The Northern State University football team signed eight South Dakotans to national letters of intents on Wednesday, Feb. 5. 

The eight South Dakotans to sign with the Wolves include: Holden Havlik (Wessington Springs), Drake Jellema (Brandon Valley), Jackson Isakson (Aberdeen Roncalli), Boston Katzer (Lennox), Ty Mikel (Pierre), Cole Ruesink (Dell Rapids), Roland Sedlacek (Custer) and Zach Smith (Rosholt).

Holden Havlik is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback out of Wessington Springs High School. He was a 4-year starter and team captain for the Spartans under the direction of head coach Micheal Schmitz. In the fall of 2024, Havlik threw for 1,789 yards and rushed for 266, recording 18 touchdowns. He was honored as the 2023 all-state runner-up at quarterback and 2024 all-state first team selection. 

Drake Jellema is a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back out of Brandon Valley High School. He was a 3-year starter and team captain for the Lynx under the direction of head coach Matt Christensen. Jellema tallied 147 career tackles and five interceptions. In the fall of 2024 he was named to the 11AAA All-State first team, ESD All-Conference first team, Sioux Falls Live 25 team, Argus Leader Elite 45 honorable mention team, and All-Metro Conference first team.

Jackson Isakson is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback and kicker out of Aberdeen Christian High School and South Dakota State. He was a member of the Aberdeen Roncalli football squad and a 5-year starter for the Cavaliers under the direction of head coach Billy Young. Isakson earned both all-conference and all-state for RHS. In the fall of 2023, Isakson appeared in two games for the Jackrabbits with five kicking attempts, including two touchbacks. 

Boston Katzer is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback out of Lennox High School. He was a 3-year starter and team captain for the Orioles under the direction of head coach Shawn Flanagan. Katzer threw for 7,820 career yards and 91 touchdowns, racking up a career high 3,249 in his senior campaign. He was a 2-time all-conference and all-state selection in 2022 and 2023. In the fall of 2024, Katzer was honored on the all-conference and all-state squads as well as the captain of the Argus Leader Elite 45 Team, the Joe Robbie MVP, the Quarterback of the Year, and an All-American.

Ty Mikel is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound offensive lineman out of T.F. Riggs High School. He was a 2-year starter for the Governors under the direction of head coach Steve Steele. Mikel’s offensive line did not allow a sack and the offense tallied over 1,500 yards rushing and 2,500 yards passing. T.F. Riggs won the South Dakota State Championship in the fall of 2023 and finished as the state runner-up in 2024.

Cole Ruesink is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back out of Dell Rapids High School. He was a 3-year starter and team captain for the Quarriers under the direction of head coach Derek Genzlinger. In the fall of 2024, Ruesink recorded 37 tackles, eight interceptions, 1 pick-6, and 1 forced fumble/fumble recovery. In addition, he added 1,469 offensive yards with 12 touchdowns. Ruesink is a 3-time Dak 12 All-Conference selection, 2-time all-state honoree, and 2-time Argus Leader Elite45 team member. DRHS won back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023 and reached the semifinal round in the fall of 2024. 

Roland Sedlacek is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound tight end out of Custer High School. He was a 4-year starter and team captain for the Wildcats under the direction of head coach Russ Evans. In the fall of 2024, Sedlacek recorded 401 passing yards, 227 rushing yards and 177 receiving yards, while scoring seven total touchdowns. He was a 2-time Black Hills All-Conference selection and 2024 academic all-state honoree. 

Zach Smith is a 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker out of Rosholt High School. He was a 5-year starter and team captain for the Tigers under the direction of head coach Joseph Barfknecht. As a senior, Smith tallied 105 tackles, including 71 solo stops, 14.0 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 sacks. In addition, he notched three forced fumbles and an interception. Smith was a 2-time all-region selection and academic all-region honoree.