"This recruiting class was a knockout for the Coyote football program, even though we had limited scholarships available with only five seniors last season," Meierkort said. "The joint efforts of the coaching staff, student-athletes, faculty, food service and admissions staff brought these great young men into the Coyote Nation. A combination of competing at a very high level and dramatic improvement in campus facilities helped our staff put together our first recruiting class since joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference."

Meierkort also announced eight student-athletes will walk-on in the fall and four transfers will attend USD this spring to bring the total number of the 2011 recruiting class to 24. The student-athletes hail from 12 different states, including six natives of South Dakota in Chris Kruse (Lennox), Drew Iddings (Rapid City), Tyler Richardson (Rapid City), Matt Lupkes (Jefferson), Alex Litzen (Rapid City) and Ethan Pace (Elk Point), while the class as a whole is highlighted by five defensive linemen, five defensive backs and four offensive lineman.

"We filled our immediate needs at tight end and quarterback with this class, but also shored up our defensive front and secondary," Meierkort said. "The ability to attract quality walk-ons with the opportunity to earn a future scholarship is critical to success in the near future. These young men turned down scholarship offers at other FCS or Division II programs for a chance to play for the Coyotes. We could not have attracted these players without the help of our faculty. They do a great job promoting the University of South Dakota's academic excellence."

Fans are invited to tonight's USD Signing Day Event at 5 p.m. at Callaway's Event Center in Sioux Falls for a chance to visit with Meierkort and his staff about the class. Pro's Bar and Grill in Vermillion will host tomorrow's event at 5 p.m. For more information, click on the link above.

2011 USD Football Class: Kayl Barkley - TE, 6-3, 250, Conway Springs, Kan. (Conway Springs HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Bryan Campos - OL, 6-5, 250, West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Derek Chancellor - OL, 6-5, 290, McCook, Neb. (McCook HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Emanuel Cromuel - DL, 6-2, 293, Tampa, Fla. (Thomas Jefferson HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Kevin Earl - QB, 6-6, 205, Lincolnshire, Ill. (Stevenson HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Isaac Fairbairn - DB, 5-9, 175, Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Vladimir Gray - LB, 6-1, 225, Killeen, Texas (Harker Heights HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Ryan Hillier - LB, 6-1, 205, Lee's Summit, Mo. (Lee's Summit West HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Drew Iddings - DL, 6-6, 225, Rapid City, S.D. (Stevens HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Nick Jacobs - DL, 6-5, 270, Delano, Minn. (Delano HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Reggie Johnson - DE/LB, 6-2, 225, Tampa, Fla. (Hillsborough HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Chris Kruse - OL, 6-7, 291, Lennox, S.D. (Lennox HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Alex Litzen - WR, 6-5, 205, Rapid City, S.D. (Stevens HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Matt Lupkes - DB, 5-9, 175, Jefferson, S.D. (Dakota Valley HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Nick Meyer - QB, 6-1, 185, Elk Grove Village, Ill. (Elk Grove HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Nick Olson - OL, 6-4, 255, Richfield, Minn. (Richfield HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Ethan Pace - TE, 6-5, 230, Elk Point, S.D. (Elk Point-Jefferson HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Tyler Richardson - LB, 5-11, 200, Rapid City, S.D. (St. Thomas More HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Judas Smith - DB, 5-10, 170, Las Vegas, Nev. (Durango HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Quentin Urban - DB, 5-10, 195, Omaha, Neb. (Millard South HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Justin Wohlert - DB, 5-9, 170, Hartley, Iowa (Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn HS) Bio - Highlight Video

Transfers: Donny Alves Fortes - DL, 6-3, 280, Boise, Idaho (Boise HS/Eastern Arizona College) Bio - Highlight Video

Jay Burns - TE, 6-3, 245, Kansas City, Kan. (Bishop Ward HS/Butler CC) Bio - Highlight Video

Anthony Williams - WR, 6-2, 183, Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS/Troy) Bio - Highlight Video

Zack Wilson - LB, 6-1, 220, Bountiful, Utah (Bountiful HS/Snow College) Bio - Highlight Video