WAYNE, Neb. -- Wayne State College head football coach Logan Masters today announced the addition of 37 student-athletes who are continuing their academic and football careers for the 2023-24 school year as part of National Signing Day. The 2023 signing class consists of 33 high school student-athletes and four transfers who have already enrolled at Wayne State for the 2023 spring semester.

“It’s an exciting day for Wildcat football,” remarked Coach Masters.  “We are proud to announce the signing of this group of outstanding young men.  Our staff did a fantastic job of going out and identifying young men that fit Wayne State and that are excited about playing for the PAW.  I want to thank President Rames, Mike Powicki and all of our athletic administration for giving us the resources to attract and sign some of the best student-athletes in the region.  It takes a whole campus and community to bring in a recruiting class and the Wayne State community is second to none.”

26 of the 37 additions hail from Nebraska followed by four each from Iowa and South Dakota, two from Florida and one in Maryland.  19 players were signed on defense bringing in eight defensive ends/lineman, seven linebackers and four defensive backs/safeties.  Offensively, seven of the 18 recruits are seven wide receivers, four offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two tight ends, two running backs and one kicker.

Wayne State finished the 2022 season with a record of 9-3 and earned a share of the Northern Sun Conference regular season title.  The Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for just the second time in school history (2008) before falling to #19 Minnesota State 26-9 in the opening round.  The nine-win season marked just the fourth time in school history (1949, 1993, 2008) that Wayne State football recorded nine wins.  

National Letters of Intent – Nebraska (14)

Jackson Bos – Defensive End 6-2, 220 Norfolk, Nebraska / Norfolk HS

Bos is a multi-sport standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the Panthers…made 43 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, along with 21 QB hurries as a senior to earn All-Heartland Athletic Conference honors…voted Defensive Player of the Year and Lifter of the Year…as a junior had 60 tackles with six tackles for loss, two sacks, nine hurries and one fumble recovery, named All-Heartland Conference and Class A All-State honorable mention…in wrestling was a Class A state qualifier and 220 pounds as a junior and conference champion and in track and field was a state qualifier in the shot put last spring…named Norfolk Daily News Student Athlete of the Year and is a two-time NCPA Academic All-State selection and selected to play in 2023 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Game in June.

Tre’Vionne Brown – Wide Receiver 5-9, 160 Omaha, Nebraska / Omaha North HS

Two-year starter in football, also competed in basketball and track and field…big play receiver, averaging school record 23.5 yards per catch as a senior with 17 catches for 399 yards and four TD’s as a junior…earned All-Metro Conference honors and Class A All-State honorable mention…on defense had 39 tackles with one interception, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery and averaged 25.1 yards on 10 kick returns for 301 yards…in track and field was a Class A state qualifier in the long jump and ran leg on Omaha North’s 400-meter relay team at state.

Ahmar Brown – Linebacker 6-0, 195 Omaha, Nebraska / Creighton Prep HS

Named Class A All-State First Team Defense during senior season for Omaha Creighton Prep, recording 100 tackles (8.3/game) with 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interception returns for TD’s…also had two blocked kicks, three passes defended and one fumble recovery helping Junior Jays to Class A state semi-finals with 8-4 record.

J’Dyn Bullion – Linebacker 6-0, 255 Bellevue, Nebraska / Bellevue West HS

Two-year starter in football and also starts in basketball and track and field…had 77 tackles as a senior with nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks helping Thunderbirds to 7-4 record and Class A state quarterfinals…earned Class A All-State honorable mention honors…as a junior played running back and gained 657 yards on 104 carries (6.3 avg) with 10 TD’s…averaged 4.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in basketball, helping Bellevue West to 18-7 record in junior season and trip to Class A State Tournament…in track and field holds school record in discus.

Eli Hintz – Defensive End 6-5, 230 Battle Creek, Nebraska / Battle Creek HS

Starter in football and wrestling for the Braves…named Class C2 First Team All-State as offensive lineman, helping Braves to Class C2 semi finals with 9-3 record…had 45 tackles with two sacks, two pass deflections and one blocked kick with 55 pancakes as offensive lineman…junior season recorded 31 tackles with one fumble recovery leading Braves to Class C1 semi finals with 8-4 season…selected to play in 2023 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Game in June.

Tanner Houck – Tight End 6-4, 215 Elkhorn, Nebraska / Elkhorn HS

Two-year starter in football for the Antlers…leading receiver during senior season helping team to 7-3 record and first round of Class B playoffs…earned All Eastern Midlands Conference honorable mention and was Academic All-Conference.

Ty Keifer – Safety 6-1, 180 Omaha, Nebraska / Westside HS

Three-year starter in football and two in track and field…had 63 tackles with four interceptions and eight pass break ups during senior season, helping Warriors to 12-1 record and Class A state title…helped Westside to Class A runner up and 12-1 record during junior season and played on Class A state champion team in 2020.

Luke Lambert – Defensive Line 6-3, 275 Greenwood, Nebraska / Ashland-Greenwood HS

Multi-sport standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the Bluejays…had a four-year high school record of 39-5 with four Class C1 state quarterfinal appearances and three undefeated regular seasons…averaged 9.3 tackles per game during senior season with four sacks and nine tackles for loss in just four games, named All-District and All-Area Defense and Class C1 All-State honorable mention…had 70 tackles with five sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 QB hurries during junior season…was a Class B state wrestling medalist at 220 pounds as a junior placing sixth…named to the 2023 Nebraska Shrine Bowl.

Barrett Luce – Offensive Line 6-4, 280 Omaha, Nebraska / Millard South HS

Named Class A All-State honorable mention during senior season, helping team to Class A playoffs with 6-5 record…three-year letter winner in football and track and field and two years in basketball…placed third last spring at Class A State Track Meet in discus at 172’ 2”.

Blayke Moore – Linebacker 6-2, 200 Gretna, Nebraska / Gretna HS

Three-year starter in football and track and field for the Dragons…had 70 tackles with three interceptions and one fumble recovery along with 32 catches for 610 yards and nine TD’s during senior season, helping Gretna to Class A state runner-up finish with 12-1 record…named to the 1,000-Yard Guy’s Class A All-State Team and was First Team All-Sarpy County and Metro Coaches All League along with Metro Conference Second Team…as a junior recorded 74 tackles with five interceptions and one TD return, helping Dragons win Class A State Title…named Metro Conference Second Team and Class A All-State honorable mention as a junior. 

Brayden Moore – Linebacker 6-3, 195 Gretna, Nebraska / Gretna HS

Had 61 tackles with four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble during senior season, leading Gretna to 12-1 record and Class A state runner-up finish…earned All-Sarpy County Honorable Mention…in track and field ran legs on two state relay teams for Dragons…named Academic All-Metro in track as a junior.

Elliott Nottlemann – Wide Receiver 6-2, 160 Bancroft, Nebraska / Bancroft-Rosalie HS

Started three years in football and track and field and four years in basketball…had 57 catches for 880 yards (15.4 avg) with 12 TD’s and 61 tackles to go with an interception and fumble recovery as a senior…had 14 catches for 209 yards in one game this season…also kicker and punter on special teams…named All-District in football as a junior and senior and Class D1 All-State honorable mention as a senior…had 1,885 yards receiving in career…All-East Husker Conference selection in basketball and was a State Track qualifier last spring as a junior in the high jump.

Titus Richardson – Defensive Line 6-1, 280 Fremont, Nebraska / Fremont HS

Three-year starter in football and wrestling for the Tigers…averaged 7.1 tackles per game recording 57 tackles with two sacks earning All Heartland Athletic Conference and Class A All-State honorable mention honors as a senior…posted 26 tackles with two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery during junior campaign.

Nathan Schauer – Defensive End 6-3, 205 Lincoln, Nebraska / Lincoln Pius X HS

Led team in tackles for loss, sacks, catches and receiving yards during senior season…had 49 tackles on defense with four sacks and 15 tackles for loss to go with 33 catches at tight end for 325 yards…was team captain and voted All-Heartland Conference and Class B All-State honorable mention…was NCPA Academic All-State in football and Academic All-Conference in basketball two seasons.

 

National Letters of Intent – Iowa (3)

Keaton Bonderson – Wide Receiver 6-0, 170 LeMars, Iowa / Gehlen Catholic HS

Multi-sport standout at Le Mars Gehlen Catholic High School, four year starter in basketball and three in football…named Class A First Team All-State and All-District during senior season, recording 50 catches for 679 yards and 11 TD’s with 32.5 tackles and nine interceptions on defense helping Jays to 8-2 record and second round of Class A playoffs…also averaged 39.1 yards per punt and had two kickoff returns and one punt return for touchdowns…in football career was a two-time All-State selection and three-time All-District honoree…in basketball has scored over 1,600 career points and this season is averaging 20.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and was an All-State selection last season…in track and field as a junior was the Class 1A 200-meter state champion (22.05) and state runner up in 100-meter dash (10.89)…finished high school football career with 118 catches for 2,190 yards and 28 TD’s. 

Boston Hensley – Kicker 5-10, 165 Council Bluffs, Iowa / Lewis Central HS

Hensley was a three year starter in football and soccer at Council Bluffs Lewis Central High School…earned Class 4A First Team All-State honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association during senior season making 64 of 71 PAT kicks and had 58 touchbacks on 95 kickoffs while also averaging 32.1 yards per punt…helped team win Class 4A State Championship as a junior making 63 of 64 PAT kicks and 5 of 7 field goals with 53 touchbacks on 83 kickoffs and was named Class 4A All-State Second Team…was a three-time All-District selection in football and played on 2022 State Champion soccer team earning All-City honors.

Jes Krcil – Linebacker 6-1, 210 Carlisle, Iowa / Carlisle HS

Krcil is a two year starter in football, four years in wrestling and two in soccer at Carlisle High School…rushed for 1,538 yards (7.3 avg) and 21 TD’s and was the Class 4A state leader in tackles with 110 (92 solo) while recording 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss to lead Carlisle to 10-2 record and state semi-finals…named First Team All-State and All-District and voted District Defensive Player of the Year…earned All-District Second Team honors as a junior with 40.5 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss…also received Academic All-State honors in football during senior season.

National Letters of Intent – South Dakota (3)

August Anderson – Offensive Line 6-6, 285 Mitchell, South Dakota / Mitchell HS

Two-year starter and three-year letter winner in football and three-year starter and four-year letter winner in track and field for the Kernels…two-year starter on offensive line and team captain. 

Bennett Dannenbring – Quarterback 6-1, 205 Sioux Falls, South Dakota / O’Gorman HS

Multi-sport standout for the Knights starting multiple years in football, basketball, track and field and baseball…named Class 11AAA First Team All-State, Argus Leader Elite 45 and All-Metro Athletic Conference as a junior and senior…senior season passed for 2,694 yards and 30 TD’s, leading O’Gorman to 8-3 record and Class 11AAA semi-finals…passed for state record 468 yards in one game…finished career with 5,169 passing yards and 52 TD’s.

Austin McNulty – Defensive End 6-4, 215 Sioux Falls, South Dakota / Tri-Valley HS

Two-year starter and three-year letter winner in football…helped team reach Class 11B state playoffs as a junior and senior…earned All Dak-12 Conference honors during junior season.

 

National Letters of Intent – Florida (2)

Jarique Cooper – Defensive Back 5-11, 170 Port Orange, Florida / Spruce Creek HS

Multi-year starter at Spruce Creek High School in Florida…played defensive back and wide receiver…helped team to Class 7A District 4 title as a junior with 8-2 record. 

Jason Jones – Running Back 6-2, 200 Crestview, Florida / Crestview HS

Two-year starter in football and baseball…named Offensive Most Valuable Player as a senior after rushing for 1,299 yards (7.8 avg) and 12 TD’s…selected to play in East vs. West All-Star Game in Florida…as a junior rushed for 758 yards on 122 carries (6.2 avg) with 13 TD’s.

Institutional Letters of Intent (11)

Sedjro Agoumba – Wide Receiver 6-3, 195 Wayne, Neb. / Wayne HS

Multi-sport standout for Blue Devils in football, basketball and track and field…earned All-District honors as a senior with 15 catches for 194 yards and one TD while recording 39 tackles (32 solo) with two interceptions on defense…in basketball has helped Wayne reach the Class C1 State Tournament the last two seasons leading team in steals and blocked shots…in track and field was Class B state qualifier as a junior in 400-meter dash placing 10th in 51.70 seconds…selected to play in Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Game in June.

Trevor Crisman – Defensive Back 6-2, 170 North Platte, Neb. / North Platte HS

Two-year starter in track and field and one year in football for the Bulldogs…recorded 29 tackles with four passes defended and one interception helping North Platte to 6-4 record and Class A playoffs…named Class A All-State honorable mention and selected to play in 2023 East vs. West All-Star Game…earned All-Academic honors in football and track and field.

Curt Cubrich – Running Back 5-11, 190 Omaha, Neb. / Westside HS

Two-year starter in football for the Warriors…rushed for 540 yards on 68 carries (7.9 avg) with 10 TD’s during senior season helping team to 12-1 record and Class A State Title…earned Super State (Lincoln Journal Star) and Class A All-State First Team (Omaha World Herald) honors at linebacker…during junior season at linebacker recorded 94 tackles (58 solo) with two sacks, six tackles for loss, two punt blocks and one interception helping team to 12-1 record and Class A state runner-up finish…earned Academic All-State and All-Metro Academic accolades.

Hudson Cunnings – Linebacker 6-0, 200 Fremont, Neb. / Fremont HS

Two-way starter at quarterback and linebacker for the Tigers serving as team captain…rushed for 616 yards and six TD’s while completing 63 of 110 passes (57.3%) for 809 yards and seven TD’s…on defense recorded 39 tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss and a 70-yard interception return for touchdown…as a junior averaged 7.2 tackles per game at linebacker with 65 total tackles…named Class A All-State honorable mention as a senior and was NCPA Academic All-State and Heartland Conference All-Academic in football, basketball and track and field.

Mason Dixon – Offensive Line 6-1, 255 Norfolk, Neb. / Norfolk HS

Three-year starter in football and track and field for the Panthers…helped Norfolk High improve from 1-8 sophomore season to 5-4 as a senior…selected to play in Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Game in June.

Seth Gaswick – Wide Receiver 6-2, 185 Whtiney, Neb. / Chadron HS

Four-year starter in football for the Cardinals…also started two years in track and field and one in basketball…credited with 83 tackles and accounted for 693 all-purpose yards during senior season, helping Chadron to 5-4 record…big play receiver with 14 catches for 362 yards, averaging 25.9 yards per catch with three TD’s…as a junior averaged 27.1 yards per catch and seven TD’s (14 catches, 380 yards) and had 50 tackles with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries for 71 yards and one TD leading Cardinals to unbeaten regular season (9-0)…named All-District and All-Western Conference as a junior and senior and All-State honorable mention during senior season.

Micah Hackbart – Wide Receiver 5-10, 170 Seward, Neb. / Seward HS

Two-year starter and three-year letter winner in football for the Bluejays…earned Class B-3 All-District honors as a senior and was All-Central Conference wide receiver during junior season…played on two Class B playoff teams, going 8-3 in junior season and 6-4 as a senior and was Class B All-State honorable mention both seasons…had 1,027 career receiving yards and nine TD’s as a junior…also had four interceptions with two returns for touchdowns as a junior.

Dane Larsen – Running Back 5-9, 190 Blair, Neb. / Blair HS

Three-year starter and four-year letter winner for the Bears...played running back and linebacker…had 64 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss while rushing for 286 yards and four TD’s during senior season, helping Blair reach Class B playoffs with 5-5 record…named All-Eastern Midlands Conference and All-District First Team and Class B All-State honorable mention…recorded 60 tackles and 11 tackles for loss as a junior with two forced fumbles and one recovery…finished high school career with 173 career tackles and 1,054 yards rushing with 10 TD’s…older brother Dexter is starting linebacker and long snapper on special teams for the Wildcats.

Jacob Ottis – Defensive Line 6-1, 255 Battle Creek, Neb. / Battle Creek HS

Three-year starter in football and wrestling and four-year starter in track and field for the Braves…had 36 tackles during senior season, helping Battle Creek reach Class C2 semi finals with 9-3 record…named All-District and All-State honorable mention…credited with 32 tackles (21 solo) as a junior helping Braves reach Class C1 semi finals with 8-4 record…in track and field as a junior placed fourth in the Class C shot put (53’ 2 ¾”) and fourth in discus (149’ 8”) helping Braves to state runner up finish…selected to play in Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Game in June…father Brad is Wayne State Hall of Famer and All-American defensive end in 1993, drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft.

Alex Phelps – Wide Receiver 6-0, 170 Wayne, Neb. / Wayne HS

Starter in football, basketball and track and field for the Blue Devils…made 40 catches for 671 yards (16.8 avg) and 8 TD’s during senior season, earning All-District and Class C1 All-State honorable mention honors…on defense recorded 54 tackles and had 19 kick returns for 399 yards and one TD…selected to play in 2022 River Battle Bowl…has started on Wayne basketball team that has reached Class C1 state tournament last three years…in track and field was a Class B state qualifier last spring as a junior in 300 meter hurdles…selected to play in Northeast Nebraska All-Star Game in June.

Kaden Ternus – Quarterback 6-0, 165 Norfolk, Neb. / Norfolk HS

Two-year starter in football and soccer at Norfolk High School…completed 62.5 percent of passes (130-208) for 1,417 yards and 10 TD’s during senior season, helping Panthers to 5-4 record…during junior season passed for 661 yards on 64 of 114 passes (56.1%) with six TD’s while rushing for 211 yards and three TD’s…earned Class A All-State honorable mention as a senior and finished career fourth in career passing with 2,245 yards.

Transfers (4)

Cory Hollinger – Tight End 6-5, 225 Osceola, Neb. / Cross County HS (Univ. of South Dakota)

Hollinger transfers to Wayne State from Division I South Dakota and will have four years of eligibility with the Wildcats…multi-sport standout at Cross County High School, starting four years in football, basketball and track and field…as a senior helped Cross County reach Class D1 state title game and was First Team All-State and All-Area after making 20 catches for 379 yards and nine TD’s to go with 110 tackles (82 solo) on defense…as a sophomore and junior helped team reach Class D1 semi-finals…on the basketball court scored 1,430 points with 786 career rebounds and holds single season scoring record.  

Jacob Mpungi – Defensive Back 6-0, 180 Silver Spring, Md. / Pine View HS (Northern Arizona)

Mpungi transfers to Wayne State from Northern Arizona and will have one year of eligibility with the Wildcats…started college career at running back and switched to defensive back where he started five games at cornerback in fall 2021 and four in spring 2021 season…credited with 19 tackles and six pass break ups in fall 2021 season and had 15 tackles with a forced fumble and pass break up in spring 2021 season…played three years of high school football at Pine View High School in Maryland, earning First Team All-State honors in 2016 and 2017.

Cody Smidt – Defensive Line 6-1, 280 Buffalo Center, Iowa / North Iowa Community HS (Iowa Central CC)

Transfers to Wayne State after spending last two years at Iowa Central Community College and has two seasons of eligibility at WSC…named ICCAC (Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) Honorable Mention in 2022 after recording 18 tackles with two sacks and two fumble recoveries, helping team to 7-4 record and #14 national ranking…played in seven games during 2021 season recording five tackles helping Tritons to 9-2 record…played high school football at North Iowa Community High School in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Will Washenberger – Offensive Line 6-4, 290 Sioux Falls, S.D. / O’Gorman HS (Univ. of Sioux Falls)

Spent three years at the University of Sioux Falls and will have three seasons of eligibility at Wayne State…joins WSC after being the starting center at USF in 2022…graduate of Sioux Falls O’Gorman High School where he started in football (two years) and baseball…named All-Metro Conference, First Team AAA All-State and Academic All-State in football…played on Class AAA state championship team in football and Class A State Legion Champion in baseball after hitting .365 with five homers while leading the team in RBI playing first base.