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BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University head football coach Jeff Tesch today announced the addition of 27 student-athletes to the BSU roster for the 2010 season. Of the 27 commitments, 15 signed National Letters of Intent, one is a transfer and 11 have inked offers of admission to attend Bemidji State.

The class is comprised of 28 high school seniors who will join the program as true freshmen next year.

The 15 NLI signees include four offensive players - an offensive linemen, a running back, one wide receiver and a tight end; and 11 are defensive players - five defensive linemen, three defensive backs, two inside linebackers and an outside linebacker.

The remaining 11 players who will be joining the BSU program after signing letters of admission are heavily sprinkled on the offensive side of the ball, with nine offensive players and three defensive recruits. The letter of admission players include a defensive back, an inside linebacker, an outside linebacker, three running backs, two wide receivers, two tight ends and three offensive linemen.

The 2010 class was drawn from five states, with 18 hailing from Minnesota. In addition, committed players currently reside in Wisconsin (5), North Dakota (2), Georgia (1) and Illinois (1). The 2010 BSU roster will feature players from 14 states stretching from coast to coast.

Bemidji State finished the 2009 campaign with an 8-3 overall record and a 7-3 mark in league play. With eight wins, BSU has now posted eight or more wins five times since head coach Jeff Tesch took the reigns of the program 14 years ago. In the 70 years prior to his arrival, Bemidji State recorded just one eight-win campaign.

Tesch returns 11 starters on the offensive side of the ball, which includes First-Team All-NSIC quarterback Derek Edholm (Sr., Anoka, Minn.) and eight starters on a defense led by Jordan Lardinois (Sr., DE, New Franken, Wis.) a First-Team All-NSIC defensive lineman.

National Letter of Intent Signees (15)
Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (last school)
Nathan Adams DL 6-2 222 Fr-HS 5-4 Litchfield, Minn. (Litchfield HS)
Kyle Asmus ILB 6-2 220 Fr-HS 5-4 Isanti, Minn. (Cambridge-Isanti HS)
Aaron Bartholomew TE/OL 6-6 245 Fr-HS 5-4 Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi HS)
Brian Bueckers Jr. OLB 6-2 225 Fr-HS 5-4 Avon, Minn. (Albany HS)
Scott Christensen DB 6-0 175 Fr-HS 5-4 Stockbridge, Ga. (Dutchtown HS)
Pat Cotter DB 6-0 180 Fr-HS 5-4 Ramsey, Minn. (Anoka HS)
Luke Gerding DB 6-3 175 Fr-HS 5-4 Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park, HS)
Mike Jensen DL 6-5 230 Fr-HS 5-4 Suamico, Wis. (Bay Port HS)
Daniel Kiebler DL 6-4 240 Fr-HS 5-4 Franklin Park, Ill. (West Leyden HS)
Alexander Lepp WR 5-9 155 Fr-HS 5-4 Green Bay, Wis. (Ashwaubenon HS)
Evan Olson ILB 6-0 210 Fr-HS 5-4 Bemidji, Minn. (Bemidji HS)
Wayne Paulus DL 6-4 237 Fr-HS 5-4 Belgium, Wis. (Cedar Grove-Belgium HS)
Dylan Peterson OL 6-7 285 Fr-HS 5-4 Hillman, Minn. (Pierz HS)
William Reinke DL 6-3 215 Fr-HS 5-4 New Prague, Minn. (New Prague HS)
Chais Wakefield P/K 5-7 160 Fr-HS 5-4 Park Falls, Wis. (Chequamegon HS)

Transfer Commitments (1)
Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (last school)
Steven Battle RB 5-10 207 Sr-TR 1-1 Grand Forks, N.D. (North Dakota)

BSU Offer of Admission Signees (11)
Name Pos Ht Wt Exp Elig Hometown (last school)
David Ackermann ILB 6-1 195 Fr-HS 5-4 Ham Lake, Minn. (Blaine HS)
Alexander Boelter OL 6-5 305 Fr-HS 5-4 South St. Paul, Minn. (South St. Paul HS)
Matthew Coen-Tuff OL 6-1 275 Fr-HS 5-4 Grand Forks, N.D. (Red River HS)
Jared Flaata RB 5-8 178 Fr-HS 5-4 Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park HS)
Sean Franks TE 6-2 200 Fr-HS 5-4 North Branch, Minn. (North Branch HS)
Joseph Hurlbut TE 6-5 220 Fr-HS 5-4 Alexandria, Minn. (Jefferson Senior HS)
Todd Kallroos DB 6-0 175 Fr-HS 5-4 Tenstrike, Minn. (Blackduck HS)
Marcus Miranda RB 6-2 205 Fr-HS 5-4 Aurora, Minn. (Mesabi East HS)
Aaron Odland OL 6-3 290 Fr-HS 5-4 Roseville, Minn. (Concordia Academy)
Jared Roelofs OLB 6-2 215 Fr-HS 5-4 Glyndon, Minn. (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton HS)
Zac Thelen WR 5-9 160 Fr-HS 5-4 New Franken, Wis. (Bay Port HS)

The Class Breakdown:
Total: 27
Freshman: 26
Transfers: 1

By State:
Minnesota (18): Adams, Ackermann, Asmus, Bartholomew, Boelter, Bueckers, Cotter, Flaata, Franks, Gerding, Hurlbut, Kallroos, Miranda, Odland, Olson, Peterson, Reinke, Roelofs
North Dakota (2): Battle, Coen-Tuff
Georgia (1): Christensen
Wisconsin (5): Jensen, Lepp, Paulus, Thelen, Wakefield
Illinois (1): Kiebler

By Position (first position listed):
Offense (13): Bartholomew (TE/OL), Battle (RB), Boelter (OL), Coen-Tuff (OL), Flaata (RB), Franks (TE), Hurlbut (TE), Lepp (WR), Mirnada (RB), Odland (OL), Peterson (OL), Thelen (WR)
Defense (13): Ackermann (ILB), Adams (DL), Asmus (ILB), Bueckers (OLB), Christensen (DB), Cotter (DB), Gerding (DB), Jensen (DL), Kallroos (DB), Kiebler (DL), Olson (ILB), Paulus (DL), Reinke (DE), Roelofs (OLB)
Kicker/Punter (1): Wakefield

National Letter of Intent Signees
• Nathan Adams (DL, 6-2, 222; Litchfield, Minn. / Litchfield HS)
A three-sport athlete at Litchfield High School, Adams was a two-time all-conference selection anchoring the Dragons’ defensive unit as its captain... Posted 53 tackles (19s-34a) last fall to rank third on the team... Led the team in sacks (7), forced fumbles (2), fumble recoveries (2) and blocked three punts... Earned all-area laurels at the conclusion of his junior and senior seasons, was selected SDSU All-Camp Defensive End... Is a two-time all-conference and all-area prep hockey player... Was the Dragons Hockey Team Offensive Player of the Year on two occasions... A four-time letterwinner, he is team captain this season... In addition, Adams holds the Litchfield High School bench press record... Is a three-year letterwinner and all-conference tennis player... Is a steady member of the all-conference academic team and a member of the student council.

• Kyle Asmus (ILB, 6-2, 220; Isanti, Minn. / Cambridge-Isanti HS)
Asmus is a five-time letterwinner at Cambridge-Isanti High School earning three letters in football and two in track and field... Was selected as the Bluejackets’ team captain as a senior... A two-time All-Mississippi 8 pick, he also earned all-section honors last fall... A talent in the classroom, Olson has never missed an “A” Honor Roll and has two academic letters.

• Aaron Bartholomew (TE/OL, 6-6, 245; Mahtomedi, Minn. / Mahtomedi HS)
Played a key roll in guiding the Zephyrs to a 10-2 overall record last fall, finishing the season ranked sixth in Class 4A... Averaged 14.3 yards per catch as a senior... Blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher and an offensive unit that gained more than 2,500 yards on the ground... The Mahtomedi offense averaged nearly 29 points per game, while out scoring its opponents by an average of two touchdowns per game... Was selected honorable mention all-conference at the conclusion of the 2009 season... Also earned letters in hockey in baseball... Garnered high academic honors during his freshman and sophomore years at Mahtomedi High School... Is a regular on the honor roll.

• Brian Bueckers Jr. (OLB, 6-2, 225; Avon, Minn. / Albany HS)
A three-year standout for the Albany High School football team, Bueckers was a member of a 2007 state tournament team and was on two AHS teams that fell in the Class AAA Section 6 championship game... Had a 30-5 record as a prep... Was named All-West Central Conference... Was the league’s north division player of the year... Earned his team’s co-defensive player of the year honor... Was the Sauk Valley Player of the Year and garnered a spot on the St. Cloud Times All-Area Team... Is also a three-time letterwinner for the Albany High School basketball team... Is a key player on a Huskies’ team that is 13-1 this season and is coming off a 20-7 season a year ago... Is a constant on the Albany High School Honor Roll.

• Scott Christensen (DB, 6-0, 175; Stockbridge, Ga. / Dutchtown HS)
A three-year starter and four-year member of the varsity football team at Dutchtown High School, Christensen has a knack for making the big play on the football field... As a senior, he accounted for two quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and defensive touchdown from his strong safety position... Is a second-team all-conference pick and was named second-team all-region... His father played for BSU in the 1980s.

• Pat Cotter (CB, 6-0, 180; Ramsey, Minn. / Anoka HS)
A standout for the Tornadoes since 2007, Cotter has competed in football, wresting and track and field as a prep... As a senior running back, he captained the 2009 Anoka High team to a 6-4 record... He piled up 744 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground to lead the Tornadoes and grabbed 12 passes for 128 yards through the air... Earned a spot on the all-conference team and was named as his team’s most valuable offensive player marking the second time he was selected for the award following his sophomore season... Was an all-conference cornerback in 2008... Also excelled in track earning all-state accolades as a freshman, sophomore and junior specializing in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 400-meter dash... Cotter also found a place on the Anoka wresting team, earning an individual state title as a freshman.

• Luke Gerding (DB, 6-3, 175; Blaine, Minn. / Spring Lake Park HS)
A three-sport standout at Spring Lake Park High School, Gerding has lettered in football, hockey and baseball... Earned all-conference laurels on the gridiron last fall... Was named as the Panthers’ most valuable player... Posted academic all-state and all-conference honors as a senior... Was selected all-conference honorable mention in hockey last winter... Was the team’s most improved player... Garnered a spot on the 2009 all-conference baseball team.

• Mike Jensen (DL, 6-5 230; Suamico, Wis. / Bay Port HS)
Jensen comes to Bemidji State after a prep career at Bay Port High School... Is one of two members from Bay Port to commit with the Beavers this spring... Was a member of two Pirate conference championship teams including a 2009 squad that posted an overall record of 8-2 and was 7-2 in Fox River Classic play... Anchored a defensive unit that allowed an average of just 14 points per game... Holds the Bay Port High School power clean record.

• Daniel Kiebler (DL, 6-4, 240; Franklin Park, Ill. / West Leyden HS)
One of two signees hailing from Illinois... A three-year letterwinner at Leyden High School... Named team captain in 2008 and 2009... Was a two-way starter... Led the Eagles to the playoffs in both 2007 and 2009... Was selected for the 8A All-Area Award by the Daily Herald... A two-time All-West Suburban League honoree... Earned honorable mention all-state accolades as a senior... Also competed on the Leyden High School wrestling team... Placed fourth in the state at the 215-pound weight class to wrap up the 2008-09 campaign and enters 2009-10 as the top-ranked Class 3A wrestler in his weight class.

• Alexander Lepp (WR, 5-9, 155; Green Bay, Wis. / Ashwaubenon HS)
An All-Fox River Classic Conference running back and kick returner last fall, Lepp was a two-time football letter winner at Ashwaubenon High School... An explosive back with a nose for the end zone, he posted 101 yards and five touchdowns on 11 carries in the first half of the 2009 season-opener... His speed also translates well to the track where he is a four-time letterwinner and was an all-state performer as a junior... Was a member of the Ashwaubenon 4x200-meter relay team that took third place at the state track and field meet last spring... Has earned an academic letter and is a member of the “A” honor roll.

• Evan Olson (ILB, 6-0, 210; Bemidji, Minn. / Bemidji HS)
A two-sport athlete at Bemidji High School, Evan Olson was a three-year starter for the Lumberjack football team and captained the team during his final two seasons... Was an all-section linebacker as a senior leading BHS to its first Class AAAA Section 7 Championship since 2000... Last fall earned the Golden Helmet Award, annually given to Bemidji High School’s hardest hitting player... Was the recipient of the 2009 Lumberjack Award distinguishing him as the most dedicated player... Totaled 400 tackles as a prep and finished his senior season ranked second in the state with 173 stops... Helped lead the reemergence of the BHS football program helping the team to its first winning season in 10 years and its first playoff victory since 2000... A two-way player for the Lumberjacks, Olson once posted 104 rushing yards in the same game he collected 22 tackles, with four coming for a loss... Active on the wrestling team, Olson is a two-time captain... He also garnered all-state credentials as a junior... Olson stands as the first BHS scholarship player to sign a National Letter of Intent at Bemidji State since Anthony Acosta committed in the spring of 2002 and began his BSU football career in 2003 and follows a long line of record-setting Bemidji High School grads to play for the Beavers such as Eddie Acosta and Ryan Welle.

• Wayne Paulus (DL, 6-4, 237; Belgium, Wis. / Cedar Grove-Belgium HS)
A standout on both the offensive and defensive lines, Paulus was named Sheboygan Press First-Team All-Area and unanimous all-conference pick as a senior, earned first-team all-conference laurels as a junior and was an all-conference defensive lineman as a sophomore. On offense, he was an unanimous all-conference pick last fall... Was named Sheboygan Press First-Team All-Area and first-team all-conference as a junior... Picked up honorable mention all-conference honors at the conclusion of his sophomore season.

• Dylan Peterson (OL, 6-7, 285; Hillman, Minn. / Pierz HS)
Peterson was the force behind Pierz High School’s 10-2 overall record and trip to the Minnesota State Football Tournament in 2009... The Pioneers’ offense averaged over 33 points per game and posted an average margin of victory of more than 22 points... Pierz finished the season ranked No. 7 in Minnesota Class AA... The six-foot-seven, 285-pound offensive tackle was rewarded for his dominant play with First-Team All-Central Minnesota Conference and second-team all-state honors... In addition, Peterson was named as the Central Minnesota Conference Lineman of the Year... A three-sport student-athlete at Pierz, he also competes in wrestling and track and field... Peterson is a member of the Pierz High School Honor Roll.

• William Reinke (DL, 6-3, 215; New Prague, Minn. / New Prague HS)
A captain for New Prague High School as a senior, Reinke was elected as the team’s most valuable defensive player in 2009... Led the Trojans to an 8-2 overall record last fall... Garnered All-Missota Conference honors... Was named all-state by the Minnesota Associated Press... Earned a spot on the Start Tribune All-Metro Team... Also on the Trojans’ wrestling team.

• Chais Wakefield (P/K, 5-7,160; Park Falls, Wis. / Chequamegon HS)
A standout on the football field and wrestling mat at Chequamegon High, Wakefield lettered in both football and wresting... Piled up over 600 yards on the ground as a quarterback last fall... Earned Second-Team All-Marawood Conference accolades as a signal caller and place kicker... Ran for 891 yards at Park Falls High School as a junior... Was 11-of-12 on PATs and converted both field goal attempts... Collected second-team all-conference honors at quarterback and kicker... Was a second-team all-conference wrestler as a junior... Is a member of the National Honor Society, the Chequamegon High Honor Roll and Who’s Who National Honor Roll... Is the younger brother of current Bemidji State wide receiver Beau Wakefield.

Transfer Commitments
• Steven Battle (RB, 5-10, 207; Grand Forks, N.D. / University of North Dakota)
Comes to Bemidji State after three seasons at the University of North Dakota... Saw time in nine games as a reserve running back in 2009... Rushed for 87 yards on 10 carries to lead the Fighting Sioux with an 8.7 yards per carry mark... Rattled off a career-best 36-yard run versus Sioux Falls, Oct. 17, 2009... In three seasons, Battle logged time in 41 collegiate games, carried the ball 41 times for a total of 219 yards... Comes into his final season of eligibility with a career yards per carry average of 5.34... Red shirted in 2006... Prior to UND, Battle was a 2005 graduate of Amesbury High School... He was a three-time letterwinner in football and was named as his team’s most valuable player as a senior... Earned all-league honors... Also lettered in basketball and track and field.

BSU Offer of Admission Signees
• David Ackermann (ILB, 6-1, 195; Ham Lake, Minn. / Blaine HS)
A gridiron standout in his final two seasons at Blaine High School... Ackermann is a two-time all-conference selection... Led the Bengals with 93 tackles (63s-33a) in 2009... Added a sack, five tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries in nine games as a senior... Was selected as Blaine High School’s Defensive MVP.

• Alexander Boelter (OL, 6-5, 305; South St. Paul, Minn. / South St. Paul HS)
A three-year letterwinner in both football and track and field at South St. Paul High School, Boelter led an offensive line that finished second in the conference with over 2,200 rushing yards in 2009... A team captain last fall, was a first-team all-conference lineman as a senior following all-conference honorable mention laurels as a junior... Throws discus and shot put for the Packers’ track and field team... Was nominated for the MSHL AAA Award for academic and athletic achievement... Is a member of the honor roll and the National Honor Society.

• Matthew Coen-Tuff (OL, 6-1, 275; Grand Forks, N.D. / Red River HS)
A two-year football letterwinner. and two-year starter on the offensive line... Helped Red River High School to a 6-3 record and the state playoffs in 2009... Led the RRHS offense in a win over rival Grand Forks Central High School in the Cushman Classic... Also participates in track and field.

• Jared Flaata (RB, 5-8, 178; Cottage Grove, Minn. / Park HS)
Flaata comes from Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minn. where he participated in wrestling and track and field in addition to football... A team captain in 2009, Flaata was selected by his teammates as the most valuable offensive player last fall... Totaled 667 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry to lead the Wolfpack’s rushing attack as a senior... An all-conference pick in 2009, he also gained all-conference honorable mention accolades as a junior... A two-time all-conference and academic all-conference wrestler, Flaata has captained the Wolfpack each of the last two seasons... He led Park with 11 pins in 2008-09 en route to being voted as the team’s most valuable wrestler and garnering all-state honors... Was placed on the all-state academic second-team... A captain of the track and field team as a junior he competes in discus, shot put and the 100-meter dash... Has been named as the Park Athlete of the Week on two occasions... An academic letterwinner as a sophomore, junior and senior... Also actively volunteers within his community.

• Sean Franks (TE, 6-2, 200; North Branch, Minn. / North Branch HS)
A letterwinner in football, weight lifting, basketball and academics at North Branch High School... Recorded 16 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns on the gridiron as a senior... Also posted 46 tackles on the defensive side of the ball to finish third on the team... Led the Vikings in offense as a junior, hauling in 14 passes for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns... Was an All-North Suburban Team selection in 2008 and 2009... Is a regular on the North Branch High School Honor Roll.

• Joseph Hurlbut (TE, 6-5, 220; Alexandria, Minn. /Jefferson Senior HS)
Started on both sides of the ball for an Alexandria Cardinals team that bowed out in the Section 8 Class AAAA Championship game as the No. 8 team in the state... Was named All-Central Lakes Conference at the conclusion of his senior season... Also participated in basketball and track and field.

• Todd Kallroos (DB, 6-0, 175; Tenstrike, Minn. / Blackduck HS)
A three-sport student-athlete at Blackduck High School, Kallroos has earned 12 varsity letters... Is active in football, basketball and baseball for the Drakes... Was selected All-Northern Plains Conference and all-section following his senior football campaign... Earned all-conference honors on the hardcourt as a junior... A four-year starter on the Drakes’ baseball team entering his senior season, he was named all-conference last spring... Kallroos is a member of the National Honor Society and the Blackduck High School Honor Roll.

• Marcus Miranda (RB, 6-2, 203; Aurora, Minn. / Mesabi East HS)
A three-sport athlete for Mesabi East High School, Miranda has earned three letters in football, three in basketball and three in track and field... Was named Third-Team All-Great Polar Red Conference... Earned a spot on the all-range team... Rushed for 850 yards on 144 carries in eight games as a senior (106 yards per game... Led the team in tackles with 80, which included two quarterback sacks, in addition to an interception... Piled up over 4,000 all-purpose yards as a prep, gaining over 2,500 rushing yards... Found the endzone 35 times for the Giants, five times recording four-touchdown games... Broke onto the scene rushing for over 250 yards with three touchdowns in just the third game of his sophomore career... Was named to the all-defense team in basketball... Is a Mesabi East Honor Roll member and is the Two-Team Platinum Project Democracy Winner.

• Aaron Odland (OL, 6-3, 290; Roseville, Minn. / Concordia Academy)
Is a four-time letterwinner at Concordia Academy... Held down the strong side tackle spot for an offense that bolstered a 1,500-yard rusher... Garnered All-Tri-Metro honors as a senior... Was the Tri-Metro weight lifting champion... Is also an all-conference selection in track and field, competing in the shot put.

• Jared Roelofs (OLB, 6-2, 215; Glyndon, Minn. / Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton HS)
A six-time letterwinner at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School, Roelofs is active in both football and basketball... Captained the 9-2, Section 8AA runner up Rebels’ football squad in 2009... Piled up 12 touchdowns on seven receptions for 169 yards and 619 yards on the ground... Defensively, he recorded 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three pass break ups and a sack... Was named All-Heart O’Lakes and all-section in addition to garnering the league’s top linebacker award... A three-year letterwinner on the hardcourt, he is the captain of the Rebels’ basketball team this winter... Is no stranger to the NSIC, as his brother Zach was a member of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s 2008 National Championship team... Is on the Dilwoth-Glyndon-Felton Honor Roll... Is a member of the National Honor Society... Has been selected as the DGFHS Student of the Month and is a DARE Role Model.

• Zac Thelen (WR, 5-9, 155; New Franken, Wis. / Bay Port HS)
A two-sport athlete at Bay Port High School, Thelen participates in football and track and field... As the Pirates’ quarterback in 2009, Thelen led the team in total yardage racking up a team-high 714 yards on the ground and 698 yards through the air... He accounted for 17 touchdowns as a senior and posted an average of 32 yards per kick return, which included a pair of kicks returned for touchdowns... Was named First-Team All-Fox River Classic Conference and Green Bay Press Gazette First-Team All-Area as a quarterback, while he earned all-conference honorable mention laurels as a kick returner... On the track, Thelen is a four-time letter award winner... Joins teammate Mike Jensen, who also committed to the Beavers for the 2010 season.

--bsu--