Kari Gibb/MDN Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn senior Walker Braaten (4) in action this fall has committed to North Dakota State University for football with the Bison.

FARGO – North Dakota State head football coach Tim Polasek announced the signing of 32 high school student-athletes Wednesday, Dec. 4, the first day of the three-day early signing period for Division I football.

The signing class includes three players from North Dakota, ten from Minnesota, seven from Wisconsin, three each from Missouri and Nebraska, two from Iowa and two from Florida, and one each from Illinois and Texas.

By position, the Bison added five defensive backs, six linebackers, seven defensive linemen, five offensive linemen, three tight ends, two wide receivers, two quarterbacks, one running back and one athlete.

Walker Braaten, S, 6-2, 173 (Fr) Westhope, N.D. (Westhope HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year starter for coach Layne Fluhrer and Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn…Played safety and quarterback…North Dakota’s 9-man Senior Athlete of the Year…Three-time all-state, including first team in 2023 and 2024…Made 119 tackles with 10 pass breakups his senior year…Also completed 77 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards and 29 touchdowns…Rushed for 1,241 yards and 25 touchdowns…Accounted for 11,428 yards of total offense with 181 touchdowns in his prep career…All-state basketball player and 2,000-point scorer…Also participates in baseball and golf…PERSONAL: Plans to major in business…Parents are Sheldon and Becky…Mother played basketball at Bemidji State and Williston State…Older sister, Ellie, plays basketball at Valley City State…Has another sister, Alisha, and one brother, Hunter.

Carter Dauner, DE, 6-3, 211 (Fr) West Fargo, N.D. (West Fargo HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year starter and three-year letterwinner for coach Jay Gibson at West Fargo High…Team captain…Played defensive end…Made 68 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles senior year…All-conference and all-state honoree…Team MVP and defensive lineman of the year…PERSONAL: Plans to major in radiologic sciences…Parents are Brady and Mani.

Brett Tastad, OL, 6-4, 266 (Fr) Rolette, N.D. (Rolette HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter and four-year letterman for coach Josh Keller and the North Prairie Cougars…Two-time all-state performer, including first team honors in 2024…Team went 35-8 during his career with one state championship and one state semifinal…Also competed in wrestling and track and field…Academic all-state in wrestling…PERSONAL: Plans to major in agribusiness…Parents are Matt and Cynthia…Father was an offensive guard on the 1992 NDSU football team…Older brother, Nate, is an offensive tackle on the Bison football team…Also has two sisters, Sydney and Eva.

2025 NDSU Football Early Signing Day Roster

Walker Braaten, S, 6-2, 173 (Fr) Westhope, N.D./Westhope HS

Carter Dauner, DE, 6-3, 211 (Fr) West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo HS

Brett Tastad, OL, 6-4, 266 (Fr) Rolette, N.D./Rolette HS

Sam Anderson, LB 6-2, 195 (Fr) St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS

Carter Appl, LB, 6-2, 206 (Fr) Menasha, Wis./Xavier HS

Ryan Babatz, OL, 6-4, 278 (Fr) Montrose, Minn./Buffalo HS

Chase Brixius, LB, 6-2, 211 (Fr) Plymouth, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s HS

Preston Brown, QB, 6-1, 180 (Fr) Festus, Mo./Hillsboro HS

Kendrick Carter, CB, 6-0, 160 (Fr) Cedar Hill, Texas/South Oak Cliff HS

Brody Clubb, DT, 6-3, 266 (Fr) Tiffin, Iowa/Clear Creek Amana HS

Gabriel Cunningham, TE, 6-4, 240 (Fr) Wentzville, Mo./Holt HS

Damian Devine, LB, 6-3, 205 (Fr) St. Paul, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels

Isaac Ellison, TE, 6-4, 196 (Fr) Menomonie, Wis./Menomonie HS

Chase Evink, DT, 6-5, 249 (Fr) Hancock, Minn./Hancock HS

Mikhale Ford, S, 5-11, 165 (Fr) Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln East HS

SJ Green, WR, 6-0, 180 (Fr) Wesley Chapel, Fla./Jesuit HS

Myles Mitchell, RB, 5-10, 190 (Fr) Worth, Ill./Richards HS

Marion Moore, CB, 5-10, 162 (Fr) Madison, Wis./Madison Memorial HS

James Nellis, OL, 6-3, 294 (Fr) Grafton, Wis./Grafton HS

Noah Nelson, TE, 6-5, 220 (Fr) Hawley, Minn./Hawley HS

Thomas Roberts, DE, 6-4, 220 (Fr) Albion, Neb./Boone Central HS

Charles Ross III, ATH, 5-11, 170 (Fr) Kansas City, Mo./St. Pius X HS

Blake Schiltz, DE, 6-2, 227 (Fr) Pine Island, Minn./Pine Island HS

Gavin Sell, LB, 6-2, 195 (Fr) Woodville, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville HS

Zander Smith, QB, 6-3, 220 (Fr) Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland HS

Evrett Tait, S, 5-11, 196 (Fr) Chippewa Falls, Wis./Regis HS

Dylan Vokal, WR, 6-1, 199 (Fr) Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS

Gavin Wang, OL, 6-6, 259 (Fr) Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS

Alex Warden, OL, 6-5, 245 (Fr) Suamico, Wis./Bay Port HS

Alijah Wayne, DT, 6-4, 240 (Fr) Omaha, Neb./Omaha Central HS

Ethan Wood, DE, 6-4, 238 (Fr) Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon HS

Jacob Wrbanek, LB, 6-3, 214 (Fr) Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS