A talent-laden group of 22 student-athletes, including a pair of local high school standouts, have signed national letters of intent to attend and play football for the University of Minnesota Duluth next fall.



\"We are extremely pleased with this recruiting class -- it's a high-quality group of athletes,\" said Bob Nielson, the 2002 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the year who will begin his second tour of duty, and sixth season, with the Bulldogs in 2008. \"Overall, I think our coaching staff did a tremendous job in identifying and addressing our future needs on offense, defense and special teams. We were quite successful in bringing in most of the kids we had targeted at each of the various positions and that's a testament to all of the hard work our staff put into our recruiting efforts.\"



The 2008 UMD recruiting class, which is comprised of 11 incoming freshmen from Minnesota, nine from Wisconsin, and one each from Georgia and the province of Ontario, is as follows:

TO VIEW THE FULL PDF VERSON OF THIS RELEASE CLICK HERE:

2008 UMD Football Recruits


Player Pos Hgt Wgt Hometown (High School)

•Joe Akey DL 6-3 210 Merrill, Wis. (Merrill HS)

•Derek Borgen RB 5-10 185 Barron, Wis. (Barron HS)

•Jeremy Christian WR 6-1 180 Kewaunee, Wis. (Kewaunee HS)

•Eric Dowling LB 6-1 220 Moorhead, Minn. (Moorhead HS)

•Cameron Harper DB 6-1 190 Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park HS)

•Garth Heikkinen OL 6-4 270 Duluth, Minn. (Central HS)

•Jordan Hoekstra DB 6-4 200 Weston, Wis. (D.C. Everest HS)

•Eli Kelley OL 6-1 295 St. Cloud, Minn. (Tech HS)

•Anthony Leone LB 6-1 215 Duluth, Minn. (Denfeld HS)

•Nick Lloyd LB 6-2 205 Luxemburg, Wis. (Luxemburg-Casco HS)

•Jon Lynch QB 6-4 185 Plymouth, Minn. (Benilde-St. Margaret's HS)

•Jordan Marriott OL 6-6 245 Wisconsin Rapids, Minn. (Wisconsin Rapids HS)

•Tony Parker LB 6-4 230 Mora, Minn. (Mora HS)

•Kiel Schock LB 6-0 195 Rice Lake, Wis. (Rice Lake HS)

•Steve Slater LB 6-3 205 Young America, Minn. (Glencoe-Silver Lake HS)

•Darnell Small DL 6-3 215 Madison, Wis. (La Follette HS)

•Collin Stinogel WR 6-3 200 St. Cloud, MN (Tech HS)

•Chad Strilzuk DB 6-1 190 Balsam Lake, Wis. (Unity HS)

•Derek Swanhorst OL 6-5 260 Deerwood, Minn. (Crosby-Ironton HS)

•Jo Jo Sweet RB 5-11 200 Gainsville, Ga. (Chestatee HS)

•Mitchel Van Ramshorst RB 5-10 195 Thunder Bay, Ontario (Sir Winston Churchill CVI)

•Colton Zimmerman DB 5-10 175 Scandinavia, Wis. (Iola-Scandinavia HS)





UMD closed out its 75th season of intercollegiate football this past November with a 4-6 overall record and was 3-5 in North Central Conference play (fifth place tie). The Bulldogs will rejoin the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference this fall.

THE 2008 BULLDOG RECRUITING CLASS AT A GLANCE:

Joe Akey (DL • 6-3 • 210 • Merrill, Wis. • Merrill HS) - Is the reigning Wisconsin Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... garnered All-WVC recognition for his exemplary play on both sides of the football this past season (first team defensive line and second team tight end) ... also was an all-district honoree during his third, and final year with the Merrill varsity ... captained the Bluejays as senior ... will suit up for the North team at this summer 's Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game ... is a three-time wrestling letterwinner as well ... played under head football coach Tom Tourtillot at Merrill HS ... is the son of Robert and Karen Akey.

Derek Borgen (RB • 5-10 • 185 • Barron, Wis. • Barron HS) - Filled a starting role in both the offensive and defensive backfields for three seasons with the Bears .... made the 2007 All-Heart of the North Conference Team as both a running back and return specialist ... was a second team honoree the previous year ... has made quite a name for himself in the prep track circles as well ... owns a personal-best time of 10.64 in the 100 meters and 6.51 in the 55 meters .... also has lettered three seasons in basketball ... played under head football coach Ken Meuller at Barron HS ... is the son of Brent and Betty Borgen.

Jeremy Christian (WR • 6-1 • 180 • Kewaunee, Wis. • Kewaunee HS) - Showed his versatility by garnering All-Olympian/Packerland Conference status at three different positions (wide receiver, defensive back and placekicker) during his four years of starting duty with the Indians ... is the owner of Kewaunee career records for scoring and interceptions ... was an All-State honorable mention defensive back as a senior as well as the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the year ... has also lettered four times in track (sprints and long jump) and twice in basketball (guard, forward) ... was tabbed the conference's Track Athlete of the Year last spring ... qualified for the Wisconsin state meet in the 100-meter dash in 2006 and the long jump one year earlier .... played under head football coach Kurt Flaten at Kewaunee HS ... is the son of Jeffrey and Rachel Berg.

Eric Dowling (LB • 6-1 • 220 • Moorhead, Minn. • Moorhead HS) - Served as the Spuds' team captain this past fall ... topped the club in total tackles as a sophomore and junior ... was bestowed with All-Section 8AAAAA status during his final two prep seasons and Academic All-State honors in 2007 ... has been selected to take part in the 2008 Minnesota High School Football All-Star Game ... played under head football coach Rick Eidness at Moorhead HS ... is the son of Rex and Brenda Lusty.

Cameron Harper (DB • 6-1 • 190 • Blaine, Minn. • Spring Lake Park HS) - His 2007 portfolio of post-season honors included selection to the St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State, the KARE 11-TV All-Metro, and the All-North Suburban Conference (for the second straight year) first teams as well as securing the North Suburban Conference's Defensive MVP Award ... also was an Associated Press All-State second team choice ... helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back North Suburban Conference championships as a junior and senior ... has lettered three times in baseball (third baseman, shortstop and pitcher) ... will captain that crew for the second year in a row this spring ... played under head football coach Jeff Schlieff at Spring Lake Park HS ... is the son of David and Amy Evans.

Garth Heikkinen (OL • 6-4 • 270 • Duluth, Minn. • Central HS) - Anchored the Duluth Central offensive line the past three years ... capped off his prep gridiron career in 2007 by being named to the All-North Country Conference and Duluth News-Tribune All-Area teams ... also landed Associated Press All-State honorable mention recognition ... has lettered three years with the basketball Trojans (center/forward) and is serving as a team captain this winter ... also played one year of varsity baseball (pitcher, third base) ... played under head football coach (and former UMD assistant) Chris Vold at Duluth Central HS ... is the son of Geraylyn Heikkinen ... his late grandfather, Wally Heikkinen, played hockey at UMD (1949-53) and is the Bulldogs' only three-time team captain.

Jordan Hoekstra (DB • 6-4 • 200 • Weston, Wis. • D.C. Everest HS) - Spent the past three falls adeptly patrolling the D.C. Everest High School defensive secondary ... was chosen to the 2007 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State team as well to the All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Team on two occasions ... captained the Evergreens as a senior .... will compete for the North squad at this summer 's Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game ... also has lettered three years in basketball (guard, forward) and two times in track ... is an all-conference sprinter (100- and 200-meters) and a member of two all-state relay teams ... played under head football coach Wayne Steffenhagen at D.C. Everest HS is the son of Lisa Hoekstra.



Eli Kelley (OL • 6-1 • 295 • St. Cloud, Minn. • Tech HS) - Saved his best football for last at St. Cloud Tech and was rewarded by gaining spots on the Associated Press All-State, the All-Central Lakes Conference, and the St. Cloud Times All-Area teams following the conclusion of the 2007 season ... was a major contributor in the Tigers' conquest of the Central Lakes Conference championships last fall ... also helped Tech claim the 2005 conference crown and a first-ever berth in the Minnesota State Class AAAAA playoff semifinals the ensuing year ... also has lettered once in track (shot putter) ... played under head football coach Gregg Martig at St. Cloud Tech HS ... is the son of Neil and Sydney Kelley.

Anthony Leone III (LB • 6-1 • 215 • Duluth, Minn. • Denfeld HS) - Finished first among his Hunter teammates in a legion of statistical categories as a senior including tackles, scoring, receiving yards and touchdowns en route to securing a spot on the All-North Country Team ... was deployed at tight end, linebacker and running back during his three seasons of varsity competition ... also has earned three letters each with the Hunter hockey (forward and defenseman) and track (sprints) ... played under head football coach Frank Huie at Duluth Denfeld HS ... is the son of Tony Leone Jr. and Christine Leone Robinson.

Nick Lloyd (LB • 6-2 • 210 • Luxemburg, Wis. • Luxemburg HS) - Was a 2007 All-Bay Conference (first team linebacker and honorable mention running back) selection ... handled Luxemburg's captaincy responsibilities as a senior ... landed all-conference first team acclaim in 2006 ... started three seasons for the Spartans ... has starred with the Luxemburg wrestling team the past four winters ... captured the 189-pound title at the 2007 Wisconsin State Division II Tournament ... is a three-year track letterman (discus/throws and sprints) -- will captain the Spartans this spring ... played under head football coach Pete Kline at Luxemburg HS ... is the son of Todd and Andrea Lloyd.

Jon Lynch (QB • 6-4 • 185 • Plymouth, Minn. • Benilde-St. Margaret's) - Exited the Benilde-St. Margaret's football program last fall as its all-time passing yardage and passing touchdowns leader ... was the Red Knight's starting signal caller from his sophomore year on ... was picked to the All-North Suburban Team for a second consecutive year in 2007 and also corralled Associated Press All-State honorable mention honors ... quarterbacked the Red Knights to their first state semifinal playoff berth in 26 years as a junior ... holds school single-season records for pass completitions and passing yardage ... also has lettered three times in baseball (third base, outfield and pitcher) as a prep ... played under head football coach John Hanks at Benilde-St. Margaret's ... is the son of Dennis and Lynn Lynch.

Tony Parker (LB • 6-4 • 230 • Mora, Minn. • Mora HS) - Was a three-time member of the All- Rum River Conference Team, qualifiying for that select group as both a defensive end and tight end ... ranked first among Mustangs in quarterback sacks last fall while serving as a team captain ... also is a standout in track and has earned all-conference honors in four events (100 meters, 200 meters, long jump and 4 x 200 meter relay) ... played under head football coach Randy Qual at Mora HS ... is the son of Liza Parker.

Jordan Marriott (OL • 6-6 • 245 • Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. • Wisconsin Rapids HS) - Started two years (tight end and offensive line) for the Red Raiders... played under head football coach Tony Biolo at Wisconsin Rapids HS ... is the son of Jim and Michele Marriott.

Kiel Schock (LB • 6-0 • 195 • Rice Lake, Wis. • Rice Lake HS) - Named the Big Rivers Conference's Defensive Player of the Year for 2007 ... attained All-Big Rivers, All-Region, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram All-Northwest first team and All-State honorable mention status that same season ... served as a team co-captain with the 2007 Warriors ... was used at defensive end, halfback and on special teams during his four-year prep tenure .. also lettered in both track (he qualified for the Wisconsin state meet as a sprinter in 2006) and wrestling ... played under head football coach Dan Hill at Rice Lake HS ... is the son of Jan and Kim Schock.

Steve Slater (LB • 6-3 • 205 • Young America, Minn. • Glencoe-Silver Lake HS) - Was chosen the 2007 Wright County Conference Linebacker of the Year ... captained the Panthers to their second consecutive Minnesota State Class AAA championship this past November ... received All-WCC, KARE-11 TV All-Metro and Associated Press All-State (honorable mention) praise following his senior season ... ranked first among the 2007 Panthers in sacks (seven) and also had interceptions (five, two of which he returned for touchdowns) ... three-year starter ... has accrued three letters with the Panther golf team ... was the individual medalist for the WCC in 2007 ... has been an All-WCC golfer since the ninth grade ... has qualified for two Minnesota State High School Golf Tournaments (individual in 2005, team in 2007) .... played under head football coach Dave Dose at Glencoe-Silver Lake HS ... is the son of Mark, a former University of Minnesota football center who spent six years in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles (1978-83), and Rachel Slater.

Darnell Small (DL • 6-3 • 215 • Madison, Wis. • La Follette HS) - Maintained a starting end position for the last three seasons on La Follette High School's defensive front ... attained All-Big 8 Conference and All-City honors as a senior ... also has lettered once in basketball and three years in track for the Lancers ... played under head football coach Chad Wiese at La Follette HS ... is the son of Diane Mitchell.

Collin Stinogel (WR • 6-3 • 200 • St. Cloud, Minn. • Tech HS) - Enjoyed a rewarding senior season at St. Cloud Tech High School, where he was a teammate of fellow 2008 Bulldog recruit Eli Kelley ... was bestowed with the Central Lakes Conference Player of the Year award in 2007 in additon to attaining All-CLC (for the second successive year), all-state, all-section, and all-area accolades ... started a pair of seasons at both wide receiver and free safety for the Tigers ... also is an all-conference basketball and baseball (pitcher, outfielder) performer ... played under head football coach Gregg Martig at St. Cloud Tech HS ... is the son of Jack and Kim Stinogel.

Chad Strilzuk (DB • 6-1 • 190 • Balsam Lake, Wis. • Unity HS) - Follows in the footsteps of his older brother Cole, a junior cornerback, to UMD ... was an All-Lakeland Conference/Dunn-St. Croix honoree in 2006 and 2007 ... paced that circuit in tackles as a senior (133) ... finished as the Dunn-St. Croix Conference's No. 1 rusher and tackler one year prior ... was a two-way starter for three seasons (quarterback and linebacker) ... also handled the Eagles' punting chores ... lettered three times in basketball (guard), four times in track (long jump) and once in baseball (third baseman, outfielder) as a prep ... played under head football coach Dave Anderson at Unity HS ... is the son of Greg and Brenda Strilzuk.

Derek Swanhorst (OL • 6-5 • 260 • Deerwood, Minn. • Crosby-Ironton HS) - Was a three-year starter on both offense (tackle) and defense (line) ... captained the Rangers in 2007 ... led the team in pass breakups as a senior .... also has lettered three seasons in basketball (center) and was an all-conference honorable mention honoree one year ago ... played under head football coach Mike Gindorff at Crosby-Ironton HS ... is the son of Randy, a former basketball letterman at Bemidji State University, and Karen Swanhorst ... his grandfather, Bob Swanhorst played basketball for Augustana College.

Jo Jo Sweet (RB • 5-11 • 200 • Gainsville, Ga. • Chestatee HS) - Displayed his ball-carrying wares for three seasons at Chestatee High School ... placed first on the 2007 War Eagle rushing charts with 1,442 yards on 196 attempts (for a 7.4 yards per carry average) ... also had a team-leading 21 touchdowns -- including 19 on the ground -- while landing All-Region 7-AAA recogntion ... was chosen the War Eagles MVP and its Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight time last fall .... has lettered three times in basketball and twice in track ... played under head football coach Stan Luttrell at Chestatee HS ... is the son of Connie Sweet-Mathison and David Mathison.

Mitchel Van Ramshorst (RB • 5-10 • 195 • Thunder Bay, Ont. • Winston Churchill CVI) - Received his pre-UMD training north of the border and is believed to be just the second Canadian native to enlist with the Bulldogs ... was chosen the Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association Senior Football League MVP in both 2006 and 2007 ... ran for over 3,800 yards in his three years at Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, including a school-record 1,960 yards (in just nine games) last fall ... was a two-time SSSAA First Team quarterback ... holds the city track record for the 100-meter dash (11.0 seconds) ... played under head football coach Mike Doromko at Winston Churchill CVI.

Colton Zimmerman (DB • 5-10 • 175 • Scandinavia, Wis. • Iola-Scandinavia HS) - Was an All-Central Wisconsin Conference selection as a sophomore, junior, and senior ... two-time team captain ... finished as the team's leading rushing in 2005 and 2006 and top passer (1,138 yards) in 2007 when he was switched to quarterback ... also started at cornerback for the Thunderbirds and twice was selected their Most Valuable Defensive Player ... has lettered three times in track and is an all-conference sprinter/high jumper ... has started two years for the basketball Thunderbirds as well (guard) ... played under head coach Scott Erickson at Iola-Scandinavia HS ... is the son of Michael and Michelle Koch.

*All signings are contingent upon admission to UMD and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse).