Eight South Dakotans signed national letters of intent with the Augustana University football team on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The eight South Dakotans to sign with the Vikings include: Dawson Bauer (O’Gorman), Tatum Bell (Lincoln), Eli Detert (Harrisburg), Karter Engels (Watertown), Braeden Feeldy (Harrisburg), Benjamin Paepke (Rapid City Central), Cayden Van Horssen (Harrisburg) and Israel Ouverson (Madison). 

Dawson Bauer was a three-year letterwinner and senior captain for the O’Gorman Knights. As a senior, he totalled 28 receptions for 454 yards and three touchdowns while recording 30 tackles and blocking an extra point defensively. He was an all-conference and academic All-State honoree as a senior. As a junior, Bauer had 203 receiving yards on 22 receptions with two touchdowns while playing in a state championship game.

Tatum Bell was a senior starter for the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots. He was a heavy-hitting safety and helped bring Lincoln a state title for the second consecutive season. Bell had 38 tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble to lead the defensive backfield. 

Eli Detert is a two-year starter and senior captain for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Cayden Van Horssen and Braeden Feeldy. He was named to the pre-season Elite 45 and helped his team to back-to-back semifinal appearances. 

Karter Engels was a two-year starter for the Watertown Arrows. He helped lead Watertown to a state title while earning Academic All-State, All-State and all-conference honors. He also earned Academic All-State status as a junior while helping his team to a home playoff victory. 

Braeden Feeldy is a two-year starter and senior captain for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Cayden Van Horssen and Eli Detert. As a senior, Feeldy racked up 48 receptions for 812 yards and 12 touchdowns in the air. He was also a threat as a returner, collecting a kickoff and punt return touchdown. Feeldy was a first team All-State wide receiver, Sioux Falls Live 25 honoree and all-conference first team honoree. He was also a first team All-State returner as a junior. 

Benjamin Paepke was a four-year letterwinner for the Rapid City Central Cobblers. Paepke was dominant in his senior season, earning SDHSAA all-conference, academic All-State and All-State honorable mention honors. 

Cayden Van Horssen was a two-year starter for the Harrisburg Tigers where he was teammates with fellow signees Eli Detert and Braeden Feeldy. He helped his team to an 8-3 finish in both seasons and was a dominant force on the offensive line. Van Horssen earned all-conference First Team honors as a senior and was named to the 11AAA All-State First Team. 

Israel Ouverson was a four-year starter for the Madison Bulldogs. As a senior, he recorded 55 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He earned All-State and all-conference honors while being named academic All-State. He won a state championship as a freshman and was named the team’s best lineman in all four varsity seasons.