MARSHALL –The Southwest Minnesota State University football team announced its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday, including a blend of 34 graduating high schoolers and nine players who either transferred in or took a gap year after graduation.

“We are excited about adding this talented 2026 signing class of incoming freshmen and semester transfers to the Mustang family,” Underwood said. “Our staff looks forward to the arrival of the freshmen to campus in August and adding their skills to our program as we look to develop them on the field and in the classroom. The size of this class will provide us with the needed depth in all positions to build upon for the future. We are very happy to recruit and sign several of the top area student-athletes to our roster.”

SMSU’s incoming signing class includes players from eight different states. Of SMSU’s 43 signees, 24 come from Minnesota, six come from South Dakota, another three each come from California, Nebraska and Wisconsin while Texas, Florida and Idaho each had at least one signee.

In addition to current Marshall High Schoolers Levi Maeyaert and JR Vierstraete, the Mustangs also added 2025 Marshall graduates Jake Allex and Kieler Rhea. Allex, a dominant offensive tackle during his time as a Tiger, originally committed to play at Bemidji State. Rhea comes in as a wide receiver for the Mustangs. Neither of the two played college football this year.

The Mustangs also add Minneota defensive back Easton Johnston, Lakeview linebacker Garrett Schafer and Wabasso offensive lineman Joshua Timm to their incoming freshman class.

Schafer was an Independent All-Area second team honoree after logging 1,066 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground for Lakeview, as well as 49 tackles and two tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball. His brother Greg Schafer is already on the SMSU roster as a wide receiver.

Johnston was an All-Area Third Team selection for the Minneota Vikings, scoring 10 total touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball and coming up with two interceptions and a pick-6 on the defensive side.

SMSU has had 10 of its new students enroll for the start of the spring semester, including one of the high school signees.

The SMSU football team finished last season with a 1-11 record, losing nine straight games to end the year. The Mustangs begin spring practice on March 26 and kick off the regular season on Aug. 27 against Valley City State (N.D.)