Football bolsters 2021 roster with 39 signees on National Signing Day

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team is excited to announce the addition of 39 of its newest members for the 2021 season on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

 "We have very high expectations for the 2021 class," head football coach Ross Cimpl said of his newest members. "Our coaching staff has done a tremendous job of identifying some very talented kids to add to our roster. We are very pleased with the talent, depth, speed, strength and character of this group. I can't wait to get this group here in the fall and see what they accomplish throughout their careers here. This is a high-quality group that is going to represent our program in a great way."

 The 39 signees reign from eight different states and the position groups break down as follows: offensive line: 7; wide receivers: 4; quarterbacks: 3; running backs: 2; tight ends: 2; fullback: 1; defensive line: 8; linebackers: 6; defensive backs: 6.

 The signees include:

• Dylan Albrecht, 6-1, 311, offensive line, Sioux Falls, S.D.;
• Nicholas Arenas, 6-4, 210, defensive end, Wakefield, Neb.;
• Aden Anderson, 6-2, 195, linebacker, Dixon, Neb.;
• Ky Becker, 6-2, 180, wide receiver, White Lake, S.D.;
• Chase Cermak, 6-2, 175, wide receiver, Highmore, S.D.;
• Dexter Curry III, 6-3, 270, offensive line, Kansas City, Mo.;
• Samuel Callies, 6-2, 220, tight end, Howard, S.D.;
• Cayden Cunningham, 6-2, 190, quarterback, Norfolk, Neb.;
• Joshua Coleman, 5-7, 180, linebacker, Kansas City, Kan.;
• Jordan Etter, 6-1, 180, quarterback, Spanaway, Wash.;
• Layton Eide, 5-11, 185, linebacker, Clear Lake, S.D.;
• Devan Fouliard, 5-8, 145, defensive back, Abilene, Kan.;
• Haustyn Forney, 6-0, 165, wide receiver, Humphrey, Neb.;
• Ben Harms, 5-10, 225, defensive line, Rapid City, S.D.;
• Hunter Hanke, 6-1, 205, defensive end, Waverly, Neb.,
• Jesus Herrera, 5-11, 200, defensive back, Palmview, Texas;
• Tate Kessler, 5-9, 180, defensive back, Viborg, S.D.;
• Victor Kniesche, 6-0, 200, linebacker, Wayne, Neb.,
• Connor Kerkhove, 5-10, 215, offensive line, Bridgewater, S.D.;
• Dylan LaPointe, 6-2, 226, tight end, Santee, Neb.;
• Eli Lingle, 6-2, 300, offensive line, Decatur, Neb.;
• Nicholas Lombardi, 5-10, 200, fullback, Apple Valley, Minn.;
• Ethan McCune, 6-0, 225, defensive line, De Smet, S.D.;
• Austin Meikle, 6-1, 200, defensive line, Norfolk, Neb.;
• Braden Peters, 6-2, 290, offensive line, Flandreau, S.D.;
• Donovan Prusia, 6-1, 175, defensive back, Omaha, Neb.;
• Chase Riche, 5-11, 205, wide receiver, Council Bluffs, Iowa;
• Christian Rystrom, 5-10, 177, defensive back, Stromsburg, Neb.;
• Ethan Rogich, 6-0, 250, offensive line, Sioux Falls, S.D.;
• Joshua Rowse, 5-8, 155, linebacker, Ft. Pierre, S.D.;
• Wyatt Roberts, 6-3, 310, offensive line, Nebraska City, Neb.;
• Logan Serck, 5-7, 160, running back, Hudson, S.D.;
• Kale Stevenson, 5-9, 180, running back, Watertown, S.D.;
• Jason Uden, 6-2, 285, defensive line, Crete, Neb.;
• Rave Uhlich, 6-0, 190, linebacker, Garretson, S.D.;
• Tayden Vandenberg, 6-0, 235, defensive line, Staplehurst, Neb.;
• Ty Van Hull, 6-1, 195, defensive line, Viborg, S.D.;
• Jacob Williams, 5-10, 170, defensive back, Huron, S.D.;
• Keegan Zdybel, 6-2, 180, quarterback, Slater, Mo.

Dylan Albrecht

 The 6-foot-1, 311-pound offensive lineman inks with the Tigers for the 2021 season and adds size to the front line. He helped his team to a 6-4 record his senior year and an 8-2 record his junior campaign. H was a one-year starter in football and also competed in track. Albrecht was named the Physical Education Sophomore Student of the Month.

Nicholas Arenas

 Arenas was an All-State Honorable Mention selection after a perfect 7-0 record his senior season. He also guided his team to a 6-2 record his junior year. The defensive end commit set a record for sacks in a game with four, while also tallying seven sacks in a season and 17 in his career. He was a three-year starter in football, three-year participant in basketball and four-year member of the track team.

Aden Anderson

 The three-sport athlete signs with the Tigers as a linebacker out of Dixon, Neb. A four-year player at Ponca High School. He was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Indians. Anderson earned All-District honors and also competed on the track and basketball teams. He was a two-year letterwinner in track and a two-year starter on the court where he earned three varsity letters.

Ky Becker

 Becker averaged 20.9 yards per catch and 23 yards per return on the grid iron. He tallied eight tackles per game for the WiLdKats. He guided his team to a runner-up finish his sophomore season and was named a team captain. He also participated in basketball, track and cross-country. He was named MVP and team captain of his basketball team, while also being named the track team MVP. Becker was a member of the Gold Honor Roll and was a four-year Academic All-State member.

Chase Cermak

 Cermak led his team in receiving yards in 2019 and was named a team captain. He was a three-year starter in football, while also competing in basketball and track for four years. Cermak was an honor roll member in the classroom.

Dexter Curry III

 The offensive lineman was a conference champion in 2019 and was also named an All-Conference Honorable Mention member. He guided his team to an 8-3 record last year and a 5-5 record his junior season. He was a one-year starter in football and also competed in basketball and track.

Samuel Callies

 The All-State First Team member and Outstanding Lineman Award Winner looks to provide depth at the tight end position for Tigers. On defense, Callies finished with 40 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery his senior year. He was a team captain in football and basketball and was awarded the Tiger Award in basketball. He was an Academic All-State honoree and an 'A' Honor Roll member. He also competed in track and baseball.

Cayden Cunningham

 Cunningham tallied over 1,000 passing yards and finished as the leading tackler his junior season. He was the team MVP and named Most Dedicated. Cunningham was tabbed All-State Honorable Mention in 2019, All-State in 2020 and was a two-time All-District selection. He was named the Most Improved in 2018 and tabbed as the Lifter of the Year. He finished as a three-year starter in football and also competed in basketball and track.

Joshua Coleman

 The four-year starter inks with the Tigers for the 2021 season and looks to provide depth at linebacker. He posted 17 tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in one game. He also participated in basketball and track.

Jordan Etter

 Etter signs with the Tigers as a quarterback from Spanaway, Wash. The three-year player at Spanaway Lake High was a two-year starter and letterwinner. He graduated as the all-time leading passer in school history and set the all-time passing touchdown record as well. He threw for a school-record seven touchdowns in one game, on his way to being a three-year honorable mention selection for the Sentinels. He was tabbed as the 2017 Most Inspirational player and received Offensive Most Valuable Player honors during his senior campaign.

Layton Eide

 The Academic All-State selection and All-Conference linebacker joins the Tigers for the 2021 season. Eide played football all four years at Deuel High School and tallied 96 tackles over his career with the Cardinals. He helped Deuel High to a 9-2 record during his junior year and was an All-Conference selection at linebacker. Eide earned All-State honors on special teams as well as Academic All-State honors. The 5-foot-11 linebacker was honored with the Cardinal Award designated to the hardest worker. He was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner, while competing on the basketball and track teams. Eide also was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner on the court and competed in track all four years. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with 4.0 GPA.

Devan Fouliard

 The Abilene, Kan., native joins the Tigers after being tabbed as the Most Improved Player at Abilene High in 2019. He played football all four years at Abilene High and was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Cowboys. Fouliard also competed on the track team for two years and earned a pair of varsity letters on the track.

Haustyn Forney

 Forney was tabbed All-State Honorable Mention and All-District in helping his team to a 21-2 record over his final two seasons. In his senior campaign, Forney finished with 641 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions for 388 yards and five touchdowns receiving, while adding a touchdown pass for six yards. In all, he finished with 20 touchdowns, while also tacking on 239 punt return yards and 184 kick-return yards. Forney notched three interceptions for 50 yards, 20 unassisted tackles and 43 assisted tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Off the field, he finished as a two-time 'A' Honor Roll honoree.

Ben Harms

 The two-sport athlete and 2020 team captain joins the Tigers as a defensive lineman. Played all four year at Rapid City Central High School and served as a team captain for the Cobblers in 2020. He was a three-year starter and letterwinner and also competed on the baseball team all four years. Harms was a two-year starter and letterwinner on the diamond and a member of the Academic Honor Roll.

Hunter Hanke

 The 6-foot-1 defensive end looks to continue his football success with the Tigers for the 2021 season. Hanke finished as an All-District First Team member, All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree and an All-State Honorable Mention selection. He helped his team to a district championship in 2020 after an 8-3 record his senior season. Hanke was a two-year starter and also competed in track.

Jesus Herrera

 Herrera transfers back to DWU and looks to make an impact in the defensive backfield. He finished his high school career with 12 tackles for loss, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 38 tackles, 10 pass deflections and a sack. He was an All-District First Team selection and a 30-6 A Honorable Mention cornerback.

Tate Kessler

 Kessler will provide depth in the defensive backfield. He helped guide his team to a 2019 South Dakota Class '9AA' State Championship with a 50-24 victory over Bon Homme.

Victor Kniesche

 Kniesche finishes an impressive high-school career with the Wayne High School Blue Devils and looks to continue his success at linebacker for the Tigers. He notched 243 tackles, two sacks, a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble. On offense, he finished with 159 carries for 724 yards, eight receptions and 100 yards receiving. He was a two-time Lincoln Journal Star All-State Honorable Mention selection, All-District First Team member, Norfolk Daily News All-Area Second Team honoree, Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and a two-time Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention selection. Kniesche was honored as a three-time Subway Player of the Game, 2020 Shrine Bowl selection and a four-year varsity letterwinner. Off the gridiron, he was honored with the FFA Chapter Award and also competed in wrestling and baseball.

Connor Kerkhove

 Kerkhove joins the Tigers as an offensive lineman after a four-year prep career at Bridgewater-Emery High School. A four-year player for the Seahawks as he led Bridgewater-Emery High to a 12-0 record and a state championship in 2019. He tallied three state championship second-place finishes and was a one-year starter and four-year letterwinner. Kerkhove was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Dylan LaPointe

 After a four-year career with the Santee Warriors, LaPointe adds depth for the Tigers at tight end. He was a one-year starter as he competed as a center, defensive lineman, kick returner, kickoff specialist and a long snapper. He was named an All-District defensive lineman. He also participated in track and basketball.

Nicholas Lombardi

 The team captain was an All-District First Team selection and a Roger Thompson Lunch Pail Award winner for the best effort in the weight room. He lettered academically four years and was a Presidential Award winner.

Eli Lingle

 Lingle tallied 32 tackles, 12 solo tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection in his final two seasons. He was named All-District Honorable Mention his senior year and was a member of the National Honor Society twice. He made the honor roll all four years in the classroom. He was a two-year starter in football, two-year participant in basketball and a four-year member of the track and field team.

Ethan McCune

 McCune was named All-State First Team and made the Elite 45. He was also named DVC Honorable Mention in 2020. He recorded nine tackles in one game. McCune also was a four-year starter in basketball and was named DVC Honorable Mention and LCC All-Conference. Off the field, he was a National Honor Society member.

Austin Meikle

 Earning All-District recognition during his junior campaign, the Norfolk, Neb., native adds size and depth to the DWU defensive front. Meikle competed all four years at Norfolk Catholic High School as he notched three fumble recoveries and 96 tackles during his junior campaign. He finished with 102 tackles and four fumble recoveries in his senior year and led the Knights to a 6-3 record during his final season. Meikle helped Norfolk Catholic High to a pair of team championships in 2017 and 2018, while earning All-District honors in his junior year. He was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter and was honored as Lifter of the Year in 2018-19. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive lineman also competed on the basketball, golf and track teams. He played three years on the court for the Knights and was a two-year starter and letterwinner in golf. He was a one-year member and letterwinner on the track team and was tabbed to the White Honor Roll in his first semester.

Braden Peters

 The two-time All-Conference Second Team selection adds size to the Tiger front line on offense. He was also named the Coca-Cola Unsung Hero, Offensive Lineman MVP, Defensive Lineman MVP and Academic All-State. He finished with 79 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense. He earned three academic letters and was a member of the honor roll. Along with being a four-year starter, he was a three-year member of the wrestling squad and a two-year participant in track.

Donovan Prusia

 Prusia was named the Best Defensive Back, Most Improved Player, Best Back and MVP of his team his junior season. He led his team in tackles, interceptions and touchdowns his junior season. The 6-foot-1 defensive back was a four-year starter for Millard South High and was a National Honor Society member.

Chase Riche

 The 5-foot-11 wide receiver provides experience for DWU as a skills position athlete. He was a three-year starter for Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was a two-time All-Conference First Team selection. Riche also participated in track and soccer for the Lynx.

Christian Rystrom

 Rystrom adds experience to the defensive backfield after being named an All-State, All-Area and All-District Team member. He finished with 17 tackles in a game and 122 tackles in a season. Rystrom added 452 career tackles and 12 interceptions in his career. He was a four-year starter and led his team to an 11-1 record his senior season. He was an honor roll honoree in the classroom.

Ethan Rogich

 Rogich was an All-State First Team and All-Conference First Team member for the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots. He was a three-year starter on the offensive line and guided his team to a 6-3 record his senior season.

Joshua Rowse

 Rowse signs with the Tigers as a linebacker after a four-year prep career at T.F. Riggs High School. Played football all four years at T.F. Riggs High and led the Governors to a 12-0 record during his junior campaign. He secured four team championships over his prep career and was a one-year starter and three-year letterwinner.

Wyatt Roberts

 The All-EMC Honorable Mention selection signs with the Tigers out of Nebraska City, Neb., and hopes to make an immediate impact on the offensive line. Played football all four years for the Pioneers as he notched 25 tackles including 13 solo tackles during his senior year. He finished with 60 tackles over his career and led Nebraska City Public High to a 5-4 record during his junior campaign. Roberts was an All-EMC Honorable Mention selection and was tabbed to the all-conference team for two seasons. He was a four-year starter and letterwinner on the gridiron and also competed on the track and wrestling teams. The Nebraska City, Neb., native was a two-year letterwinner on the mats where he started for one season and competed in track all four years and was a four-year letterwinner. He was also a member of the Silver Honor Roll.

Logan Serck

 The 5-foot-7 running back finished with 1,993 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground for Alcester-Hudson. He was a three-year starting quarterback as he tallied 2,865 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 228 tackles on defense and notched four special team touchdowns. Off the field, Serck was a four-year National Honor Society member, four-time Academic All-State selection in football, six-time wrestling Academic All-State honoree and a four-time baseball Academic All-State member. He was a Region Quiz Bowl champion five times.

Kale Stevenson

 Stevenson notched 702 rushing yards and six touchdowns in eight games. He tallied 1,280 passing yards and 15 touchdowns through the air. He also finished with two interceptions, three forced fumbles, 34 tackles and a touchdown on defense. He was an All-ESD Second Team member and a two-time All-State Outstanding Back honoree. Stevenson was also an Academic All-State selection.

Jason Uden

 After winning a pair of district championships at Crete High School, Uden joins the Tigers as a defensive lineman. He played football all four years and led the Cardinals to a pair of district championships as a freshman and sophomore. Uden was a four-year starter and letterwinner and also competed on the wrestling team for three years. He was a three-year starter and letterwinner on the mats and a member of the Academic Honor Roll.

Rave Uhlich

 Uhlich finished his senior season with 15 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He started at five different positions throughout his career as he was named a team captain and was a four-year letterwinner. He also participated in golf for four years and was a two-time state qualifier. He was an Academic All-State member, National Honor Society honoree and National Society of High School Scholars member. Uhlich will also be the Valedictorian of his class upon graduation.

Tayden Vandenberg

 Vandenberg will compete for time on the defensive line for the Tigers after a four-year career for Seward High School in Nebraska. He was a one-year starter in football and also competed in baseball and wrestling. He was an Academic All-State member and an honor roll honoree.

Ty Van Hull

 Van Hull will provide depth for the Tigers on the defensive front. He tallied 16 sacks and 73 tackles on his way to being named All-State and All-Conference First Team. He also finished as an All-Conference Second Team member his junior year. He guided his team to a 12-0 record his junior season and a South Dakota Class '9AA' State Championship. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was an honor roll member all four years. He also competed in track for the Cougars.

Jacob Williams

 The All-State Honorable Mention selection joins the Tigers as a defensive back. A three-year player and letterwinner on the gridiron at Wolsey-Wessington High School. He led the Warbirds to an 8-3 record during his junior campaign and finished with a 10-1 record during his senior year including a South Dakota State "9B" Championship. Williams complied over 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons while he received the Warbird Award in both football and basketball. He was tabbed to the All-Missouri Valley team and was both an All-State Honorable Mention and Academic selection. He served as a team captain and competed on the basketball and soccer teams, while playing basketball for four years. He was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter on the court and played soccer for one year. he finished as the Valedictorian of his graduating class and was a four-year member of the Academic Honor Roll.

Keegan Zdybel

 The quarterback looks to compete for the Tigers after an impressive career with the Slater High School Wildcats. He finished with 97 touchdowns, 6,928 all-purpose yards, 250 tackles and 11 interceptions in his career. He was an All-State selection in football, basketball and track. Zdybed also was honored as an All-District member and was named to the KMZU Dream Team. In the classroom, he was a member of the 'A' Honor Roll.