Tigers ink 46 signees for 2020 season

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University football and head coach Ross Cimpl announced 46 signees to the 2020 class on Wednesday. Of the 46 newest Tigers, 19 of them reign from South Dakota, eight from California, four from Idaho, three from Wyoming, three from Nebraska, two from Washington, two from Missouri and one from Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Utah and Minnesota.

 "We have a tremendous group of young men that are planning to join our program this fall that we could not be more excited about," Cimpl said. "Our coaching staff did an unbelievable job of targeting the right kids for this class. We have added speed, size, length and athleticism from all over the country. I am proud to keep a great base of our recruiting from the state of South Dakota while adding kids who fit our program from 10 other states."

 "This class has the potential to be very special," Cimpl went on to say. "We look forward to the impact they are going to make in our program now and in the future."

 The signees include:

• Darian Allen, 6-2, 165, defensive back, Mission Hills, Calif.;
• Christian Alvarez, 5-8, 150, defensive back, Saugus, Calif.;
• Lowden Askins, 6-2, 200, wide receiver, Sheridan, Wyo.;
• Justin Becker, 6-7, 215, tight end, White Lake, S.D.;
• Nathaniel Berg, 6-1, 200, tight end, Meridian, Idaho;
• Aaron Black, 5-10, 175, defensive back, Omak Wash.;
• Terance Burrell, 6-0, 200, defensive end, Creighton, Neb.;
• Cobey Carr, 5-8, 180, linebacker, Pierre, S.D.;
• Isaac Cliff, 5-10, 195, fullback, Ft. Pierre, S.D.;
• Hayden Dinger, 6-1, 260, offensive lineman, Glendale, Calif.;
• Hunter Eyton, 5-8, 160, defensive back, Meridan, Idaho;
• Logan Feuerbach, 5-9, 180, wide receiver, Loxahatchee, Fla.;
• Wesley Folsom, 6-6, 255, offensive lineman, Rapid City, S.D.;
• Jimmie Garewal, 5-11, 190, quarterback, San Jose, Calif.;
• Alec Gray, 5-11, 170, quarterback, Boise, Idaho;
• Cade Griffitts, 5-10, 200, linebacker, Glenrock, Wyo.;
• Donte Jacobsen, 6-2, 175, wide receiver, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.;
• Jacob Johnson, 6-3, 245, defensive lineman, Spearfish, S.D.;
• TJ Kitson, offensive lineman, Sandy, Utah;
• Andrew (AJ) Kortemeyer, 6-4, 290, offensive lineman, Custer, S.D.;
• Trevor Lambert, 5-10, 195, kicker, Mitchell, S.D.;
• Richard Lamont, 6-0, 185, wide receiver, Wanblee, S.D.;
• Austin Lee, 6-1, 175, quarterback, San Antonio, Texas;
• Lamar Ludy, 6-3, 295, offensive lineman, Oxnard, Calif.;
• Caleb Maciejewski, 6-0, 260, defensive lineman, Hot Springs, S.D.;
• Garrett Mandolfo, 5-8, 185, running back, Omaha, Neb.;
• Agustin Medina, 6-0, 215, linebacker, Pacoima, Calif.;
• Austin Moen, 6-2, 170, wide receiver, Roslyn, S.D.;
• Matthew Moen, linebacker, Sisseton, S.D.;
• Jarien Montgomery, 6-2, 315, offensive lineman, Kansas City, Mo.;
• Preston Nedved, 5-11, 170, wide receiver, Wagner, S.D.;
• Avery Nordbye, 5-10, 180, linebacker, Baltic, S.D.;
• Adam Nuno, 5-9, 125, kicker, Elk Point, S.D.;
• Todd Obele, 6-1, 215, tight end, Selby, S.D.;
• Christopher Parker, 5-10, 160, defensive back, Pacoima, Calif.;
• Dustyn Paulson, 6-1, 245, offensive lineman, Lodi, Wis.;
• Carter Rentz, 5-6, 190, linebacker, Dell Rapids, S.D.;
• Kevin Riu, 6-2, 220, defensive end, Moorpark, Calif.;
• Aydan Round, 6-3, 185, defensive back, Dodge Center, Minn.
• Joshua Seibert, 6-2, 195, linebacker, Bruno, Neb.;
• Gavin Spurrell, 6-0, 150, wide receiver, Irene, S.D.;
• Trent Suckut, 6-0, 225, offensive lineman, Bothell, Wash.;
• Connor Tapia, 5-10, 230, defensive lineman, Tea, S.D.;
• Jonathan Tellez, 6-1, 310, offensive lineman, Jerome, Idaho;
• Jaiden Walton, 6-0, 225, linebacker, Rapid City, S.D.;
• Jacob Zamora, 6-2, 160, defensive back, Sylmar, Calif. 

 Darian Allen

 Allen joins the Tigers for the 2020 season after winning the D1 City Section Championship. He was a two-year starter on the football field and participated in basketball for three years. Allen also was the recipient of the Outstanding Performance on Math SPAC. 

 Christian Alvarez

 Alvarez participated in football for four seasons and was a two-year starter for the Valiants. He was named All-Conference Second Team. He also participated in track for two years and was named to the Second Honor Roll as well. 

 Lowden Askins

 The wide receiver attended Sheridan High School where he participated in football for four years. He was named All-Conference Honorable Mention at tight end and was part of the 2019 4A State Championship team. Askins was part of the Gifted and Talented English program for three years at Sheridan. 

 Justin Becker

 The 6-foot-7 tight end looks to make an impact for DWU in his freshman campaign. He held multiple records for White Lake High School, including 21 career sacks, 14 career touchdowns, 1,316 career receiving yards, 69 career receptions, 12 sacks in a season, 34 receptions in a season, 722 receiving yards in a season and eight receiving touchdowns in a season. Becker was a member of the 2018 runner-up team at the state football championship. He also was named 2019 Elite 45 Honorable Mention, 2019 All-State and All-Conference, 2018 All-State Honorable Mention and 2018 All-Conference. In the classroom, Becker was a two-time Silver Honor Roll member. 

 Nathaniel Berg

 Berg joins the Tigers from Meridian High School, where he was a member of the 2018 5A Idaho State Championship team. He was named All-Conference First Team in 2019 and was a three-time All-SIC Academic Team member. Berg finished his career with 11 touchdowns and 4.5 sacks. He was a two-year starter for the Warriors. 

 Aaron Black 

 The 5-foot-10 defensive back looks to make an immediate impact for the Tigers in 2020. He was named All-League First Team as a defensive back and All-League First Team at quarterback and wide receiver. Black helped his team to a pair of CTL League Championships, along with a 10-1 record his senior season. He also participated in baseball for four seasons and basketball for three years. In baseball, Black was named a two-time Honorable Mention member. 

 Terance Burrell

 After four seasons of football at Creighton Community High School, Burrell looks to aid the Tiger defensive line. He started for a season and was a two-time letterwinner. Burrell recorded 46 total tackles, caused six fumbles, returned an interception for a touchdown and tallied five sacks. He was named to the All-District and All-Area Second Team. He was named to the honor roll three times. Along with football, Burrell competed in wrestling and track for three seasons. 

 Cobey Carr

 The three-time state champion joins the Tigers at linebacker. He finished his senior season with 56 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery. Carr was the recipient of the Blue Collar Gov Award in 2018 and 2019 as the hardest worker on the team. He was named to the All-State Team in football, baseball and track. Carr was a four-time member of the 'A' Honor Roll, as well as a member of the National Honor Society. 

 Isaac Cliff

 Cliff joins the Tigers after four seasons with the Stanley County Buffalos. He finished his senior season with 60 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss and an interception. He also tallied 161 rushing yards as a fullback. Cliff was named the team captain and was named to the Academic Honor Roll. He also competed in wrestling and track for four seasons. 

 Hayden Dinger

 Dinger transfers to DWU and will add depth on the offensive line. He participated in football for four years at Saint Francis High School in Glendale, Calif. Dinger lettered two years in football and was named Scout Player of the Year in 2018. 

 Hunter Eyton

 Eyton will provide depth in the defensive backfield after being a four-year starter for Meridian High School in Meridian, Idaho. He notched 41 assisted tackles, 56 solo tackles, 13 pass breakups and five tackles for loss in his career. 

 Logan Feuerbach

 The Kick Returner of the Year completed a historic career with Seminole Ridge High School. He set a school record for most touchdowns in a single game with three, while tying the most receiving yards in a game and most punt return yards in a game. Feuerbach was a three-time Offensive Player of the Week, three-time Special Teams Player of the Week and a two-time Scout Team Player. He was named to multiple honor rolls throughout his high-school career, while also competing in weightlifting and track. 

 Wesley Folsom

 The 6-foot-6 offensive lineman started for the Raiders since his sophomore season and finished his career with most sacks at his position. He was a three-year starter and also played baseball and track and field. 

 Jimmie Garewal

 Garewal attended Westmont High School and played both basketball and football. He was a two-year starter for the Warriors in football and made the All-Conference Second Team both years. Garewal was part of the honor roll his junior and senior year. 

 Alec Gray

 Gray enters his freshman campaign with DWU after being named a team captain and a Senators Choice Award Nominee. He helped his team to a 7-3 record and a playoff victory in 2018. Gray was a three-time letterwinner in football and also competed in baseball for a year. 

 Cade Griffitts

 Griffitts led his team in tackles his senior year, while starting on both sides of the ball his junior and senior seasons. He finished fifth on his team for most tackles his junior year, which led him to an All-Conference Second Team nod. His senior year he was named to the All-Conference First Team. Along with football, Griffitts wrestled for three years and was a member of the track and field team for four seasons. 

 Jacob Johnson

 The Spearfish, S.D., native led his team in sacks, tackles and total yards his senior season. Johnson was a two-time All-State and All-Conference member. He was a four-year starter for the Spartans and also competed in track and wrestling. 

 Donte Jacobsen

 Jacobsen was named All-Conference his junior year and All-Conference Honorable Mention his senior season. He was a four-year participant in basketball and track. 

 TJ Kitson

 Kitson was an Academic Honor Roll member during his tenure at Jordan High School. He was a 6A All-Region Honorable Mention and team captain. 

 Andrew (AJ) Kartemeyer

 The Custer, S.D., native will provide depth on the offensive front after being a two-time All-Conference member, two-time Lineman of the Year, Elite 45 Honorable Mention and a two-time team captain. Kartemeyer guided his team to a conference championship in 2019. He was an Academic All-State member, along with participating in football and track and field. 

 Richard Lamont

 The three-year starter at receiver joins the Tigers for the 2020 season after a four-year career with Kadoka Area High School. He was named the Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the Western Great Plains All-Conference Team. Lamont was a National Honor Society and 'A' Honor Roll member. He was also a three-year starter in basketball. 

 Austin Lee

 The San Antonio, Texas, native completed his career with 2,691 passing yards, 638 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns. He was selected to the All-District Second Team in 2019 and received a pair of varsity letters. Lee was named to the Academic All-District Team twice and was an Academic All-State First Team once. He was awarded the MacArthur Super Star Award by his teachers, while being Summa Cum Laude upon graduation. 

 Trevor Lambert

 Lambert stays at home as he will kick for the Tigers after a three-year career for Mitchell High School. He made 34 out of his 35 PATs, tallied 13 touchbacks and recorded 18 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He was named the Special Team Player of the Year from 2017-2019 and was named to the All-State Team in 2019. Lambert also played soccer for five seasons as a starter each year. 

 Lamar Ludy

 The 2018 CIF Champion joins DWU from Oxnard, Calif., and will be a member of the offensive line. He was a starter for a season and participated for thee years. He also played volleyball for one year. 

 Agustin Medina

 Medina was named the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Open Division Second Team. He finished with 73 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and four sacks. After an 8-2 season in 2018 and a 9-1 record in 2019, he guided his team to five League Championships. Medina was a two-year starter and letterwinner. 

 Jarien Montgomery

 The 2019 All-Conference First Team member joins DWU from Kansas City as an offensive lineman. He recorded 21 pancake blocks and a tackle in his conference games. He was honored with the Academic Excellence Award from 2016-2018. Montgomery was a three-time letter recipient and two-year starter in football, while participating in track and field for a season. 

 Caleb Maciejewski

 The Hot Springs, S.D., native completed his career with 81 tackles, six sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He was named the 2019 Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2019 All-BHC and the 2017 Defensive Lineman of the Year. Along with football he also competed in wrestling and baseball. Maciejewski was a four-time All-Region baseball player and a two-time state qualifying wrestler. Off the field, he was named to the Academic All-State Team, tabbed the National Honor Society and student body president and was a four-year honor roll member. 

 Austin Moen

 Moen helped his team to a 2016 9AA football second-place finish. He was named the MVP of the special teams after his 2019 season. In his career, Moen finished with 1,350 all-purpose yards, 525 offensive yards, 765 return yards, 35 tackles, three interceptions and 16 touchdowns. He also participated in track and basketball. Moen was named the Field MVP in 2018 and the Most Improved two years in a row in track and field. 

 Matthew Moen

 The Sisseton, S.D., native was selected for the 2019 Northeast Conference Football Team. 

 Garrett Mendolfo

 Mendolfo attended Millard South High School in Omaha, Neb. He participated and lettered in football for three seasons. 

 Adam Nuno

 He was named the Special Teams MVP in 2019. Nuno finished a game with three made field goals. He was a four-year starter in football and two-year member of the track and field team at Elk Point-Jefferson High School. 

 Preston Nedved

 Nedved joins the Tigers from Wagner, S.D., and will provide depth at wide receiver. He was named SESD All-Conference Honorable Mention and was a two-time SESD All-Conference Team member. Along with being a three-year starter in football, Nedved participated in wrestling for six years and track for four seasons. He was a three-time state wrestling qualifier and a state wrestling placer once with a fifth-place finish. He also played baseball, where he was a three-time state placer. Nedved also excelled in the classroom after being tabbed with an Academic Letter once. 

 Avery Nordbye

 Nordbye completed his senior season with 56 solo tackles and 79 total tackles. He also recorded 282 rushing yards on the offensive end. He was named to the 2019 Big East Honorable Mention Team and the 2019 Cornbelt Honorable Mention Team. Nordbye was a three-year Academic Letterwinner, as well as being a member of the National Honor Society. He was a three-year starter in football and participated in track for three years. 

 Todd Obele

 The two-time Defensive Team MVP, two-time All-Conference member and All-State First Team member looks to make an immediate impact at tight end. Obele recorded 20 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. He also tallied 346 tackles, seven sacks, an interception and three blocked field goals in his career. Obele was also named to the Aberdeen All-Area Team. He also participated in track and basketball and took fourth place in the discus. 

 Christopher Parker

 The Pacoima, Calif., native hopes to make an immediate impact for the Tigers after a successful career with San Fernando High School. He was named to the 2019 All-Valley Mission League First Team as a receiver, while being tabbed to the 2019 Los Angeles City Section Open Division Second-Team as a defensive back. He was a three-year starter in football. 

 Dustyn Paulson

 Paulson was a two-time All-Conference First Team offensive lineman, All-Conference First Team defensive lineman, All-Region offensive lineman and the Capitol North Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was a member of the 2017 state championship team. He was a two-year starter in football and track. 

 Carter Rentz

 Rentz comes to Dakota Wesleyan after a four-year career with the Quarriers of Dell Rapids. He guided his team to a second-place finish at the state championship his junior season. He was named All-Conference Honorable Mention and was a Silver Honor Roll member. Rentz was a four-year member in football and four-year participant in basketball. 

 Ayden Round

 Round joins the Tigers as a defensive back after a six-year career with Triton Public High School. He finished his career with 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. For his efforts, Round was named the Defensive MVP and the Most Improved Player. He was named to the 'A' Honor Roll in his senior year. 

 Kevin Riu

 Riu will add depth on the defensive line after a three-year career for Moorpark High School. 

 Joshua Seibert

 Seibert was named All-State Second Team for his efforts on the football field and the basketball court. He recorded 103 tackles his senior year, 93 tackles his junior season and 83 tackles his sophomore campaign. Seibert was a three-year starter in football and basketball, while being a four-year member of the track team. 

 Gavin Spurrell

 After an impressive career at Irene-Wakonda High School, Spurrell joins the Tigers for the 2020 season. He was named All-Conference Honorable Mention twice and All-State Honorable Mention once. In football, Spurrell was named Team MVP, Offensive MVP, Senior Ironman, Overall Ironman and Junior Ironman. In basketball he was tabbed the Most Improved in 2018-19 and won the Sportsmanship Award in the Hanson Classic. In the classroom he was named Academic All-State. In his senior season, Spurrell finished with 454 receiving yards, 17 catches, six receiving touchdowns and nine total touchdowns. 

 Trent Suckut

 Suckut was named the captain of his football team his senior season and was named the Freshman Team Lineman of the Year. In 2017, he was awarded the President's Educational Award for outstanding academic excellence. Suckut was a three-year starter in football land was a four-year starter in lacrosse. 

 Jonathan Tellez

 The Jerome, Idaho, native looks to add experience to the offensive line in 2020. He was named All-Conference First Team after winning the conference championship. Started for Jerome High School for four years in football and one year in wrestling. 

 Connor Tapia

 Tapia completed a historic career with the Tea Titans after winning the 2018 11A football championship and taking runner-up at the 2016 11A football championship. He recorded nine solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Tapia was named the 2019 Coca-Cola Unsung Hero and the 2018 Defensive Scout Player of the Year. Off the field, Tapia was named to the Academic All-State Team, Roll of Excellence and the 'A' Honor Roll. 

 Jaiden Walton

 Walton was named to the All-State Honorable Mention Team and the All-Conference Honorable Mention Team his senior season. He was a four-year starter for Douglas High School and also competed in track for four years. 

 Jacob Zamora

 Zamora was named to the All-League First Team and won the John Elway Award. He was a two-year starter and three-year participant of the Highlander football squad.

 The Tigers begin their 2020 season on Aug. 27 against in-state rival, Dakota State University at Joe Quintal Field.