SIGNING DAY HOME PAGE
MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State University Moorhead head football coach
Steve Laqua has announced the 2020 Dragon recruiting class. That class includes 37 incoming freshmen and one transfer.
"We are fired up to announce the addition of 38 new members to the Dragon football family," Laqua said.
2020 Dragon Football Recruits
Brenden Adams (OL, 6-4, 312, Fergus Falls, Minn./Fergus Falls HS)
Macauley Bartells (RB, 6-0, 185, Jordan, Minn./Jordan HS)
Josiah Behm (LB, 6-3, 198, Appleton, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran HS)
Cody Branson (WR, 6-3, 175, Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS)
Will Bryant (OL, 6-3, 265, Bismarck, N.D./Shiloh Christian HS)
Colton Buskness (DL, 6-0, 212, Carrington, N.D./Carrington HS)
Luke DeWulf (DB, 6-1, 189, Park Rapids, Minn./Nevis HS
Austin Dougherty (LB, 6-1, 185, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Burke HS)
Triston Emke (DB, 6-4, 163, Minot, N.D./Minot HS)
Peyton Erikson (DB, 5-8, 157, Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander HS)
Tommy Falk (QB, 6-0, 188, Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown HS)
Bless Flomo (WR, 6-0, 166, Fargo, N.D./South HS)
Brett Fossum (RB, 6-1, 188, Watertown, S.D./Watertown HS)
Christian Fromm (OL/TE, 6-3, 206, Pine City, Minn./Pine City HS)
Cyrinus George (DB), 5-10, 189, Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS)
Jack Gillingham (WR, 6-2, 180, Delevan, Wis./Big Foot HS)
Marcus Gulley (DB, 6-2, 189, Fargo, N.D./West Fargo HS)
Bennett Heftman (OL, 6-1, 234, Winona, Minn./Winona HS)
Payton Hulm (RB/FB, 5-10, 225, Wishek, N.D./Wishek HS)
Luke Imdieke (RB, 5-8, 182, Osakis, Minn./Osakis HS)
Carter Kieke (OL, 6-3, 285, Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice HS)
Jordan Kumm (WR, 5-11, 155, Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny HS)
Tyler Martin (OL, 6-4, 314, Moorhead, Minn./Moorhead HS)
Jordan Marty (TE, 6-3, 210, Cambridge, Wis./Cambridge HS)
Bryson Mazur (DB, 5-11, 174, South Range, Wis./Northwestern HS)
Caleb Munger (DB, 5-10, 151, Omaha, Neb./Millard North HS)
Justice Noel (DL, 6-3, 206, Fargo, N.D./Davies HS)
Kobe Poitra (DL, 6-4, 245, Mandan, N.D./Mandan HS)
Spencer Schaefer (DL, 6-4, 217, Pillager, Minn./Pillager HS)
Luke Schany (LB, 6-2, 187, Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS)
Denver Sheets (DL, 6-3, 200, Williston, N.D./Williston HS)
Cody Sorenson (DB, 6-2, 165, Bismarck, N.D./Century HS)
Jamal Spiyee (DB, 5-11, 150, Fargo, N.D./South HS)
Ben Staehling (LB, 6-2, 195, Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS)
Cooper Strand (LB, 6-0, 187, New Richmond, Wis./New Richmond HS)
Keaton Stuart (DB, 5-11, 187, Richfield, Wis./Marquette University HS)
Giovanni Zullo (WR, 5-10, 185, Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills HS)
Transfer
Joe Muccio (OL, 6-3, 325, Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek HS/St. Cloud State)
Brenden Adams (OL, 6-4, 312, Fergus Falls, Minn./Fergus Falls HS)
Starter on the offensive line for Fergus Falls team that went 5-5 overall and 5-3 in district play...team advanced to section semifinals.
"A guy who we know has commitment not just on the football field, but he's got commitment to the classroom, He's got commitment to service.." - @CoachLaqua
Macauley Bartells (RB, 6-0, 185, Jordan, Minn./Jordan HS)
Rushed for 882 yards and 12 touchdowns in career...had 428 yards through six games as a senior before suffering season-ending injury...named Most Improved Player...three-year letterwinner.Â
"I think that he is a guy who loves college football, who loves the grind and loves the work, and those are things that you can't go wrong with." - @CoachLaqua
Josiah Behm (LB, 6-3, 198, Appleton, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran HS)
Unanimous all-conference...all-region honoree...team captain...had 218 career tackles, including 24 tackles for loss...had 21 tackles in one game...three-year letter winner...also lettered in basketball.
"We felt like he's a tremendous player in space where he could tackle, which defensively is something within our conference is important. We think he brings that to our defense, and we are excited to see what he brings in the future." - @CoachLaqua
Cody Branson (WR, 6-3, 175, Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS)
Two-time first team all-district...all-section honorable mention...team captain...had 57 career catches for 768 yards and four touchdowns...also had 10 career interceptions and 57 tackles...three-year letterwinner.
"Makes a ton of plays and has great body control. At camp he made a lot of plays. It worked out that we could continue the journey of football together." - @CoachLaqua
Will Bryant (OL, 6-3, 265, Bismarck, N.D./Shiloh Christian HS)
Played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Shiloh...three-year letterwinner...also lettered in basketball and track.
"At camp we found him unbelievably impressive. We felt like he had all the building blocks and the skills to develop into a solid offensive linemen." - @CoachLaqua
Colton Buskness (DL, 6-0, 212, Carrington, N.D./Carrington HS)
Finished with 204 career tackles with a season-high of 73...had 15 total tackles in a game...all-region first team...all-state second team defense...named Hardest Worker and best defensive linemen...four-year letterwinner.
"We felt like he had natural leadership within him and what he brought. That is always an important piece of a football team is to have a guy who is willing and able to lead but also be able to back it up with the amount of effort he brings to the football field ." - @CoachLaqua
Luke DeWulf (DB, 6-1, 189, Park Rapids, Minn./Nevis HS)
Two-time all-district...district MVP...all-state as a wide receiver...two-time team captain...finished with 4,000 all-purpose yards and 46 touchdowns...three-year letterwinner...also lettered in basketball, track and baseball.
"A really exciting small town Minnesota football player that is hard nose, that's athletic, that's able to make plays and we are excited to see what he can bring to our defence ." - @CoachLaqua
Austin Dougherty (LB, 6-1, 185, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Burke HS)
Defensive MVP...second-team all-metro...all-class honorable mention...team captain...finished with 177 career tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks...three-year letter winner...also lettered in wrestling.
"Austin brings a bunch of diversity to our game as far as special teams and multiple positions." - @CoachLaqua
Triston Emke (DB, 6-4, 163, Minot, N.D./Minot HS)
Had 32 solo tackles, 24 assists and six tackles for loss as a senior...finished with 76 career solo tackles, 47 assists and eight passes defended...also placed fifth in state in both hurdle events...three-year letterwinner.
"He was a guy that we were excited to get. He was a guy that in the summer was one of our prime targets" - @CoachLaqua
Peyton Erikson (DB, 5-8, 157, Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander HS)
Two-time all-conference safety...was named Channel 7 All-Star Defensive Back during his senior year...finished with 150 career tackles...two-time team leader in tackles...named defensive MVP twice...three-year letterwinner in football.
"He really stood out to our coaches as a guy that has a lot of heart in him and is willing to compete. It was a great match with his values and our values so we're excited for him." - @CoachLaqua
Tommy Falk (QB, 6-0, 188, Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown HS)
Finished with 3,800 career passing yards and 34 touchdowns...threw for 1,762 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior...two-time all-state and two-time all-conference in football...two-time captain...four-year letterwinner. Also lettered in baseball and hockey.
"He fits with the culture of our program. He has a work ethic we felt like you need at quarterback where football and leadership is important. We like his attitude as far as all things go on and off the field." - @CoachLaqua
Bless Flomo (WR, 6-0, 166, Fargo, N.D./South HS)
Second-team all-state twice...offensive MVP twice as well...during senior year had 26 catches for 589 yards and seven touchdowns...three-year letterwinner in football...also lettered in basketball and track and field.
"I think anybody in the state of North Dakota recognizes the name. A guy that made a tons of plays throughout his career, that's electric when he gets the ball in his hands. " - @CoachLaqua
Brett Fossum (RB, 6-1, 188, Watertown, S.D./Watertown HS)
Rushed for 1,301 career yards and 13 touchdowns...all-state as a running back and all-conference as a linebacker...team captain...team MVP...Outstanding Back...four-year letter winner.
"An electric running back from South Dakota. We feel he as great hands out of the backfield to give us that dimension offensively." - @CoachLaqua
Christian Fromm (OL/TE, 6-3, 206, Pine City, Minn.Pine City)
Two-time all-conference as a left tackle and two-time team captain...three-year letterwinner in football...also lettered in basketball and baseball.
"He has the ability to commit to challenging himself to play at a higher level. Those are guys you want in the program." - @CoachLaqua
Cyrinus George (DB, 5-10, 189, Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS)
Two-time all-conference selection...team captain, suffered injury that ended season as a senior...during junior season had 61 tackles, two forced fumbles, four passes defensed and an interception...also lettered in basketball and track and field.
"He brings that extra attitude that teams need in order to be successful and then to fit within the program was the right fit.." - @CoachLaqua
Jack Gillingham (WR, 6-2, 180, Delevan, Wis./Big Foot HS)
Had 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns during final two years of school....first-team all-conference on defense and second-team on offense...had 233 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven interceptions in career...2019 Offensive Player of the Year...three-year letterwinner in football.
"At football camps you see him making plays all over with the ability to catch the football with body control, you know you joke about it but at some of the camps where we saw him it was really unbelievable just like Bigfoot." - @CoachLaqua
Marcus Gulley (DB, 6-2, 189, Fargo, N.D./West Fargo HS)
EDC Player of the Year...two-time all-state and two-time all-conference...finished with 181 career tackles...team captain...three-year letter winner...also lettered in track and field.
"At football camps you see him making plays all over with the ability to catch the football with body control, you know you joke about it but at some of the camps where we saw him it was really unbelievable just like Bigfoot." - @CoachLaqua
Bennett Heftman (OL, 6-1, 234, Winona, Minn./Winona HS)
Two-time all-district...had 30 total tackles and 7.5 sacks as a senior...two-time team captain...part of four state playoff appearances...four-year letterwinner...also lettered in baseball.
"He's got great leadership qualities, which you're going to need out of a guy who plays center/guard within your offensive line. We are excited for him to add in to our offensive line group." - @CoachLaqua
Payton Hulm (RB/FB, 5-10, 225, Wishek, N.D./Wishek HS)
Two-time honorable mention all-region playing for South Border...had 1,910 rushing yards on 304 carries...had 88 tackles and seven sacks.
"We are super excited about what he can bring to the table as far as athleticism and potential." - @CoachLaqua
Luke Imdieke (RB, 5-8, 182, Osakis, Minn./Osakis HS)
District Running Back of the Year and two-time all-district selection...finished with 3,435 career rushing yards and 35 touchdowns...Minnesota Football Showcase North Offensive MVP...three-year letterwinner in football.
"An unbelievable running back that had a tremendous career at Osakis. A guy who came to our football camp who I felt just jumped out on the field." - @CoachLaqua
Carter Kieke (OL, 6-3, 285, Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice HS)
Two-time all-district honorable mention selection...in 21 varsity starts never allowed a sack...helped team reach Section 6AAAAA championship game...three-year letterwinner.
"Camps are an important piece to the recruiting process not only to see physically what players are able to do, but also to see how hard they are willing to work and if they are coachable. Carter checked all those boxes. " - @CoachLaqua
Jordan Kumm (WR, 5-11, 155, Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny HS)
Second-team all-state…first-team all-district…team captain…had 30 catches for 668 yards and six touchdowns as a senior…two-year letterwinner in football, also lettered in basketball and track and field.
"Out of our camps, he maybe worked the hardest and was able to stand out, out of pure guts, pure effort and pure willingness to push himself." - @CoachLaqua
Tyler Martin (OL, 6-4, 314, Moorhead, Minn./Moorhead HS)
All-district as an offensive lineman for Moorhead HS...named top Lineman...team captain...didn't allow a sack...also lettered in track, weightlifting and trap shooting.
"Extremely excited about what he has done in his high school career and what he can do here." - @CoachLaqua
Jordan Marty (TE, 6-3, 210, Cambridge, Wis./Cambridge HS)
Three-time first-team all-conference...all-region selection...finished with 71 career catches for 1,073 yards and 11 touchdowns...had 8 career sacks and six career interceptions.
"Being able to see him at camp really reinforced our belief that he's a multiple threat both in the run game and the pass game." - @CoachLaqua
Bryson Mazur (DB, 5-11, 174, South Range, Wis./Northwestern HS)
All-state and all-region as a defensive back…all-conference as a running back and defensive back…had 34 tackles and three interceptions…three-year letter winner…also lettered in baseball and basketball.
"This is a guy that has continued to get better and better and has a ceiling of potential that is really high, and we feel like we have a great shot to be able to unlock that potential here." - @CoachLaqua
Caleb Munger (DB, 5-10, 151, Omaha, Neb./Millard North HS)
Had 40 career pass break-ups...one career interception....only five of the 25 passes thrown at him were caught...also lettered in track.
"As a corner you want to have a guy that is competitive, you have to have a little bit of a gambling mentality and I think Caleb has confidence and plays like he has confidence." - @CoachLaqua
Justice Noel (DL, 6-3, 206 Fargo, N.D./Davies HS)
All-EDC team selection...had 34 tackles, including 10 for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a senior...had 11 assisted tackles, seven solos and two sacks as a junior...team captain...two-year letter winner.
"We felt that defensively he's got the toughness to be able to be stout and to hold up against the run." - @CoachLaqua
Kobe Poitra (DL, 6-4, 245, Mandan, N.D./Mandan HS)
All-state and all-conference as a defensive lineman...named Most Improved sophomore year...had 23 tackles for loss and 17 sacks in career...also lettered in basketball and track and field.
"We saw him at camp and we liked the things he could do skill wise. As you look at our defensive line is going to have a guy with that kind of size and that kind of toughness and grit is something to always try to add to your football team." - @CoachLaqua
Spencer Schaefer (DL, 6-4, 217, Pillager, Minn./Pillager HS)
Two-time all-section honoree...all-district honorable mention...Midwest Blue Sub-District Player Award in 2018...four-year letterwinner...also lettered in track and basketball, where he is a 1,000-point career scorer.
"A football player that has a lot of upside, played a lot of different positions ." - @CoachLaqua
Luke Schany (LB, 6-2, 187, Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS)
Team captain...all-conference honorable mention...part of 2019 conference championship team...three-year letter winner...also lettered in weightlifting and basketball.
"He has the athleticism to be able to play those special teams and to really add to the depth of our football team." - @CoachLaqua
Denver Sheets (DL, 6-3, 200, Williston, N.D./Williston HS)
All-state and all-conference selection...team captain and MVP...finished with 1,000 career yards receiving...three-year letterwinner...also lettered in hockey and baseball.
"A guy that we felt fit with what we wanted to do defensively, to play multiple positions defensive line wise. Our coaching staff really felt like he was a great match ." - @CoachLaqua
Cody Sorenson (DB, 6-2, 165, Bismarck, N.D./Century HS)
First-team all-state...all-conference selection...had five interceptions, including three in one game, as a senior...had 72 tackles...three-year letterwinner...also lettered in basketball and baseball.
"A guy who's got a lot of athletic ability. We feel like in his position defensively he's got a great chance to compete early in his career." - @CoachLaqua
Jamal Spiyee (DB, 5-11, 150, Fargo, N.D./South HS)
Two-time honorable mention all-conference...team captain...finished with 71.5 career tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles...also had 49 receptions for 565 yards and four touchdowns in career.
"A guy that we felt like has an unbelievable ability to cover, to defend passes, and to compete." - @CoachLaqua
Ben Staehling (LB, 6-2, 195, Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS)
Two-time all-section in football...Offensive Player of the year as a senior...team captain...had 69 tackles as a senior...played for Minnesota coaching legend Ron Stolski...three-year letterwinner...also lettered in basketball and track.
"At camp he excelled in many different camps. To be able to see his instincts for the football, to be able to cover defensively. He is a guy who will certainly play multiple positions " - @CoachLaqua
Cooper Strand (LB, 6-0, 187, New Richmond, Wis./New Richmond HS)
All-state, all-region and all-conference in football...had 110 tackles in a single season...team captain...three-year letter winner...also lettered in track.
"I think that Cooper is a guy that works extremely hard, that plays the game hard and he's physical. " - @CoachLaqua
Keaton Stuart (DB, 5-11, 187, Richfield, Wis./Marquette University HS)
Three-time all-conference honorable mention...finished with 268 career tackles, four interceptions and 23 passes defended...had 97 tackles, including seven for loss, and five passes defended as a senior...three-year letterwinner.
"You definitely know that he is tough, that he is committed to the game of football. He adds athleticism and speed to our defensive back field." - @CoachLaqua
Giovanni Zullo (WR, 5-10, 185, Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills HS)
Three-year starter on varsity...two-time team captain...played slot and defensive back in high school...four-year letterwinner...also lettered in baseball.
"His ability to not just make a catch but get himself open and then get yards after the catch. So excited about Gio and what he brings to the Dragons." - @CoachLaqua
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Transfer
Joe Muccio (OL, 6-3, 325, Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek HS/St. Cloud State) @joe_muccio
Transfer from St. Cloud State, where he spent past three seasons…appeared in all 11 games in 2019 with nine starts…redshirted in 2017…will have two years remaining of eligibility at MSUM.
