VCSU Football signs 35 on National Signing Day
VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State University football program announced the signing of 35 athletes on Wednesday for the upcoming 2024 season.
The 35 new Vikings have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at VCSU.
“It’s always exciting to sign the future faces of Viking Football and envision where this group of guys will take our program,” said VCSU head coach Dennis McCulloch. “Our coaching staff works hard to find talented individuals who also fit the ideals of our Viking Brotherhood. We’re ready to get these guys on campus and in practice, and they’re ready to work.”
The group of signees includes six transfers and 29 high school seniors. A trio of transfers – Darrick Even, James Dahn and Malachi Mitchell – have already enrolled at VCSU and will participate in spring practice with the team.
Recruiting is ongoing for the Vikings and more signing will be announced in the coming weeks. The current class is heavy in the tri-state area and includes 11 players from North Dakota, six from Minnesota and three from South Dakota. Also joining the Vikings are five signees from Hawaii, three from Alaska, three from Florida, and one each from Washington, California, Tennessee and Saskatchewan.
The Vikings are currently scheduled to open the season Aug. 29 at Minot State University. VCSU’s home opener is set to be Sept. 21 against Dakota State University.
2024 Viking Football Signees NORTH DAKOTA (11)
Jaxon Baumgarn – DL, 6-3, 220 lbs
Lakota High School – Lakota, N.D.
Jim Miller – LB, 5-11, 205 lbs
Fargo North High School – Fargo, N.D.
Dorian Sandness – RB, 5-10, 215 lbs
Fargo South High School – Fargo, N.D.
Logan Rist – RB, 5-11, 175 lbs
Des Lacs-Burlington High School – Minot, N.D.
Darrick Even – WR, 6-2, 200 lbs
Dakota State University (S.D.) – Menoken, N.D.
Jake Hennings – OL, 6-3, 240 lbs
Bottineau High School – Bottineau, N.D.
Cashmyn Belgarde – DB, 5-11, 150 lbs
St. John High School – Dunseith, N.D.
Jake Otto – LB, 5-11, 175 lbs
Carrington High School – Carrington, N.D.
Charlie Leshovsky – DB, 5-10, 165 lbs
West Fargo Horace High School – West Fargo, N.D.
Noah Schuette – OL, 6-1, 220 lbs
Shiloh Christian School – Bismarck, N.D.
Jace Jochim – WR, 6-1, 165 lbs
Linton High School – Linton, N.D.
MINNESOTA (6)
Jace Stewart – DB, 5-10, 170 lbs
Esko High School – Esko, Minn.
Joey Antonutti – LB, 6-0, 200 lbs
Esko High School – Esko, Minn.
James Dahn – DB, 5-11, 175 lbs
Northern State University (S.D.) – Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Malachi Mitchell – DB/ LB, 6-0, 190 lbs
Virginia University of Lynchburg (Va.) – Minneapolis, Minn.
Brody O’Keefe – DL, 6-1, 220 lbs
Dilworth-GlyndonFelton High School – Dilworth, Minn.
Andy Pedroza – DB, 6-0, 170 lbs
Rocori High School – Cold Springs, Minn.
SOUTH DAKOTA (3)
Noah Paulson – DL, 6-1, 245 lbs
Florence-Henry School – Wallace, S.D.
Brent Bearman – LB, 6-0, 190 lbs
Webster Area High School – Webster, S.D.
Emmitt Maher – LB, 6-1, 215 lbs
Lemmon/McIntosh School – McLaughlin, S.D.
HAWAII (5)
Mason Nelson – WR, 6-1, 150 lbs
Kaiser High School – Honolulu, Hawaii
K-Sen Warren – OL, 6-1, 290 lbs
Castle High School – Kaneohe, Hawaii
Taison Tisalona – OL, 6-0, 295 lbs
Waipahu High School – Kaneohe, Hawaii
Rowen-Ray Bucao – WR, 5-10, 170 lbs
James Campbell High School – Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Tobias Vazquez – WR, 6-0, 170 lbs
Pearl City High School – Pearl City, Hawaii
ALASKA (3)
Nolan Thaler – OL, 6-1, 305 lbs
Colony High School – Wasilla, Alaska
Reese Rodriguez – DL, 6-3, 225 lbs
Colony High School – Wasilla, Alaska
Collin Peck – RB, 5-11, 180 lbs
Soldotna High School – Kenai, Alaska
FLORIDA (3)
Jermaine Watson – OL, 6-4, 305 lbs
Boone High School – Orlando, Fla.
Patrick Hall – OL, 6-4, 270 lbs
Doral Academy High School – Miami Springs, Fla.
Laggarius Marshell – RB, 5-10, 190 lbs
Boone High School – Orlando, Fla.
SASKATCHEWAN (1)
Parker Orr – DB, 5-7, 165 lbs
Holland College (Canada) – Regina, Saskatchewan
WASHINGTON (1)
Ethan Kastner – QB, 5-11, 170 lbs
Tumwater High School – Tumwater,
Wash.
CALIFORNIA (1)
Ryan Travis – K, 5-10, 195 lbs
College of the Siskiyous (Calif.) – Arbuckle, Calif.
TENNESSEE (1)
Donte Hurt – WR, 6-2, 185 lbs
College of the Redwoods (Calif.) – Clarksville, Ten.