VERMILLION, S.D. - Twenty-seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to enroll at The University of South Dakota and participate in the Coyote football program beginning in the fall of 2002, according to an announcement today by South Dakota head football coach John Austin. The 2002 class includes seven student-athletes from South Dakota, five from Iowa, six from Nebraska, four from Minnesota, one from New York, Virginia, North Carolina and two from California. "This group of signees brings an excellent work ethic to our football program. The lineman we recruited will be outstanding players as they develop in our program," Austin said. "This is a talented and very athletic group. We have signed student-athletes that have outstanding skills and we look forward to working with them as they continue their education and athletic careers," Austin said.

SOUTH DAKOTA'S 2002 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES

Dwight Anderson DB 5'11 180 Queens, NY (Arizona Western JC) Jason Anderson WR 6'0 195 Palmdale, CA (Antelope Valley JC) John Barker DL 6'2 265 Sioux City, IA (East) Telema Bobmanuel RB 6'1 210 Minneapolis, MN (Robinsdale Cooper) Foster Brodus WR 6'0 175 Newport News, VA (Arizona Western JC) DeMareo Darrah QB/DB 6'1 193 Des Moines, IA (East) Tim Dacy WR 6'1 185 Gregory, SD Tyler Evans RB 5'11 211 Stewart, MN (McLeod West) Greg Garry LB 6'2 205 Madison, SD Travis Grueb WR 6'4 190 Faith, SD Casey Hancock LB 6'3 240 Climbing Hill, IA (Woodbury Central) Ryan Hedden LB 6'3 225 Fairmont, NE (Fillmore Central) Luke Hofkamp LB/OL 6'5 225 Rapid City, SD (Central) Michael Johnson RB 5'11 196 South Sioux City, NE Brian Kaiser OL 6'2 255 Omaha, NE (Millard North) Cole Lieser OL 6'5 320 New London, MN (New London-Spicer HS) Ryan Mach OL 6'6 225 Prague, NE (Bishop Neumann) Lucas Mikkelsen P/K 6'4 180 Gregory, SD Travis Mlady RB 6'0 195 Bloomfield, NE Matthew Murphy DE 6'3 235 Rapid City, SD (Stevens) Luke Neely DE/TE 6'4 215 Rapid City, SD (Stevens) Christian Ohl DL 6'4 245 Norfolk, NE (Norfolk Senior) Eric Peterson WR 6'2 165 Oakland, NE Bryant Rislove OL 6'6 330 St. Peter, MN A.J. Schable RB/LB/TE 6'4 240 Ida Grove, IA (Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School) Anthony Tharrington RB 5'9 185 Fairfield, CA (Glendale JC) Rufus Williams OL 6'3 340 Rocky Mount, N.C. (Arizona Western JC)

RECRUIT BIOS - ALPHABETICAL

DWIGHT ANDERSON 5'11, 180 - DB Queens, NY (Arizona Western JC) As a senior at Bloomfield, H.S. (Conn.), he helped lead his team to three-straight state titles, including 36-0 record during his final three years in high school. As a senior, he was named All State and All Conference, and ranked the No. 1 wide receiver in Connecticut. He had seven interceptions in the season and he once scored seven touchdowns in a game. In high school, he had three punt returns for touchdowns. He also was the state long jump (22.5 feet) and 100 meters (10.5) champion and helped lead his team to two-state track titles. He was MVP two years. The son of Thillyis Jackson and Earl Anderson, he was born in Jamaica. Coach: Bob O'Mera JASON ANDERSON 6'0, 195 - WR Palmdale, CA (Antelope Valley JC) Anderson was named offensive MVP of the Foothill Conference in 2001 when he rushed for 516 yards, had 444 receiving yards and 699 return yards plus 12 touchdowns at Antelope Valley JC. He had a total of 1,659 all-purpose yards. In 1999 at Antelope Valley, he led team in rushing with 794 yards (123.1 per game). At Palmdale High School, he was twice a 1st Team All-Conference (Golden League) performer as a junior and senior. Originally of Northridge, Calif., he is the son of Lisa Anderson. Coach: Brent Carder JOHN BARKER 6'2, 265 - DT Sioux City, Iowa (East) During his high school career, Barker helped lead his team to the Class 4A playoffs three straight seasons (sophomore through senior seasons). A dominant player, Barker recorded 224 tackles, 20 sacks, four recovered fumbles and four forced fumbles in his career. As a senior he had 82 tackles, including four sacks, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles. As a junior, he had 72 tackles, including seven sacks and, as a sophomore had 70 tackles and nine sacks. A two-time all-Northwest Iowa performer, he was twice named First Team All-Conference (Missouri River Conference) and named all-state two years in a row, including selection as a member of the Elite Team All-State Squad. He also participated in track for four years, as well as basketball and baseball for two years. He is the son of Ann and Van Barker. Coach: Walt Fiegel FOSTER BRODUS 6'0, 175 - WR Newport News VA (Arizona Western JC) At Arizona Western JC, Brodus rushed for a total of 794 yards and passed for 458 yards, including 13 touchdowns in two years. During his high school career, he rushed for 964 yards, passed for 2,529 yards, including 19 touchdowns. As a senior in high school, Brodus rushed for 212 yards and passed for 1,022 yards, including five touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 420 yards and passed for 891 yards, including 10 touchdowns. He is the son of Gwen Brodus. Coach: Bob O'Mera TELEMA BOBMANUEL 6'1, 210 -- TB Minneapolis, MN (Robinsdale Cooper) Bobmanuel recorded 2,682 yards rushing, 25 touchdowns, and 12 receptions for 120 yards during his career at Robinsdale Cooper High School. He set his high school all-time single game rushing record of 326 yards and scored five touchdowns in the same game. Bobmanuel set his high school's single season rushing record of 1,532 yards rushing, including 16 touchdowns and seven receptions for 70 yards during his senior season. Bobmanuel was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, track and field, and weightlifting. He was named All-Conference and All-State honorable mention as a senior. He is the son of Maria Taylor Coach: John Olfeke DEMAREO DARRAH 6'1, 193- QB/DB Des Moines, IA (East) Darrah was named first team All-Central Iowa Metro League at quarterback and named Des Moines Register Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. He has been selected to play for the South Team in the Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Game that will be held later this year. A team captain, Darrah set the career passing yards mark at East High with 1,889 yards during his junior and senior seasons. Darrah had a 44.4-yard punting average and rushed for 294 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, while passing for 995 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was also a two-year letterman in soccer. He is the son of Estelle Darrah. Coach: Darrin Fisher TIM DACY 6'1, 185- WR Gregory, SD Dacy helped lead Gregory to a Class A state football title in 1998 and runner-up finishes in both 1999 and 2001. During his career, he totaled 1,963 yards rushing, including 20 touchdowns as well as 893 yards passing and five touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns during his career at Gregory High School. As a senior, he rushed for 1,397 yards and 14 touchdowns and had 85 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a defensive starter. Dacy also returned 19 punts for 203 yards and had 26 kick returns for 409 yards in his career. An active student athlete, Dacy also lettered in basketball four years as well as track for three years, and golf, twice. Named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team, Dacy was 1st-Team All State and the Daily Republic Player of the Year. He was named all-conference three straight seasons, and team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year during his senior season. He is the son of former Coyote Mike and Diane Dacy. Coach: Dan Whalen TYLER EVANS 5'11, 210 - TB Stewart, MN (McLeod West) During his career at McLeod West High, Evans rushed for 7,503 yards on 1,065 carries and 92 touchdowns, which are all state of Minnesota records. As a senior, he rushed for 3,673 yards and 47 touchdowns, which are also state records for a season. Evans also holds a national record for most carries in a season (502). Evans was named Minnesota AP Player of the Year his senior year, and he was also 1st Team All-State, New Ulm Journal Player of the Year, KNUJ Radio Player of the Year, Tomahawk Conference Offensive MVP, and All-Conference. As a junior, he was named all state and rushed for 2,780 yards on 327 carries and 29 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,050 yards on 215 carries and 16 touchdowns. In high school, he also participated in track, wrestling, baseball and basketball. Evans was in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd (Feb. 4, 2002 issue) for rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns in leading his high school to a 30-22 win over Pillager High for the State A title as a senior. Evans is the son of Kelly Sifferath, Tim Sifferath, and Sherman Evans Jr. Coach: Curtis Strand and Bill Neubarth GREG GARRY 6'2, 205 - LB Madison, SD Garry, a team captain for the Madison Bulldogs, holds the school record in tackles in a career with 233. A two-way starter for three straight years, he was named Class 11A All-State at linebacker, honorable mention on the Argus Leader Elite - 45 squad and Academic All State as a senior. He had 88 tackles in seven games with two fumble recoveries and one sack during his senior campaign. Garry also rushed for 1,231 yards and 12 touchdowns during his high school career. He is the son of Jerome and Elaine Garry. Coach: Tom Milne and Jerome Garry TRAVIS GRUEB 6'4, 190-WR Faith, SD Grueb was named to the South Dakota Class 9B All-State Team at wide receiver as both a junior and senior. In his career, he had 124 pass receptions for 1,908 yards and 34 touchdowns. As a senior, Grueb was named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team and he was elected to play in the South Dakota All-Star game. During his senior season, he had 61 receptions for 919 yards and 15 touchdowns. During his junior season, he had 63 receptions for 989 yards and 19 touchdowns. Grueb lettered in basketball and track while competing in the pole vault, long jump, triple jump, and the 4x100 relay. Travis is the son of Larry & Beth Grueb, and Lavonne Townsend. Coach: Brian Berglund CASEY HANCOCK 6'3, 240-LB Climbing Hill, IA (Woodbury Central) Hancock, a team captain and All-District Linebacker, led Woodbury Central High with 93 tackles as a senior. During his sophomore year he was 2nd Team All-District and was second on the team with 70 tackles. Hancock also lettered in baseball and basketball for three years. He is the son of Chuck and Jackie Hancock. Coach: Greg Crook RYAN HEDDEN 6'3, 225 - LB Fairmont, NE (Fillmore Central) An outstanding all around athlete, Hedden recorded a career total 1,304 yards passing, 1,637 yards rushing, 257 yards receiving, 26 touchdowns, 246 assisted tackles, 79 unassisted tackles, and 44 tackles for loss. As a senior, he led his team to the state semifinals while recording 130 tackles, including 34 unassisted stops and 29 tackles for loss. On offense, he rushed for 700 yards and passed for 504 yards with 13 touchdowns. He lettered in football and track all four years and basketball three years. He was a three-year All-Conference selection, two-time All-District selection, and 1st team All-State selection as a senior. Hedden holds a school record with a 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. He is the son of Mitch and Cheryl Hedden. Coach: Danny Malone LUKE HOFKAMP 6'5, 225-LB/OL Rapid City, SD (Central) As a senior, Hofkamp let the team with 63 tackles (44 UA, 19 AT) and he also had 32 punts for a 37.4 yard per kick average while starring for Rapid City Central. Hofkamp was named to the Academic All-State team, All-Conference team, and selected to the All-Star game. The son of Ed and Karla Hofkamp, he lettered twice in both basketball and track. He was a member of the third place squad on both the 4x100 and 4x200 relay squads at the state track meet. Coach: Steve Svendsen MICHAEL JOHNSON 5'11, 196 - TB South Sioux City, NE Johnson holds school records with 1,713 yards during his senior season, and holds the single game rushing record of 262 yards. He also holds the school record with 268 carries, most touchdowns in a season with 23, most points in a season with 138 and most touchdowns in a game with four. For his career, Johnson totaled 2,275 yards rushing, 30 touchdowns, 87 tackles and broke seven school records. During his senior seasons, Johnson was named to the Sioux City All-Metro team, All-Conference team, All-District and All-State teams, while also being named Sioux City Journal Athlete of the Week. He also lettered three years in track and is the state champion in the bench press for the 198-pound class. He is the son of Doug and Vickie Johnson. Coach: Al Carothers BRIAN KAISER 6'2, 255 - OL Omaha, NE (Millard North) During his senior campaign, Kaiser was named to All-District, Omaha All-Metro, All-State Class A, and All-Super State teams. He was a member of the 2001 District champions and a team that made it to the Nebraska Class A state semifinals, rolling to an 11-1 record. He is the son of Mark and Kathleen Kaiser Coach: Fred Petito COLE LIESER 6'5, 320 - OL New London, MN (New London-Spicer High School) A two-year letterwinner in football, Lieser was named team captain during both junior and senior seasons and Gatorade Player of the Week as a senior for New London-Spicer High School. He is the son of Steve and Trudie Lieser. Coach: Dan Essler RYAN MACH 6'6, 225 - OL Prague, NE (Bishop Neumann) Primarily an offensive lineman, Mach also was the kicker at Bishop Newman High. Mach had 26 solo tackles, 136 assisted tackles, 10 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in his career. As a senior, he had 105 tackles including six quarterback sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown. Mach was named to All-State team, All-District, All-Area, and Academic All-State. Mach also lettered in basketball and track. He is the son of Larry and Marty Mach. Coach: Tim Turmann LUCAS MIKKELSEN 6'4, 180 -- P Gregory, SD The younger brother of Coyote wide receiver/quarterback Chris Mikkelsen, he averaged 48.9 yards on 73 kickoffs, had a 33 yard average on 20 punts for a 33 yard average, made 79 of 97 extra points and he made five of 14 field goals with a long of 43 yards. Mikkelsen also had 269 yards receiving, two touchdowns, and a 26.9-yard per catch average during his senior season. He was a member of a state title team 1998 and state runner-up squads in 1999 and 2001. Mikkelsen also was the MVP as a junior for the Gregory track and field team and was named honorable mention All Conference in basketball as a junior. He is the son of Kevin and Lisa Mikkelsen. Coach: Dan Whalen TRAVIS MLADY 6'0, 195-RB Bloomfield, NE During a stellar senior season, Mlady was named to the Nebraska 2nd team Super State, All-State, Top 20 Norfolk Daily News. As a senior, Mlady had 221 carries for 2,356 yards, 52 touchdowns, and recorded nine interceptions, and 124 tackles. During his career, he had 4,512 rushing yards and 88 touchdowns. He also recorded 263 tackles, and 11 interceptions. He also had 332 receiving yards. As a junior, he rushed for 1,472 yards and 30 touchdowns. He holds school records for career rushing yards and rushing yards in a season as well as rushing yards in a game with 319 and longest pass reception (83 yards). He was all conference in basketball and qualified for the state track meet in the 100-meter dash. He is the son of Duane and Diana Mlady. Coach: Gary Walling MATTHEW MURPHY 6'3, 235-DE Rapid City, SD (Stevens) During his career, he has 77 tackles, 16 quarterback sacks, and six fumble recoveries. As a senior, Murphy had 40 tackles, nine sacks, four fumble recoveries, 14 quarterback hurries, and blocked on the offensive line for a team that rushed for over 3,000 yards. During his senior season, he was named to the South Dakota 1st Team Class AA All-State Team, 1st Team All-Conference, Academic All-State, Argus Leader Elite 45 Team and he was named the Rapid City Journal Athlete of the Week. He was a member of the Rapid City Stevens team that won the Greater Dakota Conference with an 8-0 mark and 10-2 overall. In his final two years, Rapid City Stevens went 18-5. Murphy also lettered in basketball. He is the son of Doug and Janet Murphy. Coach: Joel Hybertson LUKE NEELY 6'4, 215-DE/TE Rapid City, SD (Stevens) A three-year letterwinner, he was named 1st Team Class 11AA All-State Team at defensive end as a senior when he recorded 40 tackles, nine for loss, six sacks, 14 hurries, 10 receptions, and three touchdowns in helping lead Rapid City Stevens to a conference championship (10-2 overall, 8-0 in Greater Dakota Conference). During his career he had 86 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback sacks. Neely was also runner-up as a junior in the 189-pound weight class at the South Dakota State wrestling championships. Chosen for Team South Dakota, he placed third nationally in the individual competition in the 189-pound class. He is the son of Doug and Roberta Neely. Coach: Joel Hybertson CHRISTIAN OHL 6'4, 245 -- DL Norfolk, NE (Norfolk Senior) During his career, Ohl recorded 27 tackles for loss, 134 assisted tackles, 54 solo tackles, and six fumble recoveries. As a senior, Ohl recorded 100 tackles, including 27 solo stops, 16 tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries. He was named to the Nebraska Second Team All-Super State, and First Team All-Conference. As a senior, he was selected the Defensive Player of the Year for Norfolk Senior High. He also threw the shot put (52'10) and discus (151'11) in track, lettering both his sophomore and junior years. He is the son of Maynard and Joy Ohl. Coach: Tom Olson ERIC PETERSON 6'2, 165 - WR Oakland, Neb. Peterson was named First team All-District, First-team All Area and First Team All State as a wide receiver during his season. He was named First Team All-District honorable mention as a junior. During his career, he had 49 rushes for 299 yards and 19 receptions for 381 yards and 20 career touchdowns. He had a 37.6 punting average and he also returned kickoffs (29 yard average) and punt returns (29.1 avg.). In his career he returned eight punts or kicks for touchdowns, including five during his senior season. He had a 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 89-yard punt return for a score. As a senior he had 10 receptions for 246 yards and five touchdowns and he rushed for 280 yards. Peterson was a three-year letterwinner in basketball and golf and he also lettered in track. He is the leading scoring on his high school basketball team at 14.7 a game. Originally of Grant, NE, he is the son of Robin Peterson and Jackie Schumake. Coach: Clark Benne BRYANT RISLOVE 6'6, 330 - OL St. Peter, MN A two-time letter-winner at St. Peter High School, Rislove was named to the First Team All-Conference his senior season. He also lettered in track and field (shot put and discus). He is the son of Paul and Lynn Rislove. Coach: Marc Bachman A.J. SCHABLE 6'4. 240-RB/LB/TE Ida Grove, IA (Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School) In his career, Schable recorded 202.5 tackles, rushed for 1,389 yards on 238 carries (5.8 avg) with 14 touchdowns while recording a 39.0 punting average. During his senior season at Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School, Schable broke school records in rushing with 1, 055 yards on 157 carries and 11 touchdowns. During his senior campaign, he was named 1st Team All-District running back, 1st Team All-Western Iowa Linebacker, and Sioux City Journal and KTIV Athlete of the Week. Schable also excelled in other sports, lettering four-years in track. He participated in the shot put, discus, 100m, 200m, 400m, and the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 relays. He placed 6th in the discus at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships during his junior year. Schable was also a three-time letterwinner in basketball and two-year letterwinner in baseball. He is the son of Carl and Ellen Schable. Coach: David Winterrowd ANTHONY THARRINGTON 5'9, 185 - TB Lubbock, TX (Glendale JC) This past fall, Tharrington rushed for 1,100 yards, including six touchdowns, while finishing sixth in the nation in rushing at Glendale Junior College. He keyed the second ranked offense in Junior College ranks nationally. He was a member of the 2000 National Junior College national championship team. As a senior at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas, he rushed for 1,038 yards with seven touchdowns and a 9.2 per rush average. As a junior, he had 960 yards rushing on 98 carries for a 9.8 average and six touchdowns. He also ran track for three years (sprints) and played guard on his high school's basketball team for three years. Tharrington was First-Team All City, First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region as a senior. At Glendale JC, he was Second Team All League and Second Team All-Arizona. He was a pre-season All-American. He is the son of Bruce and Gladys Tharrington. Coach: Joe Kersting RUFUS WILLIAMS 6'3, 340 - OL Rocky Mount, N.C. (Arizona Western JC) He was named second team All-Conference (Western State Football League). At Northern Nash Senior High, he was an All-Conference lineman and also named All-Area. He is the son of Lorey and Judy Silver. Coach: Bob O'Mera