Wayne State College head football coach Logan Masters announced the addition of 37 student-athletes today as part of National Signing Day. 30 high school and seven transfer athletes who have already enrolled at Wayne State will be continuing their academic and football careers for the 2024-25 school year. The signing class of 30 high school athletes consists of 14 from Iowa, nine in Nebraska, four from Florida, two South Dakota signees and one from Australia.
"We are very excited to add our 2024 recruiting class to our Wildcat football family," remarked Coach Masters. "We had seven transfers join us at semester and looking forward to all the high school signees joining us in August. Our staff did a great job of identifying good football players that fit Wayne State College. We put an emphasis on the line of scrimmage and our secondary and we believe we have a lot of really good players coming in at all positions."
Masters added, "It takes a lot of people and support to bring in a football recruiting class. We couldn't do this alone. I want to thank our administration for their support and resources, our admissions staff, and professors for their help with the Wayne State College experience and the whole community of Wayne for being welcoming to our recruits."
National Letters of Intent – Nebraska (6)
Anthony Heithoff – Running Back/Outside Linebacker 5-10, 195 Omaha / Skutt Catholic HS
Three-year starter in football…during senior season rushed for 841 yards on 116 carries (7.3 avg) with 14 TD's to go with 11 catches for 236 yards…on defense had 24 tackles helping team to 11-1 record and Class B runner-up finish…named All-State honorable mention and an Academic All-Conference selection the last three years…named to 2024 Nebraska Shrine Bowl South roster.
Caleb Klein – Offensive Line 6-3, 270 Omaha / Millard North HS
Starting lineman that helped Millard North reach Class A state playoffs during senior season…named to the Nebraska Class A Elite 33 All-State Second Team helped team average 256 yards per game rushing…selected to the 2024 Nebraska Shrine Bowl North roster.
Nolan Maahs – Quarterback 6-4, 190 Waverly / Waverly HS
Earned several First Team Class B All-State honors during senior season, helping Waverly to 11-1 record and Class B semi-finals…accounted for 24 total TD's, completing 60.5 percent of passes (135 of 223) for 1663 yards and 11 TD's…added another 591 yards rushing on 106 carries (5.6 avg) with 13 scores…named to 2024 Nebraska Shrine Bowl North roster.
Brady McGill – Quarterback 6-4, 200 Omaha / Roncalli Catholic HS
Named Class C1 All-State First Team by Nebraska Elite 33 and 1,000 Yard Guy as a quarterback and kicker, helping Omaha Roncalli to 7-3 record and Class C1 state playoffs…passed for 1,964 yards completing 142 of 245 passes (58%) and 27 TD's…also rushed for 432 yards on 96 carries (4.5 avg) and eight TD's…as kicker was 37 of 39 on PAT kicks this season and 70 for 74 the last two years.
Kaleb Panowicz – Linebacker/Safety 6-0, 205 Omaha / Millard South HS
Three-year letter winner and two-year starter in football…credited with 45 tackles in eight games this season, helping Millard South to 10-2 record and Class A semifinals.
Gavin Ulrich – Defensive Line 6-3, 260 Blair / Blair HS
Two-year starter on defensive line for the Bears…helped team to 6-5 record this season and Class B quarterfinals…named Nebraska Class B Elite 33 All-State honorable mention and All-Eastern Midlands Conference honorable mention.
National Letters of Intent – Iowa (11)
AJ Crownover – Tight End 6-5, 230 West Des Moines, Iowa / Valley HS
Starting tight end on team that reach Iowa Class 5A state semi-finals during senior season…had 12 catches for 146 yards (12.2 avg)…earned CIML All-Conference honors and was a team captain and Academic All-State selection.
John Devery – Offensive Line 6-4, 255 Iowa City, Iowa / Iowa City Regina HS
Helped Regals to 9-2 record this season and Iowa Class 1A quarter-finals…on defense credited with 15 tackles including seven solo stops.
Quinten Fuller – Offensive Line 6-4, 240 Creston, Iowa / Creston HS
Multi-sport standout in football, wrestling, track and field and baseball…earned Class 3A All-State First Team honors at offensive line, helping Panthers to 11-1 record and state semi-finals…two-time All-District selection and Academic All-State…in wrestling was a state qualifier last season at 285 pounds.
Brennan Hayes – Running Back 6-0, 200 Creston, Iowa / Creston HS
Named Iowa Football Coaches Association/Iowa Print Sports Writers Association All-State First Team at running back with 2,665 all-purpose yards as a senior…rushed for 1,784 yards (8.2 avg) with 17 TD's and set new school record in receiving with 42 catches for 881 yards (21.0 avg) and eight TD's…helped Panthers to 11-1 record and Class 3A state semi-finals…two-time Offensive MVP and Academic All-State and All-Hawkeye 10 Conference selection.
Dayne Mauk – Linebacker 6-3, 215 Grimes, Iowa / Dallas Center Grimes HS
Led Mustangs in receiving and tackles during senior season…had 74.5 tackles with 62 solo stops along with four sacks and 11 tackles for loss…added 26 catches for 348 yards (13.4 avg) and six TD's…as a junior in 2022 recorded 86 tackles (74 solo) with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Logan Nemmers – Offensive Line 6-5, 315 Wesley, Iowa / Bishop Garrigan HS
Three-year starter in football, helping Golden Bears to Iowa 8-Man State Championship with 12-1 record…named 8-Man Offensive Lineman of the Year, All-Area First Team and All-District Second Team…three-year starter in basketball, averaging 9.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game shooting 59 percent from the field.
Keegan Nystrom – Defensive Line 6-3, 265 Waterloo, Iowa / Waterloo West HS
Three-year starter in football…ranked by Des Moines Register as one of the top 50 recruiting prospects for 2023 season…earned First Team All-Metro honors as a senior, recording 20 tackles (nine solo) with two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss…named All-Mississippi Valley Conference Second Team.
Trent Patton – Defensive End 6-3, 235 Malvern, Iowa / Glenwood HS
Three-sport standout, starting three years in football and four in wrestling and baseball…Class 4A All-State First Team selection at defensive line, recording 45.5 tackles as a senior with 24 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss…helped Rams to 8-3 record and Iowa Class 4A quarterfinals…two-time All-District selection in football…in wrestling owns over 100 career wins and was state qualifier last year as a junior.
Zach Smid – Outside Linebacker 6-0, 200 Grimes, Iowa / Dowling Catholic HS
Three-year starter in football…had 38.5 tackles with 25 solo stops, one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery as a senior, helping Maroons to 9-2 record and Iowa Class 5A quarterfinals…All-District First Team selection the last two seasons and Second Team honoree as a sophomore…averaged 38.6 yards per punt on special teams…member of state track and field championship team in 2022.
Luke Vander Weide – Offensive Line 6-4, 285 Sioux City, Iowa / Sioux City East HS
Named Class 5A All-State Second Team at offensive line for the Black Raiders as a senior…anchored offensive line that helped East pass for 2,345 yards and score 35 total TDs…All-District First Team selection and named to Sioux City Journal Large School All-Area Team.
Curtis Witte – Wide Receiver 6-1, 190 Council Bluffs, Iowa / Lewis Central HS
Named captain of the Iowa Class 4A All-State Team after leading Titans to state title with 11-2 record…storied high school career saw two state titles and one state runner up finish…had 43 catches for 825 yards and 10 TD's as a senior to go with 370 yards on punt returns with two scores…also had five interceptions and 40 tackles on defense…as a junior posted 51 receptions for 998 yards and 13 TD's with eight interceptions and 252 punt return yards…unanimous All-District First Team selection, named All-City Player of the Year and Academic All-State.
National Letters of Intent – Florida (4)
Emmanuel (EJ) Davis Defensive Back 6-1, 180 Orlando, Florida / Timber Creek HS
Two-year starter in football that is also a All-Metro Track and Field champion…during senior season recorded 44 tackles (31 solo) in 10 games with three passes defended, two forced fumbles and one recovery…had 35 tackles (24 solo) in 2022 during junior season with one sack and one fumble recovery.
Izaiah Jackson – Defensive Back 6-1, 175 Palmetto, Florida / Palmetto HS
Two-year starter at defensive back…produced 51 tackles as a senior with 29 solo stops, three passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery…had 31 tackles in nine games during junior season in 2022.
Kahmel Johnson – Defensive Back 6-3, 180 Jacksonville, Florida / Riverside HS
Football and track and field standout at Riverside High School in Florida…credited with 14 tackles (10 solo) with four passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery during senior season…in track and field named Duval Classic MVP.
Akeem Knox – Running Back 5-11, 190 Kissimmee, Florida / Poinciana HS
Named Osceola News-Gazette All-County Honorable Mention during senior season…averaged 73.2 yards per game rushing with three TD's and added 14 catches for 200 yards and three TD's receiving…averaged 8.1 yards per carry in six games.
National Letters of Intent – South Dakota (2)
Spencer Easland – Safety 6-1, 180 Pierre, South Dakota / Riggs HS
Two-year starter in football playing on back-to-back Class 11 AA state championship teams for the Governors…had four interceptions during senior season and earned First Team All-State honors…also collected All-Conference First Team honors.
Easton Poppe – Offensive Line 6-6, 300 Brandon, South Dakota / Brandon Valley HS
Starting offensive lineman who helped Lynx to 7-4 record and Class 11AAA state semifinals in 2023 season.
Institutional Letters of Intent (7)
Joey Benjamin – Wide Receiver 5-10, 160 Yutan / Yutan HS
Four-year starter in football and track and field for the Chieftains…had 1,249 all-purpose yards as a senior, helping Yutan to 9-3 record and Class C2 semi-finals…rushed for 501 yards on 50 carries, had 20 catches for 440 yards and 12 returns on special teams for another 340 yards…also had four interceptions and 28 tackles on defense…post season honors as a senior included All-Area, All-District, All-Nebraska Capital Conference and Class C2 All-State honorable mention…earned Academic All-State honors.
Royceon Skogerboe – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner 5-6, 150 Papillion / Papillion La-Vista South HS
Two-year starter in football…had 33 catches for 644 yards and 10 TD's as a senior to earn Nebraska Football Elite 33 All-State Second Team honors…added 426 yards on kickoff returns for 26.6 yard average…received All-Metro Conference honors and helped Titans reach Class A playoffs with 5-5 record…named to 2024 Nebraska Shrine Bowl South roster.
Jaden Wilsey – Offensive Line 6-3, 240 Ashland / Ashland-Greenwood HS
Two-year starter in football, three years in wrestling and four years track and field for the Bluejays…helped Ashland-Greenwood to 10-2 record during senior season and Class C1 semi-finals.
Andrew Robinson III – Defensive Tackle 6-2, 240 Waterloo, Iowa / Columbus Catholic HS
Three-year starter in football for the Sailors…All-District selection during senior season with 31.5 tackles (16 solo), four tackles for loss and one sack…helped team to 9-3 record and Class 1A State semi-finals…was a First Team All-Metro honoree as a junior and senior.
Caden Roethler – Running Back 5-11, 185 West Bend, Iowa / Bishop Garrigan HS
Named Iowa 8-Man Team Captain by IFCA/IPSWA after leading Golden Bears to state title with 11-1 record…rushed for 1340 yards and 219 carries (6.1 avg) with 22 TD's…gained 181 yards with four TD's in state semi-final win over #1 Winfield Mount Union…added 55 tackles on defense…three-time All-District selection – twice on defense and one on offense.
Andrew Theisen – Wide Receiver 6-0, 185 Dubuque, Iowa / Dubuque Senior HS
Earned Telegraph Herald All-Area Second Team honors during senior season with 23 catches for 207 yards…served as team captain and was All-Mississippi Valley Conference selection…all four years was an All-Conference Academic Award winner.
Tye Henry – Defensive End 6-3, 230 Victoria, Australia / Catholic Regional College Sydenham
Standout defensive end/edge rusher that played on #1 ranked team in Australia…named Under 20 First Team All-State Victorian Defensive Captain the last two seasons…2023 stats included 82 tackles (45 solo), 15 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback pressures with two interceptions and one for touchdown…voted 2022 Western Crusaders Defensive MVP and was First Team All-State Victorian Linebacker in 2021.
Transfers (7)
Robert Bishop Jr. – Safety 6-2, 195 Riverside, Calif. / Norco HS (Neb.-Kearney)
Played 2023 season at Nebraska-Kearney and will have two years eligibility at WSC…had 21 tackles in five games for the Lopers with one interception and one pass break up...graduate of Norco High School in California.
Stanley Bryant – Wide Receiver 6-2, 185 Naples, Florida / Naples HS (Southern Illinois)
Spent last two seasons at Division I Southern Illinois and will have three years of eligibility with WSC…in high school named 2021 Naples Daily News Broxson Award winner as top player in area…was a quarterback in high school with 17-3 record…rushed for 1,152 yards on 128 carries (9.0 avg) and 21 TD's to go with 375 passing yards and five TD's…earned All-County First Team and All-Conference honors.
Myles Dais – Defensive Tackle 6-2, 270 Indianapolis, Indiana / Scecina Memorial HS (St. Francis, Ind.)
Transfers to Wayne State from St. Francis (Ind.) and will have four years of eligibility with the Wildcats…played in one game during 2023 season and recorded one tackle…three year starter in high school at Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis
TJ Griffin – Defensive Tackle 6-2, 285 Bellevue, Nebraska / Bellevue West HS (Neb.-Kearney)
Played at Nebraska-Kearney the last two seasons and will have two years of eligibility at Wayne State…graduate of Bellevue West where he played on 2019 Class A state championship team…named Class A All-State honorable mention and was a three-year starter.
Delshawn Petrosky – Defensive Back Youngstown, Ohio / Chaney HS (Walsh Univ. Ohio)
Played last two seasons at Walsh University in Ohio and will have two years of eligibility at WSC…ranked fourth on team in tackles during 2023 season with 39 tackles (33 solo) with seven pass breakups and two interceptions in 11 games…graduated high school from Chaney HS in Youngstown, Ohio where he was football and track athlete.
Kaden Sutton – Defensive Line 6-1, 300 Adel, Iowa / Adel-Desoto-Minburn HS (Iowa State)
Transfers to Wayne State from Iowa State and will have two years of eligibility…appeared in two games (Northern Iowa and BYU) during 2023 season…named to Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll the last four semesters…in high school was a two-time Class 3A First Team All-State selection…during senior season ranked fourth in state of Iowa with 31.5 tackles for loss…four-sport athlete, also earning All-State honors in wrestling (Class 2A state champion in 2019 at 285 pounds) and track and field and was an All-Conference selection in baseball.
Keith Wright – Safety 6-1, 200 Longview, Texas / Pine Tree HS (Emporia State)
Redshirted in 2023 season at Emporia State and played at Kilgore CC…will have two years of eligibility at Wayne State…recorded 20 tackles and won conference title at Kilgore CC…attended high school at Pine Tree in Texas, recording 30 tackles with an interception and nine pass break ups…was All-District honorable mention and All-Academic member.
Wayne State finished the 2023 season with an 8-3 overall record and was fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 7-3 league mark.
