Black Hills State football and Head Coach Josh Breske have announced their 2023 additions on National Signing Day.
 
The class currently consists of 43 incoming freshmen and eight mid-year transfers, including 12 receivers, 9 defensive linemen, seven linebackers, seven defensive backs, six offensive linemen, five quarterbacks, three tight ends and two running backs.
 
"I'm very excited about this 2023 signing class," said Breske. "My staff did a great job of going out and finding the next group of future Yellow Jackets. They found not only great players, but also great young men and scholars. Our signing day class consisted of 28 offensive and 23 defensive players. This group of signees will add to our already talented roster and help us to continue to push this program to the top. Keep checking for updates as we will have a few more additions over the next few weeks."
 
Geographically, the 51 come from eight different states with the highest number of signees are coming from California with 17.
 
From there, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah each with five, Arizona and South Dakota with four each, Nebraska and Washington with three, Texas with two, Missouri and Oklahoma with one each, and one signee out of Germany.
 
 
2023 Football Signing Class
Noah Abboud – WR, Katy, Texas, Cinco Ranch H.S.
Lettered in football at Cinco Ranch High School in Texas … tallied 12 receiving touchdowns … was the top wide receiver in the Houston area.
 
Jeremiah Aihia – DB, Arlington, Texas, Mansfield Timberview H.S.
Totaled 23 tackles, two interceptions and 16 pass breakups during his high school career … was named All-District DB and First Team All-Academic.
 
Kyler Bartlett – OL, Green River, Wyo., Green River H.S.
Helped lead the offensive line at Green River High School in Wyoming … was a 2022 team captain as well as 2022 Wyoming 3A All-State and All-Conference … earned an invite to the 2023 Wyoming Shrine Bowl.
 
Blake Bell – WR, Buffalo, Wyo., Buffalo H.S.
Tallied a career 2,611 yards on 168 catches for 24 touchdowns during his time at Buffalo High School … twice named All-Conference and All-State … was also named Top 25 Second Team.
 
Damien Boozer – WR, Stockton, Calif., Lincoln H.S.
Compiled 1,597 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 48 receptions during his time at Lincoln High School … on defense, tallied four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … named TCAL First Team All-League as a senior … played in the Bay Area Classic All-Star Game.
 
Roman Carrasco – OL, Goodyear, Ariz., Desert Edge H.S.
Helped lead the offensive line at Desert Edge High School in Arizona … twice earned Second Team All-Region.
 
KJ Chatham – QB, San Diego, Calif., Lincoln H.S.
Totaled 2,100 passing yards and 21 touchdowns with a 60 percent completion percentage … was team captain of the California Division 1AA State Championship team … also played in the Makasi All-Star Bowl game … named First Team All-League, All-CIF and All-California.
 
Griffin de Abreu – WR, Ripon, Calif., Ripon Christian H.S.
Lettered in football at Ripon Christian High School in California.
 
Brock Douzenis – WR, Worland, Wyo., Worland H.S.
Recorded 1,846 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns on 148 catches during his time at Worland High School … totaled 2,845 all-purpose yards on offense and on defense made 105.5 tackles to go with six interceptions, including a pair of pick-sixes … was a team captain in senior season and earned in invite to the 2023 Shrine Bowl ... was named 2020 All-State and All-Conference, and 2021 All-Conference ... also competed in basketball and track.
 
KC Fackerell – DB, Colorado Springs, Colo., Palmer Ridge H.S.
Totaled 980 receiving yards, nearly 1,400 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns on offense, and 51 tackles and nine pass breakups on defense during his time at Palmer Ridge High School in Colorado … was a two-time All-Conference honoree and was named Second Team All-State ... In senior year, put up 998 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns including a kick return ... defensively, made 34 tackles, seven breakups, two interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered one ... was an honorary captain three times throughout senior season and was selected to play in the 2023 Colorado All-State Game.
 
Trey Feheske – WR, Fort Morgan, Colo., Wiggins H.S.
Was named First Team Academic All-State as a sophomore and junior at Wiggins High School in Colorado … Earned First Team All-Conference honors in junior season … played in the Blue Grey All-American game in Tampa, Fla. in January of 2023.
 
Michael Forney – OL, Santa Clara, Calif., Archbishop Mitty H.S.
As a senior, totaled 27 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups … played in the Polynesian All-American Bowl and Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Game in 2023 … was named First Team All-League as a senior … also played baseball in high school.
 
Vincent Friend – LB, San Diego, Calif., Mater Dei Catholic
Played in 33 games during his time at Mater Dei Catholic in California … tallied 200 tackles, nine sacks and two interceptions … in 13 games as a senior he totaled 96 tackles, four sacks and a pick … is a two-time 2-AA California State Champion … is also a two-time team captain, First Team All-Metro League honoree, and All-South Bay honoree, played in the Makasi bowl.
 
Shea Gabriel – WR, Victorville, Calif., Oak Hills H.S.
Tallied 1,333 receiving yards during his time at Oak Hills High School with 82 catches for 18 touchdowns … he averaged 55.5 receiving yards per game and was twice named First Team All-League and All-Area … also wrestled in high school.
 
Eric Gladney – LB, Vacaville, Calif., Vacaville H.S.
Totaled 165 tackles, 24 for loss and 13 sacks during his time at Vacaville High School … tallied 102 tackles, 20 for loss and eight sacks as a senior while being named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region … as a junior he made 63 tackles and five sacks while earning First Team All-Conference honors ... was a team captain in senior season and earned in invite to the 2023 Shrine Bowl.
 
Craig Gordon – DL, Compton, Calif., Milikan H.S.
In his senior year at Milikan High School, he totaled 72 tackles, 54 of them solos, and seven sacks … he averaged 4.5 tackles per game and recorded a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … was named First Team All-Moore League, Milikan Defensive Player of the Year, and the Press Telegram Southern Section Dream Team.
 
Matthew Gray – LB, Faith, S.D., Faith H.S.
The four-year varsity starter totaled 133 total tackles, 101 solos, two pass breakups and a sack in his senior year … he also recorded two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … on offense he tallied six touchdowns and 533 rushing yards on 110 carries ... was a team captain his junior and senior seasons, and also earned All-Conference those years ... also played basketball.
 
Jackson Hughes – DB, Douglas, Wyo., Douglas H.S.
Compiled 14 career interceptions, 87 tackles, 41 solos, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery … named Wyoming All-State Super 25.
 
Darien Jackson – DL, Corona, Calif., Corona Centennial H.S.
Made 75 tackles as a senior with four sacks … was twice named First Team All-League and also earned First Team All-Defense and Second Team All-League.
 
Anson Jaramillo – DB, Draper, Utah, Alta H.S.
During his time at Alta High School, totaled 283 rushing attempts for 1,586 yards and 13 touchdowns … as a senior he scored three touchdowns and rushed 79 times for 381 yards, and had two games with over 100 yards rushing … was named First Team All-Region and was a three-year letterwinner ... is brother to teammate Isaac Jaramillo.
 
Isaac Jaramillo – DB, Draper, Utah, Alta H.S.
Was a two-year varsity starter and was named First Team All-Region both years … combined for 102 tackles, 13 pass breakups and an interception over those two years ... Is brother to teammate Anson Jaramillo.
 
Gage Maras – OL, Scottsdale, Ariz., Boulder Creek H.S.
Helped lead the offensive line at Boulder Creek High School in Arizona … was named First Team All-Region and was a team captain his senior year … earned Second Team All-Region as a junior and the team made it to the 6A State Semifinals in 2020.
 
Jack Maulhardt – TE, Camarillo, Calif., Adolfo Camarillo H.S.
During his career at Adolfo Camarillo High School he totaled 92 receptions for 1,262 yards and 16 touchdowns … as a junior, totaled 33 catches for 354 receiving yards and three touchdowns … named Ventura County All-Star and senior captain during the 2022-23 season ... two-time First Team All-League and Camino League Receiver of the Year ... twice won All-Ventura County Receiver ... ACHS Most Versatile Player of the Year ... ACHS Offensive Player of the Year.
 
Emiliano Mejia – RB, Los Gatos, Calif., Los Gatos H.S.
Compiled 2,000 rushing yards during his time at Los Gatos High School and scored 31 total touchdowns while averaging eight yards per carry … played in the Wedemeyer All-Star Game and Gets Sport Focus All-Star Game as a team captain … was captain of his high school team and was named SCVAL Offensive Player of the Year.
 
Dane Merhish – LB, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Brighton H.S.
Recorded 165 tackles, 46 for loss, 13 sacks and two interceptions during his time at Brighton High School … was named All-Region Honorable Mention in 2021 and 2022 … helped team to regional championships from 2021-2023.
 
Tremell Miles – DL, Sacramento, Calif., Inderkum H.S.
Totaled 40 sacks during his time of the defensive line for Inderkum High School … also scored 11 touchdowns on offense while serving as a team captain.
 
Isaiah Morales – DL, Lemoore, Calif., Lemoore H.S.
Lettered three times in football at Lemoore High School … totaled 57 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and scored a defensive touchdown … in 2022, won Central Section Division II Championship and was the Nor Cal CIF State runner up ... was a team captain in 2021 and 2022 while also earning Fresno Bee Top 100 honors and West Yosemite League Football Lineman of the Year honors ... also competed in wrestling.
 
Tyden Morris – RB, St. George, Utah, Desert Hills H.S.
Helped Desert Hills High School win a state championship while rushing for 1,455 yards on the season … rushed for 932 yards as a junior at a new high school after moving from where he was at for his freshmen and sophomore seasons … was named 4A Player of the Year and was a two-time First Team All-State honoree ... was also twice named First Team All-Region and a Freshman All-Star MVP.
 
Ethan Nehlich – DL, Hartford, S.D., Tri-Valley H.S.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College: Played two years there and has totaled 31 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and two sacks. High School: Was team captain as a senior at Tri-Valley High School where he was a team captain for both football and wrestling.
 
Dion Quintana – WR, Yuma, Ariz., Yuma Catholic H.S.
In his senior year at Yuma Catholic High School after transferring his junior season, he totaled 492 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns … averaged 14.1 yards per catch and helped the team to a state championship … was named First Team All-Region.
 
Thomas Salmen – TE, Tulare, S.D., Hitchcock-Tulare H.S.
Over his junior and senior seasons at Hitchcock-Tulare High School, he totaled 36 catches for 715 yards and eight touchdowns … he also rushed nine times for 36 yards and a touchdown … he helped his team to the 2022 State 9B Football Championship and was a team captain ... was named First Team All-State as a defensive end and was also named on the South Dakota Elite 45 ... also played high school basketball and competed in track.
 
Ajani Smith – WR, Pacoima, Calif., Golden Valley H.S.
Compiled 1,013 receiving yards and 1,617 all-purpose yards for 13 touchdowns in his senior year at Golden Valley High School … also hauled in four interceptions on defense in both his junior and senior seasons … was a team captain as a senior and was named First Team on defense.
 
Karson Starr – OL, Edgewood, Wash., Sumner H.S.
Helped lead the offensive line at Sumner High School … as a senior, allowed zero sacks while helping the run game accumulate 2,400 rushing yards … named First Team All-League and Second Team All-Area … during his career, he only allowed two sacks while the team totaled over 4,000 rushing yards and 7,000 passing yards ... earned All-Star Game and Dream All-American nods ... Nisqually All-League Honorable Mention ... First and Second Team SPSL All-League honors.
 
Chase Stewart – DB, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach Poly H.S.
Finished his high school career with 18 pass breakups, 26 solo tackles, an interception, and no touchdowns allowed … only allowed eight catches across all 11 games … was named a Defensive MVP … First Team All-League and Press Telegram California Dream Team Selection ... 2021-22 CIF Champion.
 
Braeden Stull – DB, Bridgeport, Neb., Scottsbluff H.S.
In his career at Scottsbluff High School, totaled 2,745 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns … on the ground he recorded 2,531 yards and 44 touchdowns … in senior year he completed 62 percent of his passes for 915 total passing yards and eight touchdowns while running for 1,121 yards and 18 touchdowns ... All-Region player of the year 2022-2023 ... First Team All-District ... Western Conference First Team ... Team Offensive Player of the Year ... Omaha World Herald All-State Honorable Mention ... Lincoln Journal Star Class B First Team ... Star Herald First Team offense (2022-2023) ... First Team All-District ... Western Conference First Team ... Team Offensive Player of the Year.
 
Rune Tepolt – LB, Peoria, Ariz., Liberty H.S.
Totaled 121 career tackles at Liberty High School, including 25 for a loss, three sacks, and forced five fumbles … made 80 tackles, 15 for a loss, and had two sacks in senior season … was named First Team All-Region and All-State Honorable Mention in senior year.
 
Deveron Toppin Jr. – WR, Denver, Colo., East H.S.
Recorded 12 catches for 264 yards and five touchdowns in senior year at East High School … defensively, he tallied a career 100 tackles and four interceptions … he earned Second Team All-Conference as a defensive back and was named honorable mention at wide receiver.
 
Wills Towers – QB, San Jose, Calif., Archbishop Mitty H.S.
As a senior, recorded over 2,500 passing yards to go along with 28 passing touchdowns and two rushing scores … finished that season with a 66 percent completion percentage and was a Central Coast Section Division 1 Finalist … Made it to the All-Star Game as a senior and lettered three years ... earned First Team All-WCAL ... was Mid-Season Candidate Player of the Year and All-Bay Area News Group Second Team QB.
 
Will Triplett – OL, Boulder, Colo., Frederick H.S.
Helped lead the offensive line at Frederick High School … totaled 113 pancake blocks during his time and also accumulated 3.5 sacks on defense … was a two-time varsity captain and was named All-Conference in 2021 and 2022.
 
Hayden Umble – LB, Mitchell, Neb., Mitchell H.S.
Defensively, totaled 178 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles at Mitchell High School … offensively, he rushed for 1,753 yards and 27 touchdowns while hauling in three receiving touchdowns … in senior year he made 77 tackles and averaged 7.7 per game with a pair of interceptions ... had seven games with over 100 rushing yards and scored 21 total touchdowns, 19 on the ground and two receiving ... a team captain in 2022, he was also named All-State, All-Region, All-Western Trails Conference and All-Western Conference as a senior ... in his junior year he earned First Team All-District, All-Region, All-Western Conference and All-Western Trails Conference honors.
 
Kade Weber – QB, Worland, Wyo., Worland H.S.
Totaled a career 18 varsity games at Worland High School, totaling 3,334 passing yards and completing 280 of 387 attempts for a 72.3 percent completion percentage … in that time he accumulated 32 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions, 18 rushing touchdowns and 3,925 all-purpose yards ... was team captain in both junior and senior year ... selected to the 2023 Shrine Bowl ... named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State in both 2021 and 2022, but was unanimous his senior year ... also played basketball and soccer.
 
Jace Wheeler – DL, Papillion, Neb., Papillion Lavista H.S.
In senior year, totaled 31 tackles, 15 solos, and two sacks … was team captain and played in the Battle Bowl … received an invite to play in the Shrine Bowl.
 
Isaiah Zuniga – LB, Apple Valley, Calif., Apple Valley H.S.
A team captain his junior and senior year, Zuniga tallied 64 tackles, six for loss, an interception and five sacks during that time … was named First Team All-Mojave River League linebacker and First Team All-Area linebacker.
 
 
Mid-Year Transfers
Carson Arnold – TE, Brigham City, Utah, Box Elder H.S.
Two-time first team all-region selection and an all-state honorable mention selection … his team made it to the second round of playoffs during his senior season.
 
Dade Bissell – DL, Denver, Colo., Cherry Creek H.S.
CSU Pueblo: Appeared in three games for the ThunderWolves in 2021 ... tallied four tackles, two solos.
 
High School: Made 194 tackles and four sacks during junior and senior season at CCHS … Named first team all-conference (2019) and honorable mention (2018) … Ranked No. 75 out of the best 225 players in the class of 2020 Colorado prep report … Helped to lead the Bruins to Class 5A Championships and a runner-up finish in 2018 … Was a three-sport athlete, competing in track & field, football and basketball.
 
Jake Blair – QB, Fr., Camas, Wash., Camas H.S.
Lettered three years at Camas High School and won the 2019 4A Washington State Title … was a team captain as a senior but was out due to a collarbone injury … junior season totaled 15 passing touchdowns and 1,136 yards while completing 68 of 103 pass attempts ... also rushed for 200 yards as a junior ... was an All-League quarterback and won the 2019 Mark Rego Leadership Award for the Clark County Chapter of the National Football Foundation ... was a league and state champion and a four-year scholar athlete ... also played baseball.
 
Charlie Bump – WR, Fr., Camas, Wash., Camas H.S.
Recorded 45 catches for 525 yards and seven touchdowns during his time at Camas High School in Washington … also made 86 tackles, a sack and five interceptions on the defensive side … was named Second Team GSHL Defensive Back and Honorable Mention Wide Receiver.
 
Tanner Clarkson – QB, Sr., Platte, Mo., Platte County H.S.
Northwestern Oklahoma State: In six games last season he completed 94 of 151 passing attempts for 1,141 yards and seven touchdowns ... over his three years at NOSU, he had a completion percentage of 61.4 percent and totaled 4,130 yards and 31 touchdowns.
 
High School: Graduated in 2018 from Platte County High School located in Platte City, MO… Clarkson played for Coach Bill Utz and led the Pirates to a District Championship and the State Semi Finals as the quarterback… He earned First Team All-State, First Team All-District and Offensive All-Conference Player of the Year.
 
Morgan Harkless – WR, Fr., Hot Springs, S.D., Hot Springs H.S.
Totaled 916 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Hot Springs High School … over his four years, he totaled 64 touchdowns on offense and nine interceptions on defense … was a two-time First Team All-Conference honoree and was also named Second Team All-Conference ... was twice named First Team All-State on special teams in 2017 and as a defensive back in 2018 ... was honorable mention on the Elite 45 list and made the list in 2018 ... played in the South Dakota All-Star Game in 2019.
 
Mylic Ritche – DL, Jr., Ardmore, Okla., Ardmore H.S.
Southern Nazarene: Appeared in 11 games in 2021 and twice recorded season-high three tackles … redshirted in 2019.
 
High School: Prepped two varsity seasons at Ardmore High School … was named All-District Tight End in senior year.
 
Niklas Woelfl – DL, Fr., Fürstenfeldbruck, Munich, Germany, Viscardi-Gymnasium
Played on the German national team and was named Defensive Captain in 2022 … played in the 2019 German Interstate Final with the Bavarian Warriors … in 2021 was the Fursty Razorbacks Captain in the German Junior Championships Final … was also the captain of the Razorbacks in 2022 as well as the national team in the European Championships Game in Prague ... has been named Spirit of the Team and Best Lineman in 2021 and MVP and Best Defensive Player in 2019.