Football | 2/1/2023 7:00:00 AM

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead head football coach Steve Laqua is announcing the 2023 recruiting class today, National Signing Day 2023.

See below to learn more about the newest Dragons.

Ot Omot, WR (Cottage Grove, Minn. – Park High School) 
 
Started in 18 games...54 career catches...1,154 career yards...13 total touchdowns...all-conference selection in football, basketball and track & field (high jump and triple jump). Son of Elizabth Oglala and Jay Omot. Exercise science major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He's got a great catch radius, he's a good high jumper that translates to track the football and is able to move his body to make a catch. He's got soft hands and is deceptively fast. He has that smooth approach and that natural feel for finding space and finding ways to get open behind defenders if it's either man or zone."
 

 
Joe Rodriguez, DL (Hastings, Neb. – Hastings High School) 
 
Started 17 career games with 11.5 career sacks and two defensive touchdowns...was team captain as a senior in 2022...named the most improved player as a junior in 2021. Son of Melody and Shawn Rodriguez. Majoring in exercise science.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Loves how he plays off the edge and play with reckless abandon. There's definitely building blocks that say he has all the tools to be a really successful defensive man in our conference within our system."
 

 
Isaac Ivy, WR (St. Paul, Minn. – Roseville High School) 
 
All-conference selection in 2021...had a career-best game of 12 receptions, 143 yards and a touchdown to go along with seven rushes for 31 yards. Son of Melissa and Keith Ivy. Majoring in business administration.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Isaac is a smooth wide receiver that I would describe as sneaky fast. A very natural athlete that understands space."
 


Josh Balstad, LB (West Fargo, N.D. – West Fargo High School) 
 
2022 EDC athlete of the year, 2022 state athlete of the year runner up...two-time all-conference, two-time first-team all-state, two-time team captain...2021 state championship runner up...Has 269 career tackles, a school record as well as the school's record for tackles in a season (131) and in a single game (24). Son of Joyce and James Balstad. Majoring in construction management.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Josh Balstad is an aggressive, physical, great instinct on defense type of linebacker that you are looking for to build a defense around. Being confident in your ability to pull your trigger and go make a play and at linebacker, I think he does a fabulous job at that."
 


Clayton Kosel, RB (Echo, Minn. – Lakeview High School)
 
 3,214 career yards on 430 career attempts to go along with 46 career touchdowns...high yardage game of 260 and once scored five touchdowns in one game...Three-time all-district, district offensive back of the year, two-time team offensive player of the year, team MVP, second team all-area, school record for rushing yards, Three-time all-academic, Two-time captain, Minnesota all-star game nominee. Son of Christina and Jerick Kosel. Majoring in exercise science.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He makes people miss, some of that is speed, some of that is change of direction. He's got tremendous vision to be able to understand who's coming at him from where and whatever angle."
 


Peyton Kuhl, DB (Naperville, Ill. – Neuqua Valley High School) 
 
Started 22 games...150 tackles, 86 tackles senior year...64 tackles junior year...was team captain, all-conference and all-area. Son of Maureen and Gren Kuhl. Majoring in criminal justice
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Covers well. We feel he covers ground. In man he does a great job covering people but in zone he does a great job of covering space, defending space, reading quarterback size and then closing space down as the balls in the air or as a receiver moves into his zone"
 


Ryan Routhieaux, DB (Casco, Wis. – Luxemburg-Casco High School) 
 
Started at the varsity level for all four years of high school...Named an all-region defensive back. Son of Ericka and Dan Routhieaux. Majoring in physical education.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He's a smooth athlete. We had him work on both sides of the football and we felt he was a guy that could succeed offensively as a receiver and defensively. He's a long athlete that moves smooth and really understands how to cover and understands space and play the football."
 

 
Noah Knobloch, DL (Eau Claire, Wis. – Regis High School) 
 
28 games started in his prep career...tallied 84 tackles and five sacks as a senior...First team All-Conference, all-region and all-state honorable mention as a senior. Son of Julie and Valerius Knobloch. Majoring in sports medicine.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Noah is a defensive lineman that plays extremely hard. He's a guy that craves contact and seeks it out. He is looking to be physical. He is going to go through blocks or hold his point as needed within the structure of the defensive and then be able to shed the block and make plays from there."
 


Ashton Sayre, DL (Alexandria, Minn. – Alexandria Area High School)
 
Collected 67 tackles, three sacks, eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries as a senior...Was selected as an all-district performer. Son of Crystal and Kris Sayre. Majoring in construction management.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Ashton is a dominating force, he was a guy that was hungry, and willing to be better, to get better. He has built himself up in the weight room, and is very impressive when you see him."
 


Tyson Brandt, RB (Brookings, S.D. – Brookings High School) 
 
Three-year varsity starter for Brookings High School...was named team captain as a senior where he was also an all-state selection. Son of Kristin and Justin Brandt. Undecided major. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Tough physical runner and brings great measurables. He makes a lot of different types of runs weather that is inside-outside, through people, around people, making people miss. We like to see a guy who isn't a one trick opponent that can do a lot of different things"
 


Joseph Meier, OL (Mayer, Minn. – Watertown-Mayer High School) 
 
All-district and all-district mvp offensive linemen for Watertown-Mayer High School...had 35 pancakes as a senior. Son of Jayne and Dewitt Meier. Majoring in nursing. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "This is a player that is out to physically dominant the man across from him every single play if it's in a game or at practice. A guy who loves the grind of what it takes to be a good football player and that's what you need to have to be successful at this level."
 

 
Nolan Imhoff, LS (Frederic, Wisc. – Saint Croix Falls High School) 
 
Started 21 career games totaling 12 touchdowns in his prep career...was an all-conference football and baseball selection. Son of Suzanne and Darrell Imhoff. Majoring in accounting. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Is a long snapper that can get the ball back like nobody we have seen or recruited or had around. He understands his craft, he is consistently on point. That ball is coming back with velocity. He is a football player through and through. Loves the weight room and training, he's a guy that has a lot of possibilities in our program."
 


Nick Netzke, TE (Byron, Minn. – Byron High School) 
 
Started in 13 games as a senior where he was the team captain...All-district and all-conference team performer in football...Was also an all-conference selection in basketball. Son of Kara and Todd Netzke. Majoring in business/finance.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He really attacked and embraced the drills we had him do and it showed his athleticism and physicality. The game is important to him and he wants to succeed and is going to take coaching, hungry to get better and perform at a high level"
 


Henry Smith, LB (Golden Valley, Minn. – Robinsdale Armstrong High School) 
 
27 games started in his prep career with lifetime numbers of 207 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks...78 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior...two-time all-conference selection and an all-area selection. Son of Patricia and Timothy Smith. Majoring in engineering.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Henry's one of those linebackers that you're really excited about because you look at his athleticism. He's a guy that's athletic for being out in space."
 


Evan Miles, DB (Oregon, Wis. – Oregon High School) 
 
Nabbed six interceptions, one forced fumble and only allowed one touchdown as a senior...Two-year varsity starter for Oregon High School...Two-time Badger Large All-Conference...Two-time team captain. Son of Jennifer Gosewehr and Daniel Miles. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He's willing to lead, he's willing to help younger players lead and grow confidence.He's a guy that's gonna make a play when he's asked to."
 


Jacob Dorner, OL (Lakeville, Minn. – Lakeville South High School) 
 
Started 25 games in his high school career...won a 6A state championship with Lakeville South in 2021...all-district honorable mention. Son of Amy and Jesse Dorner. Majoring in finance.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Has all the skills to be a successful O-Lineman. If you look at how he plays low to high, how he had proper power angles his hips through a strike point, great wide natural base that allows him to be the low man that wins."



Dallen Ernst, DL (Breckenridge, Minn. – Breckenridge High School) 
 
Tallied 21 tackles, 32 assisted tackles, two forced fumbles and two sacks as a senior...offense rushed for 283 yards per game where he was a member of the offensive line...All-State academic, All-Section, All-District, MVP of the offensive line and team captain as a senior. Son of Julie and Clayton Ernst. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "The other thing that we like about him is that he's a multi-sport athlete. It's not very often that offensive lineman are multi-sport athletes, so when you see a guy like that and you see how he moves, and you see when you focus on one sport how good he can be and really become, so we're excited about Dallen."
 


Zach Dahl, DL (Farmington, Minn. – Farmington High School) 
 
Played three years of varsity football...tallied 82 tackles as a senior and 103 as a junior with an interception...All-District 2022, All-District Honorable Mention 2021...Defensive MVP 2022-23...Captain 2022-23. Son of Michelle and Bob Dahl. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He can play wherever. He's a football player that will make plays and do whatever you ask him to do position wise and find a way to succeed. We like that versatility on defense and has a really big frame to grow into and he's physical with that frame. He's tremendous in the classroom another high academic scholarship award winner for us on campus."
 


Jonah Vierstraete, DB (Marshall, Minn. – Marshall High School)
 
18 games started with 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a blocked field goal, three interceptions, five fumble recoveries with two defensive touchdowns...team captain and all-district defensive back of the year. Son of Sonya and Dustin Vierstraete. Majoring in criminal justice.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Jonah is a sure tackler and that's a guy who you see come down and consistently makes play. When we turn the film on, you see that he's a good football player. He reminds me of one of our former captains, Shad Vedaa."
 


Jackson Smith, LB (Blaine, Minn. – Spring Lake Park High School) 
 
24 games started with 162 career total tackles, seven career interceptions, eight career pass deflections...89 attempts for 509 career rush yards and eight career rushing touchdowns...two-time all-district, 2022 team captain and 2022 team MVP. Son of Betsy and Mike Smith. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Linebacker than can run and understands zone drops and being able to drop into coverage and where offensive players are, what route combos are coming or reading the quarterback and being able to defensively. Physical, gets off blocks with a bad attitude and a nasty way to go make a tackle. He's all over the football field."
 

 
Aaron Chanthanavong, FB/OL (Blaine, Minn. – Spring Lake Park) 
 
Two-time all-district honorable mention...All-state shot put...Three-time varsity football letter...Two-time track letter, 1 wrestling letter. Son of Atipone and Thongsourisack Chanthanavong. Majoring in finance.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Aaron is a physical, tenacious blocker, he may be better than anyone we've seen as getting low to high in his strike point of contact. He has aggressive feet, and we think has a great opportunity because of his low to high strike point mentality, he could be the guy that could be in on some short yardage packages."
 



 Brayden Brosz, DB (Bismarck, N.D. - Bismarck Century High School)  
 
Made 75 tackles with one interception as a senior for Bismarck Century...Son of Tanya and Clay Brosz. Majoring in pre-medicine.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Brayden is willing to do whatever for his team. He's willing to compete, he's tough and willing to learn and grow. He will play whatever position his team needs to be able to succeed."
 

 
Anthony Sykora, DB (Hoffman, Minn. – West Central-Ashby High School) 
 
Had senior marks of 175 carries, 1395 yards, 14 touchdowns...Added 655 passing yards and nine touchdowns...Also made 42 catches for 210 Yards and three touchdowns...Was named an all-state performer as a senior...A three-time all-district player as well. Son of Joan and Lee Sykora. Majoring in education.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Anthony is a competitor, he doesn't want to lose. He wants to win as a team, and one on one matchups. He brings the confidence you need to be a DB. He's physical, he flat out makes plays and any production like that, you can't argue with."
 


Jack Torborg, TE (Minneapolis, Minn. – Spring Lake Park High School) 
 
18 games played over two years for Spring Lake Park High School...was a member of a conference championship and section runner-up squad...also participated in track & field where he threw shot put. Son of Stacey and Chuck Torberg. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "A guy that can play between the two spots wherever he's needed. He plays with a tremendous motor. Plays with a tremendous motor and I think he is physical and gets after it to the point of the attack and runs his feet through contact. "
 

 
Dylan Bartsch, LB (Rugby, N.D. – Rugby High School) 
 
26 games played in his prep career...career marks of 140 tackles, 11 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries...three-time all-region, 2nd team all-state, team MVP and defensive MVP. Son of Jen and Tim Bartsch. Majoring in engineering physics.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He's another one of those guys that can play multiple positions on defense. We watched him a lot at camps as a linebacker running around and being able to make plays.You see a lot of speed and athleticism from that standpoint."
 


Peyton Arndt, WR (Bismarck, N.D. – Bismarck Century High School) 
 
Was team captain for Ron Wingenbach at Bismarck Century High School. Son of Carla and Derek Arndt. Majoring in pre-dentistry. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He is a smooth athlete with the ball in his hands. We feel like his best position at college at our level and our team is in the slot at receiver. He has great hands and explosive speed followed by being a great track athlete. We are excited about what he can do and be an explosive member of our offense."
 


Derek Tibbetts, LB (Hawley, Minn. – Hawley High School) 
 
7.3 Yards per carry in 18 varsity games played/started...four rushing TD in a single game...9.5 tackles in single game...46 solo tackles...two-Time all-section player...conference honorable mention twice. Son of Crystal and T.J. Tibbetts. Undecided major. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "We really thought that his skill set fit almost perfectly with what our linebackers are, and what we ask them to do. He's a smooth athlete who changes direction really well. He's long, he's fast and he's got great instinct."
 


Lucas Slack, QB (Harrisburg, S.D. – Brandon Valley High School) 
 
Started in 16 games and threw for over 200 yards in eight of those contests...had 25 total touchdowns for his career...All-Conference and All-ESD selection...also competed in wrestling where he was an all-conference performer. Son of Karoliina and Mike Slack. Majoring in business administration.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He throws the ball really well, has a nice touch on the deep ball. He is athletic where he can make plays in the run game with his feet. When he is scrambling and making plays, he's good at keeping his eyes downfield. He's a winner, he does great things, you want a guy who knows how to lead and holds himself to high standards as well as his teammates."
 


Jacob McCalla, RB (Chaska, Minn. – Minnetonka High School) 
 
155 rush attempts for 502 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing six games due to injury as a senior...also had 13 receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns...all conference honorable mention and team captain his sophomore and senior seasons. Son of Judy and Marshal McCalla. Majoring in finance.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Solid running back with great size and great speed. Does a great job of balancing when he should be the big running back that runs through people and makes people pay for trying to tackle him and when to use his speed and say you know not this time its time to run away from people."
 
 

Kyle Nemzek, TE (Palmetto, Fla. – Stephen's Episcopal School) 
 
Started 38 games in his career...SACC division offensive award for OT...all conference 2021 for OT and Herald Tribune-all area selection...8A unsung player award for offense. Son of Dawn and Larry Nemzek. Great great nephew of Alex Nemzek. Majoring in exercise science. 
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He is a guy that is a physical blocker with his hip angles and wide base with his feet. He also understands great hand placement and then you can see his athleticism to be on an offensive line or be a tight end to go out and block or go out on routes. He's got the dual skill-set that you are excited about developing."
 


Owen Wiersma, RB (Casselton, N.D. – Central Cass High School) 
 
10 games played as a senior with 1,303 rush yards, 21 touchdowns, 23 receptions for 240 yards...career marks of 3,375 rush yards, 52 touchdowns, 52 receptions for 556 yards...First team all-region (sophomore, junior, senior), Second team all-state (sophomore) and First team all-state (junior, senior). Son of Darcy and Mike Wiersma. Majoring in business administration.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "This guy can run and make plays. If he gets through the defense, he's gone, and nobody is catching him. It is exciting, you want to have a game-breaker at running back that when things are blocked up and there's a chance to make a big one, he will pop a big one. You look at what he's done at camps and we have liked him from our camps since he was a junior. We are looking forward to Owen putting on the Dragon uniform."
 


Ben Nelson, OL (Kasson, Minn. – Kasson Mantorville High School) 
 
Team captain as a senior for Kasson-Mantorville High School...was an all-state, all-area and all-district selection. Son of Natalie and Mark Nelson. Undecided major.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "Ben Nelson is a physical, tight football player that plays hard. He's a guy that can play both sides, and will do whatever he's asked on whatever side of the football he's on."
 

 
Kelly Johnson, WR (Alexandria, Minn. – Alexandria High School) 
 
Three-Year Starter for Alexandria Area High School...123 career receptions and 1,391 career yards...team captain, all-conference and all-section performer. Son of Karen and Brian Johnson. Majoring in business administration.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "One of those receivers that can play on the inside in the slot and on the outside. He has great top-end speed that can go and create space or take the top off in routes. Be able to adjust while ball in-air whether with his speed to get open or a jump, turn, or a twist to get open and be able to go and make a catch. Those are natural things to make a successful receiver within our offense."


Fynn Ridgeway, QB (Hastings, Mont. – Whitefish High School) 
 
Career marks of 6,213 passing yards, 52 touchdowns, 1,915 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdown... 8,164 total offense with 86 touchdowns...includes a punt return and interception return touchdowns...senior season threw for 1,866 yards, 16 touchdowns...1,308 Yards Rushing, 18 touchdowns...3,174 yards of total offense, 34 touchdowns with a 61 percent completion percentage...two-time all-conference, All-state, four-time academic all-state, two-time team captain and team MVP award. Son of Amy and Brad Ridgeway. Majoring in business administration.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "A player that we feel like can do it all. All the things that we ask our quarterbacks to do, he does, has done and he's gonna continue to do at a high level."
 



Lana Oduwaiye, DL (Inner Grove Heights, Minn. – Simley High School) 
 
Started all 13 games as a senior for Simley High School...totaled 50 tackles, 10 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in those 13 games...also blocked three PATs...named linemen of the year...all-district team member and one-time all district honorable mention...two-time all-conference member...also participated in wrestling where he was an individual section champion. Son of Bisi and Akin Oduwaiye. Majoring in nursing.
 
What Coach Laqua Says: "He's got a great burst off the line of scrimmage; he explodes out of his stance. Plays great power angles and uses his hands well. He has a lot of potential to be able to come off the edge with pressure but also be able to slant down inside and play physical. His versatility allows for a lot of plays to be made."