Northern State (S.D.) ... Has one brother, Justin.
Mike Hardie, DE, 6-4, 225, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman H.S.)--All-state defensive end for O'Gorman High School and head coach Steve Kueter ... Had 62 tackles and nine sacks as a senior ... O'Gorman advanced to the state semifinals in 2008 and 2009, compiling a 19-5 record ... Two-time all-conference and member of the Elite 45 as a senior ... Four-year letterwinner in basketball ... Competes in shot put and discus on the track & field team ... Born September 10, 1991 ... Son of Doyle and Donna Hardie ... Has one brother, Jason, and one sister, Lezlee ... Brother played football at St. John's (Minn.) from 2002-06, father played football and basketball at Black Hills State from 1974-78.
IOWA (1)
Jason Pomerenke (Pom-err-ankey), OL, 6-5, 290, Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux Center Community H.S.)--All-state offensive lineman for Sioux Center Community High School and head coach Van Regenmorter ... Sioux Center went 5-4 and advanced to state playoffs his senior year ... Will play in Shrine Bowl ... Iowa Newspaper Association Class 2A third team all-state ... Iowa Preps All-Class Elite all-state second team ... Sioux City Journal All-Northwest Iowa and all-district first teams ... Des Moines Register Class 2A all-state first team ... Three-year letterwinner in track & field in shot put ... Post player on basketball team ... Born May 20, 1991 ... Son of Kelly and Teresa Pomerenke ... Has one brother, Aaron, who plays football at the University of South Dakota.
ILLINOIS (1)
Don Carter, LB, 6-1, 220, Bel Air, Md. (Boys Latin (Md.) H.S./Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy)-- All-North Chicago and all-county for Lake Forest Academy as a senior .. Rushed for over 900 yards and scored 16 touchdowns ... Recorded 95 total tackles in 2009 ... Played first three seasons for Boys' Latin (Md.) High School ... Returned a pair of kicks for TDs as a junior ... Recorded 42 solos tackles and three interceptions ... All-MIAA and named to Super 22 in basketball, leading league in rebounds ... Qualified for regionals in AAU track & field ... Born December 22, 1991 ... Son of Ramone and Cheryl Williams-Adams.
TEXAS (1)
Wes Hudson, WR, 5-11, 185, Houston, Texas (Morton Ranch H.S.)--All-district player for Morton Ranch High School and coach David Meadows ... For the Mavericks, rushed for 710 yards and three touchdowns, had 254 receiving yards and three TDs, and returned a pair of kickoffs for scores ... All-Purpose Player of the Year as a senior ... Second-team all-district as junior ... All-district sprinter in track & field ... Member of district champion 4x200 meter relay ... Born March 31, 1992 ... Son of Derrick and LaToya Hudson ... Has one brother, Dominick, and one sister, DaRyian.
CALIFORNIA (1)
Michael Murphy, LS/LB, 6-0, 230, Hollister, Calif. (San Benito H.S.)--Two-time all-league player for San Benito High School and head coach Chris Cameron ... Recorded 297 tackles, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception during three-year career ... Ranks fourth all-time in tackles at the school ... Competes in the shot put and discus for track & field team ... Born March 9, 1992 ... Son of Larry and Michele Murphy ... Has two sisters, Amanda and Ally.
JUNIOR COLLEGE (3)
Boen (Bow-In) Andersen, OL, 6-2, 295, Wayzata, Minn. (NDSCS / Minnetonka (Minn.) H.S.)-- Played two years for Chuck Parsons at North Dakota State College of Science ... Part of Dave Nelson's successful Minnetonka High School football program ... All-state and all-conference performer ... Son of Dan and Luci Andersen ... Has one sister, Abbi.
Dillon Forbes, LB, 6-0, 230, Mequon, Wis. (Harper JC / Homestead (Wis.) H.S.)--Played at Harper College (Ill.) in 2007 and was ninth in NJCAA Region 4 with 56 stops in eight games ... First-team all-conference, all-area, all-region and all-state selection under coach Dave Keel at Homestead High School ... Led the Homestead defense in tackles in a 14-0 state championship season ... Had 18 stops for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception return for touchdown ... Son of Cathy Forbes and Scott and Lisa Forbes.
Chad Willson, LB, 5-10, 235, Layton, Utah (Snow JC / Layton (Utah) H.S.)-- Played for Snow College in Ephraim, Utah ... MVP of 2009 Top of Mountains Bowl game ... Snow compiled 10-2 record in 2009, was ranked No. 5 in nation and won the bowl game ... Snow went 11-2 during freshman year, was ranked No. 2 in nation and lost in 2008 NJCAA national championship game ... Two-time time all-state player for Layton High School and head coach Jim Batchelor ... Recorded 216 tackles over junior and senior seasons ... Also played soccer and basketball ... Born April 20, 1990 ... Son of Craig and Diana Willson ... Has two brothers, Reese and Jace ... Brother played football at Pima and Dixie Colleges (2004-07), father played football for Southern Utah.
North Dakota State completed the 2009 season with a 3-8 record overall and 2-6 record in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. NDSU is scheduled to open spring practice on March 27. The Bison open the 2010 season at Kansas on Sept. 4.
HIGH SCHOOL
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown High School
Travis Beck LB 6-0 185 Munich, N.D. Langdon/Munich
Don Carter LB 6-1 220 Bel Air, Md. Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy
Zach Colvin CB 5-10 175 Superior, Wis. Superior
John Crockett RB 6-0 190 Minneapolis, Minn. Totino Grace
Christian Dudzik (Dud-Sick) S 5-10 175 Omaha, Neb. Skutt Catholic
Kyle Emanuel LB 6-2 225 Schuyler, Neb. Schuyler Central
Trevor Gebhart WR 6-1 180 Sioux Falls, S.D. Washington
Tyler Gefroh (Gef-Row) LB 6-0 200 Grand Forks, N.D. Red River
Mike Hardie DE 6-4 225 Sioux Falls, S.D. O'Gorman
Colten Heagle (He-Gul) S 6-0 195 Appleton, Wis. Kimberly
Jesse Hinz (Heinz, like ketchup) OL 6-4 290 Beatrice, Neb. Beatrice
Wes Hudson WR 5-11 185 Houston, Texas Morton Ranch
Carlton Littlejohn LB 6-1 205 Minneapolis, Minn. North Community
Michael Murphy LS/LB 6-0 230 Hollister, Calif. San Benito
Grant Olson LB 6-1 220 Plymouth, Minn. Wayzata
Andy Pfeiffer S 5-11 185 Mankato, Minn. West
Jason Pomerenke (Pom-err-anke) OL 6-5 290 Sioux Center, Iowa Sioux Center Community
Adam Schueller OL 6-3 300 Fergus Falls, Minn. Fergus Falls
Ryan Smith RB 5-8 170 Wahpeton, N.D. Wahpeton
Esley (S-Ley) Thorton QB 6-3 200 Bismarck, N.D. Bismarck
Billy Turner OL 6-6 280 Shoreview, Minn. Mounds View
Zach Vraa (Ver-aa) WR 6-2 200 Inver Grove Hts., Minn. Rosemount
JUNIOR COLLEGE Hometown Previous School
Boen Andersen OL 6-2 295 Wayzata, Minn. NDSCS / Minnetonka, Minn. H.S.
Dillon Forbes LB 6-0 230 Mequon, Wis. Harper JC / Homestead, Wis. H.S.
Chad Willson LB 5-10 235 Layton, Utah Snow JC / Layton, Utah H.S.
