Augustana University Athletics

Brad Salem announced Wednesday that 24 high school standouts have signed national letters of intent or written offers of admission and financial aid from Augustana to play football for the Vikings this fall.

“There are a lot of great players in this class,” said Salem, who will begin his third season at the Viking helm this fall. “I don’t think you can single out any one player. We’re excited about all of the players we’ve signed. Many of them come from winning programs. A lot of them have played for a state championship over the past couple of years.”

The Vikings hit the states of South Dakota and Minnesota hard. Thirteen players are from Minnesota, while 10 are from South Dakota. The final recruit is from Iowa. Of the 10 South Dakota signees, 7 are from Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities. The group includes Jordan Gerdes and Tom Jarding of Sioux Falls O’Gorman High School, Louis Krabbenhoft and Tyler Lynch of Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School, Sam Holsen of Sioux Falls Washington High School, Anthony Shawd of Sioux Falls Lincoln High School and Nate Mahone of Brandon Valley High School.

In addition, 8 players were named to the 2006 Sioux Falls’ Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. Headlining that group is the team’s captain Dan O’Keefe of Aberdeen, S.D., who led Aberdeen Roncalli to back-to-back 11B state titles. Joining him on the team were Gerdes, Lynch, Holsen, Shawd, Mahone, Curt Truhe of Elk Point, S.D., and Ben Wardell of Sturgis, S.D. Truhe was 1 of 3 repeat selections to the Elite 45 Team.

“There was a lot of talent in South Dakota this year,” Salem said. “We feel great getting the area kids because it should spark some local interest. People who followed these players in high school will want to follow them throughout their college careers. The exciting thing about the future of our program is that we will be playing regional opponents with regional players.”

Salem and his assistants found a lot of talent in Minnesota as well. In particular, the Vikings signed three players from Lakeville South High School, which was the Class 5A state runner-up in 2006. The trio of Lakeville South players include Nick Andreas, Brady Soule and Dirk Wilkens. Lakeville was defeated in the title game by Eden Prairie, which featured another Viking signee – Dave Roe. Other local Minnesota players include Craig Rogers of Luverne, Minn., who helped Luverne High School reach the Class AA state finals, and Aaron Esselink of Hills, Minn. He is the younger brother of former Augustana men’s basketball player Steve Esselink.

Salem also expressed the positive impact the recently completed Hall Football Complex had on recruiting this year. The new state-of-the-art complex, which adjoins the Elmen Center, provides the team with new coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, locker room and weight room.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our coaching staff,” Salem said. ”This class is a reflection of the great effort the coaches have put into recruiting the top talent in the region.”

The Vikings are coming off a 5-6 season in 2006.

2007 Augustana College Football Recruiting Class Quick Facts

Total Players Signed: 24

State Breakdown: South Dakota - 10; Minnesota – 13; Iowa – 1

Average Grade Point Average: 3.40 (11 players with 3.50 or higher)

Average ACT Score: 23 (10 players with a 24 or higher)

Augustana Distinguished Scholars: 3 / Jordan Gerdes, Trent Johnson, Anthony Shawd

High School Teammates: 3 sets / Jordan Gerdes & Tom Jarding of Sioux Falls O’Gorman High School; Louis Krabbenhoft & Tyler Lynch of Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School; Nick Andreas, Brady Soule & Dirk Wilkens of Lakeville (Minn.) South High School

2007 Augustana Viking Football Recruiting Class

Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown / High School
DeAngelo Anderson, QB/DB, 5-9, 165, St. Paul, Minn. / St. Paul Central HS
Nick Andreas, WR/DB, 6-1, 205, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
Aaron Esselink, OL/DL, 6-5, 265, Hills, Minn. / Hills-Beaver Creek HS
Jordan Gerdes, OL/DL, 6-3, 260, Renner, S.D. / O’Gorman HS
Deonte Haynes, RB/DB, 5-9, 165, Minneapolis, Minn. / De La Salle HS
Sam Holsen, WR/DB, 6-1, 175, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Washington HS
Andrell Hudson, RB/LB, 5-7, 230, Caledonia, Minn. / Caledonia HS
Reed Iacarella, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Burnsville, Minn. / Apple Valley HS
Tom Jarding, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sioux Falls, S.D. / O’Gorman HS
Trent Johnson, OL/DL, 6-2, 225, Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove HS
Louis Krabbenhoft, OL/DL, 6-5, 225, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS
Tyler Lynch, OL/DL, 6-4, 295, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS
Nate Mahone, RB/DB, 6-0, 185, Brandon Valley, S.D. / Brandon Valley HS
Bobby Noyce, QB, 6-0, 170, West Des Moines, Iowa / Valley HS
Dan O’Keefe, QB/DB, 6-3, 200, Aberdeen, S.D. / Aberdeen Roncalli HS
Dave Roe, TE/DL, 6-2, 225, Eden Prairie, Minn. / Eden Prairie HS
Craig Rogers, OL/DL, 6-2, 250, Luverne, Minn. / Luverne HS
Anthony Shawd, TE/DL, 6-5, 220, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Lincoln HS
Brady Soule, WR/LB, 6-2, 205, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
Curt Truhe, RB/LB, 5-11, 195, Elk Point, S.D. / Elk Point Jefferson HS
Scott Verley, WR/DB, 6-3, 210, Blooming Prairie, Minn. / Blooming Prairie HS
Ben Wardell, TE/LB, 6-3, 205, Sturgis, S.D. / Sturgis HS
Dirk Wilkens, OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
Mark Williams, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Minneapolis, Minn. / Park Center HS

Augustana College 2007 Football Recruiting Class

DeAngelo Anderson, QB/DB, 5-9, 165, St. Paul, Minn. / St. Paul Central HS
A two-year starter at St. Paul Central High School … A two-time All-Midway Area St. Paul Conference selection as a defensive back … Named Conference MVP as a senior … Recorded 110 tackles, 6 blocked punts and 2 blocked kicks as a senior … Returned 1 blocked punt for a touchdown … Had 640 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns … Had 195 receiving yards and 3 scores … Returned 6 kicks for 235 yards and 1 touchdown … In 2005, registered 93 tackles and 3 blocked punts, including 1 for a touchdown … Rushed for 465 yards, passed for 380 yards and had 150 yards receiving and a combined 8 touchdowns … Returned 13 kicks for 385 yards and 1 score. High School Coach: Scott Howell. Parents: Ronald and Lori Anderson.

Nick Andreas, WR/DB, 6-1, 205, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
A two-year starter at Lakeville South High School … Collected 66 solo tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 3 defensive touchdowns as a senior … Helped lead the Cougars to a 13-1 record, the Section 5 AAAAA championship and a runner-up finish in the state playoffs … As a junior, recorded 60 solo tackles, 4 interceptions and 6 pass breakups … Named to the All-Lake Conference team as a senior after earning all-conference honorable mention recognition as a junior … Named to the 2006 All-Metro First Team and the A.P. Class 5A All-State First Team. High School Coach: Larry Thompson. Parents: Gail and Michael Andreas.

Aaron Esselink, OL/DL, 6-5, 265, Hills, Minn. / Hills-Beaver Creek HS
A two-year starter at Hills-Beaver Creek High School … Recorded 61 tackles and 5 sacks during his senior season … Earned All-Southwest Ridge Conference honors as a senior after garnering all-conference honorable mention recognition as a junior … Named to the 2006 All-Area Team … A two-time academic all-conference selection … Also an all-conference basketball player … Averaging 20.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season … Older brother Steve played basketball at Augustana during the 1999-2000 season before transferring to the University of Minnesota. High School Coach: Dan Ellingson. Parents: Gary and Arlene Esselink.

Jordan Gerdes, OL/DL, 6-3, 260, Renner, S.D. / O’Gorman HS
A three-year starter at O’Gorman High School … Helped lead the Knights to a 38-1 three-year record that included Class AA state titles in 2004 and 2005 and a runner-up finish in 2006 … Earned All-Greater Dakota Conference honors after receiving all-conference honorable mention recognition as a junior … Named to the Class 11-AA All-State and Academic All-State teams in 2006 … Selected to the 2006 Argus Leader Elite 45 Team … Also active in powerlifting, wrestling and baseball. High School Coach: Steve Kueter. Parents: Mark and Nancy Gerdes.

Deonte Haynes, RB/DB, 5-9, 165, Minneapolis, Minn. / DeLaSalle HS
A three-year letterwinner at De La Salle High School … Averaged 7 yards per carry as a senior in helping the Islanders to a 7-3 record and a third-place finish in the All-Tri-Metro Conference … In 2004, DeLaSalle led the state in rushing as the Islanders won the Tri-Metro Conference title … Is also an all-state sprinter. High School Coach: Richard Weinberger. Parents: Marcus Cage and Bertrene Cage.

Sam Holsen, WR/DB, 6-1, 175, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Washington HS
A two-year starter at Washington High School … Averaged 128 all-purpose yards per game as a senior in 2006 … Caught 44 passes for 1,003 yards and 14 touchdowns … Defensively, he had 6 interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns … Also returned 1 kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown … Named to the All-City team where he was the defensive captain … Also chosen to the All-Greater Dakota Conference and Class 11-AA All-State teams … Selected to the 2006 Argus Leader Elite 45 Team …As a junior, he had 466 yards receiving, a 22-yard per catch average, and 9 touchdowns … Also returned 3 punts for touchdowns … Was an all-city and all-conference selection … Named to the all-state second team … Was named the No. 1 wide receiver at the Mike Tice Football Camp. High School Coach: Brian Hermanson. Parents: Reid and Jeanne Holsen.

Andrell Hudson, RB/LB, 5-7, 230, Caledonia, Minn. / Caledonia HS
A two-year starter at Caledonia High School … Rushed 237 times for 1,310 yards as a senior … Averaged 5.5 yards per carry … Rushed for 670 yards on 85 carries as a junior … named to the 2006 All-Three-Rivers Conference Team as a senior while earning honorable mention all-conference accolades as a junior … A two-time Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention performer … Named to the Second Team Offense by both the LaCrosse Tribune and Winona Daily News in 2006 … Helped lead Caledonia to an 8-3 record in 2006 after guiding the Warriors to a 13-1 record and a state runner-up finish in 2005. High School Coach: Carl Fruechte. Parents: Lakisha Elmore, Elmer McCloud and Steve Conrad.

Reed Iacarella, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Burnsville, Minn. / Apple Valley HS
A two-year starter at Apple Valley High School … Recorded 40 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery as a senior … Earned All-Lake Conference honorable mention accolades as the Eagles posted an 8-2 record … Named his team’s Most Improved Defensive Player. High School Coach: Mike Fritze. Parents: James Iacarella and Cheryl Invie.

Tom Jarding, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sioux Falls, S.D. / O’Gorman HS
A three-year letterwinner at O’Gorman High School …Rushed for 2,049 career yards, 400 shy of the school record despite missing almost all of his senior season due to injury … Scored 124 career points Helped lead the Knights to a 38-1 three-year record that included Class AA state titles in 2004 and 2005 and a runner-up finish in 2006 …An All-City selection … Was a 3-time All-Greater Dakota Conference honorable mention selection. High School Coach: Steve Kuetter. Parents: Jim and Margaret Jarding.

Trent Johnson, OL/DL, 6-2, 225, Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove HS
A three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines at Maple Grove High School … Was a 2-time All-Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention performer for the Crimson … In 2005, helped lead the Crimson to a 9-1 record and a conference championship. High School Coach: Craig Hansen. Parents: Richard and Pam Johnson.

Louis Krabbenhoft, OL/DL, 6-5, 225, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS
A two-year starter for Roosevelt High School … Helped lead the Rough Riders to a 12-1 record and the 2006 Class 11-AA state title … Roosevelt was the first Sioux Falls public high school to win the Class 11-AA state title … Anchored an offensive line that helped the Rough Riders rush for 3,842 yards, a school record, and 1,083 yards … Roosevelt compiled a 23-3 record during the 2005 and 2006 seasons … Was a 2006 All-City selection … Earned All-Greater Dakota Conference honorable mention recognition as a senior. High School Coach: Brent DeBoer. Parents: Kelby and Heidi Krabbenhoft.

Tyler Lynch, OL/DL, 6-4, 295, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS
A two-year starter at Roosevelt High School … Helped lead the Rough Riders to a 12-1 record and the 2006 Class 11-AA state title … Roosevelt was the first Sioux Falls public high school to win the Class 11-AA state title … Anchored an offensive line that helped the Rough Riders rush for 3,842 yards, a school record, and 1,083 yards … Roosevelt compiled a 23-3 record during the 2005 and 2006 seasons … A two-time All-Greater Dakota Conference selection … Selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team … Chosen as his team’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman … In track and field, won the 2006 state title in the discus and placed fifth in the shot put. High School Coach: Brent DeBoer. Parents: Mike and Cammy Lynch.

Nate Mahone, RB/DB, 6-0, 185, Brandon Valley, S.D. / Brandon Valley HS
A three-year starter at Brandon Valley High School … As a senior, set single-season school records with 266 rushes for 1,757 yards and 21 touchdowns … Averaged 6.6 yards per carry … Also caught a school-record 80-yard pass … Rushed for over 100 yards 8 times in 12 games, including 5 200-yard games … Finished his career with 3,604 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns … Helped the Lynx to an 8-4 record in 2006 and a berth in the Class AA state semifinals … Selected to the All-Eastern South Dakota Conference Team in 2006 … Named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. High School Coach: Chad Garrow. Parents: Robert and Annette Mahone.

Bobby Noyce, QB, 6-0, 170, West Des Moines, Iowa / Valley HS
A two-year starter at Valley High School … Passed for 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 57 percent completion percentage as a senior … Led team to a 10-2 record, its second straight conference title and a berth in the state semifinals … Named to the All-Iowa Conference First Team and Class 4A All-State Third Team … As a junior, he passed for 1,769 yards and 22 touchdowns … Completed 59 percent of his passes … Guided the Tigers to a 13-0 record and the Class 4A state title … Selected all-conference second team. High School Coach: Gary Swenson. Parents: Jim and Shelley Noyce.

Dan O’Keefe, QB/DB, 6-3, 200, Aberdeen, S.D. / Aberdeen Roncalli HS
A three-year starting quarterback and defensive back at Aberdeen Roncalli High School … In 2006, he rushed 77 times for 859 yards, an 11 yards per carry average, and 19 touchdowns … Completed 18 of 55 passes for 345 yards and 5 touchdowns … Defensively, he recorded 32 tackles and had 8 interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns … Led Cavaliers to a 12-0 record and their second-straight Class 11-B state title … Rushed for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns in state finals to win his second-straight Joe Robbie MVP Award … Roncalli outscored its opponents 535-13 with 11-straight shutouts … As a junior, he rushed for 13 touchdowns and passed for 780 yards … Also had 7 interceptions … As a sophomore in 2004, he rushed for 191 yards and 7 touchdowns while collecting 40 tackles and 6 interceptions … Finished his career with 21 interceptions … Named to the All-Northeast Conference Team 3 times … A two-time Aberdeen American News All-Area selection … Named the captain of the 2006 Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. High School Coach: Terry Dosch. Parents: Jan and Ross Schochenmaier and the late Bill O’Keefe.

Dave Roe, TE/DL, 6-2, 225, Eden Prairie, Minn. / Eden Prairie HS
A two-year starter at tight end and defensive lineman at Eden Prairie High School … Selected to the All-Lake Conference Team in 2006 … Nominated for the Minnesota All-Star Team … Helped the Eagles to a 14-0 record and the Class 5A state championship … Eden Prairie went 25-2 in his final 2 seasons and won back-to-back Lake Conference titles. High School Coach: Mike Grant. Parents: Chris and Susan Roe.

Craig Rogers, OL/DL, 6-2, 250, Luverne, Minn. / Luverne HS
A three-year starter at Luverne High School … Was a two-time All-Southern Alliance Conference selection … Named the 2006 Southern Alliance Conference Most Valuable Lineman … Also named to the All-Area Team … Helped lead the Cardinals to a runner-up finish at the 2005 Class AA state playoffs. High School Coach: Todd Oye. Parents: Phyllis Rogers and Moses Carr.

Anthony Shawd, TE/DL, 6-5, 220, Sioux Falls, S.D. / Lincoln HS
A two-year starter at Lincoln High School … Caught 28 passes for 593 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior … Had 149 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns against Huron … Helped the Patriots to a 6-4 record, the program’s best record in 5 years … Named to the All-Greater Dakota Conference First Team as well as the Class AA All-State Team … Chosen All-City and Academic All-State … Named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team … Selected the Defensive Most Valuable Player at the 2006 Augustana College / Sioux Valley Celebrity Football Camp. High School Coach: Aaron Beavers. Parents: Gary and Bernadine Shawd.

Brady Soule, WR/LB, 6-2, 205, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
A two-year starter at Lakeville South High School … Recorded 76 tackles and 12 sacks in 2006 … Also scored 4 touchdowns … Helped lead the Cougars to a 13-1 record in 2006, the Section 5 AAAAA championship and a runner-up finish in the state playoffs … A two-time All-Lake Conference performer … A team captain as a senior … Named to the 2006 Class 5A All-State First Team after earning honorable mention recognition in 2005 … Earned a spot on the 2006 KARE 11 All-State Team … Also an all-conference basketball player. High School Coach: Larry Thompson. Parents: Bruce and Jean Soule.

Curt Truhe, RB/LB, 5-11, 195, Elk Point, S.D. / Elk Point Jefferson HS
Started all 41 games of his career at Elk Point Jefferson High School … As a senior, he gained 1,373 yards and scored 12 touchdowns … Defensively, he recorded 98 tackles and had 5 interceptions … As a junior in 2005, he gained 1,304 yards and scored 14 times … On defense, he collected 84 tackles, 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries … Returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns … Finished his career with 3,697 total yards and 31 touchdowns … Was a three-time All-Big Sioux Conference selection and a two-time Class 11B All-State performer … Twice named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team … Helped lead the Huskies to four straight Class 11B state playoff appearances, including back-to-back berths in the semifinals in 2005 and 2006. High School Coach: Rahn Bertram. Parents: Don and Brenda Truhe.

Scott Verley, WR/DB, 6-3, 210, Blooming Prairie, Minn. / Blooming Prairie HS
A three-year starter at Blooming Prairie High School … Despite missing 3 games due to injury as a senior, he rushed for 240 yards on 25 carries for a 9.6 yards per carry average … Caught 29 passes for 441 yards, a 15.2 yards per reception average … Scored 6 rushing touchdowns and 5 receiving touchdowns … Returned 3 kickoffs for 76 yards … Was a three-time all-conference selection. High School Coach: Chad Gimbel. Parents: David and Dianna Verley.

Ben Wardell, TE/LB, 6-3, 205, Sturgis, S.D. / Sturgis HS
A three-year starter at Sturgis High School … Led the Scoopers in tackles all 3 seasons, collecting 292 career stops … In 2006, he recorded 119 tackles, 1 interception for a touchdown and 2 fumble recoveries … Offensively he rushed for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns and had 291 yards receiving and 1 score … Tallied 118 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception in his junior season … Also caught a team-high 24 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown … A two-year team captain, he was a two-time All-Greater Dakota Conference First Team selection after earning honorable mention recognition as a sophomore … Selected to the 2006 academic all-conference team … Named to the 2006 Argus Leader Elite 45 Team. High School Coach: Adolph Shepardson. Parents: Ardie and Kristi Wardell.

Dirk Wilkens, OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS
A two-year starter at Lakeville South High School … Helped lead the Cougars to a 13-1 record in 2006, the Section 5 AAAAA championship and a runner-up finish in the state playoffs … Named to the All-Lake Conference First Team in 2006, as well as the All-Metro First Team, the KARE 11 All-State First Team and the Class 5A All-State Second Team … Was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a junior. High School Coach: Larry Thompson. Parents: Karla and Stan Hohneke and Jeff Wilkens.

Mark Williams, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Minneapolis, Minn. / Park Center HS
A three-year starter at Park Center High School … A team captain as a senior … Named to the Cable 12 All-Area Second Team … Earned a spot on the KARE 11 All-State Team … Also an all-conference baseball player. High School Coach: Terry Westermann. Parents: Rich and Lynn Williams.