National signing day roundup: Dakota State adds four area talents to recruiting class

MITCHELL — Several Mitchell area athletes signed on to extend their athletic and academic careers during Wednesday's national signing day activities.

Here's a look at who landed where.

A quartet of area athletes — Mitchell's A.J. Siemsen, Howard's Kaden Hofer, Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy's Maddox Kihne and Colome's Beau Bertram — are set to join the Trojans next season.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Siemsen emerged as Mitchell's No. 1 option in the passing game during his senior season and is signed as a wide receiver.

Hofer was an all-state offensive line selection for the Tigers last season and is expected to play linebacker in college at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds.

Kihne became the first all-state selection in program history for the newly-formed FMFA co-op as the Phoenix's top receiving target and is listed as a 5-foot-10, 160-pound slot receiver by the Trojans.

Bertram, who initially signed with Northern State and last appeared on the Wolves' roster in 2021, is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive end.

The Jimmies added a pair of area talents in Gregory's Gunnar Stephens and Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan's Jaden Eddy.

Stephens, the outstanding lineman from the Class 9A championship game, played along both the offensive and defensive lines for the Gorillas, but at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, is projected as a linebacker.

Eddy, who was listed as a tight end and linebacker for the Seahawks, is 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds and is expected to play defensive back.

Chamerlain's Noah Hutmacher will join the Wolves after a standout career on the gridiron (and soon the wrestling mat). At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Hutmacher played fullback and linebacker in high school and is listed as a defensive lineman by NSU.

The defending NAIA national champions inked Sam Hofer of Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan. Hofer, at 6-foot and 175 pounds, was listed as a quarterback and defensive back during his senior season for the Seahawks. His older brother, Jonah, is on the Red Raider roster.

Mitchell's August Anderson is set to play Division II football for the Wildcats of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Anderson, at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, was a stalwart on the Kernels' offensive line for two seasons and a team captain last season.