MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head football coach Scott Underwood announced the program's 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday with 40 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 31 high school and nine transfer student-athletes from 11 different states including Minnesota (20), Nebraska (4), Arizona (3), California (3), Wisconsin (3), South Dakota (2), Florida (1), Iowa (1), New Jersey (1), North Dakota (1) and Washington (1). Six of the transfers and have already enrolled at SMSU for the 2025 spring semester.
 
"We added talented players at each position as we look to strengthen our roster for seasons to come," Underwood said. "I am excited for this group to join our six mid-semester transfers working out with us already in our program. Among this group you will notice a strong presence of talented individuals from the local area as we targeted and were fortunate to attract them to the strong qualities of the University and the program we are building. We are excited to have the class of commits for 2025 joining us as part of the Mustang football program!"
 
SMSU is scheduled to begin spring practice on March 31 and will open the 2025 regular season on Sept. 6 hosting MSU Moorhead.  
 
SMSU is an NCAA Division II school located in Marshall and competes in the 13-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
MINNESOTA (20)  
Miskir Esayas, QB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Park HS … played for coach Rick Fryklund … first team all-district honoree … passed for 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … closed career passing for 3,057 yards and 33 touchdowns … also in basketball and track & field … Personal: Son of Sara Endalew & Esayas Azebo. 
 
Anthony Estrada, DL, 6-1, 244, Fr., Litchfield, Minn. (Litchfield HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Litchfield HS … played for coach Jim Jackman … all-state honoree … named all-conference, all-area and all-section … defensive lineman of the year … recorded 35 tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss as a senior … also in hockey and baseball … Personal: Son of Eddie and Tanya Estrada. 
 
Alfredo Fowler, DL, 6-0, 300, Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Osseo HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Osseo HS … played for coach Ryan Stockhaus … two-year starter … four tackles for loss and 15 tackles as a senior … team captain in wrestling … state participant in wrestling … Personal: Son of Erica Coney and Alfredo Fowler. 
 
Faith Fozao, DB, 6-0, 164, Fr., Blaine, Minn. (Irondale HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Irondale HS … played for coach James Manuel … all-conference honoree … finished with 53 tackles … racked up 335 kickoff return yards … forced two fumbles … letter winner in track & field and lacrosse … Personal: Son of Teckla.
 
Hunter Hanegraaf, LB, 6-1, 190, Fr., Stacy, Minn. (Forest Lake HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Forest Lake HS … played for coach Brad Beeskow … … team captain … named all-conference … closed senior season with 69 tackles including 10 tackles for loss … Personal: Son of Luke and Meghan Hanegraaf.
 
Jay Harms, DB, 6-3, 170, Fr., Mounds View, Minn. (Irondale HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Irondale HS … played for coach James Manuel … two-year letter winner … team captain … closed senior season with 21 tackles and 22 pass defended … finished career with 40 tackles and three sacks with 26 passes defended … Personal: Son of Nataliya Kononenko.
 
Calvin Mcintosh, DL, 6-1, 245, Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn. (Totino-Grace HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Totino-Grace HS … played for coach Jay Anderson … all-district honoree … recorded 75 tackles with nine for loss and 4.5 sacks … academic honor roll … also in track & field … Personal: Son of Besi Brownell. 
 
Jack Meier, LB, 6-2, 215, Fr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Bahlmann … racked up 50 tackles with six for loss and two sacks as a senior … named district linebacker of the year … also played tight end … all-area honoree … helped team to state Class 4A semifinals during senior season … letter winner in basketball and track & field … Personal: Son of Dan and Melinda Meier. 
 
Austin Meyer, DB, 6-0, 180, Fr., Anoka, Minn. (Anoka HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Anoka HS … played for coach Bo Wasurick … also in basketball and lacrosse … Personal: Son of Dan and Elizabeth Meyer. 
 
Jett Olson, LB, 5-10, 179, Fr., Pennock, Minn. (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg HS … played for coach Jason Fernholz … four-year letter winner … two-time all-conference … two-time all-district … named conference running back of the year … rushed for 1,328 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior … finished career amassing 218 tackles with 20 for loss … six-time letter winner in wrestling … two-time state qualifier … letter winner in baseball … Personal: Son of Tara and Tony Olson.
 
Carson Ohnstad, DB, 5-11, 170, Fr., Waseca, Minn. (Waseca HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Waseca HS … played for coach Brad Wendland … all-conference honoree … conference White Division receiver of the year … played quarterback and receiver during career … recorded two interceptions and 30 tackles as a senior … all-conference honoree in basketball … has scored more than 1,000 points in career … Personal: Son of Rachelle and Tony Ohnstad.
 
Charlie Potvin, DB, 5-10, 185, Fr., Blaine, Minn. (Blaine HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Blaine HS … played for coach Mike Law… three-year letter winner in football … all-district honoree … recorded 99 tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups as a senior … played in 29 games totaling over 200 tackles, five interceptions, and 20 pass breakups … three-year letter winner in baseball … Personal: Son of Eric and Shelley Potvin. 
 
Jake Regan, DL, 6-3, 285, Fr., Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Mayo HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Rochester Mayo HS … played for coach Donald Holcomb … three-year letter winner … helped team to state tournament all three seasons … also in wrestling and lacrosse … Personal: Son of Jan and Kevin Regan.
 
Logan Rudningen, LB, 5-9, 195, Fr., Sunburg, Minn. (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg HS … played for coach Jason Fernholz … four-year letter winner … two-time all-district honoree … recorded 68 tackles with one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a senior … amassed nearly 180 tackles in career … honorable mention all-conference as offensive lineman … letter winner in wrestling and baseball … Personal: Son of Wayne and Angie Rudningen.
 
Gavin Schaefer, DL, 6-1, 230, Fr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Bahlmann … three-time all-district … two-time district player of the year … set school record with 19 career sacks … helped team to state Class 4A semifinals during senior season with 10 sacks … rushed 20 touchdowns as a senior … multiple all-area honoree … scored 32 career touchdowns … four-year letter winner in both football and wrestling … Personal: Son of John Schaefer and Ellen Griebel. 
 
Mickale Smith, DB, 6-2, 164, Fr., Mankato, Minn. (Mankato East HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Mankato East HS … played for coach Eric Davis … closed senior season with three interceptions … Personal: Son of Christine Gutha.   
 
Easton Taylor, LB, 6-2, 201, Fr., Fairfax, Minn. (Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop HS … played for coach Pat Hentges … recorded two interceptions and 35 tackles as a senior … missed most of senior year with an injury … closed career with five interceptions and 134 tackles … academic all-district … Personal: Son of Jen and Luke Taylor … brother, Treay, is a member of the SMSU football team. 
 
Owen Vinje Stark, DB, 5-8, 155, Fr., Sartell, Minn. (Sartell HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Sartell HS … played for coach Scott Hentges … all-district honorable mention honoree … recorded one interception and one forced fumble … also in track & field … Personal: Son of Terry and Katy Vinje Stark. 
 
Jacob Williams, RB, 6-0, 210, Fr., Aitkin, Minn. (Aitkin HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Aitkin HS … played for coach Alan Hills … two-time all-district honoree … offensive player of the year … two-time team offensive MVP … rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and 51 touchdowns in career … three-time all-conference in wrestling … placed fifth at state wrestling meet … all-conference in track & field … Personal: Son of Mike and Shannon Williams.
 
Bryan Wright, DB, 5-10, 165, Fr., Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Park HS … played for coach Rick Fryklund … two-time all-conference … team captain … Personal: Son of Regina and Dexter Wright.
 
NEBRASKA (4)
Jacian Allen, DB, 5-11, 171, Fr., Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln East HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Lincoln East HS … played for coach John Gingery … played both quarterback and wide receiver … two interceptions and 25 tackles as a senior … racked up 86 tackles in career … passed for 915 career yards … also in track, basketball and baseball … Personal: Son of Brandy Allen.
 
Alexzander Fisher-Teko, DB, 5-11, 180, Fr., Bellevue, Neb. (Papillon La-Vista South HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Papillon La-Vista South HS … played for coach Tim Clemenger … also in track and field … Personal: Son of Rayshalyn Fisher-Teko.
 
Cornez Tucker Jr., DL, 5-11, 257, Fr., Blair, Neb. (Blair HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Blair HS … played for coach Will Lansman … three-year letter winner … two-time all-district honorable mention … all-state honorable mention Omaha World Herald … closed career with 62 tackles with five tackles for loss and two sacks … four-year letter winner in wrestling … Personal: Son of Colleen Gummus.
 
Collin Young, DL, 6-2, 280, Fr., Papillion, Neb. (Papillion La Vista South HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Papillion La Vista South HS … played for coach Tim Clemenger… all-district honoree … all-state honorable mention … finished senior season with 28 tackles and a sack … Personal: Son of Peter and Karen Young.
 
ARIZONA (3)
Manuel Griego, TE, 6-3, 240, Fr., Vail, Ariz. (Cienega HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Cienega HS … played for coach Justin Argraves … two-time all-conference honorable mention … Personal: Son of Nick Griego.
 
Jayden Johnson-Forrest, DB, 6-0, 160, Fr., Queen Creek, Ariz. (Williams Field HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Williams Field HS … played for coach Steve Campbell … all-region honorable mention … finished career with 119 tackles and four interceptions … Personal: Son of Brandon and Britney Forrest.
 
Chase Williams, OL, 6-5, 310, Fr., Page, Ariz. (Page HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Page HS … played for coach Ty Bennett … Personal: Son of Isaiah and Rochele Williams.
 
CALIFORNIA (3)
Darius Hurd, DL, 6-6, 265, Jr., East Vallejo, Calif. (Benicia HS)
Before SMSU: Played at Contra Costa College … played for coach Otis Yelverton … team captain … earned second team all-league honors … recorded seven sacks as a sophomore … High School: 2020 graduate of Benicia HS … played for coach Scott Swartz … also played baseball … Personal: Son of Dale Hurd and Rosita Parker.
 
Julian Viramontes, QB, 5-11, 180, So., Eastvale, Calif. (Eastvale Roosevelt HS / Chaffey College)
Before SMSU: Spent two seasons at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. … passed for 2,531 yards and 28 touchdowns, while completing 181 of 294 pass attempts in 2024 ... named first team SCFA ... team finished 8-3 overall and won the SCFA Metro League championship ... team played in the American Division Championship bowl. High School: 2023 graduate of Eastvale Roosevelt HS … Personal: Son of Manuel and Veronica Viramontes.
 
Maison Wright, CB, 5-9, 165, Sr., Bakersfield, Calif. (Stockdale HS / Northwestern Oklahoma State)
Before SMSU: Spent the 2024 season at Northwestern Oklahoma State ... also played at Bakersfield College … High School: 2019 graduate of Stockdale HS.
 
WISCONSIN (3)
Marcus Bradley, DL, 6-2, 320, Jr., Milwaukee, Wis. (Greenfield HS / Minnesota State-Community and Technical College)
Before SMSU: Played at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls … played for coach Bernard Holsey … earned second team all-league honors … High School: 2019 graduate of Greenfield HS … played for coach Shane Covington … Personal: Son of Kelly Bradley and Nia Bradley.
 
Preston Mackie, DL, 6-1, 290, So., La Crosse, Wis. (Shenandoah HS / Waldorf University)
Before SMSU: Played at Waldorf University in 2024 … finished with 20 tackles with 3.5 for loss … High School: 2022 graduate of Shenandoah HS in Sarahsville, Ohio … four-year letter winner … named all-state … all-conference and all-district … also competed in wrestling …. Personal: Son of Jennifer Guidry.
 
Sylvester Walker, Jr., DB, 6-0, 180, Jr., Milwaukee, Wis. (Riverside University HS / Mississippi College)
Before SMSU: Spent three seasons at Mississippi College … High School: 2022 graduate of Riverside University HS … played for coach Patrick Wagner … all-conference in football and wrestling … Personal: Son of Kimberly Dunn.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA (2)
Tommy Hoffman, QB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sioux Falls Washington HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Sioux Falls Washington HS … played for coach Ryan Evans … named all-conference and all-state as a senior … passed for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for 350 yards and four touchdowns … all-conference and second team all-state in basketball as a junior … Personal: Son of Summer and Marty Hoffman.
 
George Stalley, WR, 5-10, 165, Fr., Pierre, S.D. (Pierre HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Pierre HS … played for coach Steve Stelle … had seven touchdown receptions and finished with 41 receptions as a senior … team finished as state runner-up as a senior … caught 78 passes with 13 touchdowns in career … two-time all-state in football … member of three state championship teams … all-region in baseball … Personal: Son of Bob Stalley and Jen Stalley.
 
IOWA (1)
Cohen Bloemers, DL, 6-0, 284, Fr., Orange City, Iowa (MOC-Floyd Valley HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of MOC-Floyd Valley HS … played for coach Grant Hegstad … three-year letter winner … two-time all-district lineman … named all-area … letter winner in soccer and wrestling … Personal: Son of Tamie and Quintin Van Es.
 
FLORIDA (1)
Jamsley Laguerre, DB, 6-0, 185, Jr., Hollywood, Fla. (South Broward HS / Shasta College)
Before SMSU: Spent three seasons at Shasta College in Redding, Calif. … recorded 14 tackles in 2024 … High School: 2021 graduate of South Broward HS.
 
NORTH DAKOTA (1)
Ole Taylor, LB, 6-0, 210, Fr., Bismarck, N.D. (Bismarck Century HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Bismarck Century HS … played for coach Ryan Wingenbach … two-time all-state honoree … two-time all-conference … two-time state champion in wrestling … state place winner in track & field in the shot put and discus … Personal: Son of Ryan and Nicole Taylor.
 
WASHINGTON (1)
Philip Barr, DL, 6-3, 260, Jr., Steilacoom, Wash. (Steilacoom HS / Shasta College)
Before SMSU: Spent three seasons at Shasta College in Redding, Calif. … finished with 17 tackles in two seasons … High School: 2022 graduate of Steilacoom HS … all-conference honoree … Dean's list … Personal: Son of Harvey Barr and Philana Barr.
 
NEW JERSEY (1)
Berlitz Legrand, LB, 6-1, 220, Jr., Irvington, N.J. (Irvington HS)
Before SMSU: Played at Minnesota State Technical and Community College in Fergus Falls … played for coach Bernard Holsey … High School: 2022 graduate of Irvington HS … played for coach Ashley Pierre … also competed in wrestling … Personal: Son of Rose Rock.