Scholarship to MIAC MN Prep Bouncebacks: 2010-2020

The semi-recent news from October that local Minnesota products Danny Anderson (Eden Prairie), Alex Strazzanti (Chaska), and Clayton Witherspoon (Eden Prairie) departed from the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers roster made me instinctively want to check the St. Thomas and St. John’s rosters for news that the former Gopher players have joined the MIAC. It’s a natural reaction at this point, as from my conscious lifetime as a MN sports fan I have seen tons of Division 1 signees join the ranks of the MIAC after their initial landing spots for football don’t work out. This doesn’t even include the DII scholarship bouncebacks to have joined either St. Olaf, Carleton, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Augsburg, Bethel, Concordia-Moorhead, St. John’s, or St. Thomas, so I thought it would be prudent and informative to try and make my own record of Minnesota preps to have bounced back and transferred into the MIAC after initially signing with a scholarship DII or D1 program. Unfortunately, most MIAC schools didn’t list the former school of their rostered players, so I had to go mostly off memory and what few articles regarding transfers I could find. I guarantee I missed at least a couple scholarship transfers in this feature, so please let me know on Twitter or at oliver@prepredzone.com if you know of any preps I didn’t mention. Thanks for reading! MIAC football is my true pride and joy and I love writing articles like this. I hope you enjoy as well! D1 Transfers Jaran Roste (Alexandria) QB. 6’4, 240 lbs. University of Minnesota to Bethel University. In high school for the Alexandria Cardinals the behemoth quarterback was All-Conference thrice, First Team All-State, and a MN Mr. Football Finalist. He finished his career with 5,591 yards passing with 56 touchdowns and 1,721 rushing yards with 39 touchdowns and as a senior led his team to a 9-2 record his senior season throwing for 2,439 yards with 28 touchdowns and 671 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns. He’s since won two All-MIAC Second Team Awards as Bethel’s signal-caller and has totaled 1,558 yards and 27 TDs on the ground and 3,814 yards and 26 TDs passing in his career thus far and is heading into 2020 as a junior. Danny Pietruszewski (South St. Paul) LB. 6’3, 240 lbs. University of Minnesota to St. John’s University. Led South St. Paul to an 11-2 record as a senior that included a Prep Bowl appearance. That season he threw for 847 yards and nine TDs to go along with 1,311 rushing yards and 27 TDs. Also punted 33 times with 10 punts landing inside of the 20. For his efforts he was named Second Team All-State, Second Team All-Metro, and signed with the Golden Gophers on a PWO as a TE. After a year he transferred to St. John’s, where his older brother played, and has been named to the All-MIAC Second Team once and the All-MIAC First Team twice, and comes into 2020 as a senior. Last season in 2019 he recorded 66 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, a FF, and 3 blocked kicks. Jackson Erdmann (Rosemount) QB. 6’3, 215 lbs. Penn State University to St. John’s University. One of the most decorated Johnnies QBs in program history, Erdmann was the son of his head coach at Rosemount and was a 2x South Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year, a St. Paul Pioneer Press Player of the Year, a finalist for MN Gatorade Player of the Year, and a finalist for MN’s Mr. Football. He was also an All-State honoree, and holds school records for passing yards, completions, and TDs. He was also a MN All-State participant, and walked-on to the Penn State Nittany Lions before transferring closer to home to the Johnnies, where he became one of the best signal-callers in conference history. He was a 2x All-MIAC First Team selection and a 1x Second Team pick, and in 2018 won the Gagliardi Trophy for the most outstanding DIII player, as well as D3football.com National Offensive Player of the Year, a consensus First Team All-American, a First Team All-Region pick, and the West Region Offensive Player of the Year pick. He’s currently pursuing his dreams of playing professional football for "The Spring League." He’s still got a lot of football in-front of him! Mike Delich (Eastview) RB/LB. 6’, 215 lbs. University of Minnesota to Bethel University. Was a standout football player, wrestler, and thrower for the Eastview Lightning and was awarded two All-Conference awards on the gridiron as well as a MN All-Star Game selection. As a senior he had 167 carries for 850 yards and 10 TDs. Also impressively, he was a 3x captain for the Lightning football program. He accepted a PWO to the Golden Gophers out of high school but transferred to Arden Hills after a year playing Division 1 football. He’s turned into an old-school hard-nosed two-way player in the MIAC who gets snaps as both a LB and a RB for the Royals offense. He earned his first All-MIAC award this past season in 2019 as a sophomore as a First Team LB while putting up offensive numbers of 16 rushing attempts for 155 yards and 5 TDs as well as 48 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6 sacks, and a FF. He enters this Spring season as a junior with some good football in-front of him. Jacques Perra (Roseville) QB. 6’4, 210 lbs. University of Minnesota to University of St. Thomas. Had an illustrious prep career that involved him being named First Team All-State, 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year and St. Paul Pioneer Press POTY, and led Minnesota’s 6A with 3,171 passing yards and 35 TDs as a senior. He finished his high school career with 6,867 yards and 63 TD passes. After spending three semesters at the University of Minnesota he transferred to St. Paul’s St. Thomas and earned two All-MIAC awards and in 2018 put up stats to the numbers of 139-225 for 1,646 yards and 11 TDs to 9 interceptions. Another strong-armed QB in a long line of accomplished Tommie gunslingers. Josh Parks (Chisago Lakes) RB. 5’10, 200 lbs. University of Minnesota to University of St. Thomas. One of the MIAC’s best RBs in history began with humble beginnings at Chisago Lakes after he helped lead them to an 8-2 record as a senior and was named Third Team All-State after rushing 126 times for 1,202 yards and 16 TDs to go along with 10 catches for 163 yards and a TD. He added 38 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense as well. He is the career record-holder at Chisago Lakes in rushing yards (2,809) and points scored (238). He went onto have an illustrious MIAC career that included two First Team All-MIAC selections and a ton of crazy statistics. His freshman year in 2016 he rushed 141 times for 967 yards and 12 TDs, his sophomore season in 2017 he battled injuries but put up 121 rushes for 698 yards and 9 TDs, junior year in 2018 he tallied 151 rushes for 1,266 yards and 17 TD, and as a senior he had 176 carries for 1,249 yards and 18 TDs. Not bad at all. He graduated last year. [player_tooltip player_id="1573" first="Max" last="Janes"] (Mounds View) DE. 6’3, 225 lbs. University of Minnesota to Bethel University. A more recent Division 1 transfer, Janes joined the Bethel Royals in 2019 after playing in 13 games on special teams for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2018. As a senior at Mounds View he made 19 catches for 312 yards and 3 TDs and 60 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 FFs, 2 FRs, and two interceptions. Last season in his first year in Arden Hills he also subbed in on some heavy running packages and totaled 11 rushes for 40 yards and 5 TDs, while adding 35 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 5 sacks, and an interception on defense. He’s got two years of eligibility remaining and will look for his first All-MIAC Award next season. Joey Sonnenfeld (Maple Grove) WR. 6’3, 215 lbs. North Dakota State to Augsburg. Graduated Osseo in 2011 and transferred to Augsburg for the 2013 season from the mighty North Dakota State Bison. In high school he was a three-year starter who earned Second Team All-State and All-Metro selections as well as a Preseason All-State pick and two All-Conference selections. He became a 3x All-MIAC First Team wideout with the game-changing Minneapolis Southwest grad at QB Ayrton Scott throwing to him, and as a senior in 2015 he caught 73 balls for 1,244 yards and 12 TDs. In 2014 he recorded 70 catches for 1,219 yards and 14 TDs, and in 2013 he recorded 67 catches for 1,087 yards and 13 TDs. He was a total stud in MIAC play. Also played basketball for Augsburg. Bridgeport Tussler (Osseo) RB. 5’11, 200 lbs. South Dakota State to Bethel. It’s not everyday that a former Minnesota Mr. Football Award joins the DIII ranks, but that became the case when the 2012 winner in Osseo’s Bridgeport Tussler transferred from South Dakota State to the MIAC to play football and basketball for the Bethel Royals. He was the most talented player in the entire league during his time in the conference, and he recently joined the Augsburg Auggies staff - now coached by his high school HC Derrin Lamker - as an assistant coach, making for a complete full circle in his football career. He had a somewhat tumultuous relationship with the Bethel football staff and was more focused on basketball, but was still a stat monster and in 2014 he had 75 rushes for 403 yards and 8 TDs, 37 catches for 398 yards and 3 TDs, and 20 punt returns for 238 yards with a long of 91 yards. In 2015 he ran it 72 times for 486 yards and 2 TDs, and in 2016 he rushed 66 times for 352 yards and 9 TDs with 15 catches for 140 yards. He was a force every single time he touched the rock, and had an even better basketball career for the Royals. Tommy Fuller (Eden Prairie) DB. 5’9, 190 lbs. University of Minnesota to University of St. Thomas. Accepted a PWO to the Golden Gophers after winning All-Academic, All-District, and captain status of the Eden Prairie Eagles in high school. He transferred to St. Thomas in 2018 and that season posted 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a sack. He followed it up with a 2019 performance of 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, and interception, and 3 PBUs. He's got two years of eligibility remaining with the Tommies. Jeremy Hallowanger (St. Paul Harding) WR. 6’1, 185 lbs. South Dakota State to Augsburg. One of the best St. Paul Harding players of all time. He won the school’s Male Athlete of the Year after winning All-City and All-Conference honors along with an All-State HM nod. He recorded 28 catches for 752 yards and 10 TDs on offense and added 46 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 FRs, and a defensive TD as a senior. In his senior year of 2017 at Augsburg he caught 20 balls for 224 yards and 3 TDs. Michael Veldmann (Becker) QB. 6’4, 210 lbs. North Dakota State to Gustavus Adolphus College. A tremendous MIAC talent that Gustavus Adolphus nabbed from the mighty Bison of North Dakota State, who have a tremendous pipeline with the Becker Bulldogs. In high school Veldmann passed for 3,406 yards and 47 TDs in his final two seasons and won a state championship in 2014. He won Granite Ridge Conference MVP, St. Cloud Times Area Player of the Year, and Minnesota Vikings All-State honors. He was also a MN Mr. Football finalist and was a 2x All-Conference basketball player who put up 1,000 career points in his career. After transferring from NDSU he's won two All-MIAC First Team Awards and has shown off a cannon of an arm and some standout toughness. Ty Moser (Perham) LB. 6’3, 200 lbs. North Dakota State wrestling to Concordia College-Moorhead. This past May it was announced that former Perham two-sport standout Ty Moser was returning to the gridiron after announcing his transfer from the North Dakota State wrestling team to the Concordia College-Moorhead football team in a record-breaking 2020 recruiting class that signed 56 players to the Cobbs. At Perham he finished his career with 829 rushing yards and 13 TDs, 1,625 receiving yards and 21 TDs, and 134 tackles with 21 TFLs and six sacks defensively. I would be very surprised if he didn't start seeing snaps early on in his DIII career. Bennie Wilson (St. Michael-Albertville) RB. 5’10, 240 lbs. North Dakota State to St. Thomas. Graduated from STMA in 2013 after earning two All-Conference selections for the Knights. He was a three-year starter at FB and DL and placed 3rd in the state in wrestling for the illustrious STMA wrestling squad, earning him All-State honors. He also is the school record holder in the bench press. After transferring from NDSU to UST he scored a TD and played a ton of snaps on special teams and as a fullback. DII Transfers Hakeem Bourne-McFarlane (Bloomington Kennedy) DB/WR. 6’2, 220 lbs. Winona State to Augsburg. I was lucky enough to be in the MIAC for Bourne-McFarlane's final season, and holy crap was this guy something. One of the most feared and hardest-hitting defensive players of the 2000's in the MIAC who was a First Team All-MIAC winner in 2013 and an Second Team All-MIAC pick in 2012, Bourne-McFarlane played on offense, defense, and special teams for the Auggies and laid some of the hardest hits of the season as a FS, caught game-winning passes as a WR, and took multiple kicks and punts back to the house as a returner. Check out his Hudl tapes, they're worth the watch. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/117032/5721b7750dcb0d12f85131cd">WR Highlights</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/117032/5721b7710c5e681224852f79">FS Highlights</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/117032/5721b77619a53e2a184ea808">KR and PR Highlights</a> Anthony Hockett (MPLS South) DB. 5'9, 190 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Bethel. As a sophomore in 2019 he put up 25 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, an FR, and an interception. Dan Dobson (Mankato West) QB. University of Minnesota-Duluth. to St. Olaf. Spent a RS year in Duluth before transferring to join his brother at St. Olaf and in three years accumulated 6,504 yards and 78 total TDs. Played professional football in Italy and Germany post-grad. Brandon Zylstra (New London Spicer) WR. 6'2, 215 lbs. Augustana to Concordia-Moorhead. The only NFL player on this list, Zylstra was a total playmaker for the Cobbers who totaled 1,932 receiving yards and 18 TDs in 29 games for CCM. He then went on to lead the CFL in receiving yards, earned a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings and made the 53! He's currently on the Carolina Panthers. Sam Sura (South St. Paul) RB. 5'11, 205 lbs. Augustana to St. John's University. Most likely the best RB in Johnnies history, he was a 2012 Minnesota All-Star game participant who went onto sign with Augustana in South Dakota before transferring back to SJU. As a Johnnie he was a 2013 All-MIAC HM pick, a 2014 D3football.com First Team All-American, the 2014 MIAC MVP, a 2014 Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist, and a multiple All-MIAC pick and All-Region First Team selection. In his senior season of 2015 he rushed 286 times for 1,614 yards and 24 TDs. Loren Lorang (Rochester Mayo) LB. 5'11, 225 lbs. Upper Iowa to Hamline. His sophomore season of 2016 for Hamline he totaled 32 tackles, 1.5 TFLs. His junior season in 2017 he posted 46 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 1 sack. His senior season of 2018 he tallied 37 tackles, 3.5 TFLs. Anthony Hill (Champlin Park) DB. 6'2, 220 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Hamline. Earned multiple All-MIAC awards ( 2 First Team, 1 Second Team) and was a vocal competitor who made an impact defensively and as a returner. Gerald Shepherd Jr. (Robbinsdale Armstrong) DB. 6'1, 180 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Augsburg. Joined the MIAC during the 2020 offseason and is approaching his first season of play for Augsburg after transferring from the Golden Bears. In high school he was the Armstrong team and defensive MVP, a MN All-Star Game pick, and an All-Conference and All-Metro selection. Can lay the wood from the defensive backfield. James Woods (White Bear Lake) RB. 5'9, 235 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Augsburg. Just transferred from Concordia-St. Paul this past offseason and has two years of eligibility remaining. Kyle McDonough Jr. (Park of Cottage Grove) DB. 5'11, 195 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Augsburg. Played in seven games for Augsburg in 2019 and posted 11 tackles. Aaron Odland (Concordia Academy) OL. 6'4, 320 lbs. Bemidji State to Augsburg. Scott Bossard (North Branch) TE. 6'2, 230 lbs. University of Minnesota-Duluth to Augsburg. In high school at North Branch he was a two-year captain, team MVP, and a 2x All-Conference pick. He became a team captain in 2015 and caught 24 passes for 330 yards and 4 TDs. Brandon Hunter (Hopkins) DB. 5'10, 175 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Augsburg. All-Conference pick in high school. Recorded 35 tackles for the Auggies in 2012. Hunter Friesen (Mankato West) WR. 5'8, 185 lbs. MSU-Mankato to Augsburg. In 2014 he played in eight games for Augsburg and totaled 610 receiving yards and 94 kick return yards. Jalon Hopkins (Minnetonka) RB. 6', 180 lbs. University of Minnesota-Duluth to Augsburg. Cole Jalivay (Rosemount) WR. 6'2, 180 lbs. Southwest Minnesota State to Augsburg Armany Smith (Robbinsdale Cooper) WR. 6'2, 195 lbs. Southwest Minnesota State to Augsburg Daulton Olinger (Spring Lake Park) OL. Sioux Falls to Augsburg Sam Milbrett (Waseca) RB. Southwest Minnesota State to Augsburg Le’Andre Benion (Roseville) Upper Iowa to Augsburg. Second Team All-MIAC Specialist in 2019. Ricardo Johnson III (Cretin-Derham Hall) Concordia-St. Paul to St. Olaf. All-MIAC HM QB in 2018. The best teammate I've ever played with. Gabe Boyce (Minnetonka) WR. 5'10, 175 lbs. Concordia-St. Paul to Gustavus Adolphus College. Earned two First Team All-MIAC picks as a wideout at GAC, playing with his two brothers as well. Anthony Boyce (Minnetonka) LB. 6'1, 215 lbs. University of Minnesota-Duluth to Gustavus Adolphus College. Earned two All-MIAC Second Team distinctions in his time in St. Peter. Matt Gruber (Minnewaska Area) Augustana (SD) baseball to Concordia College-Moorhead. Nate Adams (Litchfield) Bemidji State to Concordia College-Moorhead. " He was a 2-time All-MIAC honoree, named to the D3football.com in both seasons, was an All-American and also earned the Mike Stam Award for the MIAC’s Most Valuable Lineman in 2013. Nate also got a tryout from the Minnesota Vikings after his senior season. He owns the Cobber single season record for tackles for a loss (17.5) and yards from tackles for a loss (101.0). He finished his 2-year career in the Cobber Top 10 in tackles for a loss in a career, yards from tackles for a loss and in the Top 15 in career sacks. Wyatt Russek (Delano) OL. 6’3, 295 lbs. Bemidji State to St. John’s University. Joe Robel (Blaine) DB. 6’, 200 lbs. Augsutana (SD) to St. John’s University. In high school for the Bengals he started three years, was named All-Conference twice, and was Second Team All-State as a senior and All-State HM as a junior. He posted 55 tackles and 3 interceptions as a senior and also caught 313 reception yards and 3 TDs. After transferring after his RS year from Augustana he became a steady Johnnie contributor and as a senior he posted 31 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, and 3 PBUs. Tory Adams (Hutchinson) RB. 6’1, 210 lbs. University of Minnesota-Duluth to St. Thomas and back to UMD