2012 FB Signing Bios
James Anderson
Offensive Guard
6-4 • 300 • Fr.
Omaha, Neb. • Burke
High School Coach: Paul Limongi
Three-year starter and letterwinner on the offensive line for Burke...Also served as the team's primary long snapper...Helped lead the Bulldogs to a pair of Metro Football Conference titles as a junior and a senior...Also led Burke to a state-runner up finish a year ago...Was an all-state, all-metro and all-district player as a junior and a senior and an all-metro and all-district performer as a senior...Was named the Metro Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior..Also played basketball and ran track for Burke. Personal: Son of Jeff and Beth Anderson...Born Feb. 18, 1994...Intends to major in engineering at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Anderson: James is a big, strong, athletic offensive lineman. He has tons of potential and is a very physical blocker who finishes plays to the whistle on every play.
Mat Andriano
Cornerback
6-1 • 185 • Fr.
Ankeny, Iowa • Ankeny
High School Coach: Jerry Pezzetti
Was a two-year starter and letterwinner for the Hawks where he played cornerback and also handled punting duties...Helped lead Ankeny to a CIML title with an 11-2 record and advanced to the semifinals of the Iowa Class 4A State tournament...Finished the year with 59 tackles, including four interceptions and had a pair of touchdowns...Averaged 39 yards on 32 punts...Was academic all-conference four years and is a member of the National Honor Society and a Presidential Award winner. Personal: Son of Scott and Kristi Andriano...Born March 31, 1994...Intends to major in business or communications at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Andriano: Mat is a long athlete with the ability to play corner. We are excited about Mat’s ability to be physical. This will afford Mat the opportunity to play early in his career.
Paul Bernhagen
Offensive Tackle
6-5 • 285 • Fr.
Madison, Wis. • Madison LaFollette
High School Coach: Mike Harris
Was a two-year starter and letterwinner for the Lancers...Was a First Team Big 8 Conference selection as a senior...Recipient of the Bennett Award as an all-city lineman. Personal: Son of Ron and Sue Benrhagen...Born June 15, 1994...Intends to major in sports management at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Bernhagen: Paul has tremendous size, bend and athleticism. He will bring a tough and nasty mentality to the game. Paul has the complete package that we look for in our offensive linemen.
Garret Bieble
Tight End
6-3 • 240 • Fr.
Omaha, Neb • Millard
High School Coach: Kirk Peterson
Three-year letterwinner and starter for the Wildcats...Was named all-district as a senior and played in ten games, helping lead Millard West to a district runner-up finish...Also throws the shot put for the Wildcats. Personal: Son of James and Andra Biebl...Born Nov. 10, 1993...Intends to major in civil engineering at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Biebl: Biebl is a very athletic football player for a very successful high school team in Nebraska. Very versatile and played both ways in high school. We are excited about his future at Minnesota State University.
Elliot Buggs
Rover
5-11 • 180 • Fr.
Brooklyn Park, Minn. • Champlin Park
High School Coach: Mike Korton
Was a two-year starter and letterwinner at Brooklyn Park...Was an all-conference honorable mention selection as a junior and won the team's best receiver award...Father Glenn played football at the University of Iowa from 1981-83. Personal: Son of Glenn and Sara Buggs...Born June 29, 1993...Intends to major in sports management at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Buggs: Buggs is a very versatile athlete that played multiple positions and was a standout special teams player while at Champlin Park. He is a very smart football player who will work hard in the classroom and on the field.
Justin Erickson
Safety
6-3 • 185 • Fr.
Racine, Wis. • Racine St. Catherine
High School Coach: Dan Miller
Was a four-year starter and letterwinner at St. Catherines...Helped lead the Angels to a first-place finish this season in the Midwest Classic South Conference with a 9-2 record...Was a First Team All-State pick by the Associated Press and an Honorable Mention All-State selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior...Was a first team all-county and all-conference pick and was also named the player of the year...Offensively he caught 27 passes for 560 yards and three touchdowns and on the defensive side of the ball he had 40 tackles and five interceptions. Personal: Son of Denise Erickson...Born Nov. 22, 1993...Intends to major in business or sports management at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Erickson: Justin is a long athlete with tremendous ball skills. He plays the smart, physical football that we have come to expect from our secondary group.
Brent Esser
Wide Receiver
5-10 • 165 • Fr.
Wausau, Wis. • DC Everest
High School Coach: Luke Coenen
Esser was a two-year starter and letterwinner at DC Everest, leading the Evergreens to a 7-4 record this past season, including a third-place finish in the Valley Football Association (North)...Was a unanimous first team all-conference selection as wide receiver and was named the league's wide receiver of the year...Was also first team all-region and First Team All-State by both the WFCA and the AP...Caught 63 passes for 1,306 yards and 18 touchdowns and finished the year with 1,800 all purpose yards...Also plays basketball and runs track. Personal: Son of Shawn and Julie Esser...Born Jan. 27, 1994...Intends to major in business administration at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Esser: Brent is an electric athlete who is highly competitive who is an elusive player with great tackle breaking ability. He's a big play maker and has a great future here at MSU.
Marcus Gooden
Linebacker
6-1 • 205 • Fr.
Belvidere, Ill. • Belvidere
High School Coach: Matt Weckler
Was a three-year starter and letterwinner for the Bucs...Was an all-conference pick and an honorable mention all-state selection...Also an all-conference academic selection...Rushed for over 2,000 yards in his career, becoming the 20th player in NIC-10 Conference history to accomplish the feat...Finished his senior campaign with 670 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns...Led Belvidere in rushing as a junior and sophomore, as well. Personal: Son of Terrence Gooden and Meri Cunningham...Born Dec. 28, 1993...Intends to major in business or finance at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Gooden: Marcus has been targeted as instant impact defensive player for a long time. He has outstanding speed and change of direction. We love his ability to play the game, but it is his character that makes him so special.
Brandon Luedke
Linebacker
6-1 • 210 • Fr.
Wausau, Wis. • East
High School Coach: Steve Jung
Was a three-year starter and letterwinner for the Lumberjacks...Finished his senior season with 116 tackles, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble...Returned an interception for a touchdown as a junior and a senior...Was a first team all-conference selection as a senior...Will play in the WFCA All-Star Game this summer...Earned the Brockmeier Award as Wausau Area's best football player...Member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Richard and Debra Luedke...Born Nov. 18, 1993...Undecided on a major.
Hoffner on Luedke: Brandon has a tremendous frame and is growing into his body athletically. He is a tremendous young man with a huge upside. We are excited about his future at MSU.
Connor McKean
Wide Receiver
6-3 • 190 • Fr.
Woodbury, Minn. • Woodbury
High School Coach: Andy Hill
Was a two-year starter and letterwinner at Woodbury...Was named all-conference and was also a team captain and named the team's unsung hero...As a junior he set a single-game record for Woodbury with 206 receiving yards...Averaged 16 yards per catch as a junior...Also plays basketball for Woodbury. Personal: Son of F. Mac McKean and Cindy McKeen...Born July 26, 1993...Undecided on a major.
Hoffner on McKean: Connor is a long, athletic receiver that should be a big target for our quarterbacks. He has soft hands and is a smooth route runner. McKeen is also a tremendous competitor on the field and in the classroom, which is exactly what we are looking for at MSU.
Tyler Parker
Running Back
6-1• 195 • Fr.
Mount Horeb, Wis. • Verona
High School Coach: Dave Richardson
Was a two-year starter and running back for the Wildcats, leading the squad to a 12-1 finish as a senior, including a 9-0 mark in the Big Eight...Has been a member of a high school football program that has won seven consecutive league titles...Was a unanimous first team all-conference pick...Also named all-area first team and all-state honorable mention...Scored 36 touchdowns as a senior, 30 of which were on the ground, six through the air...Averaged 10.4 yards per carry...Finished with 1,750 yards rushing and 350 yards receiving. Personal: Son of Jim and Karen Parker...Born August 22, 1993...Intends to major in engineering at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Parker: Tyler is a big and fast running back with great hands. If given the opportunity Tyler can take it the distance with his amazing speed. He has the complete package when it comes to what we want our running backs to be able to do.
Nicholas Peters
Running Back
6-2 • 180 • Fr.
Urbandale, Iowa • Waukee
High School Coach: Scott Carlson
Was a two-year starter and lettewinner for the Warriors, leading Waukee to a 6-4 record and a second-place finish in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League as a senior...As a senior he finished with 36 tackles, and recovered three fumbles, scoring a touchdown on one of them...Also had an interception and two blocked punts...Was a first team all conference pick as a senior and was a First Team All-Dallas County selection...Also named team captain...As a junior he had 62 tackles and a pair of interceptions to go with three fumble recoveries...Also played baseball at Waukee. Personal: Son of David and Cathy Peterson...Born Dec. 5, 1993...Intends to major in marketing.
Hoffner on Peters: Nick is a physical secondary player. Much of his experience has been playing closer to the line of scrimmage, but we are confident he can adjust to the multiple roles of playing safety in our defense.
Nicholas Pieruccini
Quarterback • Athlete
6-0 • 200 • Fr.
Chicago, Ill./Notre Dame College Prep
High School Coach: Mike Hennessey
Started and lettered as a senior and also lettered as a junior...Led the Dons to a third-place finish in the East Suburban Catholic Conference last season as quarterback...Threw for a school record 1,712 yards and was an all-state, all-area and all-conference selection...Was named team captain, the most valuable player and the most outstanding offensive back...Was also all-conference as a junior as well as the team's most outstanding offensive back. Personal: Son of Peter and Kim Pieruccini...Born Sept. 22, 1993...Intends to major in engineering at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Pieruccini: Nick has phenomenal athletic skills combined with great play making ability. We think he has the ability to be a special player and utilize the pass/run threat he possesses.
Kyle Schuh
Offensive Tackle
6-5 • 285 • Freshman
Kaukauna, Wis. • Kaukauna
High School Coach: Chris Sievert
Was a three-year starter and letterwinner at Kaukauna High School...Also plays basketball for the Galloping Ghost...Started all 27 games in his career on the offensive line and was named an all-conference performer as a senior. Personal: Son of Brian and Tara Schuh...Born July 24, 1993...Intends to major in geography/environmental science at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Schuh: Kyle has a tremendous frame that is still developing. He moves his feet exceptionally well for a big man and we think he will be great fit in our offensive line.
Neico Stokke
Quarterback
6-1 • 190 • Freshman
Menomonie, Wis. • Menomonie
High School Coach: Joe LaBuda
Was a two-year starter and letterwinner for the Mustangs...Helped lead Menomonie to a pair of first-place finishes during his career, including an 11-2 record as a senior and a 6-1 mark as a senior...Was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Offensive Player of the year...Was a WFCA First Team All-State player and an Associated Press Second-Team All-State selection...Was the AP All-Northwest Offensive Player of the Year...Completed 141-of-226 passes as a senior for 2,399 yards and 23 touchdowns...Rushed 115 times for 615 yards and six scores...Set the Menomonie record for most passing yards in a game with 319...Member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Randy and Bobbie Stokke...Born Jan. 5, 1994...Intends to major in nursing at MSU.
Hoffner on Stokke: Neico has tremendous leadership skills that will help guide our team into the future. Leading his team to the state semifinals and being named the Wisconsin State Player of the Year, made it an easy decision for us to pursue his talents. He is a very accurate thrower who can generate a lot of velocity with a tight spiral. Neico has a very bright future at MSU.
Alec Vepser
Defensive Tackle
6-0 • 295 • Freshman
Joliet, Ill. • Minooka
High School Coach: Bert Kooi
Four-year starter and letterwinner at Minooka Community High School, helping lead the Indians to three straight Southwest Prairie Conference Titles...Finished his senior season with 72 tackles, including 42 assisted stops...Also had four pass break-ups and four sacks...Collected 58 stops as a junior...Was an all-conference pick as a senior and an honorable mention all-conference selection as a junior. Personal: Son of Craig and Sherry Vesper...Born March 20, 1994...Intends to major in special education at Minnesota State.
Hoffner on Vesper: Vesper is a strong, quick and explosive player. Alec fits the mold of the dominating defensive tackles that will enable him to be an early down player on our defense.
Luke Wendricks
Offensive Guard
6-4 • 335 • Freshman
Suamico, Wis. • Bay Port
High School Coach: Mike Williquette
Started as a senior and played on both the offensive and defensive line for Bayport...Was named second team all-conference and was a team captain and named the team's most valuable player...As a senior the Pirates played in the first round of the playoffs and as a junior they played in the second round...Also threw the shot and the discus for Bayport...Younger brother of current Maverick Kaleb Wendricks. Personal: Son of Ralph and Kathy Wendricks...Born January 3, 1994...Undecided on a major.
Hoffner on Wendricks: Luke is an extremely powerful individual that can absolutely move people off the ball. He is a very hard worker that has unbelievable potential.
