MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head football coach Scott Underwood announced the program's 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday with 43 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 34 high school and nine student-athletes that joined the program last month from eight different states including Minnesota (24), South Dakota (6), California (3), Nebraska (3), Wisconsin (3), Texas (2), Florida (1), and Idaho (1). One of the high school signees has already enrolled early at SMSU for spring semester.  

"We are excited about adding this talented 2026 signing class of incoming freshmen and semester transfers to the Mustang family," Underwood said. "Our staff looks forward to the arrival of the freshmen to campus in August and adding their skills to our program as we look to develop them on the field and in the classroom. The size of this class will provide us with the needed depth in all positions to build upon for the future. We are very happy to recruit and sign several of the top area student-athletes to our roster." 
 
"We have already added 10 new student athletes for the start of the spring semester," Underwood said. "We are pleased with their early progress as they compete, lead, and learn during this phase and into our Spring ball practices. I appreciate the efforts of our coaches, University staff, and the community of Marshall who helped our program in the recruitment, resources and outreach in welcoming this group to Marshall during this recruitment process." 

SMSU is scheduled to begin spring practice on March 26 and will open the 2026 regular season on Aug. 27 hosting Valley City State University.  

SMSU is an NCAA Division II school located in Marshall and competes in the 14-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 

2026 SMSU National Letter of Intent Signees
* Already enrolled at SMSU for 2026 spring semester
Name    Pos.    Ht.    Wt.    Yr.    Hometown / High School / Previous School
Elijah Ahmann     OL     6-2     270     Fr.     Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West     
*Jake Allex     OL     6-4     285     RFr.     Marshall, Minn. / Marshall     
Nels Baukol     TE     6-6     220     Fr.     Montevideo, Minn / Montevideo     
Cade Borwege     LB     6-2     200     Fr.     New Prague, Minn / New Prague     
Brevin Brakke     DT     5-11     300     Fr.     Byron, Minn / Byron     
Alan Bush     DL     6-5     230     Fr.     Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West     
Jayden Cooper     WR     6-1     170     Fr.     Magnolia, Texas / Magnolia     
Gabe Coshenet     WR     6-0     160     Fr.     Byron, Minn / Byron     
Noah Duran     DL     6-0     280     Fr.     Sioux Falls, S.D. / Jefferson     
*Carter Ellis     LB     6-1     210     Jr.     Waseca, Minn. / Waseca / Rochester Community & Technical College
George Evert     LB     6-2     200     Fr.     Woodbury, Minn. / Hill-Murray     
*Brent Green     DB     6-2     180     Jr.     Dixon, Calif. / Dixon / American River (Calif.)
Quinton Hall     DB     5-10     162     Fr.     Sioux Falls, SD / Washington     
Aadon Herrera-Freedy     OL     6-2     285     Fr.     Wales, Wis. / Catholic Memorial (Wis.)     
Jonah Huebner     LB     6-1     202     Fr.     Morris, Minn / Morris Area     
Jerry Jackson Jr.     DT     5-11     297     Fr.     Omaha, NE / Omaha Central     
*Ryan Jacobs     DT     6-2     285     Jr.     Georgetown, Texas / Liberty Hill / Southeastern Oklahoma State
Malachi James     WR     6-1     177     Fr.     Beresford, SD / Beresford     
Easton Johnston     DB     5-10     160     Fr.     Minneota, Minn / Minneota     
Charlie Jones     OL     6-1     262     Fr.     Byron, Minn / Byron     
Jake Jones     LB     6-0     185     Fr.     Byron, Minn / Byron     
Caden Jurci     QB     6-1     180     Fr.     Delafield, Wis. / Kettle Moraine     
Laren Kelly     DL     6-1     240     Fr.     Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West     
*Josh Lancifort     RB     5-9     185     RFr.     Port St. Lucie, Fla. / Vero Beach     
Nolan LaPointe     LB     6-0     207     Fr.     Andover,Minn / Andover     
Levi Maeyaert     DB     6-1     190     Fr.     Marshall, Minn. / Marshall     
Ty Morgan     DB     6-1     185     Fr.     Richfield, Minn. / Richfield     
Cooper Murphy     WR     6-0     185     Fr.     Star, Idaho / Eagle     
*Tucker Murphy     DB     6-0     190     Jr.     Murrieta, Calif. / Murrieta Mesa / Southern Illinois
*Darryl Pouncey     TE     6-4     240     Jr.     Vallejo, Calif. / St. Patrick St. Vincent / Los Medanos (Calif.)
*Kieler Rhea     WR     6-0     180     RFr.     Marshall, Minn. / Marshall     
*Zoan Robinson     WR     6-2     170     So.     Vermillion, S.D. / Vermillion / Mount Marty (S.D.)
Nathan Sayler     OL     6-4     288     Fr.     Elk Point, S.D. / Elk Point-Jefferson     
Garrett Schafer     LB     5-11     178     Fr.     Cottonwood, Minn. / Lakeview     
Philip Sieh     S     5-11     185     Fr.     Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo     
*Dayton Snelling     DB     5-9     160     Fr.     Omaha, Neb. / Westview     
Marcus Snyder     DB     5-11     182     Fr.     Blaine, Minn. / Spring Lake Park     
Ben Steele     DB     5-10     160     Fr.     Byron, Minn / Byron     
Gabriel Talla     LB     5-9     201     Fr.     Waukesha, Wis. / Catholic Memorial     
Joshua Timm     OL     6-3     257     Fr.     Sanborn, Minn / Wabasso     
J.R. Vierstraete     DE     6-0     220     Fr.     Marshall, Minn. / Marshall     
Coy Vrbka     LB     6-0     210     Fr.     Rising City, NE / Shelby-Rising     
Holden Wollmann     DB     6-1     175     Fr.     Bridgewater, SD / Bridgewater-Emery     

Complete bios on each player listed below.

MINNESOTA (24)
Elijah Ahmann, OL, 6-2, 270, Fr., Mankato, Minn. (Mankato West HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Mankato West HS … played for coach JJ Helget … four-year letter winner … two-year starter … named team offensive lineman of the year … two-time all-conference honoree… zero sacks given up in his career … also lettered in wrestling and was team captain for two seasons … Personal: Son of Christine and Joshua Ahmann. 

Jake Allex, OL, 6-4, 275, RFr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS) 
Before SMSU: Did not play football in 2025 … High School:  2025 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Bahlmann … three-year letter winner … played in Minnesota football all-star game … named all-conference … academic all-state … Personal: Son of Mike and Mistin Allex.

Nels Baukol, TE, 6-6, 220, Fr., Montevideo, Minn. (Montevideo HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Montevideo HS … played for coach Martin Christensen … four-year letter winner … all-district honorable mention senior year despite only playing three games … ranked as seventh best tight end in Minnesota by Prep Redzone … also lettered in basketball and track … all-conference in track & field … Personal: Son of Eric and Pam Baukol. 

Cade Borwege, LB, 6-2, 200, Fr., New Prague, Minn. (New Prague HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of New Prague HS … played for coach Jacob Norby … three-year letter winner … all-district honoree … recorded 36 tackles with five for loss and two interceptions as a senior … also caught eight passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns … all-conference honoree in hockey … also letter winner baseball … Personal: Son of Amy and Nate Borwege. 

Brevin Brakke, DL, 5-11, 300, Fr., Byron, Minn. (Byron HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Byron HS … played for coach Ben Halder … three-year letter winner … team captain … twice named all-district defensive lineman of the year … twice named to all-area team … member of two district championship teams … district football outstanding academic award … team captain in track & field … Personal: Son of Michael and Briana Brakke. 

Alan Bush, DL, 6-5, 230, Fr., Mankato, Minn. (Mankato West HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Mankato West HS … played for coach JJ Helget … three-year letter winner … all-conference honorable mention … all-city selection … 4.5 sacks, one interception as a senior … also competes in track & field … Personal: Son of Mandy and Joe Bush. 

Gabe Coshenet, WR, 6-0, 165, Fr., Byron, Minn. (Byron HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Byron HS … played for coach Ben Halder … three-year letter winner … named conference wide receiver of the year … closed with 18 catches for 317 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … member of two district championship teams … also lettered in hockey and baseball … Personal: Son of Tracy and Rick Coshenet. 

Carter Ellis, LB, 6-1, 215, Jr., Waseca, Minn. (Waseca HS / Rochester Community & Technical College)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at RCTC for coach Terrance Isaac … named to the MCAC all-conference team … recorded 75 tackles with 7.5 sacks and six pass breakups in 2025 … High School: 2024 graduate of Waseca HS … played for coach Brad Wendland … conference player of the year … named all-conference … accumulated 115 tackles with 14 TFL, three sacks and one interception as a senior … Personal: Son of Chris and Lisa Davidson, Nate and Shaunta Ellis.

George Evert, LB, 6-2, 200, Fr., Woodbury, Minn. (Hill-Murray HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Hill-Murray HS … played for coach Rob Reeves … four-year letter winner … two-time section champion … first-team all-conference … led conference in sacks as a junior … closed career with 167 tackles and 17 sacks … Personal: Son of Erik and Amy Evert. 

Jonah Huebner, LB, 6-1, 205, Fr., Morris, Minn. (Morris Areas HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Morris Areas HS … played for coach Kevin Pope … all-conference honoree … team captain … team defensive player of the year … finished with 63 tackles, 36 solos, seven TFL, one pass breakup, one forced fumble as a senior … 125 total tackles and 18 TFL in career … also competes in basketball and baseball … Personal: Son of Darick and Jessica Huebner. 

Easton Johnston, DB, 5-1, 160, Fr., Minneota, Minn. (Minneota HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Minneota HS … played for Chad Johnston … named all-district … all-area honoree … rushed for seven touchdowns and caught three touchdowns during senior season … also recorded two interceptions … four-time state champion …  Personal: Son of Chad and Nicolle Johnston … father, Chad, played football at SMSU from 1990-93.

Charlie Jones, OL, 6-1, 262, Fr., Byron, Minn. (Byron HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Byron HS … played for coach Ben Halder … team captain … team captain … two-time all-area lineman of the year … three-year letter winner … member of two district championship teams … also in golf … Personal: Son of Nate and Karyn Jones. 

Jake Jones, OLB, 6-0, 190, Fr., Byron, Minn. (Byron HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Byron HS … played for coach Ben Halder … three-year letter winner … team captain … all-conference honoree as a senior … 50 tackles, 10 TFL, two sacks, one forced fumble during senior season … finished with 35 carries for 240 yards and a touchdown as running back … member of two district championship teams … three-year academic letter winner … Personal: Son of Karyn and Nate Jones. 

Laren Kelly, DL, 6-1, 240, Fr., Mankato, Minn. (Mankato West HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Mankato West HS … played for coach JJ Helget … four-year letter winner … all-district honorable mention as a senior … finished career with 89 tackles and nine sacks … named team defensive lineman of the year … also in basketball … Personal: Son of Alicia Kelly. 

Nolan LaPointe, LB, 6-0, 207, Fr., Andover, Minn. (Andover HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Andover HS … played for coach Thomas Develice … team captain … three-year letter winner … two-year starter … all-district … recorded 61 tackles with six for loss as a senior … also in track and basketball … all-conference in shot put … Personal: Son of Kyle and Katie LaPointe … father, Kyle, played football at SMSU from 1999-2001. 

Levi Maeyaert, DB, 6-1, 190, Fr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Bahlmann … all-district honoree and named district quarterback of the year as a senior … helped lead team to state semifinal appearance as a senior playing quarterback and defensive back … passed for 1,145 yards, while rushing for four touchdowns as a senior … finished career ranking fifth in team history in passing touchdowns (21) and fifth in passing yards (2,156) … three-year letter winner in football, basketball and baseball …. team captain in all three sports… Personal: Son of Kristen and Bruce Maeyaert. 

Ty Morgan, DB, 6-1, 187, Fr., Richfield, Minn. (Richfield HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Richfield HS … played for coach Kristian Pulford … all-district honoree in both football and track & field … academic honor roll … Personal: Son of Stephanie and Olynn Morgan. 

Kieler Rhea, WR, 6-0, 160, RFr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS) 
Before SMSU: Did not play football in 2025 … High School: 2025 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Bahlmann … also played basketball and track … Personal: Son of Maegan and Jason Schreier.

Garrett Schafer, OLB, 5-11, 180, Fr., Cottonwood, Minn. (Lakeview HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Lakeview HS … played for coach Scott Hanson … four-year letter winner … three-time all-district honoree … all-area selection … rushed for 1,066 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior … team captain … school record for yards per carry … rushed for 1,956 career yards … school record for career tackles with 268, while adding 17 TFL, two sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles … also lettered in basketball and track … Personal: Son of Josh and Bethany Schafer … brother, Greg, is a member of the SMSU football team. 

Philip Sieh Jr., DB, 5-11, 185, Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Osseo HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Osseo HS … played for coach Derrin Lamker … all-conference honoree following junior and senior seasons … named all-area selection as a senior … selected to play in Minnesota all-star game … 88 tackles, five TFL, two forced fumbles his senior year … Personal: Son of Phillip Sieh and Munah Tequah-Sieh. 

Marcus Snyder, DB, 5-11, 182, Fr., Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Spring Lake Park HS … played for coach John Stewart … led state with seven interceptions as a senior … team defensive MVP as a senior … member of Class 5A state championship team as a senior … conference defensive back of the year … named all all-district … finished with 113 tackles, 57 solos, seven interceptions, seven pass breakups as a senior … Personal: Son of Jason and Neely Snyder. 

Ben Steele, DB, 5-10, 160, Fr., Byron, Minn. (Byron HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Byron HS … played for coach Ben Halder … three-year letter winner … all-conference honorable mention as a senior … finished with 38 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception in seven games … three-time academic letter winner … member of two state tournament teams … also competes in wrestling and track & field … three-time all-conference honorable mention in wrestling … Personal: Son of Tracy and Brad Steele. 

Joshua Timm, OL, 6-4, 265, Fr., Sanborn, Minn. (Wabasso HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Wabasso HS … played for coach Joe Kemp … also competes in basketball, wrestling and track & field … Personal: Son of Jen and Brian Timm. 

J.R. Vierstraete, DE, 6-0, 220, Fr., Marshall, Minn. (Marshall HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Marshall HS … played for coach Terry Balhmann … team captain … four-time all-district … conference Defensive Lineman of the Year for three years … named to all-state as a senior … helped lead team to state semifinals as a senior … program single-season sack record holder (11) and career sack record holder (29) … sack/tackle for loss state record holder in a career (118) … recorded 31 TFL, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception as a senior … selected to play in Minnesota all-star game … also plays basketball and baseball … Personal: Son of Sonya and Dustin Vierstraete.

SOUTH DAKOTA (6)
Noah Duran, DL, 6-0, 280, Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sioux Falls Jefferson HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Sioux Falls Jefferson HS … played for coach Eric Struck … all-conference honorable mention honoree … academic all-state … team captain in football and wrestling … also competes in powerlifting and track & field …  Personal: Son of Antuan and Kayla Duran. 

Quinton Hall, DB, 5-11, 170, Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Washington HS … played for coach Ryan Evans … recorded 21 tackles, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries as a senior … also competes in track & field … Personal: Son of Sara and Leon Hall. 

Malachi James, WR, 6-1, 180, Fr., Beresford, S.D. (Beresford HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Beresford HS … played for coach Scott Ebert … four-year letter winner in football … two-time all-conference and two-time all-state honoree … finished with 35 catches for 368 yards and one touchdown as a senior … also recorded 37 carries for 225 yards and three touchdowns … finished with more than 1,000 receiving yards combined his junior and senior season … also lettered in basketball and track … two-time state participant in track … finished sixth at state meet in 400 meters as a junior … Personal: Son of Troy and Renee James. 

Zoan Robinson, WR, 6-2, 170, So., Vermillion, S.D. (Vermillion HS/Mount Marty University)
Before SMSU: Played at NAIA Mount Marty (S.D.) … played for coach John Michaeletti … started in two games ... closed with 18 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns … High School: 2023 graduate of Vermillion HS … played for coach Tom Oboyle … named all-conference at defensive back and wide receiver in 2022 … first team all-conference and all-state at wide receiver in 2023 … finished that season with 35 catches for 540 yards and six touchdowns … Personal: Son of Greg and Melinda Robinson … brother, Zeke, played football at SMSU. 

Nathan Sayler, OL, 6-4, 288, Fr., Elk Point, S.D. (Elk Point-Jefferson HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Elk Point-Jefferson HS … played for coach Jake Terry … three-year letter winner … all-conference honoree … member of Class 11B state runner-up squad as a senior … academic all-state … also compete in track & field … Personal: Son of Bob and Kelli Sayler. 

Holden Wollman, DB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Bridgewater, S.D. (Bridgewater-Emery HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Bridgewater-Emery HS … played for coach Jeff VanLeur … all-state honoree … all-conference … academic all-state … team MVP … finished with 42 tackles and six pass break-ups as a senior … rushed for 606 yards and 13 touchdowns while passing for 835 yards and eight touchdowns during senior season …. all-conference in basketball and track & field … state Class B champion in 800 meters as a junior …  Personal: Son of Merlin and Kristi Wollman. 

CALIFORNIA (3)
Brent Green, DB, 6-2, 180, Jr., Dixon, Calif. (Dixon HS/American River College)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at American River College … recorded 20 tackles with 1.5 TFL and one interception in eight games in 2025 … received the outstanding student athlete award and leadership award … High School: 2023 graduate of Dixon HS … set records for most interceptions in a season (11) and most interceptions in a career (14) … two time all-conference, two time all-academic … made 68 tackles with 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups as a senior … Personal: Son of Joanne Fountain and Brian Green.

Tucker Murphy, LB, 6-0, 195, Jr., Murrieta, Calif. (Murrieta Mesa HS/Southern Illinois University)
Before SMSU: Played one season at Southern Illinois … played 10 games at Palomar College in 2024, recorded 47 tackles with 2 INTs and 9 PBU … played one season at Western New Mexico in 2023, recording 15 tackles in eight games… High School: 2023 graduate of Murrieta Mesa HS … played for coach Oscar McBride … also played lacrosse and volleyball … Personal: Son of Nate and Tracy Murphy.  

Darryl Pouncey, TE, 6-3, 230, Jr., Vallejo, Calif. (St. Patrick St. Vincent HS/Los Medanos College)
Before SMSU: Played two seasons at Los Medanos Junior College … High School: 2023 graduate of St. Patrick St. Vincent HS … played for coach Lane Hawkins … played as a running back and defensive lineman … carried the ball 47 times for 189 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … Personal: Son of Marilyn Pouncey.

NEBRASKA (3)
Coy Vrbka, LB, 6-0, 210, Fr., Rising City, Neb. (Shelby-Rising HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Shelby-Rising HS … played for coach Zachary Kubik … Class D1 Defensive Player of the Year … first-team all-state honoree … recorded 106 tackles, 20.5 TFL, six sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery as a senior … closed with 34 TFL and 14 sacks in career … three-time wrestling state medalist recorded more than 150 career victories … Personal: Son of Heath and Kelsey Vrbka. 
 
Jerry Jackson Jr., DT, 5-11, 295, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Omaha Central HS … played for coach Terrence Mackey … three-year letter winner … recorded 24 tackles and one sack in eight games during senior season … Personal: Son of Ivory McCreary. 

Dayton Snelling, DB, 5-9, 160, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Westview HS)
SMSU: Already enrolled for 2026 spring semester ... High School: 2026 graduate of Westview HS … played for coach Ben Ryan … three-year letter winner … played four games as a senior … accumulated 20 total tackles and two interceptions … also played soccer and track … Personal: Son of Willieka Moore.

WISCONSIN (3)
Aadon Herrera-Freedy, OL, 6-2, 282, Wales, Wis. (Catholic Memorial HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Catholic Memorial HS … played for coach Bill Young … first team all-conference … Personal: Son of Heather and Eduardo Herrera-Freedy.

Caden Jurci, QB, 6-1, 180, Fr., Delafield, Wis. (Kettle Moraine HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Kettle Moraine HS … played for coach Wyatt Jentz … four-year letter winner … two-time all-conference … passed for 1,313 yards and rushed for 200 yards as a senior … closed his junior season passing for 1,214 yards and rushing for 320 … member of 2022 state championship team … academic all-state … also competes in basketball and golf … Personal: Son of Tracy and Jay Jurci.

Gabriel Talla, LB, 5-10, 210, Fr., Waukesha, Wis. (Catholic Memorial HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Catholic Memorial HS … played for coach Bill Young … first team all-conference … first team all-region … recorded 99 tackles, 12 TFL, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles his senior season … finished with more than 200 career tackles … also competes in basketball and track & field … Personal: Son of Alain Talla. 
 
TEXAS (2)  
Jayden Cooper, WR, 6-1, 170, Fr., Magnolia, Texas (Magnolia HS)
High School: 2026 graduate of Magnolia HS … played for coach Craig Martin … named second team all-district … finished with 20 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns … also competes in track & field … Personal: Son of Justin Cooper.

Ryan Jacobs, DL, 6-2, 285, Jr., Georgetown, Texas (Liberty Hill HS/Southeastern Oklahoma State)
Before SMSU: Played one season at Southeastern Oklahoma State … played for coach Bo Atterberry … started collegiate career at West Texas A&M … High School: 2023 graduate of Liberty Hill HS … played for coach Kent Walker … named first team all-district … Personal: Son of Joe and Amber Jacobs.

FLORIDA (1)
Josh Lancifort, RB, 5-9, 180, RFr., Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Vero Beach HS)
High School: 2025 graduate of Vero Beach HS … two-time letter winner … had 74 carries for 343 yards and two touchdowns as a senior … received the George Zaleuke outstanding running back award … Personal: Son of Rick and Tida Lancifort.

IDAHO (1)
Cooper Murphy, WR, 6-0, 185, Fr., Star, Idaho (Eagle HS) 
High School: 2026 graduate of Eagle HS … played for coach James Cluphf … four-year honor roll … 6A breakout player of the year in Idaho … first team all-league … first team all-conference … 1,800 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns in his career … Personal: Son of Tracy and Nate Murphy.