A talented group of 29 high school seniors and six transfers make up the initial 2009 University of Sioux Falls football recruiting class. The incoming freshman class will attempt to match the 52-3 overall record and two NAIA National Championships that the 12 graduating seniors posted during their illustrious careers.

"We are extremely pleased with this group of student-athletes. They will represent the University of Sioux Falls well, in the classroom and on the football field," said Kalen DeBoer, the American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. "We feel like this class will help us continue to perform at a high level and make its presence felt on the playing field. Many of these young men will become the cornerstone of our program for years to come."

• Dylan Wheeler (Harrisburg, S.D.) - OL, 6-5, 255 lbs.
High School: Harrisburg
Head Coach: Scott Ebert
Parents: Chuck and Peg Wheeler
Major: Undecided
Notes: Named All-State, All-Conference, Argus Leader Elite 45 Honorable Mention. Helped lead team to State Semi-Finals

• Jordan M. Johnson (Spearfish, S.D.) - RB, 5-8, 185 lbs.
High School: Spearfish
Head Coach: Chuck Syverson
Parents: Michael and Jennifer Johnson
Major: Education
Notes: Named Argus Leader Elite 45, All-State, All-Conference, 3rd All-Time leading rusher with 3,495 yards, 2nd All-Time scoring in Class 11 AA. Set single game rushing record in Class 11 AA with 305 yards.

• Lance Lawson (Norfolk, Neb.) - QB, 6-2, 205 lbs.
High School: Norfolk Senior
Head Coach: Tom Olson
Parents: Kent and Michele Lawson
Major: Sports Management
Notes: Named 2nd Team Nebraska Super State, Honorable Mention All-State, All-Conference, Academic All-State. Passed for over 1500 yards in addition to rushing for over 1000 yards.

• Brock Ackerman (Montevideo, Minn.) - RB, 5-11, 200 lbs.
High School: Montevideo
Head Coach: Dave Schimming
Parents: Larry and Ann Ackerman
Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Named All-Conference, RB MVP, and Team Captain. Rushed for 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2008

• Michael Frericks (Crystal Lake, Ill.) - DB, 6-2, 180 lbs.
High School: Crystal Lake South
Head Coach: Jim Stuglis
Parents: Mike and Sandy Frericks
Major: Undecided
Notes: Named All-State Honorable Mention, All-Conference, All-Area. Crystal Lake South was Illinois 7A Semi-Finalist

• Jordan Johnson (Platte, S.D.) - DB, 6-0, 175 lbs.
High School: Platte-Geddes
Head Coach: Tracy Hirt
Parents: Rollie and Jean Johnson
Major: Public Relations
Notes: Named Argus Leader Elite 45, All-State, All-Conference, selected to play in South Dakota All-Star game, twice named Team MVP. Recorded over 300 career tackles and helped lead team to the 2008 Semi-Finals

• Zack Vickers (Omaha, Neb.) - WR, 6-0, 180 lbs.
High School: Millard South
Head Coach: Andy Means
Parents: Ian and Joanna Vickers
Major: Undecided
Notes: Named All-State Honorable Mention while playing for Class A Runner-Up Millard South

• Braden Wieking (Sioux Falls, S.D.) - K, 6-0, 185 lbs.
High School: Sioux Falls Christian
Head Coach: Bob Garry
Parents: Kim and Dawn Wieking
Major: Business
Notes: First player to receive college football scholarship from Sioux Falls Christian High School

• EJ Knight (Alden, Minn.) - WR, 6-1, 195 lbs.
High School: Alden-Conger
Head Coach: Chad Mattson
Parents: Tracey Knight
Major: Business
Notes: Named All-Conference and All-District and Defensive MVP. Recorded 800 yards receiving and 300 yards rushing.

• Brennan Welbig (Colton, S.D.) - LB, 6-2, 190 lbs.
High School: Tri-Valley
Head Coach: Brad McDonald
Parents: Tom and Sherrie Welbig
Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Named All-State, Academic All-State, All-Conference, and Team Captain and South Dakota All-Star game nominee. Helped lead Tri-Valley to back-to-back State Championships in 2007 and 2008.

• Jordan McCollough (Cheyenne, Wyo.) - OL, 6-5, 290 lbs.
High School: East
Head Coach: Chad Goff
Parents: Justin and Lori McCollough
Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Named Casper Tribune Super 25, All-State, All-Conference, and Shrine Bowl Participant

• Matthew Morog (Miller, S.D.) - LB, 6-2, 205 lbs.
High School: Miller
Head Coach: Tim McMahon
Parents: Tom and Renae Morog
Major: Pre-Med
Notes: Named All-Conference and Team Captain

• Brian Sandifer (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) - QB, 6-3, 180 lbs.
High School: St. Bernards
Head Coach: John Medlow
Parents: Brian Sandifer and Lisa Carter
Major: Undecided
Notes: Named All-Conference while throwing for 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns

• Adam Heck (Sioux Falls, S.D.) - DB, 6-0, 185 lbs.
High School: Washington
Head Coach: Brian Hermanson
Parents: Jon and Kim Heck
Major: Biology
Notes: Named Argus Leader Elite 45, All-State, All-Conference, All-City, and Team Captain

• Ryan Adams (Douglas, Wyo.) - LB, 6-0, 200 lbs.
High School: Douglas
Head Coach: Jay Rhoades
Parents: Mike and Naomi Adams
Major: Biology/Education
Notes: Named All-State and All-Conference, Wyoming Shrine Game Participant. 2008 Wyoming State Champions

• Bo Bruinsma (Elk Point, S.D.) - DB, 5-9, 160 lbs.
High School: Elk Point-Jefferson
Head Coach: Scott Bruning
Parents: Al and Pat Bruinsma
Major: Pre-Law
Notes: Named All-State, All-Conference, Offensive MVP, and Team MVP

• Dakota Fiene (Cottonwood, Minn.) - WR/RB, 5-7, 170 lbs.
High School: Lakeview
Head Coach: Grant Will
Parents: Richard Fiene and Stacy Plotz
Major: Exercise Science
Notes: Named Team Captain, Offensive MVP and All-Area

• Jonnathon Studie (Douglas, Wyo.) - OL, 6-2, 240 lbs.
High School: Douglas
Head Coach: Jay Rhoades
Parents: Scott Studie and Shawna Spade
Major: Biology
Notes: Named All-Conference and team was Wyoming State Champions

• Josh Krause (Sioux Falls, S.D.) - Linebacker, 5-10, 205 lbs.
High School: Roosevelt
Head Coach: Brent DeBoer
Parents: Jon Krause and Janine Schulz
Major: Exercise Science
Notes: Named to the All-City Team

• Korben Leegaard (Gillette, Wyo.) - LB, 5-11, 255 lbs.
High School: Campbell County
Head Coach: Vic Wilkerson
Parents: John and Tammy Leegaard
Major: Exercise Science
Notes: Named Wyoming Super 25, All-State, All-Conference, 2008 Wyoming State Champions

• Collin Ringling (Platte, S.D.) - TE, 6-5, 215 lbs.
High School: Platte-Geddes
Head Coach: Tracy Hurt
Parents: Kirby and Sandy Ringling
Major: Business
Notes: Named to the 2008 All-State team

• Ben Schempp (Sioux Falls, S.D.) - DB, 5-11, 180 lbs.
High School: Roosevelt
Head Coach: Brent DeBoer
Parents: Perry and Linda Schempp
Major: Undecided
Notes: Twice named Most Valuable DB, Most improved Junior, 2 year starter

• Dustin Snyder (Garretson, S.D.) - LB, 6-2, 185 lbs.
High School: Garretson
Head Coach: Tim Hughes
Parents: Jamie and Becky Resmen
Major: Undecided
Notes: Named All-Conference

• Jonathon Traetow (Sherburn, Minn.) - P/Ath, 6-2, 215 lbs.
High School: Martin County West
Head Coach: Tom Crosby
Parents: David and Judy Traetow
Major: Media Studies/Exercise Science
Notes: Named All-Area, Honorable Mention All-Conference, Team Captain

• Daniel Whipple (Baltic, S.D.) - DL, 6-2, 245 lbs.
High School: Tri-Valley
Head Coach: Brad McDonald
Parents: Rob and Deb Whipple
Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Named Elite 45 Honorable Mention, All-State, All-Conference, S.D. All-Star participant. Helped lead Tri-Valley to back-to-back State Championships in 2007 and 2008.

• Kody Wildfeuer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) - DL, 6-2, 230 lbs.
High School: Lincoln
Head Coach: Aaron Beavers
Parents: Kyle and Barb Wildfeuer
Major: Computer Science
Notes: Named Argus Leader Elite 45, All-State Honorable Mention, and All-City. Helped lead Lincoln HS to 2008 Class 11AA State Championship

• Garett Steers (Miller, S.D.) - LB, 5-11, 190 lbs.
High School: Miller
Head Coach: Tim McMahon
Parents: Bob and Diane Steers
Major: Pre-Med
Notes: Named All-Conference

• Justin Wiles (Omaha, Neb.) - OL, 6-0, 280 lbs.
High School: Westside
Head Coach: Marty Kauffman
Parents: Ted and Cheryl Wiles
Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Named Team Captain and All-District Honorable Mention

• Brandon Mayabb (Schertz, Texas) - LB, 6-0, 200 lbs.
High School: Samuel Clemens
Head Coach: Greg Ferrara
Parents: Frank and IL Sun Mayabb
Major: Political Science/Business
Notes: Named Team Captain and All-District Honorable Mention

Transfers:

• Cameron Covey (Galt, Calif.) - LB, 6-0, 220 lbs.
Previous School: Yuba College
High School: Galt
Head Coach: Ted Hoal
Parents: John and Lena Covey
Major: Nursing
Notes: All-Bay Valley Conference LB, Helped lead 3rd ranked defense in CA to a 7-3 record

• Shane Cronin (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) - DB, 6-2, 210 lbs.
Previous School: Arizona Western College
High School: Bradshaw Mountain
Head Coach: Tom Minnick
Parents: Jon and Diana Cronin
Major: Exercise Science
Notes: Recorded 50 tackles and blocked 2 punts returning one for a touchdown

• Steven Kala (Pittsburg, Calif.) - OLB, 6-3, 210 lbs.
Previous School: Los Medanos Junior College
High School: Helix
Head Coach: Jeremy Horn
Parents: Steven Sr. and Robin Kala
Major: Ex Science
Notes: Team Captain recorded 57 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles

• Alexander Morales (San Diego, Calif.) - LB, 6-0, 230 lbs.
Previous School: Southwestern Junior College
High School: Helix
Head Coach: Ed Cardberry
Parents: Robert and Rebecca Morales
Major: Ex Science
Notes: 1st Team All-Conference and All-California LB

• Erick Ortiz (Harlingen, Texas) - DB, 5-7, 160 lbs.
High School: Harlingen
Head Coach: Manny Gomez
Parents: Michael and Nelda Ortiz
Major: History
Notes: Named All-District, All-Valley, All-Star Selection

• Brad Theilen (Nashua, Iowa) - WR, 6-5, 220 lbs.
Previous School: North Iowa Community College
High School: Nashua-Plainfield
Head Coach: Scott Strohmeier
Parents: Jeff and Jan Theilen
Major: Exercise Science
Notes: Former teammate of current USF players Kyle Staudt and Lorenzo Brown. Spent the 2008 season as redshirt at Iowa State University.