MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM Athletics) – The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team has announced the signing of 29 athletes for 2021. Head Coach Steve Laqua made the announcement on Wednesday as part of signing day.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic there were unique circumstances with recruiting, and we are excited with how this recruiting class turned out,” Laqua said. “It’s a great group of players who have the character to fit in well with our program’s culture.”
Here’s a look at the incoming Dragons:
Carter Birrenkott (WR/TE, 6-2, 201, West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo HS)
Set school record with 16 career interceptions…two-time all-state and all-conference…led team in touchdown catches, yards per catch and interceptions in each of the last three seasons…led state in interceptions past three seasons.
“Carter is a player who can play both sides of ball and is a well-rounded athlete that contributes to his superb route running.” – Coach Laqua
Connor Braaten (TE, 6-5, 205, Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS)
All-District twice as a quarterback…holds school record for most passing yards in a game (386) and most completions in a season (98)…passed for 18 touchdowns and ran for eight…four-year letterwinner.
“We feel like he understands the game being a quarterback…combine that with his size we really feel like he has a chance to contribute for us in the tight end position.” – Coach Laqua
Jacob Brosius (LB, 6-2, 206, Fargo, N.D./North HS)
All-state and all-conference first team selection…had 36.5 tackles as a senior…had 29 tackles as a junior…had two career interceptions…four-year letterwinner in football.
“His athleticism allows him to play any linebacker position but what stands out about him is the way he utilizes his physicality with his athleticism to boost his play.” – Coach Laqua
Jack Bungarden (LB, 6-1, 192, Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS)
Two-time all-conference…had 73 tackles, including 16 for loss and four sacks, as a senior…had 27 career tackles for loss and seven sacks…three-year letterwinner.
“He’s a player that has great character and values commitment as a football player. The kind of player who will do more than what is expected and give you his all each snap. ” – Coach Laqua
Bo Chwala (LB, 5-10, 180, Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd HS)
Three-time all-conference and two-time all-county…two-time captain…had 218 career tackles, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and two safeties caused…four-year letterwinner…younger brother of current Dragon fullback Theo Chwala.
“Bo is a face tough linebacker with great speed, who will get in the trenches, be physical and make the plays.” – Coach Laqua
Garrett Coughlin (OL, 6-2, 240, Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS)
All-District Lineman of the Year…team co-defensive MVP…had 31 tackles as a junior and 35 tackles as a senior…team captain…team’s Lineman of the Year…four-year letterwinner.
“He’s an O-linemen who impressed us early with his ability through his size and toughness as a player.” – Coach Laqua
Blaize Elton (OL, 6-6, 265, Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown HS)
Brings 6-foot-5 frame to Dragon roster…played offensive tackle during senior year…helped Jamestown qualify for Class AAA playoffs…part of leadership council.
“Jamestown football has a solid base and foundation and we see that foundation in Blaize. We believe there is tremendous upside in adding him to our program.” – Coach Laqua
Ethan Entze (WR, 5-7, 151, Fargo, N.D./Davies HS)
Had 345 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in two games played as a senior..EDC all-conference honorable mention…three-year letterwinner.
“Ethan is a competitor; he works hard to never miss a snap. That’s a guy you love for his passion to compete.” – Coach Laqua
Caleb Erickson (TE, 6-2, 223, Bowbells, N.D./Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central HS)
Home schooled but played for Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central HS team…All-region and captain as a senior…all-region honorable mention as a junior…had 78 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns in career…four-year letterwinner.
“Caleb is a small-town kid with a big guy frame and great athleticism as a Tight End.” – Coach Laqua
Gage Florence (WR, 5-10, 160, Sawyer, N.D./Velva HS)
All-state as a running back twice…three-time all-conference…two-time team captain…finished with 3,301 career rushing yards and 53 touchdowns while catching 25 touchdowns as well..finished with 92 solo tackles and 12 interceptions.
“He’s a shifty receiver who has great hands and has the skills to be able to contribute on both sides of the ball.” – Coach Laqua
Logan Freeburg (RB, 5-8, 191, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS)
All-disrict first team…rushed for 2,514 yards and 32 touchdowns over three-year career….rushed for 177 yards and four touchdowns in final game of high school career….team captain…four-year letterwinner.
“He’s a kid who’s fast and makes good cuts but also can just stop on a dime. He doesn’t shy away from contact and can be a physical runner down the stretch.” – Coach Laqua
Joseph Hella (DL, 6-4, 230, De Pere, Wis./De Pere HS)
Conference Lineman of the Year…first-team all-conference as offensive and defensive lineman…all-regional team selection…team captain…three-year letterwinner.
“An Interior D-Lineman who isn’t just another big plugger but can sink his hips and explode past the offensive line. ” – Coach Laqua
Abe Hestdalen (DL, 6-2, 230, Horace, N.D./West Fargo Sheyenne HS)
First-team all-state honoree…all-conference selection…part of three conference championship teams…team captain…had 7.5 sacks, 43.5 tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a senior…two-year letterwinner.
“Abe’s just one of the more physical D-Linemen we saw on film. He’s got a motor that is second to none.” – Coach Laqua
Joey Hughes (DB, 6-0, 175, Sioux Falls, S.D./Roosevelt HS)
First-team all-state in 11AAA…all-conference first team…finished with 114 career tackles, eight interceptions, four forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns…three-year letterwinner.
“His skillset allows him to cover receivers and make the reads to come down and make tackles. We believe his skillset gives him potential to be very successful through the Dragon Way.” – Coach Laqua
Gavin Johnson (DL, 6-2, 230, Breckenridge, Minn./Breckenridge HS)
District Offensive Lineman of the Year….two-time all-district selection…part of 2020 Section 6A champions…finished with 120 career tackles and 7.5 sacks…four-year letterwinner.
“An explosive defensive lineman who plays with urgency and shows his intensity when he sheds blocks and gets to the ball.” – Coach Laqua
Austin LaMotte (DB, 5-11, 190, Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS)
Team captain as a senior…part of section runner-up football team in 2019…three-year letterwinner…also four-year letterwinner in track, where he ran sprint events.
“Austin is one of those guys who loves football and shows his love through relentless commitment and hard work day in day out.” – Coach Laqua
Reece Manteuffel (DB, 6-1, 186, Seymour, Wis./Freedom HS)
All-conference first team as a linebacker and second team as a running back in 2020….part of team state champion in 2019…had 196 career tackles, including 35 for loss, and 12 sacks in career…four-year letterwinner.
“His vision is essential to closing down and utilizing open space to make the plays where they matter most. By doing that he makes use of leverage angles to always get in on the play and make a tackle. ” – Coach Laqua
Gunner Martinek (FB/TE, 6-2, 229, Wheaton, Minn./Wheaton Area HS)
Two-time all-section and two-time all-district…four-year starter and two-time team captain…finished with 190 career tackles and five interceptions….also had 1,500 yards of total offense and 23 TD…four-year letterwinner.
“He’s an all-around player can make his presence known on both sides of the ball. He can run, block and make people miss.” – Coach Laqua
Garret Meehl (QB, 6-0, 160, Oakes, N.D./Oakes HS)
Three-time all-state in football…finished with 4,300 career passing yards and 57 passing touchdowns….state champion as part of 4×400 relay in track…four-year letterwinner…old brother Bryce played quarterback at MSUM from 2015-18.
“He has a super strong and accurate arm that can make plays in the pocket but can also get you those yards with his tremendous athletic ability to run the ball.” – Coach Laqua
Zach Moore (K, 6-0, 155, Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde HS)
No. 1-ranked kicker in Nevada according to Chris Sailer Kicking…career leader for field goals at Palo Vere HS (9)…career long of 45 yards…57-of-65 on PATs in career…team captain…All-Northwest Division second team…Special Teams Player of the Year in 2019-20.
“He has an explosive leg and is very consistent past 40 yards out. He’s a kid who come in to compete and show his skill knocking it through the uprights.” – Coach Laqua
Thomas Myers (DL, 6-2, 210, Moorhead, Minn./Moorhead HS)
State leader in tackles for loss (26) and second in sacks as a senior…all-district honoree…team captain…had 76 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior…finished with 102 tackles and 12 sacks for career…two-year letterwinner.
“He’s a kid who can turn the corner and be disruptive on the defensive side of the ball. Every snap you can find him wreaking havoc and making tackles for loss.” – Coach Laqua
Aidan Schissel (OL, 6-6, 249, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park HS)
Part of state runner-up team…two-year letterwinner…also lettered in wrestling and track…brother Keenan is current offensive lineman on Dragon squad.
“When you watch his film, he has impressive athletic ability which allows him to bend and explode like no other.” – Coach Laqua
Jake Schneider (OL, 6-4, 220, Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd HS)
All-Northwest selection…all-region and first-team all-conference selection…had 39 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks, as a senior…three-year letterwinner.
“He’s an Offensive lineman who can get down the field with his athleticism and start blowing people up while being a great student in the classroom.” – Coach Laqua
Jersey Selzler (QB, 5-10, 162, Velva, N.D./Velva HS)
Earned first-team and second-team all-state honors in career…three-time all-region selection…had five passing touchdowns in one game…finished with 3,558 career passing yards and 60 touchdowns with only five interceptions…also rushed for 14 touchdowns.
“He’s a small town North Dakota guy who possesses great technique and the ability to adjust and make reads when executing the plays.” – Coach Laqua
Maddax Shinners (WR, 6-3, 180, De Pere, Wis./De Pere HS)
All-conference second team selection as a wide receiver as a junior…senior season cancelled because of COVID-19…had 24 catches for 409 yards and two touchdowns…also lettered in basketball and track.
“A receiver with great length and hands, who can get down field with his large frame and make plays with his stellar athleticism. He’s a kid of the community that he lives in and that fits with the Dragon Way. ” – Coach Laqua
Connor Suszek (LB, 6-4, 200, Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee HS)
All-conference second team selection…led Woodland Conference in tackles as a junior with 104…in addition to lettering in football also lettered in basketball.
“Connor not only has the drive, but also has the ability and the frame to develop into a successful player through the Dragon Way.” – Coach Laqua
Connor Twidwell (LB, 6-3, 220, Breckenridge, Minn./Breckenridge HS)
Midwest all-section selection…all-district honoree as well…had 199 tackles, two interceptions and five sacks in career…also caught two touchdowns…three-year letterwinner.
“Connor is a kid that can cover sideline to sideline with his body frame as linebacker, but can also set the edge on the pass rush.” – Coach Laqua
Kolby Vander Wal (LB/DB, 6-0, 177, Argusville, N.D./Northern Cass HS)
All-state as a senior…all-region three times…two-time team captain…finished with 258 career tackles…had eight tackles for loss…had 824 total rushing yards…four-year letterwinner.
“A kid who made huge strides in his conditioning and that hard work shows on the field covering side to side making plays and getting the tackle.” – Coach Laqua
Alec White (DL, 6-3, 215, Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa West HS)
First-team all-region and first-team all-conference selection…Scholar Athlete…three-year letterwinner in football…also lettered three years in basketball.
“He has a physical presence and pop to him that allows him to set the edge and show off his huge ceiling of potential” – Coach Laqua
