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South Dakotans sign with Division I college football teams on Wednesday
Pierre's Jett Zabel (12) carries the ball against Yankton in the Class 11AA state championship this season.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

South Dakotans sign with Division I college football teams on Wednesday

Dec 20, 2023
  

By 605 Sports Staff

The college football early signing period for Division I programs was Wednesday, Dec. 20. 

Here’s a rundown of South Dakotans that have signed with Division I programs during the early signing day. The regular signing day is Feb. 7. 

  • Jett Zabel, Pierre, North Dakota State: A three-year starter, Zabel is projected to play tight end for the Bison. As a senior, Zabel made 58 receptions for 995 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead the Governors to their seventh consecutive state championship. He had 2,304 career receiving yards and set school records for receptions (138) and receiving touchdowns (35). Zabel completed a record 99-yard touchdown pass in the 2023 state title game. He was an all-conference and all-state pick. His brother, Grey, was an offensive lineman for the Bison. 
  • Jack Henry, Dell Rapids, South Dakota State: Henry led Dell Rapids to back-to-back Class 11A state championships in 2022 and 2023, going a combined 24-0. Honored twice on both the all-state team, he threw for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023, while being intercepted only once. Defensively, he registered 46 tackles, intercepted one pass and recovered a fumble.
  • Navarro Schunke, Brandon Valley, Kansas State: An offensive lineman, Schunke helped pave the way for Brandon Valley’s offensive attack. He helped the Lynx rush for 1,682 yards and passed for 1,552 yards. They rushed for 27 touchdowns and passed for 16 more scores. Schunke, who is a multiple time Class A state wrestling heavyweight champion, picked the Wildcats over scholarship offers from Auburn and Tennessee, among others. He will be a preferred walk-on at K-State. 

  • Blake Leiferman, Kimball, South Dakota State: Leiferman was an all-stater in 2023 and  posted 33 passes for 419 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. In addition to football, Leiferman has been an all-region performer in baseball, as well as an all-conference selection in basketball after averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds per game his junior season. He is projected to play tight end for the Jacks. 
  • Brayden Delahoyde, Spearfish, South Dakota State: Delahoyde earned all-conference honors four times at Spearfish High School, finishing his prep career with 107 receptions for 1,976 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was an honorable mention all-state selection in 2022 and received first-team all-state recognition as a senior. He will be a preferred walk-on and will play tight end for the Jacks. 

  • Thomas Martian, Rapid City Stevens, South Dakota State: Martian earned all-state honors as a center and was Lineman of the Year for Rapid City Stevens High School in 2023. He also has been a key contributor for the Raiders' basketball team during his prep career. Martian will be a preferred walk-on with the Jacks. 
  • Jack Smith, Sioux Falls Lincoln, South Dakota State: Smith was a prolific pass-catcher at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, setting a dozen state records while leading his team to the Class 11AAA state championship this past fall. A two-time all-state selection, Smith's career totals included 217 receptions, 3,242 receiving yards and 43 touchdowns. 
  • Ryland Satter, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, North Dakota State: Satter played fullback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and defensive end in high school. A 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, Satter is projected to play fullback in college. Satter made 69 receptions for 766 yards and 15 touchdowns his final season. He finished his career with 2,285 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. He was a four-time all-conference and three-time all-stater.
  • Thomas Heiberger, Sioux Falls Jefferson, Wisconsin: A 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker, Heiberger logged 35 tackles (5 tackles for loss), four sacks and one interception last season. He added three touchdowns on offense.
  • Dreavin Hodge, Sioux Falls Lincoln, University of South Dakota: Hodge will play running back for the ‘Yotes. Hodge was all-state running back and two-year varsity starter who ran for 623 yards and nine touchdowns while helping the Patriots to a state title and undefeated season in 2023.
  • Henry Theobald, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, University of North Dakota: Theobald led the Knights’ defensive secondary with 21 tackles and two interceptions. For his career, he posted 66 tackles and five interceptions. He added 35 receptions for 627 yards on offense. He also blocked five kicks in his prep career. He will play defensive back at UND.

  • Crew Heier, West Central, University of South Dakota: Heier was an all-state defensive end and tight end for the Trojans. He had 65 tackles including three sacks and seven tackles-for-loss last season. He also had 11 catches for 207 yards and a score.
  • Dawson Sechser, Sioux Falls Jefferson, University of South Dakota: Sechser was a two-time all-state and all-Metro Conference honoree. He helped lead the Cavaliers to a state title in 2022, compiling 165 tackles and seven interceptions on defense, and had 362 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on offense.