MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head football coach Cory Sauter announced the addition of 39 student-athletes (as of 10 pm, Feb. 6) to the Mustang program to continue their academic and football careers at SMSU on Wednesday. Today's announcement came on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign National Letters of Intent. Sauter said he expects more to sign in the next few days to bring SMSU's total to more than 40.

Today's list of signees includes high school and transfer student-athletes from 15 different states including Minnesota (11), California (4), Iowa (3), Nebraska (3), Washington (3), South Dakota (2), Arizona (2), Wisconsin (3), Michigan (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Florida (1), Nevada (1) and Oregon (1). Several of the signees have already enrolled at SMSU for spring semester.

"Today is a special day for Mustang Football! I'm thrilled to announce 38 student-athletes have decided to continue their education and playing careers at Southwest Minnesota State University," Sauter said. "We have assembled a great group of young men who are hungry to compete and make our program better on and off the field. We are very excited about what these young men bring to our team and are looking forward to developing them for years to come. I would also like to take this time to thank our staff for their tremendous recruiting efforts over the last several months."

Southwest Minnesota State is an NCAA Division II school located in Marshall and competes in the 16-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU concluded the 2018 season with a record of 4-7.

SMSU is scheduled to begin spring practice on April 1 and will open the 2019 season tentatively on either Thursday, Sept. 5, or Saturday, Sept. 7, hosting Minnesota State University.

2019 SMSU National Letter of Intent Signees

Name    Pos.    Ht.    Wt.    Yr.    Hometown    High School    Previous School
Bryce Andrews     DL     6-3     245     Fr.     Bellingham, Wash.     Sehome
Gary Barnes     DL     6-3     240     Fr.     Madison, Wis.     Madison La Follette
Jack Beardmore     RB     5-10     175     Fr.     Caledonia, Minn.     Caledonia
Chase Becker     LB     6-1     210     Fr.     Antioch, Ill.     Antioch Community
Adien Belt     QB/ATH     6-5     200     Fr.     Sioux City, Iowa     Sioux City West
Reid Bot     OL     6-3     260     Fr.     Minneota, Minn.     Lakeview
Ako Butler Jr.     RB/DB     5-10     170     Fr.     Jordan, Minn.     Jordan
Nate Collins     DL     6-0     260     Fr.     Des Moines, Iowa     Dowling Catholic
Bruin French     OL     6-4     325     Fr.     Midland, Mich.     Clare
Diego Fuimaono     TE     6-3     260     Fr.     Independence, Ore.     South Salem
Cole Galeazzi     DL     6-3     240     Fr.     Kingsford, Mich.     Kingsford
Brad Gould     OL     6-6     265     Fr.     Las Vegas, Nev.     Bishop Gorman
Paul Herrera     QB     6-1     205     Jr.     Los Angeles, Calif.     Huntington Park    East Los Angeles College        
Walter Holbrook     OL/DL     5-11     300     Fr.     Minneapolis, Minn.     Robbinsdale Cooper
Levi Hooper     OL     6-6     320     Fr.     Trenton, Fla.     Trenton
Jabari Hughes    WR    5-10    170    Fr.    Inglewood, Calif.    Warren
Wyatt Kramer     OL/DL     6-0     280     Fr.     Southridge, Ind.     Southridge
Trey Johnson     WR     5-9     170     Jr.     Apple Valley, Minn.     Eastview    Rochester Community & Tech. College
Zyairr Johnson-Landoll     OL/DL     6-0     240     Fr.     Sturgis, S.D.     Sturgis Brown
Julian Luciano, DB    6-0   185   Fr.     Burlington, Wis. Burlington HS
Jace Mack     OL     6-4     240     Fr.     Mayer, Minn.     Waconia
Aidan Mallory     DB     5-11     185     Fr.     Vancouver, Wash.     Hockinson
Arath Martinez     QB     5-10     225     Fr.     Rochester, Minn.     Rochester Century
Alex Maxwell     OL     6-2     280     Fr.     Lynnwood, Wash.     Meadowdale
Thomas Mergen     LB     5-11     215     Fr.     Zumbro Falls, Minn.     Rochester Century
Steven Nava     QB     6-1     200     Jr.     Rosemead, Calif.     Rosemead    Mt. San Antonio College    
Andrew Pelishek     RB/LB     5-10     185     Fr.     De Pere, Wis.     Wrightstown  
Robert Pentecost     OL     6-1     260     Fr.     La Vista, Neb.     Papillion La Vista
Anthony Provinzino     WR/ATH     6-0     220     Fr.     Duluth, Minn.     Duluth East
Zeke Robinson     WR     5-9     160     So.     Vermillion, S.D.     Elk Point-Jefferson    University of South Dakota
Efrain Segoviano     OL     6-2     310     Jr.     Tucson, Ariz.     Tucson    Scottsdale Community College
Arvionte Sheffield     RB     5-11     180     Fr     Hawthorne, Calif.     Warren
Jake Smith     DL     6-5     265     Jr.     Mesa, Ariz.     Desert Ridge     Pima Community College
Kobi Smith-Parrott     OL     6-3     345     Sr.     Lincoln, Neb.     Lincoln    Seton Hill University
Nathan Stearns     WR/P     6-5     180     Fr.     Olathe, Kan.     Olathe South
Seth Totten     OL     6-2     290     Fr.     Lyons, Neb.     Lyons-Decatur Northeast
Derec Weyer     OL     6-6     290     Fr.     Harlan, Iowa     Harlan Community
Cedric Williams     OL     6-1     300     Fr.     Minneapolis, Minn.     Robbinsdale Cooper
Brandon Yira     OL     6-2     290     Fr.     Hutchinson, Minn.     Hutchinson

Complete bios on each player listed on pages 2-4



MINNESOTA (11)
Jack Beadmore, RB, 5-10, 175, Caledonia, Minn. / Caledonia HS
2019 graduate of Caledonia HS … played for coach Carl Fruechte … four-year letter winner … all-conference honorable mention … member four state championship teams … finished with 1,407 all-purpose yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior … state qualifier in 100 meters in track & field.

Reid Bot, OL, 6-3, 260, Minneota, Minn. / Lakeview HS
2019 graduate of Lakeview HS … played for John Sterner … three-year letter winner … all-conference honorable mention … finished senior season with four sacks, three blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries and 42 tackles … also played basketball and ran track.

Ako Butler, RB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jordan, Minn. / Jordan HS
2019 graduate of Jordan HS … played for coach Bo Wasurick … three-year letter winner in both football and track & field.

Walter Holbrook, OL/DL, 5-11, 300, Minneapolis, Minn. / Robbinsdale Cooper HS
2019 graduate of Robbinsdale Cooper HS … played for coach Willie Howard … twice earned all-conference accolades … named most valuable lineman … also in track & field.

Trey Johnson, WR, 5-9, 170, Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview HS / Rochester Community & Technical College
Spent two seasons (2017-18) at Rochester Community & Technical College … played for coach Derrick Hintz … named first team all-conference in 2018 … averages 28 yards per catch … also had 230 yards on kick return … 2015 graduate of Eastview HS … played for coach Kelly Sherwin.

Jace Mack, OL, 6-4, 240, Mayer, Minn. / Waconia HS
2019 graduate of Waconia HS … played for coach Corey Shea … two-year letter winner.

Arath Martinez, QB, 5-10, 225, Rochester, Minn. / Rochester Century HS
2109 graduate of Rochester Century HS … played for coach Jon Vik … all-conference honoree … completed 99 of 181 passes for 1,337 yards and 14 touchdowns … team captain … also in track & field.

Thomas Mergen, LB, 5-11, 215, Zumbro Falls, Minn. / Rochester Century HS
2019 graduate of Rochester Century HS … played for coach Jon Vik … three-time all-conference … second team all-state honoree … 2018 Big Southeast District Defensive Player of the Year … two-time all-area … played in 2018 Minnesota Football Showcase … finished career with 158 solo tackles and nearly 400 total tackles … four sacks … also in track & field and lacrosse.

Anthony Provinzino, WR, 6-0, 220, Duluth, Minn. / Duluth East HS
2019 graduate of Duluth East HS … played for Joe Hietela … team captain … three-year letter winner … two-time all-conference … two-time all-section … finished senior season with 32 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns … closed career with 58 receptions for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns … also in basketball and track & field.

Cedric Williams, OL, 6-1, 300, Minneapolis, Minn. / Robbinsdale Cooper HS
2019 graduate of Robbinsdale Cooper HS … played for coach Willie Howard … all-conference honoree … team captain … all-state in wrestling … placed fifth in heavyweight … team captain in wrestling and track & field.

Brandon Yira, OL, 6-2, 290, Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson HS
2019 graduate of Hutchinson HS … played for coach Andy Rostberg … named most valuable offensive lineman … selected all-district … member of district champion team … team captain ... also in track & field.

ARIZONA (2)
Efrain Segoviano, OL, 6-2, 310, Tucson, Ariz. / Tucson HS / Scottsdale Community College
Spent two seasons (2017-18) at Scottsdale Community College … played for coach Doug Madowski … team won seven games in 2018 …  2019 graduate of Tucson HS … played for coach Justin Argraves.

Jake Smith, DL, 6-5, 265, Mesa, Ariz. / Desert Ridge HS / Pima Community College
Spent two seasons (2017-18) at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. … played for coach Jim Monaco … member of team that recorded six wins in 2018 and played in just second bowl game in team history … was named conference special teams player of the week during the 2018 season … 2017 graduate Desert Ridge HS … played for coach Jeremy Hathcock.

CALIFORNIA (4)
Paul Herrera, QB, 6-1, 205, Los Angeles, Calif. / Huntington Park HS / East Los Angeles College
Spent two seasons (2017-18) at East Los Angles College … played for coach Bobby Godinez … completed 62 of 120 passes for 689 yards and six touchdowns in 2018 … also rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown … 2016 graduate of Aspire Pacific Academy … played at Huntington Park HS.

Jabari Hughes, WR, 5-10, 170, Inglewood, Calif. / Warren HS
2019 graduate of Warren HS … played for coach Raul Lara … named second team all-conference … caught 27 passes for 419 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … named league MVP and team offensive player of the year as a junior … finished career with 2,139 reception yards and 32 touchdowns … four-year letter winner … also in track & field.  

Steven Nava, QB, 6-1, 200, Rosemead, Calif. / Rosemead HS / Mt. SAC
Played two seasons (2017-18) at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. … played for coach Bob Jastrab … passed for 2,013 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2018 … completed 159 of 262 pass attempts … spent the 2016 season as a redshirt at North Dakota State … 2016 graduate of Rosemead HS.

Arvionte Sheffield, RB, 5-11, 180, Hawthorne, Calif. / Warren HS
2019 graduate of Warren HS … played for coach Raul Lara … first team all-city … named most outstanding running back … rushed for 1,087 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior … also had 51 tackles and four interceptions … finished career with 3,044 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns … also in track & field.

FLORIDA (1)
Levi Hooper, OL, 6-6, 320, Trenton, Fla. / Trenton HS
2019 graduate of Trenton HS … played for Ben Jacqmein … three-time letter winner … 2019 Gainsville Sun All-Area … all-region.

ILLINOIS (1)
Chase Becker, LB, 6-1, 210, Antioch, Ill. / Antioch Community HS
2019 graduate of Antioch Community HS … played for coach Brian Glashagel … two-time all-conference … all-area … recorded 65 tackles, five sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a senior … all-state in the discus … three-time all-conference thrower.

INDIANA (1)
Wyatt Kramer, OL/DL, 6-0, 280, Holland, Ind. / Southridge HS
2019 graduate of Southridge HS … played for coach Scott Buening … member of state championship team … all-region honoree … all-state honorable mention … section champion in wrestling.

IOWA (3)
Adien Belt, QB/ATH, 6-5, 200, Sioux City, Iowa. / Sioux City West HS
2019 graduate of Sioux City West … played for Joe Schmitz … first-team all-conference … finished senior season with 3,015 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns … also rushed for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Nate Collins, DL, 6-0, 260, Des Moines, Iowa / Dowling Catholic HS
2019 graduate of Dowling Catholic HS … played for coach Tom Wilson … selected All-Iowa Elite honorable mention … first team all-district … member of two state championship teams … three-year letter winner.

Derec Weyer, OL, 6-6, 290, Harlan, Iowa / Harlan Community HS
2019 graduate of Harlan Community HS … played for coach Curt Bladt … twice named all-district offensive line … letter winner in wrestling, baseball and track & field.

KANSAS (1)
Nathan Stearns, WR/P, 6-5, 180, Olathe, Kan. / Olathe South HS
2019 graduate of Olathe South HS … played for Craig Lewis … all-conference honorable mention punter … finish senior season with nine catches for 97 yards … averaged 37.8 yards per punt … recorded 11 punts inside 20-yard line … had 12 punts 45-yards or longer … also in track & field.   

MICHIGAN (2)
Bruin French, OL, 6-4, 325, Midland, Mich. / Clare HS
2019 graduate of Clare HS … played for coach Kelly Luplow … three-time all-conference … all-state honoree … named to Saginaw and Bay City Dream Team.

Cole Galeazzi, DL, 6-3, 240, Kingsford, Mich. / Kingsford HS
2019 graduate of Kingsford HS … played for coach Chris Hoger … all-conference honoree … named All-U.P. offensive end … played in all-star game … recorded 40 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a senior … also played basketball.

NEVADA (1)
Brad Gould, OL, 6-6, 265, Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS
2019 graduate of Bishop Gorman HS … played for Kenny Sanchez … member of four-time region and four-time state championship team.

NEBRASKA (3)
Rob Pentecost, OL, 6-1, 260, La Vista, Neb. / Papillion La Vista HS
2019 graduate of Papillion La Vista … played for coach Randy Hueburt … three-year letter winner … two-time team captain … all-state honorable mention … finished senior season with 27 pancake blocks … recorded 63 pancake blocks in career … had 26 career starts … also in track & field.

Kobi Smith-Parrott, OL, 6-3, 345, Lincoln, Neb. / Lincoln HS / Seton Hill University
Played one season at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa. … started at left guard during the 2018 season … played two seasons (2016-17) at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Calif. … 2016 graduate of Lincoln HS … named all-conference, all-city and all-state.

Seth Totten, OL, 6-2, 290, Lyons, Neb. / Lyons-Decatur Northeast HS
2019 graduate of Lyons-Decatur Northeast HS … played for Dan Maresh … four-year letter winner … two-time first team all-district … all-state honorable mention … River Battle Bowl Prep All-Star game …  closed senior season with 42 tacks including two sacks … finished career with 109 tackles includes two sacks … also in track & field, wrestling and powerlifting … state qualifier in both wrestling and track & field.

OREGON (1)
Diego Fuimaono, TE, 6-3, 260, Independence, Ore. / South Salem HS
2019 graduate of South Salem HS ... played for Scott Dufault ... four-time football letter winner ... three-year starter ... team captain ... three-time all-conference tight end ... also a two-time basketball letter winner ... track letter winner.

SOUTH DAKOTA (2)
Zyairr Johnson-Landoll, OL/DL, Sturgis, S.D. / Sturgis Brown HS
2019 graduate of Sturgis Brown HS … played for coach Chris Koletzky … two-time all-conference … three-year letter winner … team captain … three-year starter … finished with 42 tackles and seven for loss in 2018 … closed career with 94 tackles, including 14 for loss.

Zeke Robinson, WR, 5-9, 160, Vermillion, S.D. / Elk Point-Jefferson HS / University of
Spent two seasons (2017-18) at the University of South Dakota … did not play in any games … 2017 graduate of Elk Point-Jefferson HS … played for coach Jake Terry … named first team all-state … all-star game selection … named to Argus Leader Elite 45 … recorded more than 900 all-purpose yards as a senior … also competed in basketball and track & field.

WASHINGTON (3)
Bryce Andrews, DL, 6-3, 245, Bellingham, Wash. / Sehome HS
2019 graduate of Sehome HS … played for coach Kevin Beason … three-year letter winner … named honorable mention all-conference … also competes in track & field and basketball.

Aidan Mallory, DB, 5-11, 185, Vancouver, Wash. / Hockinson HS
2019 graduate of Hockinson HS … played for coach Rick Steele … first team all-league at defensive back … member of four conference championship teams … finished with 84 tackles and one interception as a senior … also earned all-conference honors as a linebacker in career … also in wrestling and track & field.

Alexander Maxwell, OL, 6-3, 260, Lynnwood, Wash. / Meadowdale HS
2019 graduate of Meadowdale HS … played for Matt Leonard … three-time first team all-conference offensive lineman… second team  all-area … two-time first team all-conference defensive line … second team all-conference defensive line … first-team all-area defensive line … also in wrestling and track & field.

WISCONSIN (3)
Gary Barnes, DL, 6-3, 240, Madison, Wis. / Madison La Follette HS
2019 graduate of Madison La Follette HS … played for coach Scott Swanson … conference defensive end of the year … first team all-conference … first team all-region … all-city honoree … recorded 74 tackles with 4.5 sacks as a senior … three-year letter winner … finished career with 113 tackles and 9.5 sacks … also in track & field.

Julian Luciano, DB, 6-0, 185, Burlington, Wis. / Burlington HS
2019 graduate of Burlington HS ... played for coach Steven Tenhagen ... four-year letter winner ... team captain ... missed most of senior season with an injury ... recorded 30 tackles with five for loss as a senior ... named all-area as a junior ... finished with 75 tackles as a junior with three sacks and two interceptions ... also played basketball and track & field ... team captain in track & field.

Andrew Pelishek, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, De Pere, Wis. / Wrightstown HS
2019 graduate of Wrightstown HS … played for Steve Klister … three-year letter winner … first-team all-conference running back … second team all-area running back … rushed for 835 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior … recorded 25 touchdowns and 1,554 career yards rushing … Wisconsin Coaches Association All-Star nominee … also played basketball and baseball.