SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 2024 NSIC Football Coach of the Year Jerry Olszewski has announced the addition of 27 student-athletes to Augustana football on National Signing Day. The group of Vikings will join the 2024 NSIC Champions at fall camp in August 2025.  
 
"Today was a big day for Augustana University football as we officially welcome our 2025 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 ten different states as we addressed the immediate needs and future 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."
 
2025 Class By The Numbers
14 All-State Honorees
10 States Represented
6 Offensive Linemen
6 Defensive Backs
6 Defensive Linemen
4 Wide Receivers
1 Running Back
1 Quarterback
1 Tight End
1 Linebacker
1 Specialist

"I am also 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.

Dawson Bauer | 5'10" | 175 | Wide Receiver | Sioux Falls, S.D. | O'Gorman High School
High School: Bauer was a three-year letterwinner and senior captain for the O'Gorman Knights. As a senior, he totaled 28 receptions for 454 yards and three touchdowns while recording 30 tackles and blocking an extra point defensively. He was an all-conference and academic All-State honoree as a senior. As a junior, Bauer had 203 receiving yards on 22 receptions with two touchdowns while playing in a state championship game.

Personal: Dawson is the son of Lana Bauer-White and Shawn Bauer. He is also the brother of former Viking Canyon Bauer. He plans to major in exercise science while at Augustana. 

Tatum Bell | 6'3" | 170 | Defensive Back | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Lincoln High School
High School: Bell was a senior starter for the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots. He was a heavy-hitting safety and helped bring Lincoln a state title for the second consecutive season. Bell had 38 tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble to lead the defensive backfield. 

Personal: Tatum is the son of Melissa and Booker Bell. He is unsure on his future major. 

Jackson Bohland | 5'11" | 185 | Defensive Back | Chippewa Falls, Wis. | Chippewa Falls High School
High School: Bohland is a three-year starter and senior captain for the Chippewa Falls Cardinals. He did it all for the Cardinals as a senior, totaling 1,380 all-purpose yards, 15 touchdowns, 34 tackles, two interceptions and 14 pass breakups while earning first team all-conference as a specialist. That followed a junior season that saw him turn 52 touches into 449 yards and five touchdowns while adding 55 tackles, 15 pass breakups and an interception. 

Personal: Jackson is the son of Trevor and Heidi Bohland. At Augustana, he plans to major in finance or business management. 

Vanous Butler-Brown | 5'9" | 170 | Wide Receiver | Milwaukee, Wis. | Catholic Memorial High School
High School: Butler-Brown was a four-year letterwinner, three-year starter and a senior captain for the Catholic Memorial Crusaders. He had 58 receptions for 1,071 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior while adding 554 return yards, 65 tackles, a fumble return for a touchdown, two interceptions and two blocked kicks while doing it all for Catholic Memorial. Butler-Brown was an All-State defensive back while earning all-conference and all-region honors on both sides of the ball. In four years, Butler-Brown won a state title and played in three state championships. 

Personal: Vanous is the son of Denise Retic and DeMario Suggs. He plans to major in exercise science while at Augustana. 

Eli Detert | 6'4" | 250 | Defensive Line | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg High School
High School: Detert is a two-year starter and senior captain for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Cayden Van Horssen and Braeden Feeldy. He was named to the pre-season Elite 45 and helped his team to back-to-back semifinal appearances. 

Personal: Eli is the son of Mike and Kris Detert. He is also the brother of current Viking Jack Detert. At Augustana, he plans to major in accounting. 

Nathan Dobbs | 6'5" | 295 | Offensive Line | Hopkins, Minn. | Hopkins High School
High School: Dobbs is a four-year starter and senior captain for the Hopkins Royals. He was a second team All-State honoree as a senior and spent plenty of time putting defenders on their back. Dobbs was also a Minnesota All-Star and a Blue/Grey All-American.

Personal: Nathan is the son of Linnea Olsen and Nathan Dobbs. At Augustana, he plans to major in marketing. 

Karter Engels | 6'6" | 293 | Offensive Line | Watertown, S.D. | Watertown High School
High School: Engels was a two-year starter for the Watertown Arrows. He helped lead Watertown to a state title while earning Academic All-State, All-State and all-conference honors. He also earned Academic All-State status as a junior while helping his team to a home playoff victory. 

Personal: Karter is the son of Regan Engels. At Augustana, he plans to major in business.

Braeden Feeldy | 5'11" | 180 | Wide Receiver | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg High School
High School:  Feeldy is a two-year starter and senior captain for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Cayden Van Horssen and Eli Detert. As a senior, Feeldy racked up 48 receptions for 812 yards and 12 touchdowns in the air. He was also a threat as a returner, collecting a kickoff and punt return touchdown. Feeldy was a first team All-State wide receiver, Sioux Falls Live 25 honoree and all-conference first team honoree. He was also a first team All-State returner as a junior. 

Personal: Braeden is the son of Chad and Corinna Feeldy. He plans to study accounting and business while at Augustana. 

Grant Gammell | 5'10" | 190 | Running Back | Waukee, Iowa | Waukee High School
High School: Gammell was a three-year starter and two-year captain for the Waukee Warriors. As a senior, he took 150 touches for 1,235 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a second team All-State running back and first team all-conference honoree. As a junior, Gammell turned 205 touches into 1,370 yards and 14 touchdowns and was a first team all-conference honor. 

Personal: Grant is the son of Sara Coen and Jed Gammell. He plans to major in exercise science. 

DK Gora | 6'0" | 170 | Defensive Back | Stillwater, Minn. | Stillwater High School
High School: Gora was a senior starter and letterwinner for the Stillwater Ponies. The shutdown corner recorded 57 tackles, 45 solo and 12 assisted, and broke up five passes while going all year without allowing a touchdown. 

Personal: DK is the son of Gilo Agwa and Apath Obang. At Augustana, he plans to major in business administration. 

Jace Henderson | 6'1" | 280 | Defensive Line | Ute, Iowa | Maple Valley High School
High School: Henderson was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Maple Valley Rams. He had 5.5 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in the first half of the season opener before losing the rest of his senior season due to injury. As a junior, Henderson recorded 35 tackles and 12.0 tackles for loss while adding a sack and had eight sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss as a sophomore. He was named first team all-district in both his sophomore and junior seasons. 

Personal: Jace is the son of Josh and Jodi Henderson. He plans to major in business at Augustana. 

Elijah Ibiezugbe | 6'3" | 305 | Offensive Line | Grand Prairie, Texas | Arlington High School
High School: Ibiezugbe was a mauler on the offensive line for the Arlington Colts. As a senior, he was a first team all-district right tackle while helping his team to a second-place district finish. He did not allow a sack as a senior and was a three-year starter. 

Personal: Elijah is the son of Denisha and Ohis Ibiezugbe. He is undecided on his major. 

Oscar Latendresse | 6'3" | 285 | Defensive Line | Weston, Wis. | D.C Everest High School
High School: Latendresse was a four-year letterwinner, three-year starter and two-year captain for the Evergreens. As a senior, he was selected as a unanimous first team all-region honoree and an All-State honorable mention nod while helping lead his team to the state semifinals. Latendresse was also named first team all-conference as a junior and all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore.

Personal: Oscar is the son of Heidi Latendresse. He plans to major in finance at Augustana. 

Rich Lucero Jr. | 6'4" | 200 | Quarterback | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton High School
High School: Lucero was a two-year starter for the Hamilton Huskies. As a senior captain, he threw for 3,043 yards (school record) and 32 touchdowns while adding 336 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. He tied a school record with five single-game touchdowns and was named first team all-conference, first team All-Premier Region, National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award and Arizona Republic All-State Honorable Mention. He led his team to a 10-2 record and a semifinal finish in the open division playoffs. 

Personal: Rich is the son of Amanda Gaspar and Rich Lucero Sr. At Augustana, he plans to major in business finance. 

Colin Nehe | 5'10" | 190 | Kicker | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln East High School
High School: Nehe was a three-year starter for the Lincoln East Spartans. As a senior, he made seven field goals and recorded a 70% touchback rate while making 24 of 26 extra points. Nehe also landed 16 punts inside the 20 while averaging 38.2 yards per punt. He was a Lincoln Journal Star All-City and All-State honorable mention. 

Personal: Colin is the son of Mike and Cindy Nehe. He plans to major in secondary education while at Augustana.

Israel Ouverson | 6'2" | 285 | Defensive Line | Madison, S.D. | Madison High School
High School: Ouverson was a four-year starter for the Madison Bulldogs. As a senior, he recorded 55 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He earned All-State and all-conference honors while being named academic All-State. He won a state championship as a freshman and was named the team's best lineman in all four varsity seasons. 

Personal: Israel is the son of Bill and Abbie Ouverson. He plans to major in fitness management while at Augustana. 

Benjamin Paepke | 6'5" | 275 | Offensive Line | Rapid City, S.D. | Rapid City Central High School
High School: Paepke was a four-year letterwinner for the Rapid City Central Cobblers. Paepke was dominant in his senior season, earning SDHSAA all-conference, academic All-State and All-State honorable mention honors. 

Personal: Benjamin is the son of Karl and Shawna Paepke. He is undecided on his future major. 

DJ Page | 5'10" | 162 | Wide Receiver | Dallas, Texas | Forney High School
High School: Page was a starter in his senior season for the Forney Jackrabbits. He had 39 receptions for 649 yards and six touchdowns while accounting for 1,038 all-purpose yards. Page was a 6A All-District First Team wide receiver, District Return Specialist of the Year and the team's Co-Offensive Player of the Year. 

Personal: DJ is the son of Kevin and Daysha Page. He plans to major in business at Augustana. 

Liam Rogelstad | 6'1" | 185 | Defensive Back | Castle Rock, Colo. | Douglas County High School
High School: Rogelstad was a three-year starter and two-year captain for the Douglas County Huskies. He recorded 75 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and two sacks while doing it all for the Huskies. Rogelstad was named all-academic, first team all-conference and Huskie of the Year as a senior. As a junior, he tallied 65 tackles, 8.0 for loss, and broke up six passes while earning second team all-conference honors. 

Personal: Liam is the son of Christine Brannan and Trent Rogelstad. He plans to major in business and sports medicine. 

Steel Schomaker | 6'3" | 205 | Defensive Back | Valley Center, Kan. | Valley City Central High School
High School: Schomaker was a three-year starter and senior captain for the Valley City Central Hornets. He totaled 114 tackles, eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception as a senior while earning second team all-league honors. He also earned second team all-league honors as a junior after tallying 74 tackles and five pass breakups. 

Personal: Steel is the son of Marsha and Ryan Schomaker. He plans on majoring in business at Augustana. 

Lawrence Scott | 6'4" | 290 | Offensive Line | Houston, Texas | Cypress Falls High School
High School: Scott was a three-year letterwinner and senior starter for the Cypress Falls Eagles. He was a unanimous all-district first team member after anchoring the offensive line. Cypress Falls went a combined 25-10 in his three letterwinning seasons and helped lead the Eagles to a District Championship as a senior. 

Personal: Lawrence is the son of Rhonda Broussard and Lamarion Scott. He plans to major in business and exercise science at Augustana. 

Brody Shuss | 6'2" | 195 | Defensive Back | Elizabeth, Colo. | Legend High School
High School: Shuss was a three-year starter and a senior captain for the Legend Titans. He recorded 107 tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss. He was named first team all-conference, defensive back of the year, All-State and defensive player of the year. He helped lead his team to a 12-2 record and state championship appearance as a senior. 

Personal: Brody is the son of Darrell and Jodie Shuss. He plans to major in business at Augustana. 

Carter Storms | 6'5" | 225 | Defensive Line | Plato, Minn. | Central High School
High School: Storms was a three-year starter and senior captain for the Central Raiders. He tallied 92 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 21.0 tackles for loss while earning district defensive player of the year honors and helping lead his team to the state tournament. As a junior, Storms was an all-district honoree after recording 47 tackles, 13.0 for loss. 

Personal: Carter is the son of Cara and Jordan Voigt. He plans to major in business while at Augustana. 

Zeke Strand | 6'4" | 215 | Tight End | Bloomer, Wis. | Bloomer High School
High School: Strand was a four-year letterwinner, three-year starter and senior captain for the Bloomer Blackhawks. As a senior, Stand took 95 rushes for 671 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 662 yards on 56 receptions and three touchdowns. He was all-conference, all-region and an academic All-State honoree. He had 500 rushing yards and 475 receiving yards on 90 touches as a junior on his way to all-conference and all-region honors. He was also an all-conference honoree as a sophomore. 

Personal: Zeke is the son of Jim and Veronica Strand. He plans to major in exercise science at Augustana.

Cayden Van Horssen | 6'4" | 260 | Offensive Line | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg High School
High School: Van Horssen was a two-year starter for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Eli Detert and Braeden Feeldy. He helped his team to an 8-3 finish in both seasons and was a dominant force on the offensive line. Van Horssen earned all-conference First Team honors as a senior and was named to the 11AAA All-State First Team. 

Personal: Cayden is the son of Christina Van Horssen. He is undecided on his major. 

Marcus Vinson Jr. | 6'2" | 210 | Linebacker | Milwaukee, Wis. | Rufus King High School
High School: Vinson was a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Rufus King Generals where he teamed up with signee KD Williamson. Vinson recorded 100 tackles, 15.0 for loss, and added three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while scoring a defensive touchdown. Vinson was named first team all-conference and conference defensive player of the year while earning all-region honors. 

Personal: Marcus is the son of Tasha and Marcus Vinson Sr. He plans to major in art while attending Augustana. 

KD Williamson | 6'1" | 290 | Defensive Line | Milwaukee, Wis. | Rufus King High School
High School: Williamson was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Rufus King Generals where he teamed up with signee Marcus Vinson. He was a force in his senior season, racking up 62 tackles, six sacks and a whopping 28.0 tackles for loss. Williamson was named All-Region and the Milwaukee City Defensive Lineman of the Year. He is also a three-year all-conference and three-year conference champion. 

Personal: KD is the son of Vincent Williamson Jr., and Vanlisha Clayton. He is planning on majoring in finance.