VERMILLION, S.D. - South Dakota Head Football Coach Ed Meierkort announced a 2007 recruiting class of 26 which includes 17 all-state performers and six conference MVPs, ranging from South Dakota to the Chicago Catholic League, through the Omaha Metro area to Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, Calif.

According to Meierkort, the Coyotes success on and off the field and the University's decision to move its program to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly DIAA) motivated a highly talented group to sign with South Dakota. "This class represents one of the most gifted recruiting groups we have had since we came here three years ago," said Meierkort, who has directed the Coyotes to a combined 27-8 record during his three years as coach as well as a North Central Conference title in 2005 and their first playoff berth in 20 years during the 9-4 campaign of 2006. "We finished recruiting two weeks ago, including canceling two recruiting weekends, which shows that the type of athlete we are recruiting is directly correlated to our success and our jump to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)."

"As we began the recruiting season, we knew we would deal in a higher talent pool. Still, it is surprising how strong this group is," added Meierkort, whose Coyotes finished the season ranked 13th in the AFCA coaches poll and ninth in the d2football.com poll. "I want to thank our staff for their dedication and hard work."

"We feel strongly that recruits are choosing South Dakota for the total experience that USD provides including its' outstanding academic reputation," he said. "We recruited those student-athletes that wanted to be Coyotes and that wanted to make the commitment to continue to help USD make a national impact whether at Division II next year or following the move up to FCS in 2008-09. They are anxious to get started," he said.

The 2007 class includes six student-athletes from South Dakota and 17 from the four-state area of South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. Several of the signees are outstanding students, who will be competing for top academic scholarships.

According to Meierkort, the South Dakota signees are led by two of the state's top-four players in all-state wide receiver Dustin Nowotny of Rapid City, S.D., and all-state linebacker Shea Williams of Alexandria, S.D. The Coyotes have four student-athletes from Iowa, four from Nebraska, three from Minnesota, two from Wisconsin, four from Illinois, two from Texas and one from California. This class includes four defensive lineman, four offensive lineman, four linebackers, six defensive backs as well as three running backs, a quarterback, and two wide receivers, and a tight end.

Meierkort also noted that his staff experienced a change in the schools they are recruiting against. "This year we banged heads with other Division II powers North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, Northwest Missouri State and Grand Valley State as well as FCS schools South Dakota State, Western Illinois, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State."

South Dakota's 2007 Recruiting Class Sidney Bazemore DE 6'4 224 Chicago, Ill. (Mt. Carmel) Adam Broders FS 6'2 180Bloomfield, Neb. (Bloomfield) Evan Capper DL 6'1 242 Aplington, Iowa (Aplington-Parkersburg)Tom Compton OL 6'5 271 Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount) Rob Cunningham OL 6'5 260 Rapid City, S.D. (Stevens) Matt Dolan LB 6'1 188 Rapid City, S.D. (Central) Wayne Drummer RB 5'9 185 Chicago, Ill. (Richards) Chris Ganious RB 5'7 175 Houston, Texas (North Shore) Erik Helland FB 6'0 215 LeCenter, Minn. (LeCenter) Brent Johnson OL 6'5 280 Jewell, Iowa (South Hamilton) Tyler Legate LB 5'10 200 Neligh, Neb. (Neligh-Oakdale) D'andre Lewis FS 5'10 182 Lakewood, Calif. (Lakewood) Sam Markham LB/DE 6'3 225 Janesville, Wis. (Janesville Craig) Brad McCurry S 5'9 175 Watauga, Texas (Harvest Christian Aca.) Andrew Meier FS 6'3 180 Guthrie Center, Iowa (Guthrie Center) Kameron Middlebrooks CB 5'10 185 Des Moines, Iowa (Roosevelt) Jesse Noecker DL 6'3 260 Hartington, Neb. (Hartington Cedar Catholic) Dustin Nowotny WR 6'3 190 Rapid City, S.D. (St. Thomas More) R.J. Polley OL 6'6 270 Albert Lea, Minn. (Albert Lea) Matt Porisch TE 6'7 225 Flandreau, S.D. (Flandreau) Allan Schmaltz WR 6'2 185 Rapid City, S.D. (Central) Julian Tucker S/LB 6'0 200 Schaumburg, Ill. (Schaumburg) Dante Warren QB 5'11 195 Arlington Heights, Ill. (St. Viator) Jesse Weisbrod DE 6'4 250 Waupaca, Wis. (Waupaca) Kyle Wheeler LB 6'1 230 Omaha, Neb. (Millard South) Shea Williams FB/LB 6'1 205 Alexandria, S.D. (Hanson)

South Dakota Signees Rob Cunningham 6'5" 260 OL Stevens High School (Rapid City, S.D.) Earned all-conference and all-state honors as a junior and was honorable mention all-conference as a senior...two-way starter for Coach Paul Miller at Stevens High, helping the Raiders to the state playoffs in both his junior and senior campaigns...accumulated 45 tackles as a senior...son of Jim and Alisa Cunningham...pre-med major.

Matt Dolan 6'1 188 LB Central High School (Rapid City, S.D.) Selected first team all-state...named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 squad...along with fellow Coyote signee Allan Schmaltz, led Central High to the South Dakota Class AA semi-finals...leading tackler on the Central squad...coached by Steve Svendson...son of former Coyote Dave and Kim Dolan..undecided on a major.

Dustin Nowotny 6'3" 190 WR St. Thomas More HS (Rapid City, S.D.) Two-time first team all-state selction...named all-conference three times...selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 squad...led St. Thomas More High School to three straight 11B State Finals appearances...helped lead team to a 41-5 record during his career...caught 104 passes for 1,950 yards and 30 TD's for Coach Wayne Sullivan...owns state of S.D. high school mark for most extra points made in a career (159), ranks third for extra points in a season (50) and is fourth all-time with eight extra points in a game...son of Craig Nowotny...pre-med major.

Matt Porisch 6'7" 225 TE Flandreau HS (Flandreau, S.D.) Two year starter for Coach Chris Long...named honorable mention all-state performer at tight end... selected academic all-state in football and was a member of the National Honor Society...older brother Eric played football for the Coyotes...letter winner in basketball, track, and baseball...son of Bruce and Phyllis Porisch...biology major.

Allan Schmaltz 6'2" 185 WR Central HS (Rapid City, S.D.) Selected first team all-state...a two-time selection to the Argus Leader Elite 45 squad...led Central High to the South Dakota Class 11AA semi-finals...holds school record for receptions with 153 and yards with 2,231 for Coach Steve Svendson...son of Glenn Schmaltz and Patricia Waitt...undecided on a major.

Shea Williams 6'1" 205 FB/LB Hanson HS (Alexandria, S.D.) Selected all-state in 2005 and 2006...also lettered in baseball, basketball, and track...led Hanson High to a 37-5 record, three conference titles, and consecutive appearances in the state playoffs...joins his older brother Jim at USD...the two brothers led Hanson High to a state title in 2005 for Coach Jim Haskamp...member of the Argus Leader Elite 45 squad. ..named team and conference MVP as a senior...rushed for 2,829 yards on 340 carries with 40 TDs...caught 29 passes for 704 yards and six TDs...also had 363 career tackles with eight sacks, five fumble recoveries and six interceptions...Honor Roll student...son of Jim and Dawn Williams...undecided on a major.

Iowa Signees Evan Capper 6'1" 242 DL Aplington-Parkersburg HS (Aplington, Iowa) Named to the 2006 Des Moines Register Elite Team...selected all-state and was the 2006 Defensive MVP for Coach Ed Thomas... high school qualified for the football playoffs two years...also two-time qualifier for state in wrestling, including earning seventh place in 2006...was selected to play in the 2007 Iowa Shrine Bowl...son of Dale and Marcy Capper...undecided major.

Brent Johnson 6'5" 280 OL South Hamilton HS (Jewell, Iowa) Selected first-team all-state in 2006...two-time first-team all-district selection...team captain and named to the 2006 academic all-state squad...earned all-conference honors in basketball and qualified for the state track meet...also member of the baseball team...coached by Todd Coy...was selected to play in the 2007 Iowa Shrine Bowl...son of Kay Barkema and Russ Johnson...undecided on a major.

Andrew Meier 6'3" 180 FS Guthrie Center HS (Guthrie Center, Iowa) Three-year starting QB and safety for his father and head coach Brent Meier...named to the Des Moines Register Elite Team at safety in 2006, along with being first team all-state as a junior and second team all-state as a sophomore... also participated in basketball and track...was selected to play in the 2007 Iowa Shrine Bowl... finished his high school career with 21 interceptions...son of Brent and Jennifer Meier...undecided major.

Kameron Middlebrooks 5'10" 185 CB Roosevelt HS (Des Moines, Iowa) Three-year starting cornerback for Coach Joe Hornbeck's 2006 conference champs...team captain in football and track...all-conference selection from 2004 to 2006...son of Kim Middlebrooks...business major.

Minnesota Signees Tom Compton 6'5" 271 OL Rosemount HS (Rosemount, Minn.) Two-year starter on the offensive line at Rosemount HS for Coach Jeff Erdmann...led team to section championship and state semifinals...helped pave way for a 1,000-yard rusher...Honor Roll Student...son of John and Karen Compton...undecided on a major.

Erik Helland 6'0" 215 FB LeCenter HS (LeCenter, Minn.) Played running back and linebacker for Coach Ken Helland...all-conference selection as a sophomore, junior, and senior...career stats include 3,000+ rushing yards, 46 TDs, and 369 tackles...selected team MVP as both a junior and senior...named academic all-state and was an Honor Roll student...letter winner in basketball & baseball...son of Ken and Denise Helland...undecided on a major.

R.J. Polley 6'6" 270 OL Albert Lea HS (Albert Lea, Minn.) Selected as a two-time all-conference player for Coach Clay Anderson...starter on the offensive and defensive line for two years...was team captain on the football squad...recorded 60 tackles and three sacks as a senior...Honor Roll student...also participated in basketball and track...son of Richard and Deborah Polley...education/coaching major.

Nebraska Signees Adam Broders 6'2" 180 FS Bloomfield HS (Bloomfield, Neb.) A two-time Class D2 All-State selection...named first team District 4 defensive back...as a senior rushed for 2,306 yards and scored 44 TDs ...accounted for 152 total tackles playing for Coach Jim Dooley...four-year starter on basketball team...son of Ronald and Julie Broders...undecided on a major.

Tyler Legate 5'10" 200 ILB Neligh-Oakdale HS (Neligh, Neb.) A first team Class C2 All-State selection...three-time All-District 1 selection...named Honorary Captain of the Omaha World Herald Class C2 All-State Squad... led team to first-ever state quarterfinal appearance in the Nebraska C2 playoffs...led Class C2 in rushing and scoring with 2,051 yards on 328 carries for an avg. of 6.3 yards per rush and 29 TDs...recorded 139 tackles and two sacks...also lettered four years in wrestling, finishing second at the state meet in the 171 pound weight class as a junior...team captain for Coach Jess Underwood...son of Roger and Rosemary Legate...secondary education major.

Jesse Noecker 6'3" 260 DL Hartington Cedar Catholic HS (Hartington, Neb.) A first team Class C2 all-state selection...named first team All-District 1 selection...three-year starter...led the Trojans to three consecutive Nebraska State Playoff appearances...as a senior recorded 102 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five QB sacks, and recovered three fumbles...named defensive team MVP...also scored six rushing TDs for Coach Chad Cattau...son of Dave and Shelly Noecker...business major.

Kyle Wheeler 6'1" 230 ILB Millard South HS (Omaha, Neb.) Named to both the Lincoln Journal Star Super State first team and the Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska first team at linebacker...a first team Class A all-state and first team all-district selection...named honorary defensive captain of the Omaha World Herald All-Metro Team...three-year starter who led the Patriots to the Class A state football semifinals as a senior...tallied 82 tackles and four interceptions on defense while accumulating 724 yards rushing and receiving from his fullback position...four-year track letter winner, finishing sixth in state as a sophomore and second as a junior in the discuswith a personal best throw of 166'10"...voted team captain for coach Andy Means...son of Frank Wheeler and Robyn Wonder...business major.

Illinois Signees Sidney Bazemore 6'4" 224 DE Mt. Carmel HS (Chicago, Ill.) Two-year starter and three-year letter winner for the nationally known Mt. Carmel HS...played for the legendary Coach Frank Lenti where the teams recorded a 34-7 record over the last three years...during three-year run, Mt. Carmel was two-time State runner-up and two-time conference champions....recorded over 25 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and over 15 pass deflections...son of Victoria Bryant ...psychology major.

Wayne Drummer 5'9" 185 RB Richards HS (Chicago, Ill.) Follows former team-mates Mike Hettinger and Jim Moore to South Dakota...The south side Chicago native brings a tough blue collar running style that help earn him first team South Suburban Red Division honors with over 1,100 yards and 17 TD's rushing...comes from one of the most respected football programs and coaches in Illinois playing for Richards High Coach Gary Korhonen...undecided on a major.

Julian Tucker 6'0" 200 S/LB Schaumburg High School (Schaumburg, Ill.) "A do-it-all" QB that earned all-conference and all-area accolades as well as honorable mention all-state status...passed for 750 yards while rushing for over 1,300 yards for Coach Mark Stilling...was alsoan all-conferencebaseball player andcompeted intrack for the Saxons...son of Julian Tucker, Sr., and Veronica Jones...business major.

Dante Warren 5'11" 195 QB St. Viator High School (Arlington Heights, Ill.) Selected first team all-conference and was the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year...named first team all-state...led St. Viator to the conference championship his senior season and a playoff berth his last two years for the Lions...passed for over 2,300 yards and 29 TD's and rushed foranother 600 yardsand 10 TD's as a senior for Coach Chris Kirkpatrick...was also an all-conference wrestler for the Lions...son of Rodero and Judy Warren...business major.

Wisconsin Signees Sam Markham 6'3" 225 LB/DE Janesville Craig HS (Janesville, Wis.) Quick, fast and athletic playmaker...led Janesville Craig HS to a 7-2 record as a senior...named to the all-state and all-conference teams...named conference defensive MVP...finished with 13 sacks, 82 tackles and three fumble recoveries as a senior...also a sprinter on the track team that qualified for state...son of UND alumnus Dale Markham, who played in the NFL from 1980-86, and Gale...criminal justice major.

Jesse Weisbrod 6'4" 250 DE Waupaca HS (Waupaca, Wis.) Physical, strong and dominant athlete...has good speed with great range...had 88 tackles, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries...named conference defensive MVP...heavily decorated athlete, including earning first team all-state honors...led Waupaca High to a 12-2 record, Valley Conference title and Division 3 state champions...made an All-Star Shrine Bowl appearance...son of Paula and Charlie Weisbrod... undecided on a major.

Texas Signees Chris Ganious 5'7" 175 RB North Shore HS (Houston, Texas) Finalist as the Houston TD Club Offensive Player of the Year...led North Shore Mustangs to an 11-1 record three straight years...named first team All-Houston, third team all-state, first team all-district and district offensive MVP in 2006...rushed for 1,564 yards and 23 TDs as a senior...had 1,316 yard rushing and 17 TDs as a junior...led the state of Texas in average yards per carry his junior and senior year playing in the largest class (5A) Texas...had a triple jump mark of 45'02 in track and field...son of Janie and Glenn Ganious...undecided on a major..

Brad McCurry 5' 9" 175 S Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, Texas) Two-way standout for the Harvest Christian Saints, playing running back, quarterback and defensive back... three-year starter for head coach George Teague (former NFL player with Green Bay and Dallas defensive back)... named first-team all-district as a running back, second team as a defensive back and first team all-state at running back during senior season... was voted team MVP by his teammates as a senior...had 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 12 pass break-ups, four interceptions, six fumble recoveries and four sacks as a senior...rushing 124 times for 843 yards and seven TDs...also caught 11 passes for 242 yards and completed 38-of-75 passes and had five TDs...also lettered in basketball, track, and baseball...finished second at the state track meet in the high hurdles...son of Lori McCurry...undecided on a major.

California Signees D'andre Lewis 5'10" 182 FS Lakewood HS (Lakewood, Calif.) Named the Moore League Defensive MVP...played for Coach Thadd MacNeal during his senior season... made Press Telegram (Long Beach) Dream Team...displayed an array of talents using speed and power to nab nine interceptions...recorded 71 tackles...son of Regina Phillips...undecided on a major.