VERMILLION, S.D. - Thirty-six student-athletes have signed institutional letters of intent to enroll at The University of South Dakota and join the Coyote football program beginning in the fall of 2004, according to an announcement Wednesday by South Dakota head football coach Ed Meierkort.

The 2004 class includes 15 student-athletes from South Dakota, led by three from four-time state Class 11A champion West Central High School. Blake Hojer of state champion DeSmet, who was the captain of the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team, also signed with the Coyotes. USD signed five student-athletes from Nebraska and Iowa, three from California and two from Minnesota, Colorado and Illinois.

Meierkort recruited heavily on defense, picking up 11 defensive backs, five defensive lineman and five linebackers. USD also signed five offensive lineman, three fullbacks, two wide receivers, a tight end, kicker/punter and a quarterback. Meierkort noted that South Dakota was full of outstanding athletes and he was happy with the results of USD's recruiting efforts.

"We wanted to stay true to our word," said Meierkort. "We wanted to give young men in this state the opportunity to play North Central football. The one common thread throughout this class is they wanted to be Coyotes, which is important for us to recruit those young men who want to be at USD. We recruited winners and I feel we addressed some of our needs, namely adding speed on the perimeter, depth in the secondary while also attracting playmakers."

"Initially, we started behind in the recruiting process but through the efforts of our staff did a great job of rallying and selling the University," Meierkort said. "As a result of their hard work, we have a class that we can be proud of."

South Dakota Football 2004 Recruiting Class Mitch Armour DE 6'5 215 Ogallala, Neb. (Ogallala) Kellen Cusick FBLB 6'1 200 Burbank, S.D. (Vermillion) Alan Flyger S 6'2 180 Hurley, S.D. (Parker-Hurley) Jesse Gentling Ol 6'4 270 Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Community College) Jamie Hammer DB 5'10 175 Alta, Iowa (Alta) David Hedges OL 6'4 300 Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sandcreek) Blake Hojer LB 6'2 215 DeSmet, S.D. (DeSmet) Paul Hugo DL 6'3 220 Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion) Paul Ier RB 5'11 215 Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach City College) Kyle Kadinger LB 6'0 220 Hartford, S.D. (West Central) Ryan Kappeler DB 6'1 180 Aurora, Colo. (Grandview) Jerad Krejci QB 6'1 180 Hickman, Neb. (Norris) James Lemke RB 5'8 165 Hartford, S.D. (West Central) Kyle Martin K/P 6'0 170 Harlan, Iowa (Harlan Community) Brian Myers DL 6'2 265 Fort Pierre, S.D. (Stanley County) Matt O'Hanlon DB 6'1 190 Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue East) Forrest (Frosty) Paris DE 6'3 225 Sturgis, S.D. (Sturgis) Mark Perkowski DB 5'9 170 Hinsdale, Ill. (Central) Alex Perkowski WR 5'10 170 Hinsdale, Ill. (Central) Matthew Phelps FB 6'0 200 Dell Rapids, S.D. (Dell Rapids St. Mary's) Ben Pruss LB 6'2 195 Stanton, Iowa (Stanton) Scott Sonne DE 6'3 215 Mt.Vernon, S.D. (Mt. Vernon) Tyler Spease S 6'1 175 Rapid City, S.D. (Central) James Svitak OL 6'4 270 Randolph, Neb. (Randolph) Byron Thomas DB 5'11 175 Palmdale, Calif. (Little Rock) Nick Thome CB 6''1 170 Rapid City, S.D. (Central) James Thompson WR 6'1 190 Los Angeles, Calif. (Los Angeles Southwest College) Mark TenHulzen DB 6'0 180 Sioux City, Iowa (East) Devin Toft CB 5'11 175 Canton, S.D. (Canton) Matt Vogel OL 6'3 270 Sioux City, Iowa (Heelan) Ben Walters FB/TE 6'1 220 Lennox, S.D. (Lennox) Brandon White LB 6'3 230 Chester, S.D. (Chester) Jake Wilkinson OL 6'5 290 North Platte, Neb. (North Platte) Mykelle Wright DB 5'10 170 Minneapolis, Minn. (Cretin Durham) Derek Zacharias FB/LB 6'1 220 Sioux Falls, S.D. (West Central) Brock Zimmerman FB/LB 6'0 200 Windom, Minn. (Windom) Mitch Armour 6'5, 215 - DE Ogallala, Neb. (Ogallala) Mitch Armour starred at Ogallala High for head coach Chip Kay. As a senior, he had 105 tackles, including four quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery. He had 75 tackles and three quarterback sacks as a junior. A 6'5, 215 pound defensive end, he was all-region and honorable mention all-district as well as honorable mention Class B all-state. He also plays basketball and track.

Kellen Cusick 6'1, 200 - FB Burbank, S.D. (Vermillion) Kellen Cusick starred at Vermillion High School for former Coyote and head coach Gary Culver, earning first-team 11A all- state honors. He was also selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. A three-year, two-way starter for the Tanagers, he led Vermillion High with 94 tackles (22 solo). At fullback, Cusick rushed for 751 yards on 132 carries. During a stellar prep career, Cusick had 204 tackles and 2,003 rushing yards.

Alan Flyger 6'2, 180 - S/P Hurley, S.D. (Parker-Hurley) Alan Flyger starred at Parker-Hurley High School, leading the team to the state playoffs and an 8-2 record last season. In the last two seasons, he has recorded 11 interceptions. As a senior, he was honorable mention Class 11B All State and a two-year first-team All-Big East Conference selection.

Jesse Gentling 6'4, 270 - OL Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Community College) A stalwart on the offensive line, Jesse Gentling helped lead Rochester Community College to the MCC Conference title with a 9-3 record. The team was invited to the Heart of Texas Bowl.

Jamie Hammer 5'10, 175 - DB Alta, Iowa (Alta) Jamie Hammer starred at defensive back at Alta High School for his father, head coach Kevin Hammer. He was named to the all- state squad and a selection to the Iowa Shrine Bowl game. He was a three-year starter and letter winner in football, while also earning three letters in basketball, four letters in track and four in baseball.

David Hedges 6'4, 300 - OL Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sandcreek) David Hedges was an outstanding offensive lineman at Sandcreek High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. While playing for head coach Mark Fisher, Hedges was named second team All-Colorado and to the All-Colorado Springs Metro first team, as well as to the all-area squad. He is currently 16-3 as a wrestler at Sandcreek.

Blake Hojer 6'2, 215 - LB DeSmet, S.D. (DeSmet) A standout running back and linebacker, Blake Hojer helped lead DeSmet High School to a 12-0 record and the Class 9A State Championship in 2003. He was named captain of the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team and first-team Class 9A All-State. He had 385 career tackles. Hojer was the South Dakota Class A discus champion in 2002. A two-time All State pick, he rushed 217 times for 1,777 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior. On defense, he had 100 tackles, four interceptions, including one for a touchdown, and returned a fumble recovery for a score in the state title game (59-0 win). He rushed for 207 yards on 18 carries and also had 13 tackles in the title game. As a junior, he had 1,800 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns and had 800 yards rushing as a sophomore. Hojer was chosen to represent South Dakota on the National High School Athletic Coaches Association All-America Team.

Paul Hugo 6'3, 220 - DL Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion) Hugo was a starter for the Class 11A Vermillion Tanagers, which advanced to the South Dakota High School Playoffs. His head coach was Gary Culver.

Paul Ier 5'11, 215 - RB Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach City College) Paul Ier rushed for 900 yards and had 400 yards receiving in his second season at Long Beach City College. Ier was first-team All-Mission Conference, the Offensive Team MVP and a two-year captain. He played for head coach Jerry Jeso.

Kyle Kadinger 6'0, 220 - LB Hartford, S.D. (West Central) Kyle Kadinger was a three-year starter for West Central, which has won four straight Class 11A football titles in South Dakota. A year ago, he played on both sides of the ball, including playing offensive guard on an offensive line that opened holes for fellow Trojans and Coyote signees Derek Zacharias and James Lemke. Offensively the Trojans racked up 4,517 yards in total offense. Defensively, he was a standout with 98 tackles, four interceptions and five fumble recoveries as a senior. Kadinger was named Class 11A All-State and to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. His head coach was Jim Uttecht.

Ryan Kappeler 6'1, 180 - S Aurora, Colo. (Grandview) Ryan Kappeler, who played for head coach Rocky Whitworth at Grandview High School, was a standout defensive player. He earned all second conference (Colorado Jeffco SA Conference) honors. A four-year letter-winner, Kappeler led the teams in tackles with 130 and had four interceptions as a senior. He had seven interceptions as a junior.

Jerad Krejci 6'1, 180 - QB Hickman, Neb. (Norris) Jerad Krejci starred at Norris High School for head coach Jeff Reed. Krejci, who once rushed 80 yards on a quarterback sneak, was named to the first-team all-conference team in 2003 and was honorable mention all-state in both 2002 and 2003. He was first- team all-district in 2002 and 2003. He also earned academic all-state honors in 2003 and academic all-conference in both 2002 and 2003. He was a three-year letter winner and a member of the two-time Class B state champions in basketball. Krejci also lettered twice in track and field. He is a cousin to Turner Trofholz, a member of the USD basketball team.

James Lemke 5'8, 165, RB Hartford, S.D. (West Central) James Lemke was a big-play performer and three-year starter for West Central, which has won four-straight Class 11A football titles in South Dakota. He rushed for 1,354 yards on 199 carries with 18 touchdowns. Lemke also caught 25 passes for 493 yards and six scores as a senior. The Class 11A coaches voted Lemke an All-American candidate, as he also recorded 55 tackles and four interceptions this past season. Lemke was also named to the South Dakota Class 11A All-State team. His head coach was Jim Uttecht.

Kyle Martin 6'0, 170 - K/P Harlan, Iowa (Harlan Community) Kyle Martin starred as a kicker and punter for head coach Todd Bladt at Harlan Community, which won a state title a year ago. In his career, he converted 150-0f-160 extra points. He kicked 11-of-16 field goals, including a long of 43 yards. In his career, he had 215 kickoffs for approximately 11,537 yards or 53.7 per kick. As a senior, he made 69-of-75 extra points, including 3-of-6 field goals. He also averaged 33.1 yards on 24 punts.

Brian Myers 6'2, 265 - DL Fort Pierre, S.D. (Stanley County) Brian Myers starred at Stanley County High School for head coach Dave Tate. For the second straight year, he was named to the Class 11 B All-State team at offensive tackle. A four-year starter, he also served as a team captain.

Matthew O'Hanlon 6'1, 190 - DB Bellevue, Neb. (East) Matthew O'Hanlon starred at Bellevue East for head coach Jerry Lovell, who played tight end at South Dakota from 1985-88. O'Hanlon was named honorable mention all-state in 2003 and was also honorable mention academic all-state. He was also named all-district in 2002 and honorable mention all-state. He helped lead Bellevue East to its first playoff game in the last 10 years. A two-year powerlifting letter-winner, O'Hanlon was the 198-pound state champion in wrestling as a junior.

Forrest Paris 6'3, 225 - DE Sturgis, S.D. (Sturgis) Forrest (Frosty) Paris earned numerous honors while starring at Sturgis High School for head coach Doug Skeie. Paris was named first-team Class 11AA All-State in South Dakota and also selected to the Great Dakota Conference First-Team. He was also honorable mention on the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team and named Academic All-State. He is ranked No. 1 in his weight class in South Dakota Class A wrestling.

Alex Perkowski 5'10, 170 -- WR Hinsdale, Ill. (Central) Alex Perkowski was named all-conference and to honorable mention All-Chicago Area squad. He was all-state in track in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relay. He is a twin brother to fellow signee, Mark Perkowski.

Mark Perkowski 5'9, 170 - DB Hinsdale, Ill. Mark Perkowski was named honorable mention All-Chicago Area squad. He was all-state in track in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relay. He is a twin brother to fellow signee Alex Perkowski.

Matthew Phelps 6'0, 200 - FB Dell Rapids, S.D. (Dell Rapids St. Mary's) Matthew Phelps starred at Dell Rapids St. Mary's for head coach Ross Flemmer. He was named Honorable Mention Class 9A All-State and earned All-Tri-Valley Conference honors.

Ben Pruss 6'2, 195 - OLB Stanton, Iowa (Stanton) Ben Pruss starred at Stanton High as a defensive back for coach Don Hicks. Pruss, who played eight-man football in Iowa, was named first-team all-state at defensive back. He was on the All-Western Iowa Team and first-team all-district. In addition, he was the defensive captain on the Omaha World Herald team. As a junior he was first-team all-conference in basketball and first-team all-conference in baseball. He also qualified for the state track meet in the discus two years.

Tyler Spease 6'1, 175 - S Rapid City, S.D. (Central) Tyler Spease starred at Rapid City Central for head coach Steve Svendson. He was named first-team Greater Dakota Conference, first-team South Dakota Class AA All-State and to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Squad.

Scott Sonne 6'3, 215 - DE Mt. Vernon, S.D. (Stickney-Mt. Vernon) Scott Sonne starred at Stickney-Mt. Vernon High School for head coach Myron Steffen. A multi-sport athlete, he was named honorable mention Class 11B All-State in South Dakota.

James Svitak 6'4, 270 - OL Randolph, Neb. (Randolph) James Svitak starred on the offensive front for Randolph High School for head coach Mark Anderson. He was named honorable mention all-district in 2003. He also placed fifth in Class C1 discus as a junior.

Mark Tenhulzen 6'0, 180 - DB Sioux City, Iowa (East) Mark Tenhulzen starred at defensive back at Sioux City East for the late Walt Fiegel. A two-year starter, he was named first-team all-conference.

Byron Thomas 5'11, 175 - DB Palmdale, Calif. (Little Rock) Byron Thomas starred at Little Rock High School for head coach Lin Parker. As a senior, he was the team leader in tackles with 57, while recording three interceptions and eight pass breakups. He also had 563 yards rushing and 282 receiving yards. Thomas is a two-time second- team All-Golden League selection and was team MVP as a senior. He received a Scholar Athlete Award and Academic Achievement honor at his high school. He is related to current USD assistant coach Jarod Dodson.

Nick Thome 6'1, 170 - CB Rapid City, S.D. (Central) Nick Thome, who starred at Rapid City Central for head coach Steve Svendson, did not play as a senior due to injuries. A team captain, he was named Academic All-State.

James Thompson 6'1, 190 - P/WR Los Angeles, Calif. (L.A. Southwest College) James Thompson was named second-team all-conference at L.A Southwest College. He played for head coach Henry Washington.

Devin Toft 5'11, 175 - CB Canton, S.D. (Canton) Devin Toft starred at Canton High School for head coach Rich Lundstrom. The career rushing leader (2,373 rushing yards) at Canton, Toft set schools records for carries (236) and yards (1,346) as a senior, in which he had 16 touchdowns and led the C-Hawks to the Class 11A semifinals. He was named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team and the Class 11A South Dakota All-State squad.

Matt Vogel 6'3, 270 - OL Sioux City, Iowa (Bishop Heelan) Matt Vogel was a standout offensive lineman for Sioux City Bishop Heelan and head coach Roger Jensen. A three-year starter, he was a third-team All-Northwest Iowa selection as a junior. He was also named Academic All-State in both football and wrestling. He helped lead Bishop Heelan to a 9-0 regular season as a junior and Heelan advanced to the state playoffs.

Ben Walters 6'1, 220 -- FB/TE Lennox, S.D. (Lennox) Ben Walters starred at Lennox High School for head coach Kent Anderson. He was named to the Class 11A All State football team and the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. Walters was also Academic All-State.

Brandon White 6'3, 230 - LB Chester, S.D. A five-year starter, Brandon White started both ways for Chester High School en route to being named to the Class 9B All-State squad and the Argus Leader Elite 45 squad. He had 308 career tackles, two interceptions. He played nearly every position in his career including safety, linebacker, and cornerback, defensive end, quarterback and fullback. As a senior, he had 412 yards rushing, 349 receiving, and 228 yards passing. He also had 104 tackles and two interceptions. He finished second all-time in career tackles (381) at Chester.

Jacob Wilkinson 6'5, 290 - OL North Platte, Neb. (North Platte) Jacob Wilkinson starred at North Platte High School for head coach Bob Zohner. He was part an offensive unit that helped set a Class A rushing record and led his team to an 11-1 record, including an undefeated regular season for the first time in 40 years. In 2003, he was first-team all-conference and a two-time honorable mention first-team all-state performer. He was also a three-year letterwinner in track.

Mykelle Wright 5'10, 170 - DB Minneapolis, Minn. (Cretin-Durham) Mykelle Wright was a standout defensive back for Cretin Durham High School. He was named All-Classic Lake Conference and he was an All-State selection.

Derek Zacharias 6'1, 220 - FB/LB Sioux Falls, S.D. (West Central) Derek Zacharias was a member of the four-time Class 11A state champions, West Central Trojans. Twice named to the Argus Leader Elite 45, he was also a Class 11A All-State selection. As a senior, Zacharias rushed 203 times for 1,453 yards with 17 touchdowns. He also had 98 tackles and five quarterback sacks as a defensive tackles. He played for head coach Jim Uttecht.

Brock Zimmerman 6'0, 200 - FB/LB Windom, Minn. (Windom) Brock Zimmerman, a two-year starter, was a standout fullback for Windom High and head coach Erin Elder. As a senior, he was named first-team all-conference as a senior. He recorded 53 tackles and had three interceptions, including one for a touchdown, as a linebacker. He had 74 carries for 380 yards and five touchdowns and also had 255 passing yards and five touchdowns during his senior season. As a sophomore, he was honorable mention all conference. A three-year letter in basketball, he also earned five letters in track and field.