VCSU Announces Football Signees

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University head football coach Dennis McCulloch announces the addition of 22 student-athletes who have signed letters of intent to attend VCSU and play football for the Vikings this fall.

“We are extremely excited about this group of incoming student-athletes,” said McCulloch. “We have a good mix of playmakers on both offense and defense joining our program. These young men have proven themselves at the high school level, and we’re excited to see them excel at the collegiate level over the next four years, both in the classroom and on the field.”

The list of incoming freshmen includes 10 standout student-athletes from North Dakota, six from Minnesota, one from South Dakota, three from Colorado, and one from Alaska. The Vikings have also announced the addition of transfer Beau Winchester from Mililani, Hawaii.

The incoming group joins five transfers who are already on campus and will make up the bulk of this year’s recruiting class. VCSU coaches are still out recruiting to round out the 2014 class.

“We are looking to add some more quality young men to this list in the coming weeks,” McCulloch said. “Our 2014 class is looking very strong. Please check our website for updates in recruiting.”

Valley City native Dustin Lindgren signed his Letter of Intent last week to attend VCSU. The fullback excelled for the Hi-Liners last season, racking up 926 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He played for VCHS head coach Scott Roehrich, who is a VCSU football alum.

Twin brothers Demetrius and Darius Graves, from Colorado Springs, Colo., are committed to VCSU after finishing their careers at Harrison High School where they were coached by VCSU alum Al Melo. Austin Richter, a defensive back from Walker, Minn., also has a VCSU connection as his father Pat played at VCSU.

For more information on each incoming student-athlete and future recruits, visit the VCSU football page at vikings.vcsu.edu

Under the direction of coach McCulloch, VCSU went 5-5 last season and earned a share of the North Star Athletic Association title with a 3-1 conference record. The Vikings have won three straight conference titles.

Starting this fall, the North Star Athletic Association expands to seven teams in football. Dickinson State and Waldorf College will join the five founding members: VCSU, University of Jamestown, Dakota State University, Mayville State University and Presentation College. The Vikings open the 2014 season at home against University of Jamestown on Aug. 28.

Incoming Freshmen

North Dakota (10)

Dustin Lindgren: FB, 5-8, 184 lbs, Valley City, N.D.

2013: 138 carries, 926 rushing yds, 9 TDs, 6.7 yards/carry, 5 rec, 69 rec yds, TD; 1st Team All Region, 2nd Team All State

Tanner Kessel: LB, 5-10, 230 lbs, Steele, N.D.

Stats: 200+ career tackles, 3x All Region, 2nd Team All State, Shrine Bowl

Trenton McCloud: C/DE, 6-1, 250 lbs, Rolla, N.D.

2013: 50 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery; All Conference, All State

Grayson Marty: LB, 6-0, 225 lbs, Rolla, N.D.

2013: 72 tackles; All Region, 1st Team All State

Devin Arp: DE/TE, 6-4, 205 lbs, Cogswell, N.D.

2013: 43 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections; All Region, Shrine Bowl

Zachary Schmidt: WR/CB, 5-11, 155 lbs, Flasher, N.D.

2013: 990 rec. yds, 16 rec. TDs, 21 total TDs; All Conference, All Region, All State

Austin Rinas: DL, 6-2, 215 lbs, Bisbee, N.D.

2013: 47 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked punt; 2nd Team All Region, Team 4 Year Award

Hunter Slemmons: LB, 5-11, 205 lbs, Fargo, N.D.

2013: 71 tackles, EDC leader in tackles; All EDC, 2nd team All State

Marc Wagner: TE, 6-4, 210 lbs, Jamestown, N.D.

2013: All WDA

Devin Poitra: DB, 5-10, 160 lbs, Belcourt, N.D.

Minnesota (6)

Hayden Sturdevant: OL, 6-0, 245 lbs, Perham, Minn.

2013: All Conference Honorable Mention

Maxwell Kollar: LB, 6-1, 190 lbs, Underwood, Minn.

2013: 97.5 tackles; All Conference, All Section, All State, Conference Most Valuable Lineman, Academic All State

Thomas Tabatt: OL, 6-5, 285 lbs, Little Falls, Minn.

2013: All Conference, All Area, Team Lineman of the Year

Austin Richter: DB, 5-8, 160 lbs, Walker, Minn.

2013: 55 tackles, 3 INT, 30 rec., 253 rec. yds, 3 TDs; All Conference, Conference Offensive Player of the Week

Kyle Dickson: DL, 6-4, 195 lbs, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Dan Ingebrand: LB, 6-1, 235 lbs, Perham, Minn.

2013: 59 tackles; All Conference Honorable Metion

South Dakota (1)

Tyler Masat: LB, 5-11, 210 lbs, Redfield, S.D.

2013: 65 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 3 blocked punts; Academic All State, All Conference

Colorado (3)

Demetrius Graves: RB, 5-10, 200 lbs, Colorado Springs, Colo.

2013: 800 rushing yds, 2nd Team All Conference

Darius Graves: DE/OLB, 6-2, 205 lbs, Colorado Springs, Colo.

2013: 77 tackles, 24 TFL, 17 sacks, 7 touchdowns, 2 kick return touchdowns; All Conference, All State, League Defensive Player of the Year

Wesley King: DB, 5-10, 170 lbs, Greeley, Colo.

Alaska (1)

Khalil Steward: CB, 6-1, 190 lbs, Fairbanks, Alaska

Transfers

Beau Winchester: DB, 5-9, 180 lbs, Mililani, Hawaii (College of the Redwoods)