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As of 11:15 a.m., Feb. 4
2015 SMSU National Letter of Intent Signees
*** already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester
Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School / Previous College)
Stephan Ameyaw, DB, 6-1, 190, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Osseo HS)
Brad Bahlmann, LB, 6-1, 195, Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS)
Josh Bauer, DB, 5-9, 160, Spring Lake Park, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Webb Bolstad, DL, 6-4, 230, Hopkins, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Jace Bunne, Athlete, 5-11, 175, Ostrander, Minn. (LeRoy-Ostrander HS)
Cody Carpentier, LB, 6-0, 235, Waltham, Minn. (Hayfield HS)
Corey Castell, LB, 6-1, 235, Canby, Minn. (Canby HS)
Andy Cooper, OL, 6-5, 300, Sheldon, Iowa (Sheldon HS)
Jon Dicke, DL, 6-2, 305, Rochester, Minn. (Century HS)
Tahi Dixon, DL, 6-3, 245, Burnsville, Minn. (Burnsville HS)
Adam Elliott, Athlete, 6-4, 195, Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson HS)
Drew Fellenz, DL, 6-3, 255, Spring Lake Park, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Joe Gatz, OL, 6-3, 305, Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic HS)
Nick Guzman, DL, 6-3, 250, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)
Zach Haley, LB, 6-0, 220, Hopkins, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Daniel Halverson, LB, 6-2, 225, Portland, Ore. (Grant HS / Scottsdale C.C.) ***
Jonathan Johnson, LB, 6-2, 230, Monroe, Mich. (Ypsilanti HS / Minnesota West C.C.) ***
Malik Johnson, DL, 6-0, 240, Cottage Grove, Minn. (St. Agnes HS)
Paul Johnson, DB, 6-1, 195, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Harrisburg HS)
Dalton Jones, LB, 6-1, 210, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Lincoln HS)
Ben Kragness, OL, 6-2, 265, Colfax, Wis. (Colfax HS)
Tyler Lee, QB, 6-1, 180, Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Caleb Leichtnam, DB, 6-0, 200, Grand Meadow, Minn. (Grand Meadow HS / Rochester Community & Tech College) ***
Jeb Melson, WR, 6-6, 200, Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park HS)
Connor Melz, LB, 5-10, 215, Lakeville, Minn. (North HS)
Trenton McCloud, Athlete, 6-0, 185, South St. Paul, Minn. (South St. Paul HS)
Datrice Mulsumo, RB, 5-9, 180, Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)
Aaron Murphy, WR, 6-5, 200, Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Stephen Newberger, DL, 6-3, 200, Coon Rapids, Minn. (Blaine HS)
Alex Ney, LB, 6-1, 235, Rochester, Minn. (Century HS)
Spencer Ogden, Athlete, 6-3, 205, Annandale, Minn. (Annandale HS)
D’Angelo Pruitt-Cooper, DL, 6-3, 220, Minneapolis, Minn. (Washburn HS)
Henry Rosene, OL, 6-1, 285, Minneapolis, Minn. (Southwest HS)
Kevin Rubin, DL, 6-2, 305, Detroit, Mich. (King HS / Ellsworth C.C.) ***
Peyton Sanders, DB, 6-1, 180, Chaska, Minn. (Chaska HS)
Jesse Setzer, RB, 5-7, 175, Petersburg, Ill. (PORTA HS / McKendree University) ***
Marcus Starks, DB, 5-10, 170, Chicago, Ill. (Evanston Township HS)
Zachary Stratmoen, OL, 6-5, 280, Dawson, Minn. (Dawson-Boyd HS)
Zach Thissen, OL, 6-5, 285, Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount HS)
Luke Thornton, OL, 6-6, 280, Oronoco, Minn. (Pine Island HS)
Dan Troutman, DL, 6-2, 215, Dixon, Ill. (Dixon HS)
Christian VonRuden, RB, 5-10, 185, Fairbault, Minn. (Bethlehem Academy)
Esten Weber, LB, 5-9, 201, Dawson, Minn. (Dawson-Boyd HS / Univ. of St. Thomas) ***
Austin Wells, K/P, 5-11, 165, Chandler, Ariz. (Campo Verde HS / Colorado Mesa Univ.)
D'Tavius Williams, RB, 5-9, 190, Minneapolis, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Tyshonn Woodard, DL, 6-2, 230, Rockford, Ill. (Guilford HS)
Zach Zellmer, LB, 6-3, 205, Woodbury, Minn. (Simley HS)
 Ameyaw | Stephan Ameyaw,
DB, 6-1, 190,
Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Osseo HS)
Prepped at Osseo HS for coach Derrin Lamker … honorable mention all-conference … had 71 tackles and three interceptions as a senior … also in track and soccer … son of Benjamin Ameyaw and Juliet Affum.
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 Bahlmann | Brad Bahlmann,
LB, 6-1, 195,
Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS)
Prepped at Marshall HS for coach Terry Bahlman … two-time conference defensive back of the year … two-time all-conference honoree … named all-area … recorded 88 tackles as a senior … two-year starter at quarterback … finishing career passing for 2,175 yards and 28 touchdowns … rushed for 1,369 career yards and 18 touchdowns … academic all-state … also letterwinner in baseball … son of Terry and Jan Bahlmann.
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 Bauer | Josh Bauer,
DB, 5-9, 160,
Spring Lake Park, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Prepped at Spring Lake Park HS for coach Jeff Schlieff … named all-conference … selected all-metro and all-state … set school records for interceptions in a game (3), season (13) and career (16) … as a senior had 13 interceptions with 39 tackles … also rushed for 497 yards and eight touchdowns ... letterwinner in baseball.
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 Bolstad | Webb Bolstad,
DL, 6-4, 230,
Hopkins, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Prepped at Hopkins HS for coach John Denhartog ... twice named all-conference ... three-year letterwinner ... also letterwinner in hockey ... son of Thor Bolstad. |
 Bunne | Jace Bunne,
Athlete, 5-11, 175,
Ostrander, Minn. (LeRoy-Ostrander HS)
Prepped at LeRoy-Ostrander HS for coach Aaron Hungerholt … four-year letterwinner … two-year captain … two-time all-conference … passed for 1,205 yards and rushed for 1,370 yards as a senior … finished career passing for 4,556 yards and 43 touchdowns … also rushed for 2,469 career yards and 20 touchdowns … recorded 251 career tackles … five-year letterwinner in wrestling … son of Bob and Karen Bunne.
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 Carpentier | Cody Carpentier,
LB, 6-0, 235,
Waltham, Minn. (Hayfield HS)
Prepped at Hayfield HS for coach Andrew Weires … all-conference honoree … team captain … amassed 47 tackles with six sacks as a senior with six forced fumbles … recorded more than 100 tackles and 18.5 career sacks … state qualifier in track in the shot put and discus … son of Brooke and the late John Carpentier and Dave Coolidge.
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 Castell | Corey Castell,
LB, 6-1, 235,
Canby, Minn. (Canby HS)
Prepped at Canby HS for coach Nick Kockelman … three-year letterwinner and starter … two-time all-conference … two-time all-area … team MVP … missed half of senior season, but still amassed 75 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and forced five fumbles … also letterwinner in basketball, wrestling and track … son of Kelly and Matt Anderson.
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 Cooper | Andy Cooper,
OL, 6-5, 300,
Sheldon, Iowa (Sheldon HS)
Prepped at Sheldon HS for coach Matt Meendering … three-year letterwinner … two-time all-district honoree … two-time first team all-state … selected to play in Iowa Shrine Bowl … also letterwinner in basketball and track … son of Stewart and Niki Cooper.
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 Dicke | Jon Dicke,
DL, 6-2, 305,
Rochester, Minn. (Century HS)
Prepped at Rochester Century HS for coach Jon Vik … two-time team captain … three-time all-conference … also captain and letterwinner in both basketball and track … Triple A award honoree … son of Grant and Kris Dicke.
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 Dixon | Tahi Dixon,
DL, 6-3, 245,
Burnsville, Minn. (Burnsville HS)
Prepped at Burnsville HS for coach Tyler Krebs … named all-conference … also competes in weightlifting … son of Pam and Dave Dixon.
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 Elliott | Adam Elliott,
Athlete, 6-4, 195,
Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson HS)
Prepped at Hutchinson HS for coach Andy Rostberg … named all-area and all-conference … also all-conference in track … son of Tim and Jodi Elliott.
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 Fellenz | Drew Fellenz,
DL, 6-3, 255,
Spring Lake Park, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Prepped at Spring Lake Park HS for coach Jeff Schleiff … two-year starter … member of state Class 5A semifinal team … son of Lyle and Shan Fellenz.
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 Gatz | Joe Gatz,
OL, 6-3, 305,
Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic HS)
Prepped at Marian Central Catholic HS for coach Ed Brucker ... two-year letterwinner ... son of Frank and Sheila Gatz. |
 Guzman | Nick Guzman,
DL, 6-3, 250,
Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)
Prepped at Champlin Park HS for coach Mike Korton ... two-year letterwinner ... team captain ... letterwinner in track ... all-conference in track ... son of Kathi and Victor Guzman. |
 Haley | Zach Haley,
LB, 6-0, 220,
Hopkins, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Prepped at Hopkins HS for coach John Denhartog … team captain … three-year letterwinner … two-time all-conference honoree … led the conference in tackles during senior season … named team defensive MVP as a senior … recorded 190 career tackles … two-time high school All-American rugby player … son of Kim Ruckdaschel-Haley and Kevin Haley.
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 | Daniel Halverson,
LB, 6-2, 225,
Portland, Ore. (Grant HS / Scottsdale C.C.)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... transfer from Scottsdale Community College ... recorded 15 tackles and one sack ... also spent a season at Portland State University ... 2012 graduate of Grant HS ... played for coach Diallo Lewis ... named first team all-state ... conference defensive player of the year ... son of Tina Halverson. |
 M. Johnson | Malik Johnson,
DL, 6-0, 240,
Cottage Grove, Minn. (St. Agnes HS)
Prepped at St. Agnes HS for coach Jim Stangler … team captain … all-conference honoree … team defensive MVP … led conference in tackles … named all-metro east … named all-state … recorded 125 tackles during senior season … racked up 107 tackles during junior season … son of Marc and Rachel Johnson.
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| Jonathan Johnson,
LB, 6-2, 230,
Monroe, Mich. (Ypsilanti HS / Minnesota West C.C.)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... played two seasons at Minnesota West Community & Tech College ... recorded 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss during the 2014 season ... 2010 graduate of Ypsilanti HS ... three-year letterwinner ... son of Margaret Johnson. |
 P. Johnson | Paul Johnson,
DB, 6-1, 195,
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Harrisburg HS)
Prepped at Harrisburg HS for coach Brandon White … three-year letterwinner … recorded 133 tackles in two seasons … as a senior had 58 tackles with one interception … son of Brad and Christiene Johnson.
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 Jones | Dalton Jones,
LB, 6-1, 210,
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Lincoln HS)
Prepped at Sioux Falls Lincoln HS for coach Aaron Beavers … four-year letterwinner … team captain … all-city honoree … member of two state championship teams … recorded 79 solo tackles as a senior … two-time all-academic … multi-year letterwinner in track … son of Kevin and Jennifer Jones.
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 Kragness | Ben Kragness,
OL, 6-2, 265,
Colfax, Wis. (Colfax HS)
Prepped at Colfax HS for coach Mark Maloney … first team all-conference as a senior … second team all-conference on both offense and defense as a junior … selected to play in WFCA All-Star game … letterwinner in basketball and track … son of Todd and Cassandra Kragness.
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 Lee | Tyler Lee,
QB, 6-1, 180,
Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Prepped at Hopkins HS for coach John Denhartog … three-time letterwinner … all-conference … team MVP … passed for 13 touchdowns … rushed for three touchdowns … letterwinner in track … scholar athlete … son of Erik and Vicki Swenson.
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| Caleb Leichtnam,
DB, 6-0, 200,
Grand Meadow, Minn. (Grand Meadow HS / Rochester Community & Tech College)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... played two seasons at Rochester Community and Tech College in 2011 and 2012 for coach Derrick Hintz ... first-team All-America in 2011 ... recorded 55 tackles and 20 interceptions as a freshman ... broke NJCAA single-season interception record with 20 in 2011 ... second team All-America in 2012 ... racked up 75 tackles and seven interceptions in 2012 ... redshirted at Iowa State ... 2011 graduate of Grand Meadow HS ... played for coach Gary Sloan ... two-time all-state running back. |
 McCloud | Trenton McCloud,
Athlete, 6-0, 185,
South St. Paul, Minn. (South St. Paul HS)
Prepped at South St. Paul HS for coach Chad Sexauer … named team MVP … all-conference honoree … recorded 10 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 23 yards per catch … also recorded five interceptions … also in basketball and track.
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 Melson | Jeb Melson,
WR, 6-6, 200,
Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park HS)
Prepped at Park HS for coach Darin Glazier … two-time all-conference honorable mention honoree … caught 34 passes for 660 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior … recorded 35 receptions for 534 yards as a junior … set the program record for career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns … set school single-game record with 223 yards receiving … also multi-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball … son of Jeff and Lisa Melson.
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 Melz | Connor Melz,
LB, 5-10, 215,
Lakeville, Minn. (North HS)
Prepped at Lakeville North HS for coach Brian Vossen … all-conference honorable mention honoree … recorded 55 tackles with one sack and one interception as a senior with one defensive touchdown … racked up 110 tackles and four sacks in career … son of Carey and Colleen Melz.
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 Mulsumo | Datrice Mulsumo,
RB, 5-9, 180,
Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)
Prepped at Champlin Park HS for coach Mike Korton … three-year letterwinner … all-conference honoree … rushed for 666 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior … also caught 15 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown … rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior … closed career rushing for 1,847 yards and 17 touchdowns … also letterwinner in basketball and track.
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 Murphy | Aaron Murphy,
WR, 6-5, 200,
Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)
Prepped at Spring Lake Park HS for coach Jeff Schlieff … three-year letterwinner … two-time all-conference … caught 10 passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns as a senior … also amassed 103 tackles as a senior … finished career with 489 yards receiving and nine touchdowns … recorded 117 career tackles with three interceptions … letterwinner in hockey and baseball.
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 Newberger | Stephen Newberger,
DL, 6-3, 200,
Coon Rapids, Minn. (Blaine HS)
Prepped at Blaine HS for coach Thomas Develoce ... three-year letterwinner ... two-time all-conference honoree ... letterwinner in basketball ... son of Jerry and Lisa Newberger. |
 Ney | Alex Ney,
LB, 6-1, 235,
Rochester, Minn. (Century HS)
Prepped at Rochester Century HS for coach Jon Vik ... three-time all-conference ... two-time team defensive MVP ... three-year letterwinner ... as a senior finished with 104 tackles and 15 tackles for loss ... recorded 243 career tackles with four sacks and six forced fumbles ... also racked up 31 career tackles for loss ... all-conference in hockey.
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 Ogden | Spencer Ogden,
Athlete, 6-3, 205,
Annandale, Minn. (Annandale HS)
Prepped at Annandale HS for coach Matt Walter ... named all-area, all-section and all-conference ... rushed for 1,013 yards as a senior ... recorded 30 tackles ... two-time state qualifier in wrestling ... two-time all-conference in wrestling ... recorded 30 victories as a junior ... all-state and all-conference honoree in track ... son of Tom and Lucinda Ogden. |
 Pruitt-Cooper | D’Angelo Pruitt-Cooper,
DL, 6-3, 220,
Minneapolis, Minn. (Washburn HS)
Prepped at Minneapolis Washburn HS for coach Giovan Jenkins … named all-conference … also letterwinner in basketball.
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 Rosene | Henry Rosene,
OL, 6-1, 285,
Minneapolis, Minn. (Southwest HS)
Prepped at Minneapolis Southwest HS for coach Josh Zoucha ... two-year starter ... son of Brian and Mary Rosene. |
| Kevin Rubin,
DL, 6-2, 305,
Detroit, Mich. (King HS / Ellsworth C.C.)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... played two seasons at Ellsworth Community College ... 2013 graduate of Dr. Martin Luther King HS. |
 Sanders | Peyton Sanders,
DB, 6-1, 180,
Chaska, Minn. (Chaska HS)
Prepped at Chaska HS for coach Bryan Dahl … three-year letterwinner … named all-conference and all-metro … recorded 84 tackles and five interceptions as a senior … also rushed for 314 yards and three touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 459 yards and five touchdowns during senior season … closed career setting school record with 12 interceptions with 190 tackles … academic all-state honoree … team captain in basketball … son of Scott and Jill Sanders.
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| Jesse Setzer,
RB, 5-7, 175,
Petersbug, Ill. (PORTA HS / McKendree University)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... spent the 2014 season at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill ... 2014 graduate of PORTA HS ... played for coach Rich McMahon ... first team all-conference ... first team all-state ... rushed for 2,249 yards as a senior ... closed career rushing for 3,497 yards ... all-state wrestler ... son of Brian and Cindi Setzer. |
 Starks | Marcus Starks,
DB, 5-10, 170,
Chicago, Ill. (Evanston Township HS)
Prepped at Evanston Township HS for coach Mike Burzawa … recorded 30 tackles and five pass break-ups with one interception as a senior … named all-conference and all-section in track … son of Tangala Wilkes and Perrin Starks.
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 Stratmoen | Zachary Stratmoen,
OL, 6-5, 280,
Dawson, Minn. (Dawson-Boyd HS)
Prepped at Dawson-Boyd HS for coach Cory Larson … two-time Marshall Independent All-Area … West Central Tribune All-Area … named all-conference … named conference most valuable offensive lineman … also letterwinner in basketball and baseball … son of DuWayne and Valerie Stratmoen.
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 Thissen | Zach Thissen,
OL, 6-5, 285,
Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount HS)
Prepped at Rosemount HS for coach Jeff Erdmann ... three-year letterwinner ... two-year starter ... named second team all-state ... all-metro second team ... member of three state tournament teams ... two-time all-conference ... letterwinner in basketball and track ... son of Jon and Michelle Thissen. |
 Thornton | Luke Thornton,
OL, 6-6, 280,
Oronoco, Minn. (Pine Island HS)
Prepped at Pine Island HS for coach John Stapleton … all-conference honoree … named team lineman of the year … team captain … team qualified for 2013 state tournament … also letterwinner in basketball … son of Mark and Kelly Thornton and Wendy and Greg Engstler.
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 Troutman | Dan Troutman,
DL, 6-2, 215,
Dixon, Ill. (Dixon HS)
Prepped at Dixon HS for coach Dave Smith … named first team all-conference and first team all-area … recorded 49 tackles and nine sacks as a senior … son of Todd and Jackie Troutman.
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 VonRuden | Christian VonRuden,
RB, 5-10, 185,
Fairbault, Minn. (Bethlehem Academy)
Prepped Bethlehem Academy for coach Scott Hanson … four-year letterwinner … two-time all-conference … second team all-state honoree … holds school record for single-game rushing yards, single-season rushing yards and career rushing yards … closed career rushing for 4,023 yards and 46 touchdowns … also had nine receiving touchdowns and 583 yards receiving … all-conference in hockey … letterwinner in baseball … son of Tom and Dede VonRuden.
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| Esten Weber,
LB, 5-9, 201,
Dawson, Minn. (Dawson-Boyd HS / Univ. of St. Thomas)
Already enrolled at SMSU for 2015 spring semester ... transfer from the University of St. Thomas ... played two seasons ... 2012 graduate of Dawson-Boyd HS ... led team as a senior with 150 tackles ... led team with 1,618 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns in 2011, leading team to state championship ... team captain ... played in Minnesota All-Star game ... all-area ... also in track ... son of Mark and Stephanie Weber. |
| Austin Wells,
K/P, 5-11, 165,
Chandler, Ariz. (Campo Verde HS / Colorado Mesa Univ.)
Spent the 2014 season at Colorado Mesa University … 2014 graduate of Campo Verde HS … played for coach Max Ragsdale … first team all-state kicker … second team all-state as a punter … all-section honoree … son of Ron and Traci Wells.
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 Williams | D'Tavius Williams,
RB, 5-9, 190,
Minneapolis, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
Prepped at Hopkins HS for coach John Denhartog ... led team in touchdowns as a senior ... scored 42 career touchdowns ... all-conference honoree ... four-year letterwinner in track ... earned all-conference in track ... son of Zena Williams. |
 Woodard | Tyshonn Woodard,
DL, 6-2, 230,
Rockford, Ill. (Guilford HS)
Prepped at Guilford HS for coach Mel Gilfilian … two-time all-conference.
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 Zellmer | Zach Zellmer,
LB, 6-3, 205,
Woodbury, Minn. (Simley HS)
Prepped at Simley HS for coach Rex King … earned honorable mention all-conference honors … racked up 76 tackles with six sacks as a senior … recovered five fumbles … also in basketball … son of Bill and Julie Zellmer.
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