Record-Setting Recruiting Class
MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/18/16)—Concordia head coach Terry Horan is proud to announce that a record-number 53 student/athletes have committed to playing for the Cobbers in the fall.
"I have never seen our class this large at this point," said Horan. "It is only mid-April and we have 53 recruits committed. On paper this class rivals any of the top recruiting classes we have put together in the last 16 years."
For the second straight year Concordia will welcome 32 players from the state of Minnesota. The big jump in numbers occurred from out of the region where the Cobbers have six incoming players from Arizona and a return to quality recruiting in Montana.
"We have once again hit it big in our 100-300 mile radius as this area continues to be a huge priority for our program," added Horan. "We also have been diving into other areas where we feel we can continue to build our name and attract top-notch student/athletes who are excited about being a part of our college community."
Concordia is coming off another top 3 finish in the MIAC standings. The Cobbers went 7-3 in their 10 overall games and tied for third place in the conference with a 5-3 mark. Concordia has now won 31 games in the past four seasons.
The Cobbers have always had quantity to go with quality as one of the top programs in the MIAC. Concordia has fielded teams with over 130 players every year.
Horan, who was an assistant coach for the Cobbers in the late 1990's, understands that it takes a great staff to carry on the rich tradition of Concordia football.
"I want to thank my staff for their around the clock, "pull up the boot strap" mentality of bringing in this year's recruiting class," said Horan. "Recruiting is our life blood and I am so proud of their efforts. They have put in many long hours and spent weekends away from their families."
The breakdown of the 53 future Cobbers includes 13 linebackers, seven defensive backs and eight defensive linemen. On the offensive side of the ball Horan will welcome nine offensive linemen, two wide receivers, four quarterbacks, six running backs and four fullbacks.
Of the 53 incoming freshmen, 32 are from Minnesota, 11 hail from North Dakota, a record six student/athletes from Arizona, two from Montana with one from California and the United Kingdom.
Concordia opens the 2016 season by playing at the University of Jamestown on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. The Cobbers will then host Wis.-Eau Claire on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. in the home opener. Concordia will begin conference play on Saturday, Sept. 17 when they play at Bethel at 1 p.m.
Below is a list of the current Cobber recruits to commit for the 2016 season.
| Name | Position | Ht. | Wt. | High School |
| Skyler Angeles | RB | 5-11 | 180 | Sheyenne HS |
| Victor Barbosa | FB | 6-0 | 220 | Ada-Borup HS |
| Jonah Bergstrand | LB | 5-10 | 185 | Fergus Falls HS |
| Will Berning | DB | 5-11 | 170 | St. Michael-Albertville HS |
| Chase Bruner | DB | 6-1 | 165 | Hazen HS |
| Matt Bye | QB | 6-4 | 200 | Moorhead HS |
| Cole Christensen | WR | 5-10 | 155 | Sheyenne HS |
| Austin Collins | LB | 5-9 | 175 | Kindred HS |
| Tim Duffy | DL | 6-1 | 280 | Eastview HS |
| Ethan Eagerton | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Empire HS (Ariz.) |
| Zach Ettel | OL | 6-2 | 300 | Melrose HS |
| Sean Feeney | LB | 6-3 | 210 | Liberty HS (Ariz.) |
| Trenton Francis | LB | 5-10 | 185 | Fargo South HS |
| Jacob Frey | OL | 6-3 | 295 | Waconia HS |
| Maison Grefe | DB | 6-1 | 170 | ROCORI HS |
| Sean-Paul Guilford | LB | 6-0 | 200 | Eastside HS (N.M.) |
| Jacob Gunderson | FB | 5-10 | 185 | Fargo North |
| Cole Guzman | DB | 6-0 | 175 | Billings West HS (Mont.) |
| Lane Hallock | OL | 6-0 | 250 | Fargo Shanley |
| Brennan Hammer | DL | 6-5 | 315 | Beaverhead HS (Mont.) |
| Damion Hanke | LB | 6-0 | 185 | Park Rapids HS |
| Logan Hatfield | RB | 5-10 | 185 | Bemidji HS |
| Owen Hemze | LB | 5-8 | 175 | Waconia HS |
| Max Henderson | FB | 5-9 | 190 | Triton HS |
| Jordan Jantzen | OL | 6-2 | 215 | Alexandria HS |
| Jayce Johnson | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Moorhead HS |
| Joel King | OL | 6-3 | 270 | Fergus Falls HS |
| Blake Kragnes | QB | 6-3 | 200 | Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton HS |
| Austin Maanum | RB | 5-10 | 190 | C-G-B HS/MSU Moorhead |
| James Magnuson | LB | 6-3 | 195 | New London-Spicer HS |
| Erik Manning | DL | 6-3 | 240 | Breckenridge HS |
| Nico Martin | DL | 6-0 | 215 | Queen Creek HS (Ariz.) |
| Kyle Martin | LB | 6-2 | 205 | Lakeville South HS |
| Colten Menges | DL | 6-5 | 240 | Lakenheath HS (U.K.) |
| Sam Michel | LB | 5-10 | 200 | Barry Goldwater HS (Ariz.) |
| Kiefer Miller | FB | 5-10 | 220 | Nevis HS |
| Nathan Myers | RB | 5-10 | 180 | Richland HS |
| Teauntae Nash | DB | 5-10 | 185 | Chandler HS (Ariz.) |
| Tristen Nelson | WR | 6-4 | 200 | Moorhead HS |
| Jade Olson | DL | 5-10 | 230 | Sauk Centre HS |
| Dylan Olsonawski | QB | 6-3 | 200 | Lancaster HS |
| Tom Pavek | QB | 6-1 | 180 | Mahnomen HS |
| Matt Pierce | OL | 6-4 | 250 | Sheyenne HS |
| Zack Pierskalla | RB | 6-0 | 195 | Melrose HS |
| Jared Ratka | DL | 6-3 | 225 | Foley HS |
| Hans Solberg | OL | 6-4 | 275 | Jordan HS |
| Joe Stage | OL | 6-1 | 220 | Barnesville HS |
| Brett Swenhaugen | LB | 6-2 | 190 | Tracy-Milroy-Balaton HS |
| Jacob Viou | LB | 6-0 | 195 | Moorhead HS |
| Chris White | OL | 6-3 | 240 | Joy Christian HS (Ariz.) |
| Kevin Wolfe | DL | 6-0 | 215 | Fargo Shanley HS |
| Jake Worms | RB | 6-1 | 190 | Mahnomen HS |
| John Zimmer | LB | 6-0 | 215 | St. Michael-Alberville HS |