GLENBURN – Students and teachers filed into Glenburn High’s gymnasium by the dozens, many donning cowboy hats and cowboy boots.

Athletic director Larry Derr said there were about 340 people on hand.

The school’s band serenaded the Glenburn faithful, but it wasn’t prior to the tip of a basketball game or the opening to a school function.

Rather, it was for one high school senior signing a sheet of paper.

Dustin Weeks signed his national letter of intent to continue his football career at the University of Wyoming on Wednesday during national signing day.

“I have a lot of support,” said Weeks, shortly before addressing the packed bleachers in front of him. “I have a ton of support, especially from my coaches, my classmates and the entire school.”

Weeks played both offensive and defensive line this past season for Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn, helping the Sioux to 7-3 record and a spot in the Class A quarterfinals.

“We are excited for him to get the opportunity,” W-N-G coach Layne Fluhrer said. “Not many North Dakota boys have that opportunity. We are really excited to see what he can do out there.”

Weeks verbally committed to play football at Wyoming in June, and was instantly taken back by the mountains and the people he encountered during his visit.

“The scenery and the coaches really sold me,” Weeks said. “The coaches were a big factor my decision. The coaches were really nice and it felt like a family to me. The academic programs and the teachers I met – that I potentially would be attending class with – were really nice and that drew me in closer.”

And then, a few months later on Weeks’ official visit, he did something unique to the wide open space Wyoming offers.

“They took me out snowmobiling and that was really awesome,” he said.

Wyoming is coming off a 2-10 season. Since coach Craig Bohl – who won three straight National Championships at North Dakota State – took over at UW prior to the 2014 season, the Cowboys have won just six games in two seasons.

But the thought of resurrecting a football program excites Weeks.

“Ride for the brand,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the rebuilding process. That was another reason I wanted to go to Wyoming. I wanted to be a part of something growing and not something that’s already been.”

Weeks stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 260 pounds, and will play offensive line at UW.

“He’s a tall drink of water,” Bohl said. “He’s 6-8 and that’s legit. … We love what he’s going to bring to the table.”

While Weeks dwarfed most North Dakota high school football players at the Class A level, he understands that he not only needs to grow mentally, but physically, as well.

“Being bigger than everyone in high school really helped,” said Weeks, smiling. “I’m not the size I’d like to be, but my coaches will help with that. One of my strengths is my ability to pick up on things quickly, and I’m eager to learn.”

Said Fluhrer: “There are not many 6-8, 260-pound offensive lineman in North Dakota, and on top of that, Dustin is an athletic 6-8, 260-pound kid. In college, there’s no secret they like size, and when they get that size and athleticism like Dustin has, the sky is the limit for him.”

The plan is for Weeks to redshirt his freshman season, as UW coaches hope to get his weight up to roughly 315 pounds. He plans to major in kinesiology or physical therapy.

Weeks was also being recruited by North Dakota State and was contacted by the University of Wisconsin, but his seamless fit in Laramie, Wyo., and a desire to go out of state made the decision easy.

However, Weeks will need to go shopping upon his UW arrival.

“I don’t own any cowboy boots,” he said. “I grew out of them a couple years ago, and my cowboy my hat, as well.”

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Volson commits to Bison

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Drake-Anamoose senior Cordell Volson committed to play at the five-time defending national champion North Dakota State Bison on Wednesday.

“It’s not just the National Championships, but it’s just the culture that they have there,” he said. “The community is great, and all the support everyone gives to them is fantastic. Growing up in North Dakota, NDSU is like our professional team, and to have the chance to go and play for them where the whole state is behind you is pretty remarkable.”

Volson stands 6-5 and weighs 250 pounds, and is slated to be an offensive lineman. He will likely redshirt his freshman year.

“I’m underweight, so my redshirting year will be good because I can put on weight,” Volson said. “They want me up to about 300 pounds. I’m pretty flexible for how big I am, so that plays as advantage for me.”

Volson will join his brother Tanner Volson, who enters next season as a redshirt sophomore. The chance to play along side his brother was an added bonus for Cordell.

“I really look forward to it,” he said. “Not many people get this kind of opportunity, and to have the opportunity to play with him again will be something special.”

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Dakota Bowl to the Fargodome

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NDSU’s recruiting class consisted of 26 players, two of which played in the Dakota Bowl this past year.

Minot High senior tight end and defensive end Braydon Lund (6-3, 246) – who helped the Magicians to back-to-back runner-up finishes in Cass AAA – verbally committed prior to his senior season, and will play either tight end or defensive end for the Bison.

North Prairie senior Karson Schoening (6-4, 320) also signed for NDSU on Wednesday. He played both offensive and defensive line for the Cougars, and helped lead them to their first Dakota Bowl appearance since the late 1990s. Schoening will play offensive line for the Bison.

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From Magi to Fighting Hawks

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The University of North Dakota – which is fresh off its most successful year at the FCS level – signed 22 players on Wednesday.

Minot High quarterback Ben Bolinske (5-11, 180) and linebacker Matt Marler (6-0, 211) both committed to the Fighting Hawks within the last six weeks. Bolinske is being brought in on a scholarship, while Marler turned down more than one offer in favor of joining UND as a preferred walk-on.

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Marauders attract local talent

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The University of Mary garnered 45 commitments in this year’s recruiting class, 31 of which came from inside the state of North Dakota.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, Des Lacs-Burlington offensive and defensive lineman Jayden Gunville (6-3, 265) signed his letter of intent to play for the Marauders in the Des Lacs High School library.

“After I took my official visit, I hung out with the players, and walking around campus and talking the coaches I felt that I fit in really well,” Gunville said. “I felt like I was at my second home.”

Gunville will play offensive line at Mary, and while there are some areas in which Gunville still needs improvement in preparation for the D-II level, there’s one skill that needs no improvement.

“His greatest strength is that he’s a high character individual,” DL-B coach James Johnson said. “He’s a kid that worked extremely hard for four years, and that’s what the University of Mary is going to get. They are going to get a kid that works really hard to improve each year.”

Other North Dakota high schoolers that will call Mary home for the next few years include: Rugby linebacker Hunter Hager (6-1, 188), Divide County offensive lineman Tyler Harward (6-2, 215), Harvey-Wells County running back Isaiah Merrill (5-10, 180), Southern McLean running back Caleb Weisgarber (5-10, 168), Underwood full back Nick Damman (6-2, 200), Williston offensive lineman and long snapper Wyatt Pladson (6-2, 270) and Devils Lake running back Bradley Davidson (5-11, 170).

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Dragons scoop up Velva standout

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Velva quarterback and defensive back Shad Vedaa (5-11, 170) committed to Minnesota State-Moorhead on Wednesday.

As a quarterback, Vedaa led the Aggies with 1,014 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last season, accounting for a team-best 138 points while also catching a touchdown and passing for four others.

Vedaa also led the Aggies to a semifinal appearance in the Class A state playoffs. He plans to play defensive back for the Dragons.

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NAIA commits

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North Prairie quarterback and cornerback Jalen Pfeifer committed to Valley City State on Wednesday. Pfeifer paced the Cougars to an unbeaten regular-season record, and brought them to the brink of the 9-man state title over Richland.

Garrison-Max running back and inside linebacker Nick Thompson signed for Jamestown.

John Denega covers Minot High athletics, Minot State basketball and general assignments. Follow him on Twitter @JohnDenega_MDN.