Bemidji State, on the strength of five prospects ranked inside Northstar Football News’ Top-100 in the Class of 2018, earned the top spot in the 2018 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference recruiting class rankings.
The Beavers’ top-end talent was led by DeLaSalle’s Sage Booker — a four-year starter for the Islanders who had a FCS offer from Indiana State. BSU’s class also featured as good of depth as any program in the NSIC with 14 players inside the Top 300 on NFN’s list.
Southwest Minnesota State jumped both Winona State and Minnesota-Duluth in the class rankings by adding Cooper’s Onte Burns. Burns, who was committed to Montana State until his scholarship offer was rescinded, joined teammate Nathan Hill by signing a National Letter of Intent with the Mustangs.
Winona State and Minnesota Duluth follow SMSU at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. It is the second-consecutive top-5 class for the Warriors, and third-straight for the Bulldogs, which topped the list with their 2016 and 2017 classes.
St. Cloud State rounds out the rankings in fifth place, the first top-5 class for the Huskies since 2015.
Overall Ranking
1. Bemidji State (15 overall commitments from Minnesota)
One in Top 50, five in Top 100, 10 in Top 200, 14 in Top 300
Top Ranked Recruit: Sage Booker, DeLaSalle (No. 25)
2. Southwest Minnesota State (16 overall commitments from Minnesota)
One in Top 50, three in Top 100, eight in Top 200, 10 in Top 300
Top Ranked Recruit: Onte Burns, Robbinsdale Cooper (No. 22)
3. Winona St (10 overall commitments from Minnesota)
One in Top 50, three in Top 100, six in Top 200, six in Top 300
Top Ranked Recruit: Charlie Dennis, Cretin-Derham Hall (No. 42)
4. Minnesota-Duluth (Seven overall commitments from Minnesota)
One in Top 50, three in Top 100, six in Top 200, six in Top 300
Top Ranked Recruit: Byron Bynum Jr., Blaine (No. 38)
5. St. Cloud St. (10 overall commitments from Minnesota)
One in Top 100, six in Top 200, six in Top 300
Top Ranked Recruit: Manny Alvarez, Columbia Heights (No. 76)
