North Dakota State University head football coach CRAIG BOHL announced the signing of 19 high school athletes and a pair of junior college athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football and continue their education at NDSU. That announcement came today on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign Letters of Intent.
The list includes student-athletes from eight different states including North Dakota (3), Minnesota (8), Wisconsin (4), Nebraska (1), Texas (1), Illinois (1), California (2) and Florida (1).
There are 12 offensive players and nine defensive players.
Here are the bios of the new letter of intent signees:
NORTH DAKOTA (3)
Ryan Drevlow, DE, 6-5, 235, Gwinner, N.D. (North Sargent H.S.)--Two-time all-state for Milnor-North Sargent Bulldogs and head coach Eric Olson ... Will play in North Dakota Shrine Bowl and MonDak Bowl ... Played tight end, linebacker, and defensive and offensive line ... Four-year starter and letterwinner ... Three-time all-region selection ... Center for North Sargent basketball team ... Two-time all-Wild Rice Conference and all-district selection ... Competed in throws and mid-distance for Sargent County Thunder ... Set records in shot put, discus, javelin and two-mile relay ... Born August 8, 1990 ... Son of Gary and Kay Drevlow ... Has one brother, Zachary, and one sister, Jamie.
Andrew Grothmann, FB, 6-1, 210, Hillsboro, N.D. (Hillsboro H.S.)--Three-time North Dakota 9-man all-state selection, twice at running back and once at linebacker for Hillsboro High School and head coach Mark Rerick ... Will play in North Dakota Shrine Bowl and MonDak Bowl ... Rushed for a state championship game record 378 yards in leading Hillsboro to 2008 title ... Rushed for 1,496 yards and 28 TDs on 123 carries ... Averaged 12.2 yards per carry ... Selected Region 2 Athlete of the Year ... Four-year starter and four-time all-region performer who rushed for 3,821 yards and 69 TDs on 388 attempts ... Averaged 9.8 yards per carry ... Recorded 327 tackles including 158 solos and 6.5 sacks ... Outstanding wrestler for Hillsboro and coaches Eric Ptacek and Mark McLean ... Through Jan. 28, ranked No. 1 at 189-pounds in the state with a 26-0 record ... Three-time Brute Adidas National Champion ... Career record is 173-53 and needs four wins to become the school's all-time leader ... Has 106 career pins and holds school record for quickest pin at 6 seconds ... Born July 4, 1990 ... Son of Kevin Grothmann and Vicky Grothmann ... Has one brother, Zachary ... Mother and uncle Wayne Grothmann both graduated from NDSU.
Brandon Jemison, LB, 6-1, 200, Fargo, N.D. (South H.S.)--Two-time North Dakota first team all-state selection for Fargo South High School and head coach Kevin Feeney, a former standout quarterback at NDSU ... Will play in North Dakota Shrine Bowl and MonDak Bowl ... ... Played on a pair of undefeated state championship teams and one state runner-up squad ... South compiled a 33-2 record over his career ... Three-year letterwinner and two-time year starter at outside linebacker and running back for the Bruins ... Four-year letterwinner in track & field ... State runner-up and Eastern Dakota Conference champion in the 110 meter hurdles ... ... Born Feb. 21, 1991 ... Son of Chad Desjarlais and Tetris Anissa Jemison-Desjarlais ... Has one brother, Vincent, and one sister, Bravin ... Father played for NDSU in 1996.
MINNESOTA (7)
Tyler Gimmestad (gihm-AH-sted), DT, 6-2, 280, Marshall, Minn. (Marshall H.S.)--St. Paul Pioneer Press first team and Associated Press second team all-state selection in 2008 for Marshall High School and head coach Terry Bahlmann ... MinnesotaPreps.com Big School all-state pick ... Marshall compiled a 29-3 regular season record over his four-year career and reached the section semi-finals three times ... Four-year starter on the defensive line, two years on offensive line ... Two-time Southwest Conference most valuable defensive lineman ... Two-time Marshall Independent all-area and all-conference ... Honorable mention all-state by the AP and Pioneer Press in 2007 ... Four-year letterwinner on basketball court and 1,000-point scorer ... Played on AAU D2 National Qualifier 15U (16th place) and 16U (6th place) teams ...Plans to major in physical education ... Born April 5, 1990 ... Son of Bill and Paula Gimmestad ... Has one sister, Danielle.
Jeff Jerve (jur-vee), OL, 6-5, 265, Montevideo, Minn. (Montevideo H.S.)--All-state offensive lineman for Montevideo High School and head coach Dave Schimming ... Recorded 88 tackles including 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks over last two seasons ... Also had two interceptions including one returned for 55 yard TD ... Twice named conference lineman MVP ... Two-time all-area and all-conference selection ... Three-year starter ... Member of 2007 conference championship team ... Averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game for Montevideo's three-time conference championship basketball team ... Born July 22, 1990 ... Son of Ron and Gail Jerve ... Has one brother, Paul, and one sister, Kelly ... Father, Ron, played football for Concordia-Moorhead (1969-72) ... Brother, Paul, is a swimmer at USD, and cousin, Cody, plays basketball at Concordia-Moorhead.
Cole Jirik (jur-eck), DE, 6-4, 220, Northfield, Minn. (Northfield H.S.)--All-state, all-metro and all-conference first team selection for Northfield High School and head coach Bubba Sullivan ... Collected 56 tackles including eight tackles for loss and six sacks ... Offensively, had 26 catches for 456 yards and eight TDs ... 2008 Minnesota Vikings all-State pick ... Set school career record with 32 sacks and single-season mark with 16 ... Finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Football ... Northfield was the Minnesota Class 4A state runner-up with a 10-4 record in 2008 ... Three-year starter in hockey and two-year letterwinner in baseball ... Born Nov. 25, 1990 ... Son of Pete and Lori Jirik ... Has one brother, Jake, and one sister, Katie.
Taylor Nelson, TE, 6-5, 230, Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka H.S.)--Two-time honorable mention all-state tight end for Minnetonka High School and head coach Dave Nelson ... Finished with 26 receptions for 579 yards (22.2 avg.) as a senior ... Recorded 100-plus yards in three games ... Earned all-metro honors ... Minnetonka won conference title his sophomore year ... Two-time all-conference ... Three-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball ... Member of Minnetonka's 2007-08 state championship team ... Born Dec. 18, 1990 ... Son of Dean and Terry Nelson ... Has one brother, Blake.
Leevon (lee-VON) Perry, DE, 6-3, 245, Cottage Grove, Minn. (St. Paul Saint Agnes H.S.)--First team all-state and all-metro defensive end for St. Paul's Saint Agnes High School and head coach Jason Finne ... Recorded 75 tackles including 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a senior ... Two-time all-conference ... Three-year starter ... Also played running back, offensive guard, defensive tackle and linebacker during prep career ... Born Aug. 24, 1991 ... Son of Lorna Sheehan ... Has one sister, Vanessa.
Kevin Vaadeland (vaud-land), TE, 6-4, 225, Park Rapids, Minn. (Park Rapids Area H.S.)--Two-time honorable mention all-state linebacker for Parks Rapids Area High School and head coach Tom Ahrendt ... Three-year conference Most Valuable Linebacker ... Three-time all-conference ... Member of Park Rapids Area baseball team that placed fifth at the 2007 state tournament ... Earned all-conference baseball honors in 2008 ... Three-year starter in basketball ... Born Dec. 7, 1990 ... Son of John and Dawn Vaadeland ... Has one sister, Olivia.
A.J. Van Voorhis (voor-ish), FS, 5-9, 185, Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park H.S.)--All-state second team performer for Champlin Park High School and head coach Mike Korton in 2008 ... Named the 2008 Northwest Suburban Conference Special Teams and co-Defensive Player of the Year ... Led team to 9-2 record and conference title as senior ... Section runner-up to eventual state champ Wayzata ... Defense was No. 1 in the state, allowing only 128 points ... Recorded 67 tackles, four interceptions and returned a pair of punts for TDs ... Two-time all-conference selection ... First-team on 2008 Minnesota Vikings all-state team ... Named to 2008 KARE 11 and Star Tribune all-metro team ... Two-year letterwinner in both baseball and basketball ... Born Feb. 27, 1991 ... Son of Tom and Sue Van Voorhis ... Has one brother, Derek ... Father, Tom, was a standout football player for the Bison from 1981-85 and member of 1983 and 1985 NCAA Division II national championship team ... Father, mother, aunt and uncle all attended NDSU.
Cooper Wahlo (wall-low), Jr., WR, 6-2, 190, Woodbury, Minn. (Woodbury H.S.)--Honorable mention all-state wide receiver for Woodbury High School and head coach Beau LaBore ... 2008 all-conference selection after the Royals went 9-2 and advanced to the section championship game ... As a senior recorded 16 receptions for 488 yards (30 ypc) and seven TDs; eight rushes for 83 yards and 1 TD, and averaged 35 yards and had a TD on seven kick returns ... Minnesota Football Coaches Association Silver Academic Award ... Member of Woodbury's 2008 state champion 400 meter relay team, and also earned all-state honors in the 800 meter relay and triple jump ... Overall, the Royals won the 2008 Suburban East Conference title, placed second in Section 3AA and finished third at the State AA meet ... Born June 1, 1991 ... Son of Cooper and Nancy Wahlo ... Has one brother, Cornelius, and one sister, Queenella.
WISCONSIN (4)
Hank Jacobs, OL, 6-5, 290, Beaver Dam, Wis. (Beaver Dam H.S.)--Associated Press second team all-state selection for Beaver Dam High School and head coach Tim White in 2008 ... Little Ten Conference Lineman of the Year as a senior ... Named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) all-Region and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel all-Area first team ... Honorable mention WFCA all-state ... Three-year starter on offensive and defensive line ... Two-time all-Little Ten Conference first team pick in 2007 and 2008, second team as a sophomore ... Two-year starter at center for the Beavers ... Competes in shot put and discus in track and field ... Born Dec. 29, 1990 ... Son of Edward and Mary Jacobs ... Has two sisters, Martha and Marie.
Brock Jensen, QB, 6-3, 210, Waupaca, Wis. (Waupaca H.S.)--Directed Waupaca High School coached by John Koronkiewicz to a 14-0 record and the 2008 Wisconsin Division III state championship ... Named 2008 Eastern Valley Conference Player of the Year after completing 107 of 174 passes for 1,602 yards, 21 TDs and seven interceptions ... Rushed 209 times for 1,151 yards and 19 TDs ... 2008 WFCA all-region, all-conference first-team and Appleton Post-Crescent all-area first-team ... Compiled 23-2 career record as a starter ... Over past two season, completed 110 of 363 passes for 3,237 yards, 38 TDs and 14 interceptions ... Rushed 382 times for 1,864 yards and 31 TDs ... Ranked as No. 2 quarterback in class of 2009 by WisFootball.net ... Top senior prospect by WIPreps.com ... Born Sept. 9, 1990 ... Son of Steve and Laurie Jensen.
Justin Juckem (juh-kum), DE, 6-5, 245, Chilton, Wis. (Chilton H.S.)--Second team all-conference wide receiver for Chilton High School and co-head coaches Ray Mlada and Scott Fritz in 2008 ... Three-year starter ... Played wide receiver, wingback, tight end, outside linebacker and defensive end during career ... Honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore ... Member of Chilton High School's school record breaking 4x400 meter relay ... Three-year starter at center for basketball team ... Sprinter on three straight Chilton conference championship track and field teams ... Born Dec. 28, 1990 ... Son of Richard and Linda Juckem ... Has one brother, Jon, and one sister, Erin.
Bobby Ollman, SS, 5-11, 200, Mequon, Wis. (Homestead H.S.)--First team WisconsinPreps.com all-State safety for Homestead High School and head coach Dave Keel ... Played on undefeated 14-0 Division I state championship teams in 2006 and 2008, state runner-up 11-2 team in 2007 ... Honorable mention WFCA all-state last year ... Recorded five interceptions and three passes defended, along with 62 tackles including five tackles for loss as a senior ... 2008 North Shore Conference Defensive Back of the Year ... 2008 WFCA all-Region, all-Area and all-conference first team selection ... In 2007, had 72 tackles, five passes defended and a pair of interceptions ... Lettered in wrestling as a sophomore ... Born Nov. 10, 1990 ... Son of Bob and Amy Ollman ... Has one sister, Megan.
NEBRASKA (1)
Garrett Bruhn (brew-in), FB, 6-2, 215, Beatrice, Neb. (Beatrice H.S.)--Class B all-state first team selection in 2008 for Beatrice High School and head coach Bob Sexton after recording 14 TDs, 700 rushing yards and 350 receiving ... Played fullback, running back and linebacker ... Made 107 tackles including a pair of sacks and had one interception ... Two-time all-district and all-conference ... Honorable mention all-state in 2007 ... Member of three district championship teams in 2008 (11-2), 2007 (9-3) and 2006 (10-2) ... Beatrice advanced to finals during his senior year ... Had 20 TDs, 650 rushing yards and 250 receiving as a junior ... Also threw for pair of TDs ... Made 80 tackles including four tackles for loss, forced a pair of fumbles and had an interception ... Three-year starter and letterwinner ... Honorable mention all-state, all-district and all-conference baseball player ... Three-year starter and four-year letterwinner ... Played pitcher, catcher and first base ... Born Dec. 22, 1990 ... Son of Bill and Joan Bruhn ... Has one sister, Vanessa ... Father, who also coached Garrett in baseball, played football and baseball at Peru State.
ILLINOIS (1)
Sam Ojuri (O-juree), TB, 6-1, 195, Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Barrington H.S.)--All-state running back for Barrington High School and head coach Joe Sanchez ... Ranked as the 31st top prospect out of Illinois by Rivals.com ... Led the Broncos to the state quarterfinals and a 9-3 record including a five-game winning streak ... Two-time all-area and all-conference ... Had 1,852 all-purpose yards and 24 TDs as a senior ... Recorded 305 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs in a game last year ... Twice named the Daily Herald Player of the Week ... Had 84 carries for 942 yards as a junior with 15 TDs and over 1,300 yards all-purpose yards ... Two-time letterwinner in basketball ... Three-year letterwinner in track & field ... Holds Mid-Suburban League (MSL) long jump record at 23-feet, 6-inches ... State qualifier, and conference and section champion in long jump ... Born Sept. 22, 1990 ... Son of Adebisi and Abosede Ojuri ... Has two sisters, Lovette and Elizabeth.
TEXAS (1)
Mike Sigers (sea-grrs), TB, 5-9, 165, Houston, Texas (North Forest H.S.)--All-district running back for North Forest High School and head coach Lionell Crawford ... Three-year starter ... Posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing efforts ... Rushed for 1,300 yards and 15 TDs on 140 carries as a senior ... Gained 1,200 yards and had 12 TDs on 132 carries as a junior ... Finished career with 3,304 yards and 37 TDs on 356 carries ... Born June 23, 1990 ... Son of Tony and Pamela Hall ... Has two brothers, Tony Jr and Terrell.
CALIFORNIA (1)
Nick Powell-Calhoun, WR, 6-4, 205, Santa Ana, Calif. (Segerstrom H.S.)--All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) wide receiver for Segerstrom High School and head coach Mike Maceranka ... Segerstrom advanced to first round of CIF playoffs ... All-league selection ... Set school single-season records for receiving yards and TD receptions, along with career TD reception mark ... Three-year letterwinner in both basketball and track and field ... Member of league championship track team ... CIF qualifier in the high jump and 4x400 relay ... Holds school record in high jump (6-feet, 2-inches) ... Born March 29, 1991 ... Son of Andre and Carol Parks ... Has one brother, Nehemiah-Aden Parks, and two sisters, Nia Parks and N'dya Parks.
JUNIOR COLLEGE (2)
Josh Gatlin, CB, 6-2, 195, Jacksonville, Fla. (NDSCS / Englewood H.S.)--Transfer from North Dakota State College of Science ... All-region and all-conference performer last season for the Wildcats and head coach Chuck Parsons ... Two-year starter for NDSCS ... Recorded six interceptions in 2008 ... Two-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back at Englewood High School and head coach Thomas Laubach ... Born Feb. 11, 1987 ... Son of Meredith Gatlin ... Related to Olympic sprinter Justin Gatlin.
Sam Rogers, Jr., WR, 6-1, 190, Los Angeles, Calif. (West Los Angeles CC / Hamilton H.S.)--Two-time first team 4A Division CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) for Hamilton High School and head coach Kelvin Moore in 2005 and 2006 ... At Hamilton High, caught 44 passes for 834 yards and 12 TDs as a senior and made 27 receptions for 420 yards and 10 TDs as a junior ... Member of Hamilton's 2006 Western League championship team that compile a 9-1 record ... Los Angeles City Section all-City team ... Dean's Honor List with 4.0 GPA during freshman year at West Los Angeles C.C. ... Member of Hamilton's 2007 conference championship track ... Won individual conference titles in 200 and 400, along with anchoring the 400 and 1,600 meter WL champion relays ... Born July 26, 1989 ... Son of Sam Rogers Sr., Los Angeles, and Germaine Devon Love, Pontiac, Mich. ... Has five brothers, Tremaine, Aaron, Tevin, Armani and Zane, and one sister, Ariel ... Father, Sam, played football for Colorado and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, and cousin, Charles Rogers, played for MSU and drafted by the Detroit Lions.
Bohl also announced three preferred walk-ons who have been accepted for admission for the fall of 2009 at North Dakota State:
Courtesy: John Huffer, Ball State University
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