SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University football program and head coach Josh Breske announced the signing of 36 high school seniors on Wednesday's National Signing Day. Among the future Yellow Jackets 36 signees, the Green & Gold hit heavily on the defensive side of the ball, bringing in ten defensive backs, the most of any position group, followed by seven linebackers.
 
HEAD COACH JOSH BRESKE SIGNING DAY INTERVIEW

---

QUARTERBACKS
Landon Wieman // Quarterback // 6' 4" // 205 lbs // Parker, S.D. // Parker H.S.
Wieman stays in state as a 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and 2-year captain, signal caller for head coach Scott Hybertson and Parker High School. He capped his prep career by leading the Pheasant to their second SDHSAA Class 11B Playoff appearance in three years, throwing for more than 1,500 yards and rushing for more than 380 yards as a senior while tallying 19 total touchdowns (12 passing and 7 rushing). In his prep career he totaled more than 3,930 passing yards, 715 rushing yards, and 43 total touchdowns. The South Dakota quarterback was a first team all-conference selection once and was a 2-time honorable mention all-conference selection. Landon is the son of Ryan and Kirsten Wieman and has one sibling Caleb.
 


Coach Breske's Thoughts: "We're excited to add Landon Wieman from Parker, S.D. to our program. He's an extremely tall, athletic quarterback with a rocket arm and the leadership presence you can build a team around — he makes plays with his arm and his legs, and he elevates everyone around him."

---

RUNNING BACKS
Jay Cummings // Runing Back // 5' 10" // 200 lbs // Elk Grove, Calif. // Christian Brothers H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner and starter, and 1-year captain for Christian Brothers High School and head coach Larry Morla, Cummings arrives in Spearfish after a prep career that saw him rush for more than 2,000 yards en route to three first team all-conference honors and two All-Sac Metro Area selections. He concluded his senior campaign with 1,179 yards of total offense (810 rushing yards and 278 receiving yards), ten touchdowns, and an average of 5.9 yards per carry. He was the league leader in rushing yards both his sophomore (639 yards) and junior (780 yards) seasons, helping lead the Falcons to winning records and to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Playoff quarterfinals each year. Jay is the son of Justin and Brooke Cummings and has one sibling, Paige.
 


Jack Mabe // Runing Back // 5' 10" // 185 lbs // Palmer Lake, Calif. // Palmer Ridge H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner and starter for Palmer Ridge High School and head coach Zach Carlton, Mabe arrives in Spearfish as a 2025 First Team CHSAA Class 4A All-State selection. Running for more than 1,000 yards during his senior campaign, the 4A SOCO League Offensive Player of the Year guided the Bears to 13-1 record, their fourth straight undefeated league title, and a second appearance in the state title game in the last three years. The two prior seasons he earned second team all-conference honors as a sophomore and junior. Jack is the son of Josh and Jennicca Mabe and he has two siblings, TJ and Reece. This upcoming fall he will team up with his brother TJ on the Black Hills State football team, as he will be a redshirt sophomore tight end for the Yellow Jackets.
 


Coach Breske's Thoughts: "We were able to add some young talent to an already experienced room; their energy and potential will push our veterans and extend our depth. Both RB's we signed have been on campus multiple times and their character is a great fit for us. They each display a grit that you want to have on your team and they both are great at running behind their pads."

---

WIDE RECEIVERS
Bryson McGill // Wide Receiver // 6' 4" // 175 lbs // Kemmerer, Wyo. // Kemmerer H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner and starter for head coach Bart Jerrigan and Kemmerer High School, McGill was a 3-time Second Team Class 2A West All-Conference selection for the Rangers. He concluded his prep career with 1,005 all-purpose yards, 518 yards by way of kick returns, 258 yards receiving, and 149 yards rushing, while tallying four touchdowns. He top season came as a junior in 2024 when he tallied 354 all-purpose yards, with 163 return yards and 137 receiving yards for two touchdowns. Bryson is the son of Amanda McGill and has one sibling, Jareth Linville.
 



Troy McWhorter // Wide Receiver // 5' 8" // 180 lbs // Kiowa, Colo. // Ponderosa H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and a 1-year captain for Ponderosa High School and head coach Jaron Cohen, McWhorter arrives in Spearfish after being a part of four CHSAA Class 4A playoff appearances and a 2023 league title. A Second Team CHSAA Class 4A All-State performer in 2025, he guided the Mustangs to the second round of the playoffs by finding the end zone 16 times in the season with 1,087 rushing yards and 541 receiving yards this year. During his time on the varsity squad, he accumulated 30 touchdowns with 2,467 all-purpose yards since his sophomore season. Troy is the son of Shawn and Amy McWhorter and has two siblings, Addison and Sadie.
 



Will Young // Wide Receiver // 5' 11" // 175 lbs // Sioux Falls, S.D. // Harrisburg H.S.
Young arrives in Spearfish after being a part of two SDHSAA Class 11AA Playoff Semifinal appearances, serving as a team captain as a senior and being a 2-year letterwinner and starter for Harrisburg High School. During his Tiger career, he hauled in ten receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown, while on the defensive side of the ball he recorded seven tackles and one pass break-up for head coach Brandon White. He also played for the Sanford 7-on-7 program, which won the 7-on-7 O-Town Showdown Championship in 2025. Will is the son of Steve and Tara Young, and has three siblings, Jonah, Lucas, and Ellie. His father, Steve, is also a former collegiate wide receiver, playing at the University of South Dakota from 1996-2000.
 


Coach Breske's Thoughts: "We return a lot of receivers and didn't have to go searching for a ton of new faces, but the few we brought in are a great fit for our system — they'll compete for roles and we'll see how they perform once the pads are on. With a varied skillset I'm eager to see where they'll each fit within our offensive schemes."

---

TIGHT ENDS
Aiden Anaya // Tight End // 6' 5" // 220 lbs // Phoenix, Ariz. // American Leadership Academy West Foothills
Anaya was a 3-year player for the American Leadership Academy West Foothills, being a part of a 30-9 team since 2023, that has won two region titles and made three AIA playoff appearances. During his senior season, he hauled in 14 receptions for 200 yards and four touchdowns, helping lead the Guardians to the AIA Conference 4A state semifinals. The year prior as a junior, he received First Team All-3A Metro West Region honors, as he helped guide the team to a 13-1 record, region title, and an AIA Conference 3A state championship game appearance as he caught 15 passes for 350 yards and ten touchdowns.
 



Luke Schmitz // Tight End // 6' 1" // 190 lbs // Jefferson, S.D. // Elk Point-Jefferson H.S.
Schmitz arrives in Spearfish having played fullback and linebacker as a prep at Elk Point Jefferson High School, where he was a 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and 2-year captain for the Huskies and head coach Jacob Terry. EPJHS made their way to the Dakota Dome in three of the last four seasons during Schmitz's prep career, winning an SDHSAA Class 11B Championship as a freshman in 2022 as they completed a perfect 12-0 season with six shutouts, and finishing runners-up in both 2023 and 2025 as a sophomore and senior.  As an Honorable Menton All-SDHSAA Class 11B linebacker in 2024, he tallied 53 total tackles while finding the end zone four times with 183 receiving yards on the offensive side of the ball. As a senior he led his team to the runner-up finish at the dome, recording an All-SDHSAA Class 11B accolade as a linebacker with 48 total tackles. 2025 also featured a breakout offensive season for the Husky, as he scored 16 touchdowns and totaled 1,009 yards. Luke is the son of Matt and Lisa and has two siblings, Linley and Carly.  His sister Linley is also currently attending Black Hills State and is a member of the women's rodeo team.
 
Bairyk Schulte // Tight End // 6' 2" // 215 lbs // Gilbert, Ariz. // San Tan Charter School
A 4-year letterwinner and starter, and a 3-year captain for San Tan Charter School and head coach Chase Cartwrigt, Schulte has excelled in a number of areas of the game for the Roadrunners. He saw action early in his career as a freshman, and then as a sophomore earned a first team all-state honor in AIA Conference 2A as a placekicker, going 50-of-57 on extra points, putting ten kickoffs out the back of the end zone for touchbacks, and going 3-of-6 on field goal attempts. As a junior and senior he earned first team all-region for his defensive efforts. Securing First Team All-Salt Region honors in AIA Conference 2A as a junior defensive lineman he totaled 64 tackles, 13.0 tackles-for-loss, 6.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. As a senior he was named First Team All-Metro 1 in AIA Conference 2A as he tallied 38 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions as a linebacker. Across his prep career which saw STCS make four AIA Conference 2A playoff appearances and win two region titles, he made an impact on the offensive side of the ball as he hauled in 30 receptions for 584 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Bairyk is the son of Ryan and Tracy Schulte, and he has four brothers, Maddox, Hawxen, Gryffin, and Yukon.
 
Coach Breske's Thoughts: "I'm fired up that we signed three really good tight ends with size and speed — they're talented athletes who will learn from great guys ahead of them and should make a long-term impact. This position is key within our offense, and I believe we'll be able to rely on these young men to push the offense forward."

---

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jacob Bayer // Offensive Lineman // 6' 5" // 300 lbs // Suwanee, Ga. // North Gwinnett H.S.
Bayer arrives in Spearfish as a 3-year letterwinner and starter, and a 2-year captain for head coach Eric Godfree and North Gwinnett High School. He provided protection up front and earned Second Team All-Region 7 honors as the Bulldogs won the region title and advanced to the Final Four of the GHSA Class 6A Playoffs. Jacob is the son of Russ and Jessica Bayer and has one sibling, Tyler. Both his parents played collegiate athletics at Miami University (Ohio), as his father played baseball from 1998-2002 and his mother played volleyball from 2000-04. Russ was a 1998 and 2002 MLB Draft selection and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2002-04. Additionally, his brother Tyler is a college baseball player at Kennesaw State University and was a 2024 MLB Draft selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
 


Emitt Lipp // Offensive Lineman // 6' 3" // 260 lbs // Belle Fourche, S.D. // Belle Fourche H.S.
Following a prep career as a 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and 2-year captain for Belle Fourche High School and head coach Sean Sweet, Lipp stays close to home and joins the Yellow Jacket offensive line. Anchoring the Broncs o-line he received All-Black Hills Conference honors and was an Honorable Mention Best of the West selection by the Rapid City Journal as a senior in 2025. Emitt is the son of Travis and Lori Lipp and has one sibling, Erica Gerkin.
 




Chase Munson // Offensive Lineman // 6' 6" // 280 lbs // Tucson, Ariz. // Marana H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner, 2-year starter, and a 1-year captain for Marana High School and head coach Phillip Steward, Munson became a First Team All-State Conference 5A offensive lineman as a senior. During his all-state campaign as a senior, the Tigers reached the quarterfinals of the state playoffs with a 10-2 record overall and won their fourth straight region title (second consecutive undefeated league championship). He provided protection up front for an offense that scored 40 or more points 19 times in the last three seasons. As a junior he was named AIA 5A Southern All-Region Honorable Mention. Chase is the son of Kelly and Keith Munson, and he has two siblings, Mallory and Maisy.
 



Zach Phillipps // Offensive Lineman // 6' 1" // 310 lbs // Goodyear, Ariz. // Millennium H.S.
Phillipps arrives in Spearfish as a 2-year letterwinner and starter, and a senior captain for Millennium High School and head coach Lamar Early. In each of the last two seasons he was named Class 5A Desert West All-Region, as he helped pave the way for the team's running back who was named 2025 AIA Conference 5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year. He helped the Tigers to get back to the AIA Conference 5A playoffs during his senior campaign as they went 7-4. Zach is the son of Kari and Shane Phillipp, and he has three siblings, Sidney, Amanda, and Samantha. His mother Kari was a student-athlete at the University of Mary from 1992-96.
 



Gavin Romer // Offensive Lineman // 6' 4" // 285 lbs // Lander, Wyo. // Lander Valley H.S.
Romer arrives in Spearfish following a prep career as a 4-year letterwinner and starter and 2-year captain at Lander Valley High School for head coach Jim Burton. He anchored the offensive line as a senior with a season that saw him earn WHSAA Class 3A All-State recognition for his protection up front, helping lead the Tigers to their most wins in five years as they went 8-2 and made an appearance in the WHSAA Class 3A semifinals. Additionally, the offensive lineman from LVHS was a 2-time First Team Class 3A East All-Conference selection and was picked to participate in the 2026 Wyoming Shrine Bowl following his senior year. Gavin is the son of Matt and Destiny Romer and has one sibling, Garrett.
 


Coach Breske's Thoughts: "You can never have enough offensive lineman! Last year we brought in 14 high school recruits at o-line - so we were able to focus on just a handful of very talented guys this year. They come from a multitude of states, but they all have the same type of mindset when it comes to protecting the quarterback and opening up run lanes. I'm excited to see their impact and contribution on our team."

---

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Gage Barrett // Defensive Line // 6' 0" // 280 lbs // Queen Creek, Ariz. // American Leadership Academy Ironwood
Barrett arrives in Spearfish as a 3-year letterwinner and starter, and a senior captain at the American Leadership Academy Ironwood for head coach Myron Blueford. In his first two seasons for the Warriors, he helped lead the team to back-to-back AIA Conference 3A playoffs. He received First Team All-Central Region and second team all-state honors in AIA Conference 3A as a junior offensive lineman, as the team went 9-3 and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Then as a senior he attained First Team All-Metro Region recognition as a defensive lineman, tallying 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Gage is the son of Jeremy and Shannon Barrett, and he has three siblings, Gavin, Gunner, and Raegan.
 


Austin Blattner // Defensive Tackle // 6' 0" // 260 lbs // Arvada, Colo. // Ralston Valley H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner and starter and a senior captain in 2025, Blattner helped lead Ralston Valley High School to back-to-back undefeated Metro League titles and an appearance in the 2025 CHSAA Class 5A Championship game. He capped his final prep season under head coach Jared Yannacito with a First Team CHSAA Class 4A All-State campaign as he totaled 56 tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles for the Mustangs. Over his three seasons for RVHS the team accumulated a 33-6 record overall and was 14-1 in league play. Austin is the son of Chad and Annie Blattner and has two siblings, Jazmine and Samantha.
 



Rueben Johnson // Defensive Tackle // 6' 4" // 270 // San Diego, Calif. // Torrey Pines H.S.
Johnson became a starter during his senior season at Torrey Pines High School for head coach Scott Ashby as they qualified for the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. He tallied 43 total tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 0.5 sacks in 2025, bringing his career total to 61 tackles as a Falcon in two seasons. Following the conclusion of his senior season, he competed in the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic, helping the North All-Stars secure a 34-14 victory. Rueben is the son of Supresha Murray and has three siblings, Nubia, Nevaeh, and Bria.
 



Hyatt Lang // Defensive Lineman // 6' 3" // 220 lbs // Gilbert, Ariz. // Gilbert Christian H.S.
A 2-time first team all-region selection, Lang is coming off a season in which he received first team all-state honors in AIA Conference 3A for Gilbert Christian High School. During his senior and all-state campaign, he helped lead the Knights to an 8-4 record and a state quarterfinal appearance by accumulating 57 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, 13.5 sacks, three interceptions, and three touchdowns. Following his final prep season, he was a recipient of the Ed Doherty Award, given by the Arizona Gridiron Club for the top-100 players in the state. He concluded his Knights career with 339 tackles, 69.5 tackles-for-loss, and 29.5 sacks from his defensive line position.
 



Coach Breske's Thoughts: "This was a big position of need for us in the class of 2026. I'm very pleased with who we were able to sign today. I think our work is still cut out for us from a numbers standpoint and will look to fill in a few more spots, but overall, I'm ecstatic about the size, strength, and talent that we pulled together as a staff."

---

LINEBACKERS
Ezra Batjargal // Linebacker // 6' 1" // 215 lbs // Wellington, Colo. // Wellington H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner and starter and a senior captain for head coach Travis Peeples, Batjargal was a two-way starter for Wellington High School. A 2025 CHSAA Class 2A All-State performer, he helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated 13-0 season with a 35-0 state championship victory over Elizabeth. With the state championship, WHS avenged a loss in the state title game the year prior and capped a 32-4 run over the past three seasons. He tallied 47 total tackles in his senior campaign, which included 12.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks. Additionally, he was a 3-time all-conference selection and was the CHSAA Class 2A Top Offensive Lineman. Ezra is the son of Vashti Rael and Jin Batjargal, and he has two siblings, Vivi and Jaden.
 


Ivrick Carrigan // Linebacker // 5' 10" // 210 lbs // Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. // Santa Margarita Catholic H.S.
Carrigan helped lead No. 4 nationally ranked Santa Margarita Catholic to their best season in over a decade as a senior under first-year head coach and former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer, helping guide the Eagles to an 11-3 record, a Trinity League title, and a CIF Open Division Championship with a 47-13 victory over De La Salle. Ranked as a 3-star linebacker by 247Sports, he tallied 50 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, and one interception in his final prep season to earn Second Tea All-Trinity League. In his first season with the Eagles he notched 40 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks from his linebacker spot. Prior to transferring to SMCHS, he was a Second Team All-Sunset League selection as a freshman and a First Team All-Sunset League selection as a sophomore at Los Alamitos High School.
 


Andrew Iuli // Linebacker // 6' 1" // 190 lbs // Oroville, Calif. // Andrew H.S.
Iuli helped complete a turnaround at Chico High School that saw the Panthers go from 1-9 in 2024 to 11-3 and a CIF Division 5-AA regional final run in 2025. During his final season of prep football, he recorded 66 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, ten pass break-ups, one interception, and two forced fumbles. In two seasons with the Panthers he tallied career totals 101 tackles, 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 13 pass break-ups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Andrew is the son of Jodi and Faaiuga Iuli and has two siblings, Makena and Caleb.
 



Tyler Gale // Linebacker // 6' 0" // 200 lbs // Laramie, Wyo. // Laramie H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner and starter, and a 2-year captain from Laramie High School, Gale arrives in Spearfish following a pair of back-to-back WHSAA Class 4A playoff appearances with head coach Jake Chick. He concluded his prep career with the Plainsmen as a First Team Class 4A West All-Conference and Honorable Mention WHSAA Class 4A All-State selections as he totaled 79 tackles with eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass break up, and one blocked kick as a linebacker. As a senior he also hauled in 18 receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. In his three prep seasons, he accumulated 127 total tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, three pass break ups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and one blocked kick for LHS. Tyler is the son of Steve Gale and Beth Bear and has one sibling, Carter Gale.
 

Colter Krell // Linebacker // 6' 2" // 225 lbs // Kemmerer, Wyo. // Kemmerer H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner and starter and a 3-year captain for Kemmerer High School and head coach Bart Jerrigan, Krell was a leader of the Rangers' defense. As a senior in 2025, he tallied 90 total tackles on the year, averaging 11.2 tackles per game, while also adding seven tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks en route to earn WHSAA Class 2A All-State honors. A 3-time First Team Class 2A West All-Conference selection, he accumulated 210 total tackles in his prep career and added 13 tackles-for-loss for the Rangers. Colter is the son of Norman and Briana Krell and has two siblings, Seth and Rylee.
 



Ben Monheiser // Middle Linebacker // 6' 0" // 210 lbs // Sidney, Neb. // Sidney H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner and starter and a 2025 team captain for Sidney High School and head coach Ryan Smith, Monheiser was a key piece of the Red Raider defense that helped post a 33-4 record his final three prep seasons. He helped lead SHS to a state runner-up finish during his senior campaign as one of the top two-way players in the state, earning accolades such as Omaha World Herald All-State for his efforts on the offensive line, Honorable Mention Class C-1 All-State as a linebacker, and District C-1 Defensive Player of the Year as he posted 87 total tackles, 31 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. Following his final prep season he was named to the 2026 Nebraska Shrine Bowl. Over the course of his four seasons, he accumulated 253 total tackles as a Red Raider. Ben is the son of Matt and Monica Monheiser and has two siblings, Sarah Monheiser and Alec Maddox.
 

Jack Schwartz // Linebacker // 6' 1" // 205 lbs // Castle Rock, Colo. // Castle View H.S.
A 3-year letterwinner, 2-year starter, and a 1-year captain for Castle View High Schol and head coach Frank Martin, Schwartz was a first team all-conference selection and defensive player of the year. As a senior he recorded 74 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, forced two fumbles and recovered three, broke up one pass and intercepted one. On the offensive side of the ball, he tallied three receptions for 59 yards and three touchdowns. The Sabercats appeared in the CHSAA Class 5A playoffs in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Jack is the son of Dina and Jeff Schwartz and he has one sibling, Sophie.
 



Coach Breske's Thoughts: "When the bullets started flying last season, we seemed to run out of linebackers first. So being able to go out and sign seven linebackers in this class was key for us. Not all of these guys will end up being true linebackers throughout their career. Some may grow into defense linemen, and some will build themselves into defensive backs. The biggest thing we're looking for was speed, tenacity, and a willingness to put your chest on the ball. I think we found the right group!"

---

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Nick Accardi III // Safety // 5' 10" // 195 lbs // Johnstown, Colo. // Mullen H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner and starter at Mullen High School for head coach Jeremy Bennett, he helped lead the Mustangs to a league title and a CHSAA Class 5A playoff quarterfinal appearance in 2025. The MHS defensive back totaled 45 tackles, three interceptions, forced three fumbles, recovered one fumble, and snagged one interception as a senior, helping him earn first team all-conference honors. A year prior he garnered second team all-conference recognition with 40 tackles and two pass break ups. In his prep career, he helped guide the Mustangs to 23 victories and four playoff appearances, accumulating 164 total tackles, five interceptions, and seven pass break ups. Nick is the son of Nick and Ana Accardi and has two siblings, Coltin Alexander and Wyatt Accardi.
 


Carson Callister // Safety // 5' 10" // 185 lbs // Surprise, Ariz. // American Leadership Academy West Foothills
Callister arrives in Spearfish as a 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and 2-year captain for American Leadership Academy West Foothills and head coach Chad Mitton. He concluded his prep career with back-to-back all-region seasons, receiving Second Team All-Skyline Region in 2025 as he helped lead the team to an AIA Conference 4A state semifinal appearance, and then in 2024 he was named First Team All-Metro West Region as he helped lead the team to an AIA Conference 3A state championship game appearance. During his junior season he recorded 1,073 all-purpose yards with eight touchdowns, while on the defensive side of the ball he tallied 15 tackles and two interceptions. As a senior he saw a production boost with 1,875 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns, and on defense he notched 52 tackles and four interceptions. Carson is the son of Blaine and Vickie Callister, and he has three siblings, Cole, Caden, and Crew. His brother Caden played football at Utah Tech University last season.
 

Seth Gregory // Safety // 6' 2" // 170 lbs // Littleton, Colo. // Dakota Ridge H.S.
In his lone season as a letterwinner and starter for head coach Jeremiah Behrendsen, Gregory helped lead Dakota Ridge High School to their consecutive undefeated conference title and the school's first-ever state title. The Eagles went a perfect 14-0 and finished the season with a 38-14 victory over Palmer Ridge in the CHSAA Class 4A championship game. In the 2025 season he accumulated 49 tackles, deflected 14 passes, snagged five interceptions, and recorded a pair of sacks en route to being named Second Team All-South Metro. Seth is the son of Michael and Jillian Gregory and has two siblings, Blake and Quinn.
 



Jaiden Nichols // Corner Back // 6' 0" // 160 lbs // Northglenn, Colo. // Arvada West H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner, 3-year starter, and a 1-year captain for Arvada West High School and head coach Brad Pyatt, Nichols helped lead the Wildcats program upward surge the past four seasons as the team reached the 10-win mark in 2025, posting a 10-2 record with a trip to the CHSAA Class 5A playoff quarterfinals. During his senior campaign, he collected 57 total tackles, 17 pass break-ups and two interceptions. A 3-time first team all-conference election, he tallied a total of 152 tackles, six interceptions, and 40 pass break ups in his prep career. Jaiden is the son of Dominick Nichols and Vanessa Anderson and has one sibling, Dominick.
 



Sojourn Parker // Safety // 6' 1" // 185 lbs // Suwanee, Ga. // Peachtree Ridge H.S.
Parker helped lead Peachtree Ridge High School and head coach Matt Helmerich to their fourth consecutive GHSA playoff appearance in 2025 as a part of a strong defensive unit. As a senior he accumulated 64 total tackles, notched three pass deflections, snagged one interception, and recorded a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Among the top defensive backs in the region, he was named Honorable Mention All-GHSA Class 6A Region 7.
 




Coby Stewart // Defensive Back // 6' 0" // 170 lbs // Morrison, Colo. // Dakota Ridge H.S.
Stewart arrives in Spearfish as a 3-year letterwinner and starter for Dakota Ridge High School and head coach Jeremiah Behrendsen. With the Eagles he was a part of three consecutive undefeated conference titles, and he capped his prep career by helping guide his team to CHSAA Class 4A state title as they went a perfect 14-0 and finished the season with a 38-14 victory over Palmer Ridge in the championship game. He earned Second Team All-South Metro League as a senior, making 12 solo tackles, six pass deflections, four interceptions, and one quarterback hurry as a cornerback, and hauling in 35 receptions for 538 yards and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver. In his Eagle career he totaled 56 solo tackles, seven interceptions, and 33 pass deflections in the defensive secondary. Coby is the son of Matt Stewart and Keith and Alexis Steigerwald, and he has one sibling, Jack Stewart.
 

Henry Telechan // Defensive Back // 6' 3" // 190 lbs // Rapid City, S.D. // Rapid City Stevens H.S.
Among the top defensive backs in The Mount Rushmore State, Telechan stays close to home and makes the trip up I-90 to Spearfish after a prep career at Rapid City Stevens High School where he was a 3-year letterwinner and starter and a 2-year captain for head coach Willie Stephen. He tallied more than 120 total tackles in his RCSHS career, posted 22 pass break-ups, snagged one interception, collected two forced fumbles, and blocked one punt. As a senior and junior he notched more than 40 tackles each season and surrendered just four touchdowns from his defensive back position in his final two years. He started eight games as a sophomore, helping lead the Raiders to a SDHSAA Class 11AAA playoff quarterfinal appearance. Henry is the son of Terry Telechan and Jenny Schmidt and has two siblings, Kyle and Claire Telechan.
 


Onzei Weaver // Defensive Back // 5' 11" // 165 lbs // Rapid City, S.D. // Rapid City Central H.S.
Weaver joined the Rapid City Central High School program and head coach Mike McCulley this past summer and helped the Cobblers to their second consecutive SDHSAA Class 11AAA playoff appearance in 2025. En route to being named All-SDHSAA Class 11AAA as a special teams return man, he returned one kickoff for a touchdown, while also hauling in 18 receptions for 370 yards and four touchdowns as a wide receiver, and tallied nine tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and two pass break-ups as a defensive back. Following the completion of his senior season he was named to the 2025 Native All-American Game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Onzei is the son of Moses and Jeanine Weaver and has three siblings, Trajan, Zaidyn, and Honor. Alongside his brother Trajan, he played football internationally in Japan and South Korea, while their father, Moses, was stationed at a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan, from 2022-23.
 

Trajan Weaver // Defensive Back // 5' 11" // 170 lbs // Rapid City, S.D. // Rapid City Central H.S.
Weaver came to South Dakota as one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the state of California this past summer, joining head coach Mike McCulley and Rapid City Central High School as he turned in an All-SDHSAA Class 11AAA performance as an athlete in 2025. Helping lead a resurging Cobbler squad that qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row, the Rapid City Journal's Best of the West Newcomer of the Year tallied 1,169 yards of total offense, with 846 passing yards and 323 rushing yards, additionally, he notched 28 total tackles from his defensive back spot while grabbing two interceptions and breaking up five passes. Following the completion of his senior season he was named to the 2025 Native All-American Game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Trajan is the son of Moses and Jeanine Weaver and has three siblings, Onzei, Zaidyn, and Honor. Alongside his brother Onzei, he played football internationally in Japan and South Korea, while their father, Moses, was stationed at a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan, from 2022-23.
 
LJ Woods // Defensive Back // 6' 1" // 170 lbs // Dunnellon, Fla. // Dunnellon H.S.
Woods a two-way athlete for Dunnellon High School and head coach JB Bynum, helped lead the Tigers to the 2025 FHSAA Florida Invitation Tournament (FIT 1A-3A) state championship over North Miami Beach. On the offensive side of the ball he hauled in 24 receptions as a wide receiver for 366 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per reception, and tallying a pair of touchdowns, while as a defensive back he recorded 30 total tackles and six pass deflections. Following his senior season, he was a part of team Florida in the annual Georgia vs. Florida High School Showcase. LJ is the son of Regas Woods, a 2-time Paralympian and a 3-time World Championship competitor.
 



Coach Breske's Thoughts: "We graduated a number of defensive backs the past couple of seasons. I think that being able to secure commitments from ten class of 2026 defensive backs was a big success. Similarly, some of these athletes may grow themselves into linebackers, but regardless I know that they are very passionate football players who are willing to work towards a common goal. Having excess depth in the defensive back room will be integral to our success this season."

---

SPECIAL TEAMS
Wyatt Walston // Long Snapper // 6' 0" // 230 lbs // Frederick, Colo. // Erie H.S.
A 4-year letterwinner, 2-year starter, and 1-year captain for Erie High School and head coach Jeffery Giger, Walston has been a part of four state playoff runs and three league titles. During his sophomore season, his first seeing varsity action, he was a part of the 2023 CHSAA Class 4A state championship team that went 13-1 and defeated Palmer Ridge 20-6. He earned one second team all-conference selection during his prep career, tallying 220 rushing yards, 179 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 46 total tackles in three seasons. Wyatt is the son of Mat Walston and Taylor Kreis and has one sibling, Sadie Walston.
 



Coach Breske's Thoughts: "We're thrilled to add Wyatt Walson to our specialists' group. He was a multi-sport athlete and played many positions for Erie High School during his career. However, we're going to focus on his snapping ability and his contribution on special teams. He was one of the top snappers in the state of Colorado and we're honored to have him join the Yellow Jacket family."

---

WHERE THEY ARE FROM


















Colorado (10): Nick Accardi III (Johnstown, Colo.), Ezra Batjargal (Wellington, Colo.), Austin Blattner (Arvada, Colo.), Seth Gregory (Littleton, Colo.), Jack Mabe (Palmer Lake, Colo.), Troy McWhorter (Kiowa, Colo.), Jaiden Nichols (Northglenn, Colo.), Jack Schwartz (Castle Rock, Colo.), Coby Stewart (Morrison, Colo.), Wyatt Walston (Frederick, Colo.)
Arizona (7): Aiden Anaya (Phoenix, Ariz.), Gage Barrett (Queen Creek, Ariz.), Carson Callister (Surprise, Ariz.), Hyatt Lang (Gilbert, Ariz.), Chase Munson (Tucson, Ariz.), Zach Phillipps (Goodyear, Ariz.) Bairyk Schulte (Gilbert, Ariz.)
South Dakota (7): Emitt Lipp (Belle Fourche, S.D.), Luke Schmitz (Jefferson, S.D.), Henry Telechan (Rapid City, S.D.), Onzei Weaver (Rapid City, S.D.), Trajan Weaver (Rapid City, S.D.), Landon Wieman (Parker, S.D.), Will Young (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Wyoming (4): Tyler Gale (Laramie, Wyo.), Colter Krell (Kemmerer, Wyo.), Bryson McGill (Kemmerer, Wyo.), Gavin Romer (Lander, Wyo.)
California (4): Ivrick Carrigan (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), Jay Cummings (Elk Grove, Calif.), Andrew Iuli (Oroville, Calif.), Rueben Johnson (San Diego, Calif.)
Georgia (2): Jacob Bayer (Suwanee, Ga.), Sojourn Parker (Suwanee, Ga.)
Florida (1): LJ Woods (Dunnellon, Fla.)
Nebraska (1): Ben Monheiser (Sidney, Neb.)

---

COMMITS BY POSITION
Quarterback (1): Landon Wieman
Running Back (2): Jay Cummings, Jack Mabe
Wide Receiver (3): Bryson McGill, Troy McWhorter, Will Young
Tight End (3): Aiden Anaya, Luke Schmitz, Bairyk Schulte
Offensive Linemen (5): Jacob Bayer, Emitt Lipp, Chase Munson, Zach Phillipps, Gavin Romer
Defensive Linemen (4): Gage Barrett, Austin Blattner, Rueben Johnson, Hyatt Lang
Linebackers (7): Ezra Batjargal, Ivrick Carrigan, Tyler Gale, Andrew Iuli, Colter Krell, Ben Monheiser, Jack Schwartz
Defensive Backs (10): Nick Accardi III, Carson Callister, Seth Gregory, Jaiden Nichols, Sojourn Parker, Coby Stewart, Henry Telechan, Onzei Weaver, Trajan Weaver, LJ Woods
Special Teams (1): Wyatt Walston