Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt University football program has announced 19 recent commitments for the 2021-22 school year and brings the recruiting class total to 51 for the coming year. 32 athletes announced their commitment to attend Dordt in December 2020.
“Today we celebrate another tremendous group of young men who have chosen to thrive at Dordt University. These guys came to their college decision after an unprecedented senior season. Some of them didn’t have a season and others had interrupted seasons. COVID made it a tough year for these men to be recruited but a large percentage of these guys were at camp last summer, and went the distance with our staff in the recruiting process. A special thanks to our coaching staff who pivoted incredibly well this year, as well as our admissions office who partnered with us to bring in a great class,” said Dordt football head coach Joel Penner.
Connor Buffon is a senior at Shawnee Mission Northwest (Kansas) and is listed as a 6-0, 280 pound guard and center. He was a part of a regional championship team and plans to enter the pre-Physical Therapy program.
Colton Burney played football for Logan-Rogersville (Missouri) and is listed 5-9, 165 pounds. He had 34 tackles, four interceptions with a sack and nine pass break-ups while playing defensive back. Burney also played wide receiver and was named second-team all-conference honors along with honorable mention honors from the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association. He plans to study Theology at Dordt.
Daniel Dickerson is a 5-10, 215 pound running back at Jackson High School (Missouri). He ran for 1,270 yards with 21 touchdowns as a senior on 137 carries and averaged nine yards per carry. Jackson was 38-2 during his three seasons and won a state title in 2020. Dickerson claimed second-team all-state in 2018 and first-team honors in 2020. He plans to study History.
Jordan Gall is a senior at Scotland High School (South Dakota) and is listed as a 6-4, 215 pound defensive end and tight end. He totaled 82.5 tackles as a senior with 5.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. He earned all-conference honors in both 2019 and 2020 and was a part of a state quarterfinalist team in both seasons. He plans to study Plant Science at Dordt.
Abe Hall played center for Boylan Catholic High School (Illinois) and is listed 6-2, 290 pounds. He’s started every game since his freshman season and has been selected as a NIC-10 Scholar-Athlete. Hall plans to enter the pre-Med program.
Cooper Hidalgo is a 6-2, 210 pound linebacker and tight end at Berthoud High School (Colorado). He averaged 13 tackles a game last season and caught two touchdown passes and had four quarterback sacks. Hidalgo averaged 10 tackles a game in 2019 and had four touchdown receptions and four quarterback sacks. He was a two-time first-team all-conference player and earned league mvp honors as a junior. He plans to study Business Administration at Dordt.
Anson Jacobsen is a senior at Junction City High School (Kansas) and is a 6-4, 240 pound offensive lineman. He earned all-state honorable mention honors and was a member of a league champion team. Jacobsen plans to study Construction Management.
Mike Johnson is a senior at Sioux Falls Washington High School (South Dakota) and is listed as a 5-11, 190 pound running back. Johnson ran for 855 yards in 2019 for a five yards per carry average and scored five touchdowns and had 10 receptions for 101 yards. In 2020 Johnson had 536 rushing yards with five touchdowns and caught seven passes for 67 yards. He plans to study Physiology at Dordt.
Christian Kelsey is a 6-3, 285 pound offensive lineman at Litchfield Senior High School (Minnesota) where he earned all-conference honorable mention and was named to the all-academic team. He was a part of conference and section champions and plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Dordt.
Carter King is a 6-0, 170 pound wide receiver and linebacker at Dripping Springs High School (Texas). He totaled 40 career tackles with three fumble recoveries and had 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. He’s a three-time academic all-district selection and claimed first-team all-district honors in 2020. King helped Dripping Springs to district championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and a bi-district championship in 2020. King plans to study Psychology.
Bennett Lecher is a senior at Litchfield Senior High School (Minnesota) and is 5-10, 190 pounds. He gained 834 all-purpose yards in 2020 and had 51 receptions with 16 touchdowns. Lecher earned all-conference and all-district honors and was part of a section champion team. He plans to study Electrical Engineering at Dordt.
Zach Malone is listed as a 6-0, 180 pound wide receiver at Papillion LaVista High School (Nebraska). He caught 18 passes for a 15.4 yards per catch average and one touchdown and is undecided on his intended field of study.
Ian McDonald is listed as a 6-2, 215 pound linebacker at Edmond Memorial High School (Oklahoma). He’s a first-team all-district player and also earned first-team all-conference honors. MacDonald is undecided on a field of study.
Joshua Mick is listed 5-11, 175 pounds and played for Delavan Darien High School (Wisconsin) where he scored seven touchdowns. He has earned all-conference honors at defensive back and utility. He plans to study Construction Management.
Jacob Rosendahl is a 6-2, 190 pound senior at Willmar Senior High (Minnesota). He played wide receiver and safety and averaged 50 reception yards per game. He plans to study Business Administration.
Cade Rohwer is a senior at Alta-Aurelia High School (Iowa) and is listed 6-3, 200 pounds. He has played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker and safety. He had 607 passing yards as a senior with four touchdowns, 387 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns. He also had 43.5 tackles with 4.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss with interceptions. He was named to the all-area team, was first-team all-district and third-team all-state in 2020 while claiming academic all-state honors. He was an honorable mention all-district pick in 2019. He plans to study Biology and enter the pre-Medicine program.
Rocky Shuman is a senior at Bartlesville High School (Oklahoma) and played linebacker and tight end. He’s listed 6-1, 205 pounds and totaled 138 tackles with 21 tackles for loss, forced five fumbles and had four fumble recoveries. He was an all-district pick and also earned academic all-conference honors in 2019 and 2020. Shuman plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Dordt.
Jason Topete is a senior at West Sioux High School (Iowa) and is a 5-9, 150 pound kicker and cornerback. Topete was a four-time district kicker of the year, earned second-team all-state honors three times and first-team honors once. He was 4-7 on field goal attempts in 2020 and converted 34-36 point after tries and converted a career long field goal of 47 yards. During his four year career he was 255-277 on point after tries and helped West Sioux to two state championships and a berth in the state semifinals. Topete plans to study Education.
Joshua Warner is a senior at Pella High School (Iowa) and is listed as a 6-1, 200 pound wide receiver. He caught 19 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns in 2020 and earned first-team all-district honors while also claiming all-academic accolades. He plans to study Business Administration.
December commitments
Brody Ash is a 6-4, 235 pound offensive and defensive lineman at Milaca High School (Minnesota). He totaled 25 tackles with two sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2020 and was a three-year starter on the offensive line while helping Milaca to 6,076 rushing yards in 27 games. Ash was an all-section and all-district pick in 2020 and was also named academic all-district and helped Milaca to a Section 5AAA runner-up finish and the team was named a District Academic Champion in 2020. He plans to study Agri-Business.
Cody Boender is listed as a 5-10, 185 pound linebacker from Pella Christian High School (Iowa) where he totaled 102.5 tackles with 85 solo stops and three interceptions. He also played running back for the Eagles and had 841 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns and claimed second-team all-state honors and first-team all-district accolades. He plans to enter the Pre-Physical Therapy program.
Matthew Bomgaars is a senior at Sioux Center High School (Iowa) where is listed 5-11, 190 pounds and has played running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He rushed for 1,217 yards with eight touchdowns during his career and caught passes for 401 yards and three scores. Bomgaars totaled 146 tackles during his career with 19 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He was a second-team all-state selection at defensive back and is a three-time first-team all-district honoree and is an academic all-district selection. He plans to study Engineering or Agriculture.
Josh Bush played for Sprayberry High School (Georgia) and is listed as a 5-5, 145 pound running back and wide receiver. In 2020 he ran for 127 yards and caught 35 passes for 605 yards while scoring a total of seven touchdowns. In 2019 he ran for 372 yards and caught 42 passes for 638 yards and scored nine total touchdowns. He’s earned all-region first-team honors and was an honorable mention all-county pick. He plans to study Business/Finance.
Jake Cochnauer is a 6-1, 205 pound safety, linebacker and wide receiver from Farmington High School (Minnesota). He had 80 tackles with eight tackles for loss and six interceptions in 2019 and 2020 and he had four sacks. Cochnauer was a second-team all-metro pick and first-team all-district selection while earning defensive mvp honors for Farmington. He plans to enter the Pre-Physical Therapy program.
Landon Cooper is a 6-3, 180 pound quarterback at Sutter Union High School (California) who passed for 1,072 yards with 13 touchdown passes. He earned all-league honors and was a part of a section champion team. He plans to study Biology.
Earnest Gregory is a senior at Elko High School (Nevada) where he is a 6-2, 300 pound offensive lineman. He’s a three-time letterman who was an academic all-state selection and he helped Elko to the state playoffs. He plans to study Electrical Engineering.
Eric Gustafson is a senior at Ethan High School (South Dakota) where he is listed as a 6-3, 190 pound tight end and linebacker. He caught 11 passes for 262 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020 and totaled 55 tackles with a sack, 10 ten tackles for loss and three interceptions. He caught 17 passes for 370 yards during his career and totaled 119 tackles with four interceptions and two sacks with 14 tackles for loss. Gustafson was a Class 11B All-State selection and Big East All-Conference selection. He was a part of teams that totaled a 42-6 record the last four years. He plans to study Civil Engineering.
Tyrell Hulshof is a 6-4, 170 pound wide receiver and cornerback from Unity Christian High School (Iowa). He caught 13 passes for 179 yards with 22.5 tackles in 2020. He plans to study Ag Business.
Lucas Huttinga is a senior at Unity Christian High School (Michigan) where he is listed as a 6-4, 175 pound safety and tight end. He has nine career interceptions, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns and was a first-team all-conference selection and a first-team all-region honoree. He’s been a member of two regional and conference title winning teams. He plans to study Education.
Evan Jordahl is a senior at Milton High School (Wisconsin) where he helped his team to a 2019 conference title. He is listed as a 5-19, 170 pound quarterback and wide receiver and he has passed for 1,156 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 635 yards and five touchdowns. He plans to study Engineering.
Konner Knauf is a senior at Edgerton High School (Wisconsin) and he is a 5-10, 165 pound wide receiver. As a junior Knauf caught 36 passes for 491 yards for Stoughton High School (Wisconsin) and scored three touchdowns. He claimed first-team all-conference honors as a junior along with honorable mention all-area. He was also picked as a preseason first-team all-state honoree this year. Wisconsin will play its high school football in the spring. He plans to enter the Pre-Physical Therapy program.
Dawson Lee attends Cole Valley Christian High School (Idaho) and is listed as a 6-2, 205 pound offensive and defensive lineman and he has played linebacker during his career. Lee was selected first-team all-conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman and he has been selected to play in the 2020 East-West Idaho Shrine All-Star game. He was an academic all-conference selection three times and was named team mvp in 2020. In 2019 he was a second-team all-conference pick. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering.
Evan Letellier, a senior at Spring Hill High School (Kansas), is listed as a 6-2, 190 pound quarterback. He was 40-76 passing for 401 yards with five touchdowns in four games. He plans to study Civil Engineering.
Joshua Manwiller is a 6-0, 205 pound senior at Homer High School (Alaska) where he played linebacker and offensive line. He was in on 90 solo tackles on defense with five quarterback sacks during his career and was a first -team all-conference pick on both offense and defense and earned all-state honors on defense. He plans to enter the Pre-Med program.
Westin McCormick attends Brimfield High School (Illinois) where he played quarterback, running back and linebacker. He’s listed 5-8, 190 pounds and missed 2019 with an injury. He plans to play his senior season in the spring. He plans to study Criminal Justice.
Kade McDaniel is a senior at Platte Valley High School (Colorado) where he is listed as a 5-11, 170 pound quarterback. He passed for 1,122 yards and rushed for 923 in 2020 and accounted for 930 passing yards in 2019 with 496 rushing yards. McDaniel claimed all-conference honors at cornerback in 2018 and was an honorable mention selection in 2019 at quarterback at both the conference and state level. He plans to enter Dordt’s Pre-Med program.
Sterling McKinley is a 6-0, 170 pound senior who has played quarterback, safety, linebacker and punter. He accounted for 1,439 yards as a senior with 13 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns and helped Grantsburg High School (Wisconsin). He was a first-team all-conference selection and also claimed WFCA All-Region accolades. He plans to study Business.
Garrett Meyer played offensive line and defensive end for Newell Fonda High School (Iowa) where he helped the Mustangs to state playoff berths in 2017, 18 and 20 when they claimed district runner-up each season. Meyer is listed 6-5, 220 pounds and claimed Storm Lake Times First-Team All-Area honors along with First-Team honors from the Storm Lake Tribune. He’s a four-time academic all-district honoree and he was listed on Iowa Preps Top-25 Defensive Lineman Class of 2021. He plans to enter the Pre-Veterinary program.
Patrick O’Neal played offensive and defensive lineman for Sutter Union High School (California) and is listed 6-0, 205 pounds. He was a second-team all-BVL selection in 2019-20 and played on a North Section CIF Championship team that year. He has started 33 games for Sutter on the offensive line. He plans to study Journalism.
Matthew Peters is a 6-0, 285 pound senior at O’Gorman High School (South Dakota). He’s played both offensive and defensive lineman and was an all-conference honoree. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering.
Aidan Platon is a student at Lake Nona High School (Florida) and played quarterback and wide receiver. He’s listed 6-1, 175 pounds and in 2020 was named offensive back of the year and claimed the attitude and commitment award. In 2019 he was team mvp, second-team all-district and all-conference honorable mention. He plans to study Nursing.
Easton Prins played linebacker for Sioux Falls Christian (South Dakota) and is 5-11, 200 pounds. He was the Chargers’ leading tackler as a junior and senior and earned all-conference and all-state honors while also earning academic all-state honors. He is a National Honor Society member and earned the Unsung Hero Award. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering.
Gabe Ramirez is a senior at Central Hardin High School (Kentucky) and he’s listed as a 5-8, 185 pound running back and linebacker. He ran for over 10 yards per carry in 2019 and was an academic all-state pick three straight years. Ramirez has also competed in Weightlifting-Powerlifting and claimed fifth place in the state competition as a sophomore. He earned three letters in both football and wrestling. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering.
Josiah Rosario is a senior at Churchill County High School (Nevada) where he played defensive back and running back. He’s listed 5-8, 160 pounds and had 34 tackles with two forced fumbles and one interception as a junior. Churchill County was the 2019 Nevada State Champion runner-up and the 2018 Nevada State Champion. Nevada did not play a high school football season in fall 2020. He plans to study Exercise Science.
Jackson Smith is a senior at Abilene-Wylie High School (Texas) and is listed 5-9, 185 pounds. He’s played every skill position on offense and has played linebacker and safety on defense. He was a recipient of the Don Mouser Award and was a 2017 Top Big Country linebacker and served as a team captain. He plans to study Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Kobe Turner is a senior at Wichita Collegiate School (Kansas) where he had 37 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries and was twice named all-league honorable mention. Turner is listed as a 5-10, 170 pound defensive back. He plans to enter the Pre-Physical Therapy program.
Jackson Vander Kooi played for Lincoln-Way East High School (Illinois) where he was a part of two state championship teams in the last two years. He’s listed as a 6-1, 185 pound defensive back. He plans to study Business.
Nathan Van Langingham is a senior at Pierce High School (California) where he played offensive line and is listed 6-6, 220 pounds. He was a part of a SVL Championship team and a SVL Runner-up team during his career. Van Langingham earned a Scholar-Athlete award and plans to study Ag-Business.
Nathan Warner is a 6-3, 280 pound offensive and defensive lineman at Glencoe Silverlake Senior High (Minnesota). He totaled 35 tackles in seven games and had one sack and has earned all-district honors during his career. He plans to study Computer Science.
Tyler Wieringa prepped at Unity Christian High School (Iowa) and has played linebacker, defensive end, slot receiver and tight end during his career. He had 40 tackles, nine for loss with two sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 2020 when he was named all-district first-team and academic all-state. Wieringa was also an honorable mention all-district pick and helped Unity to back to back winning seasons for the first time in over a decade. He plans to study Health and Human Performance and Biology.
Jackson Wiggins played for Normal Community High School (Illinois) where he’s a 6-0, 180 pound wide receiver. He started every game as a junior and plans to play his senior season when Illinois plays high school football in the spring. He plans to study Exercise Science.
