March 29, 2000

Vermillion, SD - John Austin, head football coach at The University of South Dakota is pleased to announce that 28 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to enroll at USD and participate in the Coyote football program beginning with the 2000 season.

"The coaching staff did an outstanding job identifying quality players, quality students and quality young men who will lead The University of South Dakota in the upcoming years," said Austin. "It's a very athletic group. I was equally impressed with their character, their grade point averages and their test scores coming out of high school. All the kids come from winning programs which is very important.

"The one thing we tried to do was improve our athleticism and team speed," added Austin. "We signed some very good tight ends and running backs. They are good athletes and they will be flexible enough to play a couple of different positions. Offensively and defensively, we're also very happy with the linemen we have and they will greatly improve our overall depth."

The USD recruiting class in alphabetical order:

MARK BLACKBURN
6-1, 210 - RB, DB
Moreno Valley, CA
Blackburn established a season record for tackles during his senior year as a linebacker for Rancho Verde High School. Blackburn, who averaged 10.3 yards per carry as a running back, earned all-conference honors in track and basketball. Blackburn attended Riverside (CA) College in 1999
High School coach: Scott Strosnider.

YA'TARRIE BROWN
6-5, 335 - OL
Minneapolis, MN
Brown was a three-year starter for Washburn High School as an offensive and defensive lineman. Named the team's Lineman of the Year, Brown earned all-metro and all-conference honors. A letterwinner in track, Brown helped lead Washburn to two city championships in the last three years. He was voted the squad's Rookie of the Year as a sophomore.
High School coach: Peter Haugen.

KELLEN BURCH
5-10, 175 - DB, RB
St. Paul, MN
Burch earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior and senior for St. Paul Central High School as a defensive back. As a running back, Burch rushed for 422 yards and he had 21 receptions for 310 yards. Burch, a point guard and team captain on the basketball team, also lettered in track running the 100 and 200. He was a member of the 4x100 relay team that qualified for the state meet.
High School coach: Floyd Smaller.

MATT CHAMBERS
6-3, 205 - RB, LB
Treynor, IA
Chambers played an instrumental role for a Treynor team that posted eight shutouts in 1999 en route to a 10-2 record and a 7-0 district mark. Chambers was a unanimous all-district pick and he earned first-team all-Western Iowa honors from the Omaha World-Herald as well as all-Southwest Iowa laurels from the Council Bluffs Nonparel. An all-state choice by the Iowa Newspaper Association, Chambers collected 152 tackles during his senior season along with four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 886 yards and 11 touchdowns. A standout wrestler, Chambers was the conference champion as a junior and is currently ranked number-one in the conference with a 28-1 record. Chambers has earned four letters in track and two in baseball. Matt is the younger brother of USD strength coach and defensive line coach Brett Chambers.
High School coach: Steve Owens.

JOSHUA CHILDRESS
6-1, 225 - FB, LB
Larchwood, IA
Childress was a two-time all-district pick and a first-team all-state choice as a senior for West Lyon Community School. Childress, who helped his team win two state championships in 1998 and 1999, compiled 1,330 career yards rushing and 37 touchdowns. Named to the academic all-district first-team, Childress' career defensive numbers included: 105 tackles, nine quarterback sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Childress has earned letters in track and baseball.
High School coach: Jay Rozeboom.

WESLEY CLUBB
6-2, 300, DL
Sigourney, IA
Clubb sparked Sigourney High School to a four-year record of 36-6, including the state championship with a 13-0 record during his sophomore season. Clubb, a team co-captain, was a three-time first-team all-district selection as a defensive tackle. A first-team all-state pick, Clubb participated in the Iowa Shrine All-Star game. He was named first-team all-state as an offensive guard as a junior. Clubb qualified for the state wrestling tournament twice and he earned all-conference honors in baseball. Clubb attended Waldorf Community College (Forest City, IA) in 1999.
High School coach: Bob Howard.

RAYMOND COOLEY
6-6, 210 - DL
Powell, WY
Cooley was voted the team's most valuable defensive player for Powell High School after notching 45 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, three blocked kicks and two fumble recoveries as a senior. Twice named first-team all-conference, Cooley was selected to play in the Wyoming Shrine Bowl game. The recipient of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete award, Cooley was twice awarded the Lee Blocking Award which annually goes to the school's best lineman. Cooley, who finished with 104 career tackles, has lettered three times in basketball.
High School coach: Guy Croy.

ROBERT CUPICH
6-1, 218 - FB, LB
Omaha, NE
Cupich earned all-conference, all-area and all-state honors as a senior for Ralston High School. Voted the team's most valuable defensive player, Cupich notched 171 tackles this season along with 326 yards rushing. He also averaged 34.8 yards as a punter. Cupich has lettered three times in basketball and three times in baseball.
High School coach: Tyler Zahn.

LEMAUTU FAAAOGA
6-3, 260 - TE, DL
Fagatogo, AS
Faaaoga was a tight end for Samoana High School in Fagatogo, American Samona. As a senior he earned first-team all-state honors with 16 catches for 465 yards and eight touchdowns. Faaaoga, who ranked first on the island in total yards receiving and catches, led his team to the Senior Island Championship. Faaaoga attended Kemper Military School (Boonville, MO) in 1999.
High School coach: Moamoa Vaeao.

JOSHUA GASSEN
6-0, 190 - RB, DB
Rapid City, SD
A first-team all-Greater Dakota Conference and a first-team all-state selection, Gassen racked up school records for yards rushing in a season (1,330) and career (2,390) for Rapid City Central High School. A team captain and Central's most valuable player, Gassen recorded 27 career touchdowns. Defensively, Gassen collected 26 career quarterback sacks and 231 tackles as a defensive back and linebacker. As a junior, Gassen earned all-conference and all-state honors in helping his team to the conference title. Named to the U.S. Navy Scholastic All-American team, Gassen is a three-time state qualifier in wrestling and a four-year letterwinner in track. Joshua is the brother of USD freshman nose guard Bill Gassen.
High School coach: Steve Svendsen.

OAKLY HAINES
6-1, 180 - RB, DB
White Lake, SD
Haines turned in a stellar career for White Lake High School earning Mid-Dakota Conference honors three times, all-state honors twice, and leading his team to three conference championships and one state title. Haines finished his prep career with 4,528 all-purpose yards (2,765 rushing, 555 receiving, 754 kickoff returns, 454 punt returns) and 53 touchdowns. As a senior, Haines rushed 182 times for 1,374 yards (7.5 ave.) and he scored 25 touchdowns. Haines' career defensive numbers included 443 tackles, seven interceptions, six quarterback sacks, 22 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries. During his prep career, White Lake logged a combined record of 34-9 and a conference mark of 21-3. A 1999 all-American candidate, Haines has qualified for the state track meet in the long jump and triple jump. Haines, who won the state title in the long jump as a sophomore, also lettered in basketball. Oakly is the brother of USD sophomore wide receiver Jesse Haines.
High School coach: Todd Karst.

TREVOR HIGHTREE

5-11, 165-RB

Homer, NE

Hightree was a record -setting running back for Homer High School earing all-conference and all-state honors in 1999. A team captain, Hightree set school marks for rushing in a game (380), points in a game (36) and touchdowns in a game (six). Hightree, who also set records for interceptions in a career (nine) and game (two), finished with the second best single season rushing total in school history with 1, 802 yards and his 28 touchdowns was the second-best single season total. Hightree, who was an all-conference quarterback as a junior, has lettered four times in track and three times in basketball. He owns a personal best time of 10.9 in the 100.

TADD JONES
6-3, 240 - LB
Hampton, IA
Jones racked up 345 career tackles as a linebacker for Hampton-Dumont High School. A three-time first-team all-conference choice, Jones earned all-state honors during his senior season in leading team to a 7-3 record and a state playoff berth. Jones, who had 16 pass receptions and a touchdown as a senior, placed third at the state wrestling tournament. Jones earned four letters in wrestling, three in track, three in baseball and three in football. Jones attended Waldorf Community College (Forest City, IA) in 1999.
High School coach: Jerry Shaftrath.

ERIK LANGE
6-5, 275 - DL, OL
Inwood, IA
Lange was a defensive standout for West Lyon Community High School leading the team to back-to-back state championships with a 12-1 record in 1998 and a 13-0 mark this season. A team captain and a first-team all-state selection in 1999, Lange collected 69 tackles, two quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery. Lange also lettered in wrestling.
High School coach: Jay Rozeboom.

THOMAS MARTIN
6-2, 205 - RB, LB
Sioux Falls, SD
A two-year starter for Sioux Falls Lincoln High School, Martin was an all-Greater Dakota Conference selection. A letterwinner in basketball and track, Martin rushed for 884 yards on 131 carries for a 6.7 average in 1999. He scored six touchdowns and he had four 100-yard rushing games.
High School coach: Mike Klinedinst.

CHRIS MIKKELSEN
6-3, 180 - QB, DB
Gregory, SD
Mikkelsen rushed for 1,265 yards and passed for 1,037 during his senior season for Gregory High School. He was named to the Argus Leader Elite-45 team in 1998 and 1999 as well as earning first-team all-state honors both years. A USA Today honorable mention all-American, Mikkelsen established a number of school records. They included: yards rushing in a game (257), yards passing in a game (219), all-purpose yards in a game (383), all-purpose yards in a season (2,824), career all-purpose yards (6,381), career passing yards (2,990) and career completions (172). Mikkelsen, who accumulated 123 career tackles and eight interceptions as a defensive back, was named the Player of the Year by the Mitchell Daily Republic after sparking his team to the 1998 state title. Named to the U.S. Navy Scholastic All-American team, Mikkelsen has lettered four times in basketball and once in track.
High School coach: Dan Whalen.

FRED MITCHELL
6-3, 240 - TE
St. Louis, MO
Mitchell was a first-team all-Metro selection as a tight end and defensive lineman for Lindbergh High School. An honorable mention all-American and a first-team all-district selection, Mitchell was a four-year starter. Mitchell was also a first-team all-conference pick in basketball and baseball. Mitchell attended Kemper Military School (Boonville, MO) in 1999.
High School coach: Tom Beachamp.

VANCE NEWMAN
6-6, 210 - TE, DB
Watertown, SD
A two-way starter as a tight end and free safety for Watertown High School, Newman earned all-Eastern South Dakota Conference honors as a junior and senior. In 1999, he was awarded first-team all-state and academic all-state honors, while being selected to the U.S. Navy Scholastic All-American team. Newman, who will compete in the North/South All-Star game, caught 21 passes this season for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two pass interceptions. Newman has lettered three times in track and three times in basketball. He led the basketball team to the 1999 state title and the track squad to the 1998 state crown. As a junior last year, Newman was second in the high jump at the state meet.
High School coach: Doug Schooley.

CORY NOVAK
6-2, 220 - LB, TE
Vermillion, SD
Named to the South Dakota Football Coaches All-State team as a defensive end and to the Argus Leader Elite-45 squad, Novak led Vermillion High School to the 1999 state championship. A two-time all-Big Eight Conference selection, Novak recorded 89 career tackles and five fumble recoveries. He was named the team's most valuable receiver this season with 16 receptions for 243 yards. Novak, a team co-captain, was voted the Tanagers' outstanding offensive lineman as a junior. Novak has lettered in basketball and track.
High School coach: Gary Culver.

NICHOLAS PETERSON
6-8, 245 - OL
Sioux Falls, SD
Peterson earned all-state honors for Sioux Falls Washington High School. The recipient of the team's Best Offensive Lineman Award, Peterson helped lead his team to the 1998 Greater Dakota Conference championship. Peterson, who was named to the Sioux Falls All-City team, has also lettered in basketball.
High School coach: Kim Nelson.

MICHAEL SONNE
6-5, 245 - DL
Mount Vernon, SD
Sonne helped lead Mount Vernon High School to the 1999 state title. A two-time all-conference player, Sonne earned all-state and academic all-state honors as a senior after notching 98 tackles and eight quarterback sacks. A basketball and track letterwinner, Sonne ended his prep career with 238 tackles, 13 sacks, and he had 18 career pass receptions for 229 yards and seven touchdowns.
High School coach: Myron Steffen.

MARTIN SONNENFELD
6-3, 225 - DL
Rapid City, SD
Sonnenfeld was a four-time all-Black Hills Conference selection for Douglas High School. A two-time all-state pick as a defensive end, Sonnenfeld was named to the Argus Leader Elite-45 team this year along with earning honorable mention all-American honors. Sonnenfeld, who received the American Legion Academic Excellence Award, finished his prep career with 227 tackles, 34 quarterback sacks and three interceptions. Sonnenfeld has lettered three times in basketball and three times in track.
High School coach: Dave Broadie.

DUSTY STAMER
5-9, 170 - RB
Grand Island, NE
Stamer finished as the second all-time leading rusher for Grand Island High School. A second-team all-state pick by the Omaha World-Herald and a first-team all-area selection, Stamer rushed for 1,300 yards in 1999. A standout sprinter, Stamer claimed the gold medal in the 100 (10.69) as a junior at the 1999 state track meet. His personal best in the 100 is 10.55.
High School coach: Greg Uhrmacher.

ADAM SUTHER
6-2, 200 - RB, LB
Claremont, SD
Suther racked up 1,624 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns along with 112 tackles, four quarterback sacks and two interceptions for touchdowns while starring for Langford High School during his senior season. Suther, who earned all-conference, all-state and all-area honors, was selected to play in the South Dakota All-Star game. Named to Who's Who of American High School students, Suther finished his prep career with 1,835 yards rushing, 400 yards receiving, 29 touchdowns, 272 tackles, six quarterback sacks and six interceptions. A three-year letterwinner in basketball and a four-year letterwinner in track, Suther ran on the first-place 4x200 relay team at the 1999 state track meet.
High School coach: David Carson.

SHELDON SWAN
6-4, 210 - LB, RB
Sioux Falls, SD
Swan finished his prep career setting seven school records at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School. As a senior he earned all-state and all-conference honors, and was voted the defensive captain on the all-city team. Named to the Argus Leader Elite-45 team, Swan's school records included: touchdowns in a season (15), points in a season (94), most assists in a game and season (45), most solo tackles in a game and season (69) and interceptions in a season (six). Swan, who collected 623 yards rushing, racked up 100 tackles along with scoring eight touchdowns as a junior. Swan finished fourth at the state powerlifting meet and he placed fifth in the discus at the state track meet as a junior.
High School coach: Brent DeBoer.

PAUL TSCHETTER
6-4, 220 - TE
Sioux Falls, SD
Tschetter was a decorated player for Sioux Falls Washington High School. Named the Gatorade Player of the Year for South Dakota, Tschetter earned all-conference, all-state and academic all-state honors. Tschetter, the recipient of the George Mickelson honorary award, set career records for receptions (79) and receiving yards (1,126) as a tight end. Tschetter lettered four times in basketball.
High School coach: Kim Nelson.

JONATHAN WEEMS
5-7, 180 - RB
Thousand Oaks, CA
Weems was a record-setting running back for Westlake High School. A first-team all-Marmanle League selection, Weems rushed for 2,353 yards in two seasons, including 1,452 as a senior. He also set school marks for touchdowns in a season (25) and the longest run from scrimmage (99 yards). Weems, who lettered in track, was a second-team running back by the Los Angeles Times. Weems attended Pasadena City College (Pasadena, CA) in 1999.
High School coach: Jim Benkert.

PAUL WILLIS
6-3, 235 - TE
Sioux Falls, SD
Playing for Sioux Falls O'Gorman High School, Willis earned all-city and all-conference honors and led his team to the Greater Dakota Conference championship. Willis, whose team competed in the state championship game, finished 1999 with 14 receptions for 259 yards and four touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 11 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns and set school records for the longest touchdown reception (84 yards) and most touchdowns in a game (three).
High School coach: Steve Kueter.