By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

South Dakotans made their Division I college football dreams a reality on Wednesday, which was the first day of the early signing period. 

It continues through Friday, while the regular signing day is Wednesday, Feb. 2. 

Here’s a look at the South Dakota football players that have signed with Division I college football programs (listed in alphabetical order):

David Alpers III, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 6-6, 225, South Dakota State University

Alpers was a force on O’Gorman’s defensive front. He finished with 51 tackles (39 solo), 23 tackles for loss, forced five fumbles and recovered two of them. For his career, he had 102 tackles and 39 tackles for loss. 

Quinten Christensen, Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central, 6-5, 250, South Dakota State University 

Christensen anchored an offensive line that produced 1,833 rushing yards. On defense, he was part of a unit that allowed 11.4 points per game. He finished with 14 tackles and three sacks after missing the first part of the season with a knee injury. He was an all-state defensive lineman in 2020.

Joe Cotton, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt, 6-6, 290, University of South Dakota

A two-year starter at left tackle, Cotton helped Roosevelt record nearly 400 yards per game for the past two seasons. Cotton also played nose guard on defense and was an all-conference selection.

Harrisburg’s Jacob Knuth acknowledges the Tiger student section following a 4-yard touchdown run in the Class 11AAA state championship game at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Jacob Knuth, Harrisburg, 6-4, 205, Minnesota

Knuth powered the Tigers to their first state championship since 1999 this season. He was the Gatorade South Dakota football player of the year. He racked up 2,413 passing  yards and 26 touchdown passes this past season. He completed 161 of 253 passes with just five interceptions, while rushing for 518 yards and 15 touchdowns on 100 carries. He was a two-time all-conference honoree. 

Brady Koupal, Brandon Valley, 6-5, 250, University of South Dakota

Jordan Larsen, Harrisburg, 6-4, 285, University of South Dakota

Larsen powered the Tigers’ offensive attack up front, creating running lanes for all-state running back Gavin Ross and passing alleys for Knuth. 

Josh Larsen, Harrisburg, 6-4, 270, University of South Dakota

Larsen powered the Tigers’ offensive attack up front, creating running lanes for all-state running back Gavin Ross and passing alleys for Knuth. 

Chase Mason, Viborg-Hurley, 6-4, 210, South Dakota State University

A University of Nebraska baseball transfer, Mason joins the Jackrabbits as a quarterback prospect. Mason threw for 2,218 yards and rushed for 1,159 yards as a junior in 2019. He accounted for 45 touchdowns and led the Cougars to the Class 9AA state championship. He set South Dakota state title game records with 416 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in 2019. A multi-sport athlete, Mason missed a bulk of his senior football season due a knee injury. 

Ben Goldy, Sr., RC Stevens, 6-7, 294, North Dakota State University

Goldy, a two-year starter, was an all-conference player for the Raiders. He allowed just seven quarterback pressures and two sacks at left tackle his senior season. 

Jace Sifore, Sr., Howard, 6-3, 260, South Dakota State University  

Sifore had 16 catches for 343 yards and eight touchdown receptions. The all-conference selection was the Class 9A’s most outstanding lineman of the championship game. Sifore helped the Tigers rack up 1,055 passing yards and 3,300 rushing yards, while recording 68 touchdowns. Sifore was a two-time all-state selection for the Tigers. 

Gage Tennyson, Sr., Custer, 6-4, 190, University of South Dakota

Tennyson posted 64 tackles (51 solo stops), four interceptions and 15 passes defended this season. For his career, he logged 152 tackles (104 solo tackles), seven interceptions, 24 passes defense and four fumble recoveries. 

Noah Thompson, Sr., Brandon Valley, 6-1, 180, South Dakota State University  

Thompson produced 32 tackles, eight pass breakups, one sack and one interception in Brandon Valley’s defensive backfield. He added three rushing touchdowns. For his career, he had 65 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups.