MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University third-year head football coach Scott Underwood announced the program's 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday with 37 student-athletes signing to continue their academic and football careers at SMSU. Today's announcement came on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign National Letters of Intent.

Today's list of signees includes high school and transfer student-athletes from eight different states including Minnesota (19), Nebraska (5), California (4), Wisconsin (3), Iowa (2), Arizona (2) and South Dakota (2). Six of the signees are transfers and have already enrolled at SMSU for the 2024 spring semester.

"It's a great day to be a Mustang! We are ecstatic with our 2024 class of talented and skilled student-athletes," Underwood said. "This group will add to the depth and abilities in our roster at all positions as we work to win in the present and build for the future. In the current landscape of recruiting, our goal is to build our program with top high school players and work to develop them in the classroom and on the football field. I appreciate the time and effort that our assistant coaches put into building relationships with this new class of Mustang student-athletes and I look forward to working with them. Let's Ride!"

SMSU, which finished 2-9 overall last season, is scheduled to begin spring practice on March 25 and will open the 2024 regular season on Sept. 7 hosting Minot State University.

SMSU is an NCAA Division II school located in Marshall and competes in the 13-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

2024 SMSU National Letter of Intent Signees
* Already enrolled at SMSU for 2024 spring semester
Name    Pos.    Ht.    Wt.    Yr.    Hometown / High School / Previous School
Payton Allen     DL     6-1     275     Fr.     Racine, Wis. / Case     
Nick Barrett     DL     6-0     225     Fr.      Cannon Falls, Minn. / Cannon Falls     
Jackson Christenson     DB     6-1     185     Fr.      Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake     
Dakota Coon     DL     6-1     260     Fr.      Fremont, Neb. / Fremont     
*Josiah Cowan-Beck     OL     6-3     335     Jr.     Chico, Calif. / Oroville / Butte College
*Jameson Cozad     DL     6-3     287     Jr.     Moorhead, Minn. / Moorhead / North Dakota State School of Science
Jerid Fearing     TE     6-3     205     Fr.      Coon Rapids, Minn. / Coon Rapids     
Roman Garcia     OL     6-3     285     Fr.      Faribault, Minn. / Faribault     
Steven Henry     OL     6-3     300     Fr.      West Bend, Wis. / West Bend East     
Caden Hojer     DL     6-5     225     Fr.      Oldham, S.D. / Oldham-Ramona-Rutland     
Michael Kern     OL     6-5     260     Fr.      West Bend, Wis. / West Bend East     
Drew Kluender     QB     6-2     190     Fr.      Moville, Iowa / Woodbury Central     
Dreu Kolbeck     OL     6-5     290     Fr.      Sheldon, Iowa / Sheldon     
Daniel Lemi     DB     5-10     150     Fr.      Omaha, Neb. / Omaha Central     
Kaden Lunsford     DB     6-2     195     Fr.      Peoria, Ariz. / Sunrise Mountain     
Alex Mansanger     OL     6-4     265     Fr.      Waconia, Minn. / Waconia     
Kevin McGee     RB     6-0     200     Fr.      Omaha, Neb. / Omaha Central     
T.J. Mitchell     LB     6-4     210     Fr.      Appleton, Minn. / Lac qui Parle Valley     
Logan Ness     DB     6-3     160     Fr.      Coon Rapids, Minn. / Coon Rapids     
*Wyatt Oak     QB     6-2     200     So.     West Covina, Calif. / West Covina / Pasadena City College
Bennett Pierson     OL     6-6     320     Fr.      Mora, Minn. / Mora     
Malcolm Peterson     LB     5-9     180     Fr.      Richfield, Minn. / Richfield     
*Keshaun Reynolds     CB     5-9     180     Sr.     Moreno Valley, Calif. / Orange Vista / Missouri Valley College
*Isaiah Rheaume     OL     6-3     330     Jr.     Folsom, Calif. / Folsom / American River College
Bryce Rosewicz     DL     6-1     230     Fr.      Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater     
Musa Sanneh     WR     6-4     160     Fr.      Richfield, Minn. / Richfield     
Corbin Schroeder     OL     6-4     285     Fr.      Cannon Falls, Minn. / Cannon Falls     
Dylan Schultz   DL   6-2  275  Fr.   Medina, Minn. / Wayzata HS
Sam Shepersky     LB     5-11     218     Fr.      Cannon Falls, Minn. / Cannon Falls     
Wendell Tchalassi     CB     5-11     160     Fr.      Omaha, Neb. / Omaha North     
Evan Thompson     OL     6-2     275     Fr.      Sleepy Eye, Minn. / Sleepy Eye     
Elliott Viland     DB     5-10     185     Fr.      Faribault, Minn. / Faribault Bethlehem Academy     
Melvin Wallace     DL     6-0     205     Fr.      Lino Lakes, Minn. / Centennial     
Shaun Walrath     RB     6-2     200     Fr.      Sauk Rapids, Minn. / Sauk Rapids-Rice     
Jamari Williams     LB     5-9     190     Fr.      Lincoln, Neb. / Lincoln Southwest     
Brody Willis     DB     6-4     175     Fr.      Goodyear, Ariz. / Desert Edge     
*Nelson Wright     RB     5-9     205     RFr.       Sioux Falls, S.D. / Sioux Falls Jefferson / Dordt University

MINNESOTA (19)
Nick Barrett, DL, 6-0, 225, Fr., Cannon Falls, Minn. (Cannon Falls HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Cannon Falls HS … played for coach Dan Meyers … three-year letter winner … named all-conference … recorded 44 tackles with 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss during senior season … also letter winner in wrestling and baseball … Personal: Son of Kevin and Linda Barrett.

Jameson Cozad, DL, 6-3, 287, Jr., Moorhead, Minn. (Moorhead HS / North Dakota State School of Science)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at the North Dakota State College of Science … played for coach Eric Issendorf … has two seasons of eligibility remaining … High School: 2019 graduate of Moorhead HS … played for coach Kevin Feeney … two-time all-district honorable mention … Personal: Son of Esther St. John and Terry Dixon … brother, Micah, is a member of SMSU football team.

Jackson Christenson, DB, 6-1, 185, Fr., Forest Lake, Minn. (Forest Lake HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Forest Lake HS … played for coach Brad Beeskow … all-conference and all-district honoree … recorded 42 tackles with four for loss and 1.5 sacks as a senior … also recovered three fumbles and had one interception during senior season … also letter winner in wrestling, weightlifting and track & field … Personal: Son of Justin and Miriah Christenson.

Jerid Fearing, TE, 6-3, 205, Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn. (Coon Rapids HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Coon Rapids HS … played for coach Nick Rusin … three-year letter winner … two-time all-conference … closed career with 1,036 receiving yards … also named all-conference in baseball … Personal: Son of Laura Haller and Jerid Fearing..

Roman Garcia, OL, 6-3, 285, Fr., Faribault, Minn. (Faribault HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Faribault HS … played for coach Glenn Hansen … team captain … all-conference honorable mention honoree … also in track & field … Personal: Son of Christian Garcia and Mary Garcia.

Alex Mansanger, OL, 6-4, 265, Fr., Waconia, Minn. (Waconia HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Waconia HS … played for coach Corey Shea … team captain … named district offensive lineman of the year … Personal: Son of Alan and Sarah Mansager.

T.J. Mitchell, LB, 6-4, 210, Fr., Appleton, Minn. (Lac qui Parle Valley HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Lac qui Parle Valley HS … played for coach Tony Smith … four-year letter winner … named all-district … team offensive and defensive MVP … finished with 203 career tackles … multi-year letter winner in basketball and baseball … holds school record for single-season rebounds … Personal: Son of Brad Mitchell and Kim Mitchell.

Logan Ness, DB, 6-3, 160, Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn. (Coon Rapids HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Coon Rapids HS … played for coach Nick Rusin … team captain … team defensive and special teams MVP … two-time all-conference honorable mention … team captain in baseball … Personal: Son of Travis and Sheila Ness.

Malcolm Peterson, LB, 5-9, 180, Fr., Richfield, Minn. (Richfield HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Richfield HS … played for coach Kris Pulford … three-year starter … named conference defensive player of the year … all-district honoree … also in track & field … Personal: Son of Megan and Jimmie Peterson.

Bennett Pierson, OL, 6-6, 320, Fr., Mora, Minn. (Mora HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Mora HS … played for coach Troy Erickson … multi-year letter winner … Personal: Son of Ross Menk and Beth Menk.

Bryce Rosewicz, DL, 6-1, 230, Fr., Stillwater, Minn. (Stillwater HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Stillwater HS … played for coach Beau Lebore … two-time all-conference … team captain … team defensive MVP … played in state all-star game … finished senior season with 50 tackles with a team-high eight for loss … also added four sacks in 2023 … member of two state tournament teams … team won four straight conference championships … Personal: Son of Angie Rosewicz and Burnette Eason.

Corbin Schroeder, OL, 6-4, 285, Fr., Cannon Falls, Minn. (Cannon Falls HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Cannon Falls HS … played for coaches Dan Meyers … named all-conference … also All-Southern Minnesota first team … recorded more than 100 pancake blocks in career … Personal: Son of Scott and Jenny Schroeder.

Dylan Schultz, DL, 6-2, 275, Fr., Medina, Minn. (Wayzata HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Wayzata HS … played for coach Lambert Brown … named all-district first team … racked up 44 tackles with 15 tackles for loss … Personal: Son of Ron and Tracie Schultz.

Sam Shepersky, LB, 5-11, 218, Fr., Cannon Falls, Minn. (Cannon Falls HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Cannon Falls HS … played for coach Dan Meyers … three-year letter winner … two-time all-section … two-time all-district honoree … Personal: Son of Cory and Julie Shepersky.

Musa Sanneh, WR, 6-4, 175, Fr., Richfield, Minn. (Richfield HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Richfield HS … played for coach Kris Pulford … all-conference and all-district honoree … finished senior season with 458 yards receiving and six touchdowns … also played defense and finished career with six sacks and three interceptions … team captain in football and basketball …

Evan Thompson, OL, 6-2, 275, Fr., Sleepy Eye, Minn. (Sleepy Eye HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Sleepy Eye HS … played for coach Brent Kucera … named all-district offensive lineman of the year … team captain … four-year letter winner … two-time conference champion and all-state honoree in wrestling … all-conference in track & field … Personal: Son of Jese and Tammy Como.

Elliott Viland, DB, 5-10, 185, Fr., Faribault, Minn. (Faribault Bethlehem Academy HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Faribault Bethlehem Academy HS … played for coach James Beckman … named District Player of the Year … passed for 1,809 yards and 23 touchdowns … closed career passing for 4,364 yards and 42 touchdowns … three-time all-district honoree … academic all-state … also in wrestling … Personal: Son of Maren and Darren Viland.

Melvin Wallace, DL, 6-0, 205, Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn. (Centennial HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Centennial HS … played for coach Mike Diggins … team won Class 6A state in 2023… two-time all-district … racked up a school record 10.5 sacks during senior season … finished with 86 tackles … Personal: Son of Princess Gehyigon.

Shaun Walrath, RB, 6-2, 200, Fr., Sauk Rapids, Minn. (Sauk Rapids-Rice HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice HS … played for coach Phillip Klaphake … three-year letter winner … named District Running Back of the Year … two-time all-district honoree at running back and linebacker … rushed for 901 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … also racked up 46 tackles … closed career with 1,360 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 238 carries … also caught 34 passes for 511 yards during career … Personal: Son of Michael and Amanda Walrath.

NEBRASKA (5)
Dakota Coon, DL, 6-1, 260, Fr., Fremont, Neb. (Fremont HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Fremont HS … played for coach Lee Jennings … two-year letter winner … played on both offense and defense … 18 tackles with one sack as a senior … academic all-state … state qualifier in wrestling … Personal: Son of Dirk and Kylie Coon.

Daniel Lemi, DB, 5-10, 150, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Omaha Central HS … played for coach Terrence Mackey … all-metro honorable mention … recorded 35 tackles with two for loss and forced one fumble as a senior … also in basketball and track & field … Personal: Son of Dennis Lemi and Leah Lako.

Kevin McGee, RB, 6-0, 200, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Omaha Central HS … played for coach Terrence Mackey … all-state honorable mention … rushed for 348 yards and six touchdowns during senior season … also in basketball and track & field … Personal: Son of Kevin McGee and Ronnetta McGee.

Wendell Tchalassi, CB, 5-11, 160, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Omaha North HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Omaha North HS … played for coach Larry Martin … letter winner … recorded 38 tackles, including two for loss and three pass break-ups as a senior … also letter winner in track and powerlifting … member of National Honor Society … Personal: Son of Esso Tchalassi and Flora Coan.

Jamari Williams, LB, 5-9, 190, Fr., Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Lincoln Southwest HS … played for coach Grant Traynowicz … two-year letter winner … captain … finished with 26 tackles with two for loss as a senior … Personal: Son of Kenyatta Williams.

CALIFORNIA (4)
Josiah Cowan-Beck, OL, 6-3, 335, Jr., Chico, Calif. (Oroville HS / Butte College)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at the Butte College … played for coach Robby Snelling … has two seasons of eligibility remaining … all-academic honoree … High School: 2020 graduate of Oroville HS … Personal: Son of Rachel and Robert.

Wyatt Oak, QB, 6-2, 200, So., West Covina, Calif. (West Covina HS / Pasadena City College)
Before SMSU: Spent two seasons at Pasadena City College … played for coach Robert Tucker … has three seasons of eligibility remaining … rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 25 attempts, while also completing 29 of 54 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 … team finished 9-2 and played in the American Division Championship Bowl … High School: 2021 graduate of West Covina HS … played for coach Mike Maggoire … Personal: Son Richard and Linda Oak.

Keshaun Reynolds, CB, 5-9, 180, Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif. (Orange Vista HS / Missouri Valley College)
Before SMSU: Spent four seasons at the Missouri Valley College … played for coach Jon Ousterhout … has one season of eligibility remaining … racked up 35 tackles with two interceptions during the 2022 season … High School: 2019 graduate of Orange Vista HS … Personal: Son of Romondale Reynolds, Letitias Reynolds and Kim Smith.

Isaiah Rheaume, OL, 6-3, 330, Jr., Folsom, Calif. (Folsom HS / American River College)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at the American River College … played for coach Jon Ousterhout … has two seasons of eligibility remaining … team finished conference play undefeated twice in career … team played in the 2023 3C2A Northern California state championship game … High School: 2022 graduate of Folsom HS … played for coaches Paul Doherty and Zack Sclater …two-time all-conference … member of Division I AA state runner-up team … Personal: Son of James Rheaume and Deidre Justin.

WISCONSIN (3)
Payton Allen, DL, 6-1, 275, Fr., Racine, Wis. (Case HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Case HS … played for coach Anton Graham … all-county first team offensive lineman … two-time all-conference second team offensive lineman … recorded 42 career tackles with 10 tackles for loss … also in track & field … Personal: Son of Phillip Allen and Dana Allen.

Steven Henry, OL, 6-3, 300, Fr., West Bend, Wis. (West Bend East HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of West Bend East HS … played for coach Jeff Rondorf … two-time all-conference honoree … three-year letter winner … four-year letter winner in wrestling … Personal: Son of Mike and Wendy Henry.

Michael Kern, OL, 6-5, 260, Fr., West Bend, Wis. (West Bend East HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of West Bend East HS … played for coach Jeff Rondorf … team captain … did not allow a sack during final two seasons at left tackle … letter winner in football, basketball, baseball and golf … member of National Honor Society … Personal: Son of Jeff and Lisa Kern.

IOWA (2)
Drew Kluender, QB, 6-2, 190, Fr., Moville, Iowa (Woodbury Central HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Woodbury Central HS … played for coach Kurt Bremer … four-year letter winner … all-state first team honoree as a senior … passed for 3,414 yards with 44 total touchdowns in 2023 … team finished as Class A state runner-up in 2023 … was also selected all-state second team in 2022 … led Class A in touchdowns and passing yards in 2022 … closed career passing for 6,316 yards and 69 touchdowns … two-time all-district MVP … all-state in baseball … all-district and all-conference in baseball … Personal: Son of Ryan & Brandi Kluender.

Dreu Kolbeck, OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Sheldon, Iowa (Sheldon HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Sheldon HS … played for coaches Tyler Lloyd and Levi Letsche … two-time all-district honoree … also named all-academic … also in basketball … Personal: Son of Amy Kolbeck.

SOUTH DAKOTA (2)
Caden Hojer, DL, 6-5, 225, Fr., Oldham, S.D. (Oldham-Ramona-Rutland HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Oldham-Ramona-Rutland HS … played for coach Logan Degrungs … four-year letter winner … four-year starter … academic all-state honoree … all-conference honoree … recoded 41 tackles with 28 solo stops as a senior … closed career with 82 tackles with 10 for loss and four sacks … forced five fumbles … also four-year letter winner in basketball … named all-conference in basketball … Personal: Son of Jay and Michelle Hojer … brother Jacob played at SMSU from 2017-20.

Nelson Wright, RB, 5-9, 205, RFr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sioux Falls Jefferson HS / Dordt University)
Before SMSU: Spent one season at the Dordt University … has four seasons of eligibility remaining … High School: 2023 graduate of Sioux Falls Jefferson HS … played for coach Vince Benedetto … rushed for 1,311 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior … all-state honoree … all-conference … named to Sioux Falls Argus Elite 45 team … member of 2022 state championship team … also standout in track … Personal: Son of Roseline Baye.

ARIZONA (2)
Kaden Lunsford, DB, 6-2, 195, Fr., Peoria, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Sunrise Mountain HS … played for coach Steve Decker … played both offense and defensive during senior season … finished with 42 career tackles … caught two touchdowns during senior season … Personal: Son of Amy Lunsford and Josh Semmler.

Brody Willis, DB, 6-4, 175, Fr., Goodyear, Ariz. (Desert Edge HS)
High School: 2024 graduate of Desert Edge HS … played for coaches Mark and Marcus Carter … named all-conference … team finished as state runner-up as a senior … all-state in track & field … Personal: Son of Bob and Leslie Willis … brother, Matt, is a member of the SMSU football team.