NDSU Football signings

North Dakota State University head football coach CRAIG BOHL announced the signing of 20 high school athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football and continue their education at NDSU. That announcement came today on the first day student-athletes are allowed to sign Letters of Intent.
The list includes student-athletes from seven different states including North Dakota (2), Minnesota (5), Wisconsin (2), Arizona (4), Illinois (3), Iowa (2) and Kansas (2). There are nine offensive players, 10 defensive players and one specialist.

NORTH DAKOTA (2)

ANDREW OKLAND, WR, 6-3, 190, Fargo, N.D. (South H.S.)-- First-team Class 3A all-state selection for state champion Fargo South High School and head coach Troy Mattern ... Caught 31 passes for 728 yards and 10 TDs in seven games as a senior ... All-conference pick ... Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for basketball team, averaging 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game ... Competed in cross-country for two seasons ... Member of superior state choir all four years ... Born April 29, 1993 ... Son of Douglas and Sheri Okland ... Has one sister, Megan ... Plans to major in music ... Mother, father and grandfather, Marv, attended NDSU.

CARSON WENTZ, QB, 6-5, 210, Bismarck, N.D. (Century H.S.)-- 2010 North Dakota Class 3A Player of the Year for Bismarck Century High School and head coach Ron Wingenbach ... All-state at-large pick ... All-conference at quarterback and defensive back ... Led team to 8-3 record, conference title and state semifinals ... Completed 91 of 149 passes for 1,285 yards and 12 TDs ... Rushed 85 times for 553 yards and 13 TDs ... Recorded 61 tackles and two interceptions ... Three-year starter for baseball team ... Played first base for 2010 American Legion and high school state runner-up teams ... Hit .386 with 26 RBI for Century as junior, batted .421 with 41 RBI for Bismarck Govs Legion ... Forward/center for the state's No. 1-ranked basketball team ... Class Valedictorian ... National Honor Society ... Born Dec. 30, 1992 ... Son of Doug Wentz and Cathy Domres, Bismarck ... Has two brothers, Zach Wentz and Luke Domres ... Brother, Zach, plays baseball at NDSU ... Father played linebacker at Northern State in the 1980s.
MINNESOTA (5)

JOSH COLVILLE, OG/OC, 6-2, 270, Deephaven, Minn. (Minnetonka H.S.)--Associated Press second-team all-state selection as a senior for Minnetonka High School and head coach Dave Nelson ... Two-time all-conference performer ... Second-team all-metro as a senior ... Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter on the offensive and defensive line for the Skippers ... Four-year starter fo the Minnetonka Rugby team Born Sept. 4, 1992 ... Son of Scott and Shari Colville ... Has one sister, Cally.

LYLE NORMAN, DE, 6-3, 230, Roseau, Minn. (Roseau H.S.)--First-team all-Heart O'Lakes selection for Roseau High School and head coach George Ziegler ... Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at linebacker and fullback ... All-league baseball player ... Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter on hockey and baseball teams ... Hockey team advanced to the 2010 state tournament ... Born Oct. 22, 1992 ... Son of Brian and Shelley Norman ... Has one sister, Lisa.

CJ SMITH, CB, 5-11, 175, Savage, Minn. (Burnsville H.S.)--South Suburban Confernece Offensive Player of the Year for Burnsville High School and head coach Mark Riggs ... Minnesota Vikings All-State selection ... All-conference pick after rushing for 1,700 yards and 16 TDs ... Three-year starter on football field, two-year starter at guard for basketball team ... Born May 10, 1993 ... Son of Charles Smith, and Jackie McQuerry, Savage, Minn. ... Has two sisters, Jasmine and Chasity.

JOEY SONNENFELD, FS, 6-3, 190, Maple Grove, Minn. (Osseo H.S.)--Second-team all-State and all-Metro selection for Osseo High School and head coach Derrin Lamker ... Three-year starter at wide receiver and free safety ... Caught 35 passes for 520 yards and eight TDs ... Made 67 tackles and had an interception on defense ... Two-time all-conference selection and preseason all-state ... Honorable mention all-conference selection in basketball ... Born Sept. 23, 1992 ... Son of Randy and Elizabeth Sonnenfeld ... Has one brother, Taylor ... Father played tight end for Minnesota from 1976-80.

FRANK VELDMAN, SS, 6-4, 205, Eagan, Minn. (Eastview H.S.)-- Finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Football and South Suburban Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Eastview High School, coached by Kelly Sherwin ... Two-time all-state, all-metro and all-conference selection ... Four-year letterwinner, three-year starter at free safety, wide receiver, punter and kicker ... Finished with 179 career tackles and averaged 26.1 yards per reception ... Averaged 38.6 yards per punt during career ... Three-year starter in basketball ... All-state and all-conference performer in track and field, setting school records in the high jump (6' 7") and the triple jump (46' 5") ... Born Nov. 21, 1992 ... Son of Steve Veldman, Eagan, and Michelle Veldman, Apple Valley ... Has one brother, Anthony, and one sister, Kayla ... Father and uncle, Mark, played football for UND (Mark with Miami Dolphins); uncle, Greg Veldman, played football for Moorhead State and the Dallas Cowboys; uncle, Bruce Veldman, played basketball for Augustana College, and grandfather wrestled for Minnesota ... Cousin of current NDSU tight end Matt Veldman.

WISCONSIN (2)

LUKE ALBERS, TE, 6-5, 220, Amherst Junction, Wis. (Iola-Scandinavia H.S.)--All-state game selection at tight end for Iola-Scandinavia High School and head coach Scott Erickson ... All-conference performer at tight end and defensive end including first-team honors as a junior ... Had 44 career receptions for 816 yards and seven TDs ... Recorded 71 tackles, eight sacks and had three interceptions over last two years on defense ... Also punted for the Thunderbirds as a senior ... Second team all-area and all-conference forward as a junior, leading team in scoring, rebounds, blocked shots and field goal and free throw shooting ... Part of two conference champion track and field teams ... Member of 400 meter relay team that placed fifth at state ... Born May 23, 1993 ... Son of David Albers, Iola, Wis., and Jan Anderson, Amherst Junction, Wis. ... Has three sisters, Andrea, Emily and Kiaya ... Plans to major in civil engineering with an emphasis on the environment.

JOE HORVATH, DT, 6-2, 250, Stevens Point, Wis. (Stevens Point Area Senior H.S.)--Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-state defensive lineman for Stevens Point Area Senior High School and head coach Pete McAdams ... All-Wisconsin Valley Conference first team performer ... Led SPASH to the state playoffs for the first time in 33 years, advancing to championship game ... Eligible to play in all-star game this summer ... Started for 2-1/2 seasons and earned three letters ... Three-sport athlete, who also lettered in wrestling and track and field ... Born June 4, 1993 ... Son of Stephen and Justine Horvath ... Has three sisters, Eleanor, Nina, Chande.

ARIZONA (4)

JORDAN CHAMPION, CB, 5-9, 195, Avondale, Ariz. (Westview H.S.)--First-team all-State and all-Desert West Region running back for Westview High School and head coach Jeff Bowen ... Rushed for 1,167 yards and 16 TDs for the 10-3 state Class 5A Division II semifinalists ... Three-year starter for Westview ... Rushed for 1,053 yards and earned all-region second-team honors at defensive back as a junior ... Starter at defensive back as a sophomore for the 2008 team that went 12-2 and played in state championship game ... Born Aug. 10, 1993 ... Son of Darryll and Vicky Dorce'us ... Has one brother, Jared Champion, and one sister, Courtney Champion.

MATT JONES, RB, 5-9, 195, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon H.S.)-- Honorable mention all-state selection for Horizon High School and head coach Steve Casey ... Three-year starter at running back ... Finished with 1,200 all-purpose yards and 19 TDs as a senior, and 1,100 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs as a junior ... Finished as the school's all-time leader in rushing attempts, also holds single-game record for TDs ... Second-team all-region in 2010, honorable mention all-region in 2009 ... Born Nov. 9, 1993 ... Son of Major and Linda Jones ... Has three brothers, Eric, Nathan and Chris ... His grandfather, Major Sr., was a professional boxer in the 1930s.

DANELL MILES, FS, 6-0, 190, Litchfield Park, Ariz. (Desert Edge H.S.)--Class 4A first team all-state selection by the Arizona Republic for Desert Edge High School and head coach Rich Wellbrock ... Had 86 tackles including 50 solos, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four interceptions as a senior ... Rushed for 683 yards and 8 TDs ... Made 84 tackles and had four interceptions as a junior ... Two-time all-region and all-conference pick ... Member of Class 4A Skyline Region championship team and state semi-finalists ... Born Feb. 24, 1993 ... Son of Donald and Roshonda Miles ... Has two brothers, Donald Miles and Lyndon Slusher, and one sister, Quinn ... Family member Dorell Wright plays for Golden State of the NBA.

RYAN STANFORD, QB, 6-3, 180, Phoenix, Ariz. (Horizon H.S.)-- Arizona Republic, East Valley Tribune and Rivals.com all-State quarterback for Horizon High School and head coach Steve Casey ... Holds numerous records including career passing yards (6,353), attempts (956), completions (500) and TDs (57) ... Had 13 games of 200+ passing yards in career and four games of 300+ yards ... Completed 130 of 243 passes for 1,989 yards, 18 TDs and only five interceptions as a senior ... Holds single-game records for passing yards (346), attempts (51) and completions (28) ... Selected as top QB at 2010 Five Star Pro Combine ... Named the A.I.A. Male Athlete of the Month ... Ranked No. 2 at QB in Arizona by MaxPreps.com as junior and senior ... Completed 167 of 331 passes for 2,285 yards, 21 TDs and 14 interceptions as a junior ... Completed career-high 203 of 382 passes for 2,079 yards and 18 TDs as a sophomore ... Born April 16, 1993 ... Son of Stephen and Deborah Stanford ... Has two brothers, Robert and Logan ... Brother, Robert plays for the University of Redlands (Calif.).

IOWA (2)

ANDREW BONNET, FB, 6-3, 230 Council Bluffs, Iowa (Underwood H.S.)--Second-team all-Western Iowa, and first-team all-district and all-area as a senior for Underwood High School and head coach Loaren Lintner ... Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter ... Academic all-district ... Rushed 107 times for 771 yards and 10 TDs as a senior, and added three receptions for 118 yards and two TDs ... Recorded 37 tackles including 17 solos and nine tackles for loss ... Led Underwood to 6-4 record and state playoffs ... Played fullback, tight end, defensive tackle, linebacker and defensive end during career ... Second-team all-district and all-Southeast Iowa as a junior ... Rushed 70 times for 493 yards and five TDs, and also caught eight passes for 182 yards and one TD ... Made 42 tackles including ... State qualifier in shot put (48' 10") and discus (145' 2") ... Part of school record-setting shuttle hurdle relay team as a junior ... Captain for football, basketball and track and field teams ... Born Dec. 27, 1992 ... Son of Michael and Melinda Bonnet ... Has one brother, Matt, and one sister, Emma ... Plans to major in engineering.

BERKLEY GRIMM, FB, 5-11, 225, Iowa City, Iowa (Regina H.S.)--First-team all-state linebacker for Regina High School and head coach Marv Cook ... Part of defense that allowed zero points in Class 2A ... Led the Regals to 14-0 record and 2010 Class 2A state championship ... First undefeated season in school history ... Also played fullback ... Played first three seasons for Iowa City West and head coach Brian Sauser ... Three-time Iowa state Freestyle and Greco wrestling champion ... Two-year member of Iowa's national dual team ... Placed 5th at folkstyle wrestling nationals and 8th at freestyle nationals ... Wrestled at 160 and 189-pounds at West, competing at 215 at Regina ... Born April 17, 1993 ... Son of Kevin and Shiela Grimm ... Has two sisters, Keeley and Lainey.

ILLINOIS (3)

BEN LeCOMPTE, P, 5-11, 185, Barrington, Ill. (Barrington H.S.)-- A Daily Herald All-Area selection for Barrington High School and head coach Joe Sanchez ... First-team all-Mid-Suburban West pick ... Barrington advanced to the 8A playoffs and finished 7-2 ... Handled the punting and kicking duties, along with playing cornerback and wide receiver ... Went 5-for-7 on field goals (Long 43 yards) and punted for a 36-yard average ... Forty-five of his 55 kickoffs (81 percent) were touchback ... Set single-game school average records for punting (51.0) and kickoffs (56.9) and interceptions (3) ... Earned Illinois high school Defensive Player of the Week honors during week three after recording three interceptions, a fumble recovery and five tackles ... Pitcher and centerfielder on Barrington's 2010 IHSA baseball playoff team ... Also played basketball ... Born Feb. 1, 1993 ... Son of Benjamin and Cathleen LeCompte ... Has one brother, Bart, and three sisters, Ashlee, Nichole and Michelle ... Plans to major in business administration.

JOSH LISENBY, DT, 6-2, 245, Chicago, Ill. (De La Salle High School)--First-team all-conference performer for De La Salle High School and head coach Dan O'Keefe ... Made 62 tackles, and had a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception ... Academic all-state .... Member of team that advanced to state quarterfinals as a junior ... Three-year starter and four-year letterwinner at defensive end, tight end, offensive line and punter ... Born Oct. 3, 1992 ... Son of James Lisenby and Brenda Lisenby, Chicago ... Has two brothers, Chris and Nick.

NICK SCOLIERE, LB, 6-2, 205, St. Charles, Ill. (Marmion Academy)--Conference Defensive Player of the Year for Marmion Academy and head coach Dan Thorpe ... Marmion Academy advanced to the state playoffs, placing second with a 12-2 record ... Had 75 tackles including 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions ... Rushed for 890 yards and four TDs, and caught 28 passes for 470 yards and 6 TDs ... Three-year starter at point guard on basketball court ... Born Feb. 11, 1993 ... Son of Mark and Laura Scoliere ... Has two sisters, Erika and Nina ... Plans to major in business management ... Father and uncle, Joe Scoliere, played college basketball at Pitt-Johnstown, and cousins, Danielle and Megan Scoliere played soccer at Ohio State.

KANSAS (2)

DeSHAWN DINWIDDIE, LB, 6-2, 210, Hutchinson, Kan. (Hutchinson, H.S.)-- Two-year starter and three-year letterwinner for Hutchinson High School and head coach Randy Dreiling ... Second team all-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I selection in 2010 ... Played linebacker, safety and fullback for the Salt Hawks ... Member of two undefeated state championship football teams in 2008 and 2009 ... As a senior, had 60 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception ... Rushed 105 times for 530 yards ... Returned 15 punts for an average of 14 yards and one TD ... Three-year letterwinner on basketball court, earning two more in track and field ... Born July 12, 1993 ... Son of John and Sherri Hastert ... Has two brothers, Devron Dinwiddie and Bryan Morris.

DEREK LEE, TE, 6-4, 235, Wichita, Kan. (Maize H.S.)--First-team All-state tight end and linebacker for Maize High School and head coach Craig Broadbent ... Will play for the West squad in the Kansas Shrine Bowl this summer ... Caught 31 passes for 350 yards and five TDs ... Made 78 tackles including 28 tackles for loss and added an interception ... All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I, all-Metro pick at tight end and linebacker ... Rivals.com all-State linebacker ... All-league basketball selection, averaging 18.8 points this season ... Maize advanced to the state playoffs in 2009, placing seventh ... Born May 21, 1993 ... Son of David and Donna Lee ... Has one brother, Alex ... Father played basketball for Bethany College (1978-79) and mother played volleyball for Iowa State (1979-82

The following student-athletes have been admitted to North Dakota State and are recruited walk-ons to the program:

Brandon Chrest, LB/S, 6-3, 195, Cavalier, N.D. (Cavalier H.S.)
Dylan Dunn, WR, 6-3, 200, Fargo, N.D. (Shanley H.S.)
Joe Haeg, OT, 6-5, 245, Lake Shore, Minn. (Brainerd H.S.)
Alex LaVoy, LB, 6-1, 210, Naytahwaush, Minn. (Mahnomen H.S.)
Jacob Lesar, OG, 6-6, 310, Hermantown, Minn. (Hermantown H.S.)
Leighton Talmadge, DE, 6-6, 220, Bismarck, N.D. (Bismarck H.S.)
Dan Wood, DT, 6-4, 250, Pelican Rapids, Minn. (Pelican Rapids H.S.)

North Dakota State went 9-5 and reached the NCAA Division FCS quarterfinals before falling to No. 1-ranked Eastern Washington 38-31 in overtime in Cheney, Wash., on Dec. 11. It was a dramatic turnaround for the Bison, who went 3-8 in 2009. NDSU is scheduled to open the 2011 season against Lafayette College on Sept. 3 in the Fargodome.