The 2009 class marks USD's second Division I recruiting class, and includes six student-athletes from South Dakota, five from Florida, four from Nebraska, three from Iowa, two from Wisconsin, Colorado and Minnesota and one from Nevada and Illinois.

"This is a special group," Meierkort said. "Our staff was able to recruit some big-time players that played at a very high level in their high school careers. We recruited against very good programs like UNI, State, NDSU and Illinois State. We are excited about the young men that have decided to become Coyotes."

The 2009 signees include Earv Archambeau, a running back from Avon, S.D., who was named the Argus Leader's Elite 45 Captain for 2008. In addition, Quintin McMartin (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Mike Pharis (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Will Powell (Sioux Falls, S.D.), all of whom were Argus Leader Elite 45 picks, signed with USD. The class also includes five two-star recruits from Rivals.com.

"I like the school and I love the coaches," Archambeau said. "They've had success the last couple of years, and when they went up to Division I...that's even better."

"I am really excited," said Cody O'Neill, a standout offensive lineman from Woodstock, Ill., who is one of the 2009 Coyote recruits. "I felt the day I went up for my official visit, that USD is the place I want to play. I feel this is the place I want to be for the next four or five years."

"I got a chance to see the whole campus and take it in," said Dametrius Turner, a defensive back from Tampa, Fla., and a Coyote signee. "The atmosphere -- there was a lot good people up there. I like that the program is up-and-coming. I'm really excited."

"I loved the coaches up there, and I fit in with the players," said Eric Cummings, a standout defensive lineman from Omaha, Neb. who signed with USD. "The coaches are optimistic about getting the program to where it needs to be. I'm really excited to come up there."

Here is a look at the 2009 USD signees

Earv Archambeau, RB, 5-11, 185, Avon, S.D. (Avon HS) Rushed for 4,670 yards and 70 touchdowns in high school career...named Argus Leader's Elite 45 Team Captain in 2008...named Yankton Press & Dakotan's Prep Boys Athlete of the Year...named to Argus Leader's Elite 45 team in 2008 and 2007...named to Class 9A All-State first-team in 2008...vital part of Avon's 2008 Class 9B state championship football team...named Class 9A Outstanding Back...rushed for 1,469 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior (17.3 yards per carry)...rushed for 213 yards and named Joe Robbie MVP in Class 9A Championship game in 2008...also participated in golf (part of state championship team), track and basketball.

Donovan Bowens, RB/DB, 6-1, 190, Arvada, Colo. (Pomona HS) Named first-team All-State by the Denver Post in 2008...a two-time All-Colorado selection...a two-time All-Conference selection...also named All-State in 2007...finished with 1,465 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior...finished with career stats of 3,272 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns...averaged 8.0 yards per carry in carry...listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...also participated in track.

Michael Burrus, RB/DB, 5-9, 175 Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista South) Named to the Nebraska Associated Press Class A All-State first team as a senior...rushed for 1,826 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago...also had 300-plus yards receiving...considered one of the top running backs in Nebraska...named All-Conference and All-District...finished with 1,087 rushing yards during junior year in just five games...also a state qualifier in the 100 in track.

Aramis Calloway, LB, 6-1, 195, Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS) Named to Florida's Class 3A All-State third team...finished with 172 tackles as a senior, including 98 solos and 74 assists...also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and recorded an interception...part of Dunbar team that finished 9-2 in 2008...named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-District 16 team...named to the All-Lee County Athletic Conference first team...named All-State third team...also lettered in baseball and track.

Kyle Cichos, QB, 6-3, 205, Pierre, S.D. (T. F. Riggs HS) A three-year starter at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, S.D...a quarterback with good size and a strong arm...missed several games because of injury in 2008...had an outstanding junior season with 1,500 passing yards, 500 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns...finished career with 2,602 passing yards, 722 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns...Academic All-State selection...also a South Dakota North-South All-Star selection...also lettered in baseball and basketball.

Eric Cummings, DL, 6-2, 275, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS) Rated No. 10 overall prospect in Nebraska by Rivals.com...named 70th defensive tackle prospect in nation by ESPN....had 58 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, last season...also had four sacks and three forced fumbles...as a junior, had 78 tackles, including 24 for loss, to go with seven sacks...listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...was selected Class A first-team and Super State second team DL by the Lincoln Journal-Star as a senior...named All-Metro Conference first team by the Omaha World-Herald and also was an All-District selection...has versatility to play either inside or outside on the defensive line...also a letterwinner in track and wrestling.

Tommy Flanagan, WR, 5-9, 190, Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek HS) Finished his career with 7,152 combined yards rushing and receiving and scored 75 touchdowns...was named 2008 5A Offensive Player of the Year in Colorado...a two-time All-Colorado and two-time All-State selection...two-time league MVP...a three-time All-Big Eight Conference selection...finished with 1,400 yards rushing and 960 yards receiving as a senior...scored 30 touchdowns...listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...also participated in basketball and track.

Nick Franken, DE, 6-4, 240, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington HS) Named to the South Dakota's Class 11AA All-State first team from his defensive end spot...played big part in Sioux Falls Washington's Class 11AA state runner-up finish in 2008...named Greater Dakota Conference honorable mention...two-year starter...named Washington High School's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman...finished with more than 10 sacks and nearly 100 tackles in junior and senior seasons.

Chris Frierson, DB, 6-3, 205, Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS) Was named Tampa Tribune All-County honorable mention...had team-high five interceptions to go with 44 tackles as a senior...part of Chamberlain team that was ranked in top 10 in Florida...also had a fumble return for a touchdown in Week 2...played for legendary coach Billy Turner.

Matt Kerswill, DB, 6-1, 185, Schofield, Wis. (DC Everest HS) Named Player of the Year by Wausau Daily Herald...named All-State, All-Conference and All-District as a wide receiver during his senior year...invited to play in the Wisconsin Shrine Bowl All-Star game this summer...led Wisconsin Valley Conference in punt returns and kickoff returns last season...finished with two interceptions last season and returned one of them for a touchdown...caught 11 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns...earned All-Conference honors in football as a junior...named All-State in track.

Jake Marousek, WR, 6-2, 185, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS) Named All-State honorable mention as a senior...had 986 yards rushing, 328 yards receiving and 398 return yards...was also named All-Conference and All-District...named Academic All-State...as a junior, earned All-Conference and All-District honors while being named honorable mention All-State...also an outstanding track athlete who had the fastest time in the 200 meters during his junior year...very agile and shifty athlete.

Quintin McMartin, TE, 6-3, 220, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington HS) Named to South Dakota's Class 11AA All-State first team...named to the Argus Leader's Elite 45 team in 2008...named Greater Dakota Conference honorable mention...part of Washington's run to state championship game...finished with 41 catches for 763 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2008...caught 37 passes for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior...also named All-State honorable mention as a junior.

Taylor Moore, DL, 6-4, 250, Milwaukee, Wis. (Marquette HS) Named Wisconsin Football Coaches Association honorable mention all-state...named Associated Press honorable mention All-State...named WFCA All-Region...named to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel second-team All-Area and also earned first-team All-Conference honors...was named the Greater Metro Conference Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year...also competed in powerlifting...participated in the Shrine Bowl.

Marc Murtha, OL, 6-6, 265, Maple Grove, Minn. (Maple Grove HS) Two-year starter at Maple Grove High School...will give the Coyotes size and strength up front...named to A Honor Roll five times and B Honor Roll seven times...also an outstanding wrestler, with 38-11 mark over the past two seasons.

Steve Nelson, OL, 6-5, 300, Springfield, Neb. (Platteview HS) A dominant player on both sides of the ball for Platteview HS, whether it was opening holes on offense or plugging holes on defense. ...finished senior year with 87 tackles and earned Class B All-State, All-Conference and All-District honors...was named All-Nebraska second team by the Omaha World Herald...team defensive MVP in 2008...three-year letterwinner...had 60 tackles as a junior when he was named All-District and All-Conference honorable mention...state track qualifier in the shot put.

Cody O'Neill, OL, 6-3, 285, Harvard, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic HS) Was a two-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines for Marian Central...started at guard as a sophomore...24th-ranked center from Rivals.com...two-star recruit by Rivals.com...was a 2008 All-State First Team selection...was a two-time All-Suburban Catholic Conference selection...was a two-time All-Northwest Herald Selection...two-time honorable mention selection by the Chicago Sun-Times...started 36 consecutive games.

Mike Pharis, DL 6-4, 244, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman HS) Named to the Argus Leader's Elite 45 team...also an Class 11AA All-State selection as a defensive lineman...son of Coyote Hall of Famer and former football standout Todd Pharis...named to the All-Greater Dakota Conference first team...finished with 60 tackles...was the lead blocker for an offense that rushed for almost 300 yards per game.

Will Powell, WR, 6-1, 180, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman HS) Versatile athlete who is coming off of strong season at O'Gorman HS...caught 26 passes for 658 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 642 yards...also had 37 tackles and three interceptions at safety....named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...also named to the All-Greater Dakota Conference first team...named to Class 11AA All-State team as a defensive back.

Kelan Richardson, LB, 6-2, 202, Lake City, Iowa (Southern Cal HS) Named Captain of the Iowa Newspaper Association Class A All-State football team...huge part of Mustangs' run to Class A state title....finished with 60 solo tackles and 32 assists despite missing time because of an injury...on offense, rushed for 993 yards and 18 touchdowns...rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns in state championship game...named Class 1A All-State as a junior as well...finished with 3,663 career rushing yards and 57 touchdowns...also had 260 tackles...fast athlete with the ability to make big plays.

Tyler Starr, LB, 6-4, 215, Little Rock, Iowa (George-Little Rock HS) Named to All-Northwest Iowa squad...a two-time All-District first team selection...integral part of Central Lyon/George-Little Rock team that finished 13-1 and qualified for state championship game...Named to the Class 2A All-District 1 first-team in 2008...finished with 128 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a senior...also caught 23 passes for 312 yards and 10 touchdowns...played in three state championship games (2006-08)...also played in state basketball championship in 2008.

Dametrius Turner, DB, 5-11, 175, Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS) Key part of Chamberlain team that advanced to 5A region finals last season...also recorded two touchdowns on defense in 2008, one on a fumble return and another on an interception return...finished with 45 tackles and two interceptions...good man-to-man coverage skills...finished with 120 career tackles, in addition to 50 pass break-ups...four-year letterwinner in football...played for legendary coach Billy Turner.

Alphonso Valdez, DB, 5-9, 180, Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS) Was named Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team as a senior...finished with 80 total tackles, including 33 solos and 47 assists...finished with two interceptions...named to All-Conference second team...All-State honorable mention selection...part of Chamberlain team that finished 11-2 a year ago...also returned a fumble for a touchdown...finished with 150 tackles, 45 pass breakups, three interceptions and three sacks in high school career...played for legendary coach Billy Turner.

Tyler Wilhelm, QB, 6-4, 205, Loxahatchee, Fla. (Seminole Ridge HS) Enjoyed outstanding senior season at Seminole Ridge by being voted All-Conference, All-District and All-County...was selected to play in Outback All-Star Game...runner-up for player of the year in Palm Beach County...threw for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, and also rushed for four touchdowns...also excels in the classroom as he's been named to prinicipal's honor roll all four years...part of Leadership Program of Palm Beach County.