Wayne State head football coach Logan Masters today announced the addition of 33 student-athletes to the Wildcat football program as part of National Signing Day.  27 high school standouts and six transfers that joined the program at semester will continue their academic and football careers for the 2026-27 school year.  The signing class of 27 high school student-athletes include 19 from Nebraska, six in Iowa and one from South Dakota and Texas.
            "Today is a very exciting day announcing our 2026 recruiting class," remarked Coach Masters.  "Our staff did an outstanding job finding and then creating relationships with the right student athletes that fit Wayne State College.  I would also like to thank our administration, admissions, faculty and the community of Wayne, America.  It takes everyone to put together a football signing class and I am thankful for everyone's help."
            Masters added, "We feel we have brought in really good athletes at their positions.  On both sides of the ball we targeted competitive, athletic guys that can bring competition to their position groups immediately but still have room to grow and develop in our program.  Today is a great day to be a Wildcat and we are excited to get this class here on campus this summer."
            The 2026 recruiting class of 27 high school student athletes consists of 18 players on offense and nine for defense.  Offensively WSC inked six offensive linemen, four wide receivers, three quarterbacks, three tight ends along with one running back and one kicker.  On the defensive side of the ball three defensive backs, two linebackers, two defensive ends, one defensive lineman and one athlete.
  
Nebraska (19)
Nathan Axeman – Running Back  6-0, 195 Waverly / Waverly HS
Had sensational senior season for the Vikings, rushing for 2,013 yards and 28 TD's leading Waverly to 13-0 record and Class B State Title (first at school since 1980)…named Class B First Team All-State and honorary captain by Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Nebraska High School Football.com…averaged 154.8 yards per game rushing and also had 320 receiving yards and two TD's…earned Class B All-State honors as a defensive back in junior season…three-time All-Conference and All-District selection in football…ended career with 3,910 rushing yards…holds school record in long jump in track and field. 
Ethan Beachy – Quarterback Elkhorn / Elkhorn North HS
Two-year starter at quarterback for the Wolves…completed 141-238 passes for 1,839 yards and 21 TD's during senior season, leading Elkhorn North to 8-3 record and Class B quarterfinals and earning All-Conference and All-District honors…added 459 yards rushing and five TD's and earned Class B All State Honorable Mention honors from several publications while named team's Most Valuable Player…during junior season threw for 2,069 yards and 25 touchdowns completing 114 of 225 passes.
Hayden Daggett – Wide Receiver 6-2, 185 Blair / Blair HS
Two-year starter at wide receiver for the Bears…hauled in 24 receptions for 462 yards (19.3 avg.) and three TD's as a senior…recorded 27 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns during junior season…named Class B All State Honorable Mention by Omaha World Herald and Nebraska High School Football.com…medaled in three events at Class B State Track Meet during junior season – 4^th in 200-meter dash (22.22), 4^th in 400-meter dash (49.20) and anchored 4 x 400 relay team that was third – and just missed a medal taking 10^th in high jump. 
Dave Fajardo – Kicker 5-9, 175 Omaha / Millard South HS
Starting placekicker for high-scoring Patriot offense that won Class A state championship with 12-1 record…made 101 of 103 PAT kicks (state record) and was 5 for 6 on field goals…ranked second in the country in kickoff yards with 6,343 on 119 kickoffs…named First Team All-State by Prep Red Zone and Second Team Super State by Lincoln Journal Star…was All-Metro Conference Third Team selection and made 99 consecutive PAT kicks.
Kayne Hassler – Offensive Line 6-3, 285 Papillion / Papillion LaVista HS
Starter in football and wrestling for the Monarchs…named All-District, All-Metro Conference and Class A All-State honorable mention during senior season…played on 2023 district championship team and was three-year letter winner.
Brady Hochstein – Athlete 5-10, 185 Hartington / Cedar Catholic HS
Named Class C2 All-State First Team at linebacker by Omaha World Herald and Nebraska High School Football.com after helping Trojans to unbeaten regular season, 10-1 record and state playoff quarterfinals…had 101 tackles with 17 tackles for loss this season and was a 1,000-yard running back gaining 1,067 yards on 132 carries averaging 8.1 yards per rush with 14 TD's…had six 100-yard rushing games…credited with 83 tackles and nine tackles for loss as a junior…in wrestling is a four-year Class C state qualifier and was C165 state runner-up last year as a junior with 48-1 record…also placed sixth as a sophomore in Class C150 and has over 150 career wins on the mat…was a state track meet qualifier last year in long jump and also starts in summer legion baseball helping Hartington to state runner-up finish in 2024.
Logan Holtmeyer – Nose Guard 6-0, 305 Papillion / Papillion LaVista HS
Multi-sport standout in football, wrestling, powerlifting and track and field…earned All-Nebraska and Super State First Team honors during senior season from Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Nebraska High School Football.com after recording 12 sacks with 68 tackles (41 solo)…had 77 career tackles for loss and 20 sacks with 140 tackles…was a two-time Class A All-State selection and also earned Super State honors during junior season…placed fifth in Class A 285-pounds as a junior at state wrestling and is a Nebraska State Champion in powerlifting…holds school records for bench (455 pounds) and squat at 675 pounds. 
Taylor Homan – Quarterback 5-11, 175 Crawford / Crawford HS
Multi-sport standout in football, basketball and track and field…completed 105-174 passes for 1,792 yards and 33 touchdowns playing Six-Man football as a senior…All-Conference First Team selection at quarterback and ended high school career with 4,307 yards passing and 64 TD's and had 11 TD's in one game for school record…is a three-time All-Conference selection in basketball scoring over 1,300 career points…averaging 21.5 points and seven rebounds per game so far this season and had averages of 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior…also a two-time Academic All-State selection. 
Kaden Knaak – Tight End 6-3, 225 Lyons / Lyons Decatur HS
Four year starter for the Cougars at tight end and defensive end…named Class D2 All State First Team defense by Nebraska High School Football.com after recording 51 tackles with 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four fumble recoveries as a senior…on offense had 32 catches for 480 yards and eight touchdowns…finished high school career with 78 receptions for 1,141 yards and 19 touchdowns…on defense made 107 career tackles with 28 tackles for loss and 14 sacks…also earned All-State honors in football as a junior and was four-time All-District selection…in basketball has scored over 1,000 career points and is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds per game during senior season…received Academic All-State honors in football and basketball. 
Seth Kraegel – Wide Receiver 5-10, 175 Gretna / Gretna East HS
Holds school records for receiving at Gretna East High School…earned Class B All-State honorable mention from Omaha World Herald and Nebraska High School Football.com during senior season with 30 catches for 555 yards and eight TD's, helping Griffins to Class B state runner-up finish and 11-2 record…ended career with 92 catches for 1,766 yards and 19 TD's…named All-District as a junior and senior and earned Academic All-State honors in football twice to go with All-Conference Academic honors in track and field.
Landen Lingenfelter – Wide Receiver 5-11, 175 Lincoln / Lincoln East HS
Three-year starter in football and two years in basketball, baseball and track and field for the Spartans…had 20 or more catches all three seasons in football…senior season had 23 catches for 379 yards and four TD's to go with 27 tackles on defense with two interceptions that included a school-record 100-yard return for touchdown…also returned kicks and had a 92-yard kickoff return this season for touchdown…was All-City selection as a junior and named Class A All-State honorable mention…excels in classroom with Academic All-State honors three seasons…father Kyle played football at Wayne State (2000-03) and uncle Kevin played basketball for the Wildcats. 
Jack Meeks – Linebacker 6-2, 185 Omaha / Millard West HS
Two-year starter in football…received All-District First Team and Class A All-State honorable mention honors during senior season with 61 tackles (56 solo)…was an All-State honorable mention selection as a junior…had 119 career tackles with four interceptions and five forced fumbles. 
Jonah Nelson – Offensive Line 6-2, 270 Papillion / Platteview HS
Earned All-Trailblazer Conference honors as a junior and senior…three-year starter in football and a three-time All-District selection…also received Class B All-State honorable mention as a junior and senior. 
 Braylon Owens – Wide Receiver 6-4, 190 Omaha / Omaha Central HS
Competed in football and basketball for the Eagles…missed senior season of football due to injury…starter in basketball averaging 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during junior season.
Jacob Quist – Offensive Line 6-4, 285 Omaha / Millard West HS
Two-year starter in football and track and field for the Wildcats…earned All-District honors and was Class A All-State and All-Metro honorable mention during senior season…served as team captain helping team reach Class A state playoffs the last two seasons…served as team captain and selected for the 2026 Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
Samuel Sagehorn – Defensive Back 6-0, 175 Seward / Seward HS
Three-year starter in football for the Bluejays…was All-Conference and All-District First Team along with Class B All-State honorable mention as a senior recording 43 tackles with 15 passes defended and three interceptions…as a wide receiver added 40 catches for 569 yards and four touchdowns…credited with 48 tackles with nine passes defended and two interceptions during junior season helping team to 11-1 record and Class B semi-finals…was a three-time All-District honoree.
Brady Schieffer – Defensive End 6-5, 215 Waverly / Waverly HS
Named Class B All-State First Team by Nebraska High School Football.com as a senior helping Vikings to Class B state title and perfect 13-0 record…had 17 catches for 357 yards and eight TD's while making 43 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks on defense…other post-season honors include First Team Super State defense from Lincoln Journal Star and All-Eastern Midlands Conference honors. 
Angelo Walker – Linebacker 6-0, 205 Omaha / Omaha Creighton Prep HS
Three-year starter in football for the Junior Jays…was an All-Metro Conference Second Team selection at running back this season helping team to 10-2 record and Class A state semi-finals…as a junior rushed for 238 yards on 55 carries and five TD's along with making 24 catches for 296 yards and two scores. 
Korbin Werner – Tight End 6-4, 225 Tilden / Elkhorn Valley HS
Four-year starter in football, basketball and track and field for the Falcons…had 31 catches for 306 yards and six TD's to go with 55 tackles on defense and three fumble recoveries as a senior…earned Class D1 All-State honorable mention…had 83 catches for 1,015 yards and 14 TD's in career and 232 total tackles on defense with 25 tackles for loss…three-time All-District selection in football and a three-time All-Conference selection in basketball where he averages 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game…two-time All-Conference selection in track and field and was a Class D state qualifier as a junior in shot put…Academic All-State in all three sports since freshman season.
 
 Iowa (6)
Cam Curren – Tight End 6-3, 215 Ankeny, Iowa / Grand View Christian HS
Two-year starter and three-year letter winner in football…senior season cut short due to injury playing just one full game…had six catches for 123 yards and two TD's to go with 4.5 tackles, two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss on defense…junior season recorded 15 catches for 149 yards and two TD's to go with 15.5 tackles (10 solo) with one sack and three tackles for loss helping Thunder to 5-4 record and first round of Class 1A state play. 
Leo Kirkland – Offensive Line 6-4, 275 Macksburg, Iowa / Winterset HS
Three-year starter for the Huskies…named All-District three seasons – First Team as a junior and senior – and was named First Team All-State Offense by Des Moines Register and Iowa Grandstand Sports along with All-State Second Team by Iowa Football Coaches Association during senior season…helped team to 7-4 record and Class 3A state quarter-finals. 
Matt Langner – Offensive Line 6-2, 275 Waverly, Iowa / Waverly-Shell Rock HS
Was a two-time Class 4A All State Second Team Selection by the Iowa Football Coaches Association…helped team to 6-4 record during junior season and first round of Class 4A state playoffs..two-time All-District and All-Area First Team selection and received All-Academic First Team recognition.
Jackson Leng – Offensive Line 6-3, 280 Sheldon, Iowa / Sheldon HS
Multi-sport standout starting four years in football, wrestling and track and field for the Orabs…was a Class 2A three-time, All-District First Team honoree in football and two-time offensive line and defensive line Most Valuable Player…in wrestling is a three-time All-Conference performer and qualified for state wrestling once…has a 16-0 record this season and just earned 100^th career win on the mat becoming first heavyweight in school history to record 100 career wins.
Judah Lock – Quarterback 6-1, 180 Des Moines, Iowa / Grand View Christian HS
Started four years in football, three in baseball and two in basketball for the Thunder…ranked fourth in Iowa Class 2A in passing yards as a senior completing 143-241 passes (59%) for 1,854 yards and 20 TD's…led Class 1A in passing yards during junior season with 2,070, completing 153 of 279 passes with 19 touchdowns…was a three-time All-Heart of Iowa Conference First Team selection and received All-Academic honors. 
Jack Ohman – Defensive End 6-5, 230 Sioux City, Iowa / Sioux City East HS
Three-year starter for the Black Raiders at defensive end…earned All-District honors senior season with 52.5 tackles (43 solo) and 18 tackles for loss with 5.5 sacks helping team to 9-2 record and Class 5A state quarterfinals…credited with 33 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior earning First Team All-Area and Second Team All-District honors. 
 
South Dakota (1)
Cale Haselhorst – Safety 6-3, 185 Yankton, South Dakota / Yankton HS
Two-year starter in football and three-year starter in track and field for the Bucks…earned Class 11 AA All-State honors as a junior and senior and was an All-ESD (Eastern South Dakota) All-Conference selection in senior season…had 53 tackles with six interceptions and 10 pass deflections to go with three defensive touchdowns helping Bucks to 9-3 record and state runner-up finish…as a wide receiver added 28 catches for 384 yards and one score…during junior season credited with 22 tackles, eight interceptions and 12 pass deflections with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…in track and field was South Dakota Class AA state champion in 110 high hurdles as a junior in 14.69 seconds while also qualifying for state meet in triple jump. 
 
Texas (1)
Cameron McDuffie – Defensive Back 6-1, 165 San Antonio, Texas / Johnson HS
Two-year starter in football…credited with 23 tackles, three interceptions and 67 return yards, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during senior season…named to San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game and earned All-Defense honorable mention…during junior season recorded 47 tackles with two passes defended and was named All-Defense Second Team…also started three years in track and field earning First Team honors in triple jump and Second Team honors in long jump.
 
Transfers (6)
JT Brands – Defensive Line 6-1, 285 Oakland, Neb. / Univ. of South Dakota
Brands will have three years of eligibility with the Wildcats…spent 1 ½ years with the Coyote program and redshirted in 2024 and was named Scout Player of the Week several times…at Oakland Craig Brands was a three-time All-State selection in football while being voted best defensive player in Class C2, recording 256 career tackles…in wrestling was a two-time state medalist including state runner-up as a heavyweight with over 100 wins and in track and field was a two-time Class C state qualifier in the shot put and placed fifth as a senior at 55' 11". 
Wyatt Hatcher – Linebacker 6-4, 225 Council Bluffs, Iowa / Buena Vista
Hatcher will have two years eligibility with the Wildcats…last season recorded 63 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups for the Beavers…a graduate of Council Bluffs Lewis Central High School he played on the school's state championship team in 2022 and was All-State Second Team and All-District First Team with 74 tackles, two interceptions and 15 tackles for loss…also excelled in basketball where he was All-Hawkeye 10 Conference First Team averaging 15 points a game.
Jean Louis Nunez – Defensive Back 6-1, 195 Yonkers, N.Y. / Arkansas Pine Bluff
Nunez is from Division I Arkansas Pine Bluff and has two years of eligibility at Wayne State…last season had four tackles in three games with the Lions and was a two-time SWAC All-Academic selection… attended high school in Houston, Texas at Alief Elsik High School and was team captain as a senior with 20 tackles, eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one interception.
Kimani Stafford – Defensive Back 6-0, 180 San Francisco, Calif. / Morgan State
Stafford transfers to WSC from Division I Morgan State and has two years of eligibility with the Wildcats…appeared in two games last season and did not record any statistics…also attended the College of San Mateo 2022-24 and played on two national champion teams…went to Freedom High School in California where he was a football and basketball standout earning All-Conference honors at wide receiver and defensive back and named Co-MVP in basketball.
Henri Supenski – Offensive Line 6-3, 290 Papillion / University of Mary
Supenski comes from the University of Mary and Papillion LaVista South High School and has two years of eligibility with Wayne State…played in all 11 games as a freshman on the Marauder offensive line and has appeared in 23 games in three seasons while also competing as a thrower for the UMary track team in his sophomore season (2024).
Austin Wells – Tight End 6-3, 245 North Vernon, Indiana / Rochester Tech and Hutchinson CC
Wells attended Rochester Tech and Hutchinson CC and has two years of eligibility remaining…recorded 17 catches for 110 yards in 10 games at Rochester Tech in the 2024 season for the Yellow Jackets…attended high school at Jennings County High School in Indiana where he was two-time All-Conference and an All-Area selection.
 
Wayne State ended the 2025 season at 7-4 overall, winners of their last four games that included wins over #9 Minnesota State and #13 Augustana.  The Wildcats finished as NSIC South Division champions with a 5-1 division mark.