VERMILLION, S.D. - Twenty-six high school seniors, two junior college and three mid-year transfers, round out the 2006 South Dakota recruiting class, announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1 by Coyote head football coach Ed Meierkort and his staff.

The 2006 class includes eight student-athletes from South Dakota, two from Minnesota, four from Nebraska, six from Iowa, four from Illinois, five from California and one from Wisconsin and Texas.

Meierkort and his staff focused on the offense, primarily on the offensive line, quarterback and wide receivers. Of the recruits, 19 are offensive players with 11 on the defensive side of the ball and a kicker. A recruit position breakdown includes six offensive lineman, three running backs, two quarterbacks, four wide receivers, four tight ends along with three defensive lineman, four linebackers, five defensive backs, and a kicker. The recruiting class includes three individuals ranked two-star players (Jim Moore, Mitch Mohr, Andy Jennings) and seven players overall (Tyler Robinson, Quincy Christie, John Morales and Rico Hatter) ranked by the recruiting service Rivals.com, South Dakota's Gatorade Player of the Year, a Joe Robbie Award winner, as well as two linebackers ranked among the best in their respective states.

"With this recruiting class, we reinforced our commitment to South Dakota and the surrounding region," said South Dakota head coach Ed Meierkort, who led the 2005 Coyotes USD to an NCC title for the first time since 1978. "The recruits are attracted by our recent success at South Dakota. We feel strongly that recruits are choosing South Dakota for the total experience that USD provides including its' outstanding academic reputation," added Meierkort, who is 18-4 in two seasons at USD.

Meierkort was pleased with the recruiting class that will include transfers from the University of Oklahoma (David Robinson) and the University of Iowa (Joel Gentile). "On the offensive side of the ball, we continued to recruit tall, rangy offensive lineman, athletic quarterbacks and running backs that will continue USD's strong tradition. Defensively, we recruited for speed. I feel that we have several athletic defensive linemen. Overall, I am very happy with the class," added Meierkort.

South Dakota Recruiting Class of 2006

Terrel Barnes RB 6'1 200 Brooklyn Center, Minn. (Academy of Holy Angels) Jake Benzkofer LB 6'1 215 Mankato, Minn. (Mankato East) Paul Bohls DL 6'4 250 Castlewood, S.D. (Castlewood) Quincy Christie RB 5'10 165 Pierre, S.D. (Pierre Riggs) Andrew Dennis TE 6'3 245 Omaha, Neb. (Millard North) Josh Gaines DB 5'11 175 Lancaster, Calif. (Lancaster) Joel Gentile DB 5'10 190 Council Bluffs, Iowa (Iowa) Rico Hatter WR 6'0 185 Long Beach, Calif. (Diablo Valley) Charlie Hayes TE 6'5 200 LaGrange Park, Ill. (Nazareth Academy) Mike Hettiger OL 6'2 280 Oaklawn, Ill. (Richards) Blake Hoogland OL 6'4 260 Ireton, Iowa (West Sioux) Andy Jennings LB 6'2 215 Red Oak, Iowa (Red Oak) Keith Kroger OL 6'6 245 Spencer, Iowa (Okoboji) Cory Kuehl DB 6'2 180 Rock Rapids, Iowa (Central Lyon) Dan Kuehl K 5'11 180 Jefferson, S.D. (Sioux City Bishop Heelan) London Landry TE 6'4 205 Lancaster, Calif. (Lancaster) Martel Mabry DB 6'3 190 Bolingbrook, Ill. (College of Dupage) John Morales DL 6'2 265 Martinez, Calif. (Diablo Valley) Alex Leloux WR 6'4 180 Parker, S.D. (Parker) Greg Meher LB 6'2 195 Scotland, S.D. (Scotland) Mitch Mohr TE 6'5 240 Genoa, Neb. (Twins River) Jim Moore OL 6'4 292 Oaklawn, Ill. (Richards) Josh Nunn WR 6'0 175 Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington) Andrew Pier DB 5'10 170 Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion) Dennis Reicks OL 6'6 290 Albion, Neb. (Boone Central) David Robinson WR 5'6 160 Dallas, Texas (Oklahoma) Tyler Robinson QB 6'2 195 Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn) Scott Slotten OL 6'6 325 Madison, Wisc. (LaFollette) Rodney Trimm QB 6'0 165 Palmdale, Calif. (Palmdale) Donnie Stewart DL 6'2 240 Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion) Jim Williams LB 6'0 180 Alexandria, S.D. (Hanson Co.)

South Dakota Recruits

Paul Bohls, 6'4, 250, DL Castlewood, S.D. (Castlewood HS) Named to 2005 9A All State squad...selected to first team All-Dakota Conference...2005 Academic All State selection...recorded 107 tackles, 10 sacks and eight fumble recoveries as a senior playing for Coach Doug Ruesink at Castlewood High...son of Larry and Jeanette Bohls...undecided on a major.

Quincy Christie, 5'10, 165, RB Pierre, S.D. (Pierre Riggs HS) Selected first-team All State...selected first-team All-ESD...named a preseason Reebok All-American team...chosen South Dakota's Gatorade Player of the Year...also picked as the South Dakota Prep Athlete of the Year...named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...rushed for 1,680 yards and 30 TDs for Coach Mike Busch at Pierre Riggs High...guardians are Scott and Michelle Munsen ...undecided on a major.

Alex Leloux, 6'4, 180, WR Parker, S.D. (Parker HS) Selected first team running back on All-Big East Conference squad...rushed for over 1,700 yards and 24 TDs in 2005 playing for Coach Bill Leberman...also named to the first-team All-Big East Conference basketball squad...named...Honorable Mention on Argus Leader Elite 45 team...son of Bob Leloux...plans to major in contemporary media and journalism.

Greg Meher, 6'2, 195, LB Scotland, S.D. (Scotland HS) Named Honorable Mention selection on 2005 Class All State 2005 team...named first team All-Great Plains Conference team both as a junior and senior...selected to the 2005 Academic All State squad...was named All-SESD in basketball in 2004 and 2005...son of Mike and Deb Meher...plans to major in chemistry.

Andrew Pier, 5'10, 170, RB Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion HS) Selected to the first team on 11A All State squad...also selected first team All-Big Eight...selected team MVP...named to the All-Big Eight basketball team in 2004...selected to the 2005 Academic All State team...son of Julie Pier...plans to major in pre-medicine.

Josh Nunn, 6'0, 175, WR Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington HS) Named to the 2005 Class 11AA All State 11 team...played for Coach Brian Hermanson...named to the All-Greater Dakota Conference squad and was All-City (Sioux Falls)...Honorable Mention selection on the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...recorded 38 catches for 718 yards and nine TDs as a senior...son of Steve and Stephanie Nunn and Sarah Nunn...plans to major in education.

Donny Stewart, 6'2, 240, DL Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion HS) Named to the Class 11A All State team in 2005 and also selected to the All-Big Eight Conference squad...picked on the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...played for Coach Gary Culver...son of Chuck and Noreen Stewart...plans to major in business.

Jim Williams, 6'0, 180, LB Alexandria, S.D. (Hanson Co. HS) Named first-team 9A All State...selected first-team on the All-Cornbelt Conference team...picked as the Joe Robbie MVP in leading Hanson Co. High to the 2005 9A State Championship...named to the Coaches Association 9-Man All-American Team... selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...rushed for 6,010 yards and 104 TDs and recorded 498 Tackles and 11 Interceptions during his high school career for Coach Jim Haskamp...son of Jim and Dawn Williams...plans to major in business.

Nebraska Recruits

Andrew Dennis, 6'3, 245, TE Omaha, Neb. (Millard North HS) Started two years for Coach Fred Petito...named to the 2005 Super State team in Nebraska...paved the way as the Mustangs led the state in rushing and had the third highest rushing total in the nation in 2005...member of the 2005 Class A State Championship team...also member of Millard North team that was the runner-up at the 2004 championships...son of Chris and Beverly Dennis...plans to major in pre-health studies.

Mitch Mohr, 6'5, 240, TE Genoa, Neb. (Twins River HS) Two-year starter for Coach Scott Fehringer at Twins River High...two-star recruit by recruiting service Rivals.com...recognized as one of the top tight end recruits in Nebraska...2X All-District, 2X All State performer for the Titans...team captain in both football and basketball...second-team All State performer in basketball as a junior, totaling more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in his career...qualified for the Nebraska state track meet in the shot put...son of Jerry and Marilyn Mohr...undecided on a major.

Dennis Reicks, 6'6, 290, OL Albion, Neb. (Boone Central HS) Two-way starter for Coach Arnold Johnson...led Boone Central to a runner-up finish as a junior in both football and basketball...named first-team All-District as a junior and senior...received Class C-1 All State honors as a senior...three-year letterman in basketball and track...son of Dennis Reicks and Nancy Reicks...undecided on a major.

Tyler Robinson, 6'2, 195, QB Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn HS) Three-year starter for Coach Mark Wortman...had a 25-7 record as a starting quarterback...led the Antlers to three straight district championships, two EMC Conference titles and three Nebraska Class B playoff appearances...passed for over 3,200 yards and 33 TDs in his career...2X All State selection...lettered three years in track, two years in basketball and one year in baseball...son of Wade and Vicki Robinson...plans to major in physical therapy.

Iowa Recruits

Joel Gentile, 5'10, 190, DB Council Bluffs, Iowa (St. Alberts HS) Transfer from Iowa...three-time All-City selection...named City Player of the year as a senior...selected All State as a senior...named All-Midwest by Prep Star magazine...also named all-district three times....son of Greg and Cathy Gentile.

Dan Kuehl, 5'11, 180, K Jefferson, S.D. (Sioux City Heelan HS) Selected second team All State...played for Coach Roger Jansen...named first-team all conference...picked to the Omaha World Herald All-Western Iowa second-team and to the All-Northwest Iowa second-team...also named first-team All-Metro...connected on 10-of-12 field goals, including a long of 48 yards in 2005...son of Patrick and Joanie Kuehl...plans to major in business (accounting).

Andy Jennings, 6'2, 215, LB Red Oak, Iowa (Red Oak HS) Ranked the second-best linebacker in the state of Iowa by recruiting service Rivals.com...named by Rivals.com as a two-star recruit...selected to the Des Moines Register Elite Team at linebacker and also picked as the Southwest Iowa Player of the Year...named first-team All State...three-year starter for Coach Mike Beason for Red Oak High...son of David Jennings and Pam Herzog...undecided on major.

Blake Hoogland, 6'4, 260, OL Ireton, Iowa (West Sioux HS) Named to the first-team Des Moines Register All-State team on the offensive Line...picked as a first-team All-Northwest Iowa offensive lineman and also earned Academic All State honors...a two-time first-team all district offensive lineman...was a four-year letter winner for Coach Andy Yost...son of Kent and Marla Hoogland...plans to major in business.

Keith Kroger, 6'6, 245 , OL Spencer, Iowa (Okoboji HS) Selected as a two-time Most Valuable offensive lineman for Coach George Ashman at Okoboji High...named all district...also a standout in basketball and track...memberof the National Honor Society...son of Kim and Jayne Kroger...plans to major in education.

Cory Kuehl, 6'2, 180, DB Rock Rapids, Iowa (Central Lyon HS) Played quarterback and defensive back at Central Lyon for Coach Toby Lorenzen...led Central Lyon to district title and a state playoff appearance as a junior...named All-State in as a senior...lettered in basketball, baseball and track...older brother Chad played for the Coyotes...son of Ken and Lois Kuehl...plans to study business.

Illinois Recruits

Mike Hettiger, 6'2 1/2, 280, OL Oaklawn, Ill. (Richards HS) Listed as one of the top 100 players in the Chicago area by the Chicago Sun-Press...named Co-MVP offensive lineman of the year...owns a bench press of 385 with 24 repetitions of 225 that makes him one of the strongest players in the South Dakota recruiting class...a two-year All-Sica-Orange conference selection for Coach Gary Korhonen...son of Mike and Kathleen Hettiger...undecided on a major.

Jim Moore, 6'4, 292, OL Oaklawn, Ill. (Richards HS) Three-year starter for Richards High and legendary head coach Gary Korhonen ...named a two-star offensive linemen by the recruiting service, Rivals.com...son of Jim Moore and Kathleen Moore...plans to major in education.

Charlie Hayes, 6'5, 200, TE La Grange, Ill. (Nazareth Academy HS) Selected all conference and all area performer...played wide receiver, snagging 44 catches for 824 yards...three-year lettermen and two-way starter for Coach Tim Racki...son of Tom and Colleen Hayes...plans to major in physical education.

Martel Mabry 6'3 190, DB Bolingbrook, Ill. (College of DuPage) Standout safety at the College of DuPage... named first-team all league for Coach Mike Bush in 2005...recorded 45 tackles and three interceptions at Dupage...a junior college transfer...served as a captain as a senior at Bolingbrook High, leading the defense with 12 sacks...selected all-conference in football and basketball as a senior...son of Troy and Sheila Mabry... plans to major in criminal justice.

Minnesota Recruits

Terrel Barnes, 6'1, 200, RB Brooklyn Center, Minn. (Academy of Holy Angels) Outstanding running back at the Academy of Holy Angels High for Coach Mike Smalley...son of Lee and Rosie Barnes...undecided about a major.

Jake Benzkofer, 6'1, 215, LB Mankato, Minn. (Mankato East HS) One of the top linebackers in Minnesota...recorded 282 solo tackles in his career...finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Football Award...three-year all conference selection...two-year All State selection....named the conference Defensive MVP...holds school record for tackles in a career...led Mankato East to a fifth-place ranking in final AP Poll...three-year starter for Coach Eric Davis...qualified for state in wrestling...son of Al and Beth Benzkofer...plans to major in education.

Wisconsin Recruits Scott Slotten 6'6 325 OL Madison, Wisc. (LaFollette HS) Two-year starter for Coach Chad Wiese at LaFollette High...all conference selection as a senior...starter on the basketball team...participates on rugby squad...member of the Honor Roll...son of Ed and Debbie Slotten...plans to major in education studies.California Recruits

California Recuits

Rico Hatter, 6'0, 185, WR Long Beach, Calif. (Diablo Valley) Transfer from Diablo Valley JC...led team in receiving yards with 800 and had eight TDS for Diablo Valley...at Vallejo High, named all conference...had 35 catches for 1,200 yards and six TDs...won a state hurdle title three straight years in high school, including the 300 hurdles (36.33) and the 100 high hurdles (13.9, 14.0)...earned All-American honors at Ashland (Ohio) University in 2002 in track and field...son of Sylvia Wright and Earl Hatter...undecided on a major.

London Landry, 6'4, 205, TE Lancaster, Calif. (Lancaster HS) Athletic tight end with good hands...was the deep ball threat for Eagles...played for Coach Jeff Cortez...son of Rhonda Gordon...undecided on a major.

Josh Gaines, 5'11, 175, DB Lancaster, Calif. (Lancaster HS) All Golden League selection 2005...An explosive athlete that can play on both side of the ball...scored six TDs and accumulated over 900 yards in total offense during his senior campaign...two-way starter...lock down corner who played against some of California's best prep wide receivers...son of Pat Suluki...plans to major in biology.

John Morales, 6'2, 265, DL Martinez, Calif. (Diablo Valley College) Earned reputation as one of the best pass rushing lineman in Northern California...junior college transfer that was part of a Diablo Valley defense that ranked 11th in the country...recorded 18 sacks, 34 TFL, 3 forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries and two defensive TDs in two years at Diablo Valley...plans to major in social work.

Rodney Trimm Jr., 6'0, 165 , QB Palmdale, Calif. (Palmdale HS) Dual threat at quarterback with cross-hair accuracy and athleticism...led Palmdale High to three straight Golden League championships...threw for over 3,100 yards and 29 TDs in 2004-05... selected All-Golden League and the offensive MVP for his team as a senior...son of Rodney and Loris Trimm...plans to major in contemporary media and journalism.

Texas Recruits

David Robinson, 5'7, 160, WR DeSoto, Texas (Oklahoma) Transfer from Oklahoma...played on two bowl teams for the Sooners, including the 2005 national title game...named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year asa freshman at Oklahoma...received the Lito Shepherd Award at OU...runs a 10.2 100-meters...returned 13 punts for TDs in high school...son of Jocelyn Price...undecided on a major.