SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 2023 NSIC Football Coach of the Year Jerry Olszewski has announced the addition of 25 student-athletes to Augustana football on National Signing Day. The group of Vikings will join the 2023 NSIC Champions at fall camp in August 2024.  
 
"Today is a special day for Augustana University football as we officially welcome our 2024 signing class and their families to the Viking Football Family," Olszewski said. "This day represents the culmination of endless hours of talent search, relationship building and future impact in Viking Football. I am thrilled about the quality of talent we assembled in this group that comes from seven different states as we addressed the immediate needs and depth required to continue to be a championship football program.
 
"This is an exceptional group of talented young men with tremendous accomplishments and leadership that will strive to ensure AU Football continues to be one of the top teams in the country for years to come."
 
2023 Class By The Numbers

• 12 All-State Honorees
• 8 State or Conference Champions
• 7 States Represented
• 6 Defensive Backs
• 5 Defensive Linemen
• 4 Offensive Linemen
• 3 Linebackers
• 3 Wide Receivers
• 2 Running Backs
• 1 Quarterback
• 1 Tight End

"I am proud and grateful for the tireless work and professionalism of our staff in attracting every position needed through our graduating class to ensure the excellence that has become the tradition of AU Football," Olszewski added.  
 
Adam Behrend | 6-4 | 300 | Offensive Line | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Lincoln High School
High School: Behrend is a four-year starter at Sioux Falls Lincoln where he helped the Patriots to a South Dakota 11 AAA State Championship in 2023. He earned All-State honors as part of the 12-0 record which included a Metro Conference Championship.
 
Personal: Adam is the son of Kristi and Mike. He will decide on his major at Augustana in the near future.
 
Stylz Blackmon | 6-5 | 270 | Offensive Line | Grain Valley, Mo. | Grain Valley High School
High School: Earned All-State honors while helping the Eagles to a conference championship. A captain as a senior, he was credited with 57 pancake blocks, helping him earn First Team All-Conference accolades. Blackmon is also an academic all-state honoree.
 
Personal: Stylz is the son of Glenda. At Augustana, he plans to major in exercise science.
 
Breylon Blount | 5-7 | 165 | Running Back | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton High School
High School: An honorable mention all-state honoree, Blount rushed for 1,031 yards as a senior. He tallied 15 touchdowns as part of the All-6A Premier First Team at running back. His senior season saw him total 1,701 all-purpose yards.
 
Personal: Breylon is the son of Angela and Michael. While at Augustana, he will earn his degree in nursing.
 
Dante Brown Jr. | 6-1 | 175 | Defensive Back | Milwaukee, Wis. | Milwaukee Marshall High School
High School: A team captain as a junior and senior, Brown earned first team all-conference honors after totaling 32 tackles. He also intercepted three passes and scored three touchdowns. As a junior, he helped Milwaukee Marshall High School to a City Conference Championship.
 
Personal: Dante is the son of Gabriel and Dante Sr. While at Augustana, he plans to major in exercise and computer science.
 
Max Carlson | 6-0 | 190 | Wide Receiver | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg High School
High School: Max was a captain as a senior and earned All-State honors after making 54 receptions for 820 yards. Along with his all-state accolade, he was named to the All-Metro and All-ESD conference teams. He totaled 17 touchdowns as a senior with eight receiving, eight rushing and a special teams touchdown. As a junior, he totaled 22 touchdowns as part of 1,500 all-purpose yards.
 
Personal: Max is the son of Julie and Scott. While at Augustana, he plans to earn his degree in business with an emphasis in accounting.
 
Dom Castagnetto | 5-11 | 270 | Defensive Line | Chanhassen, Minn. | Chanhassen High School
High School: A two-time team captain, Castagnetto helped lead Chanhassen High School to the Minnesota 5A State Championship. He totaled 57 tackles while earning all-district honors. As a junior, he recorded 56 tackles while earning all-district honors.
 
Personal: Dom is the son of Rebecca and Michael. At Augustana, he plans to earn his degree in exercise science.
 
Jayden Cathey | 6-5 | 280 | Offensive Line | Mesa, Ariz. | Desert Ridge High School
High School: A team captain as a senior, Cathey was a starter for both his junior and senior seasons on the offensive line. He earned Fiesta All-Conference honors his senior season.
 
Personal: Jayden is the son of Alicia and William. He plans to earn his degree in biology with a minor in criminology.
 
Wes Coates | 6-3 | 280 | Defensive Line | Madison, Wis. | Edgewood High School
High School: A team captain as a senior, Coates earned All-City and All-Conference honors as a junior and senior. He was a three-year starter at Edgewood High School while helping lead the Crusaders to a Capital Conference Championship his sophomore season.
 
Personal: Wes is the son of Jessica and Mark. He plans to earn his degree in business administration at Augustana.
 
RJ Eckhardt | 6-2 | 235 | Defensive Line | Omaha, Neb. | Westside High School
High School: A three-year starter, Eckhardt helped the Warriors to a pair of state championships including an unblemished record in 2023. He totaled 70 tackles with 16 for loss in his senior campaign.
 
Personal: RJ is the son of Janna. At Augustana, he plans to earn his degree in business.
 
Teagan Fox | 6-2 | 205 | Linebacker | Franklin, Wis. | Franklin High School
High School: Fox started for three seasons at Franklin High School, earning all-conference honors as a junior and senior. His final prep campaign saw him total 93 tackles with 16 marked as tackles for loss. He earned an all-star game selection for his efforts.
 
Personal: Teagan is the son of Mandy and Matthew. He will earn his degree in sport management at Augustana.
 
Luke Fraser | 5-11 | 190 | Running Back | Arlington, S.D. | Hamlin High School
High School: A two-time All-State selection, Fraser had his senior season cut short after just a single game of 124 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, he earned All-State honors with 2,003 total yards and 26 touchdowns. In his sophomore campaign, he was an all-state honoree with 1,467 yards and 16 touchdowns.
 
Personal: Luke is the son of Jessy and John. While at Augustana, he'll major in exercise science and minor in psychology.
 
Ben Goodwater | 6-3 | 190 | Wide Receiver | Bellevue, Neb. | Bellevue West High School
High School: A two-year captain and two-year starter, Goodwater earned Second Team All-State honors while tallying 50 receptions for 730 yards. He scored four touchdowns as a senior. His senior year output doubled his junior campaign that saw him make 23 catches for 300 yards.
 
Personal: Ben is the son of Debbie and Dana. At Augustana, he'll work towards his passion of becoming a physical therapist.
 
Noah Gunion | 6-0 | 185 | Defensive Back | Overland Park, Kan. | Shawnee Mission High School
High School: A three-time Sunflower League honorable mention to the all-conference teams, Gunion was named a captain for three years at Shawnee Mission High School. He totaled 523 all-purpose yards on offense and made 23 tackles on defense his senior season. He was also credited with three pass breakups.
 
Personal: Noah is the son of Angelique and Kyle. He'll earn his degree in exercise science at Augustana.
 
Wyatt Hamersma | 6-0 | 198 | Defensive Back | Berlin, Wis. | Berlin High School
High School: A four-year starter, Hamersma earned the East Central Conference Offensive Back of the Year while earning all-conference honors on both offense and defense. He made 60 tackles with four tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, he rushed for 1,341 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was a team captain his junior and senior seasons.
 
Personal: Wyatt is the son of Sue and Eric. He'll complete pre-med courses at Augustana for a career in a medical field upon graduation.
 
Brody Koberoski | 6-1 | 185 | Defensive Back | Mankato, Minn. | Mankato West High School
High School: A two-time team captain, Koberoski racked up 61 tackles his senior season while forcing four fumbles. As a junior, he totaled 53 tackles. He was a member of the Big 9 Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll for his GPA throughout all of high school.
 
Personal: Brody is the son of Ashley and Robert. He'll look to major in exercise science while at Augustana.
 
Zach Ladu | 6-4 | 175 | Defensive Back | Rochester, Minn. | John Marshall High School
High School: A three-year starter at John Marshall High School, Ladu earned First Team All-Area honors while voted team defensive MVP. He totaled 37 solo tackles, intercepted three passes and was credited with another 10 pass breakups.
 
Personal: Zach is the son of Jenti and Samuel. At Augustana, he plans to earn his degree in exercise science and sport management.
 
Camron Maciejewski | 6-1 | 210 | Linebacker | Hot Springs, S.D. | Hot Springs High School
High School: Maciejewski was the 11B Midco Sports Player of the Year after totaling 113 tackles his senior season. He was a two-time South Dakota All-State honoree while earning the Black Hills Conference Player of the Year several times. In 2023, he led Hot Springs High School to the 11B State Championship.
 
Personal: Camron is the son of Sarah and Tim. He'll earn his degree in exercise science at Augustana.
 
Jameson Nebel | 6-3 | 280 | Defensive Line | Hayti, S.D. | Hamlin High School
High School: A three-year starter at Hamlin High School, Jameson was named a team captain for his senior season. He totaled 29 tackles including two sacks. Twelve of his tackles were for loss. He earned All-State honors both his junior and senior seasons.
 
Personal: Jameson is the son of Rick & Heather and Kaleb & Kim. He plans to earn his degree in biology.
 
Marcus Parker | 6-5 | 240 | Tight End | Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill South High School
High School: A team captain as a senior, Marcus earned Second Team All-Conference honors at tight end with 17 receptions for 189 yards. He recorded a 60-yard touchdown during the year. As a junior, he earned an honorable mention to the Suburban Silver Conference at tight end.
 
Personal: Marcus is the son of Ashley and Michael. He will decide on his major at Augustana in the near future.
 
Trae Piel | 6-2 | 190 | Defensive Back | Dakota Dunes, S.D. | Dakota Valley High School
High School: A three-year starter, Trae was a captain his senior season where he earned All-State honors. He earned All-Dak 12 honors his junior and senior season.
 
Personal: Trae is the son of Kelley and Jay. He is looking to earn his degree in business administration at Augustana.
 
Adam Skifton | 6-2 | 190 | Quarterback | Onalaska, Wis. | Onalaska High School
High School: Skifton is a two-year captain at Onalaska High School earning First Team All-State honors at quarterback. His senior campaign saw him toss for 2,994 yards and 39 touchdowns. The First Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honoree completed 67 percent of his pass attempts. As a junior, he earned an honorable mention to the all-state teams while tossing for 2,584 yards and 29 touchdowns.
 
Personal: Adam is the son of Jennifer and Russ. He will earn his degree from Augustana in finance.
 
Ashton Toll | 6-3 | 225 | Linebacker | Comfrey, Minn. | Comfrey Public High School
High School: Toll earned district MVP honors after racking up 138 tackles during his senior season. The team captain totaled six tackles for loss and recorded an interception while helping Comfrey Public High School to state runner-up honors.
 
Personal: Ashton is the son of Andrea and Troy. He plans to major in business administration at Augustana.
 
Tytan Tryon | 6-0 | 185 | Wide Receiver | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg High School
High School: An All-State selection, Tryon made 56 receptions for 1,022 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior campaign. Marked as a team captain, he also earned All-ESD and All-Metro Conference honors. He holds Harrisburg High School records for career yards with 2,470, touchdowns with 36 and receptions with 143.
 
Personal: Tytan is the son of Wendy and Todd. He will earn a degree in chemistry at Augustana.
 
Lathan Wilcox | 6-4 | 225 | Defensive Line | Sioux Falls, S.D. | O'Gorman High School
High School: A two-year starter for the 11AAA State Runner-Up Knights, Lathan earned All-State honors after totaling 30 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded 2.5 sacks and forced a pair of fumbles.
 
Personal: Lathan is the son of Kim and Bryan. He plans to earn his degree in accounting at Augustana.
 
Jake Zitek | 6-5 | 285 | Offensive Line | Lakeville, Minn. | Academy of Holy Angels
High School: A team captain as a senior, Zitek helped his team to a conference championship and a conference runner-up his two years starting. He earned All-District honors his senior campaign with the Shiners.
 
Personal: Jacob is the son of Toni and Mike. At Augustana, he'll pursue his degree in business administration.