ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University head football coach Mark Mauer has announced that 36 players will join the Golden Bear football program for the 2010 season. All announced recruits to join the Golden Bear football team are contingent upon admission to Concordia University and compliance with NCAA rules and certification by the NCAA eligibility center.

When asked about his recruiting class as a whole, coach Mauer elaborated, "We were successfully able to meet our recruiting needs, and have done well at position recruiting while bolstering the entire roster. It's a tremendous recruiting class and adds to our two prior recruiting classes and will put us in position to be extremely competitive. The quality of this class extends beyond the football field. We have brought in excellent character young men that are good students." 

Concordia's recruiting class comes from 6 different states, led by 13 from Wisconsin followed closely by 11 from Minnesota. It's rounded out by 5 from Illinois, 3 from California, 2 from Texas and 1 each from Florida and Colorado.

The Golden Bears are 50-43 in the NSIC in their 11 years in the league and are 66-55 overall since joining NCAA Division II status in the 1999 season. They have won two Northern Sun championships (2003, 2005) and played in the Mineral Water Bowl twice. They will be playing their second season at Sea Foam Stadium, their first on-campus home football stadium in school history.

"Our recruits have taken notice of the direction we are taking this program, and it's evident with the facility improvements. Sea Foam Stadium and the Concordia Dome are a committment from the University and athletic department to give these athletes the tools they need to win at Concordia."

CU is led by the 2005 NSIC Coach of the Year, Mark Mauer.

Looking to suit up with the Golden Bears?
Visit CU's athletic recruitment website for more information and
complete the potential student-athlete recruitment form!

CALIFORNIA (3):
Curtis Cole (OL, 6-2, 325, Jr., Fillmore, CA / Fillmore HS / Ventura Junior College)
Ventura Junior College: 2009 All-Northern Conference selection for the Pirates ... competed in Orange Coast Bowl ... named Ventura JC Lineman of the Year in 2008 and 2009 ... 2008 Ventura JC Rookie of the Year ... made Dean's List in 2009. Arizona State University: Redshirted in 2007-08 year as a freshman for the Sun Devils. Fillmore High School: 2006: A Ventura County High School Hall of Fame inductee ... All-CIF Lineman for the Flashes ... helped Flashes to CIF Finalists and Frontier League Co-Championship ... All-County MVP Lineman of the Year ... Frontier League MVP Lineman of the Year ... FHS Lineman of the Year ... team captain ... Most Valuable Lineman small school ... named FHS Athlete of the Year ... had 60 tackles, one interception, two sacks and school record 52 pancake blocks. 2005: All-Tri Valley League First Team ... FHS Lineman of the Year ... had 40 tackles, one interception, one sack ... earned eight total letters during prep career in football (2), basketball (2), baseball (2) and golf (2) ... a four year Honor Roll student and Renaissance Scholar Athlete. Personal: Born September 14, 1989 ... son of Craig and Lynn Cole ... has a younger brother, Corey ... plans to pursue a degree in physical education with a history minor ... aspires to be a teacher and coach. - TOP -

Kyle McManus (OL, 6-1, 320, Jr., Redondo Beach, CA / Redondo Union HS / El Camino JC)
El Camino Junior College: A two-time All-American (Honorable Mention in 2009) ... All-Mission Conference selection in 2008 and 2009 ... helped team to Mission Conference Championship in 2008 ... a two-time All-State selection. Redondo Union High School: A High School Athlete Hall of Fame selection for the LA Chapter in 2007 ... earned All-League and All-Area honors in 2007 ... helped team to Bay League Championship in 2007.  - TOP -

Christian Mohan (DL, 6-4, 295, Jr., Ventura, CA / Ventura JC)
Ventura Junior College: 2009: Recorded 44 tackles, five sacks and blocked two field goals ... played a versatile role on the Pirate defensive line lining up as a tackle and end helping the squad to a Orange County Bowl ... named the Defensive Player of the Week for a dominant performance against Moorpark College. 2008: Played defesnive tackle in his first season with the Pirates. St. Bonaventure High School: A starting defensive tackle, led the Seraphs to a 15-1 season including a Division III State Championship, a CIF Northern Division Title, undefeated Channel League Champions ... was selected to play in the Ventura County All-Star Game ... his season totals were 51 tackles, 8.5 sacks with a fierce 12 field goals blocked.  - TOP -

COLORADO (1)
Landon Ochwat (TE, 6-2, 200, Fr., Ft. Collins, CO / Fossil Ridge HS)
Fossil Ridge High School: A three-time letterwinner on the gridiron for the Sabercats ... was a 2009 All-Conference performaner after earning 2008 All-Conference Honorable Mention honors ... holds the FRHS record for most career receptions (48), yards (742) and touchdown receptions (9) ... has second most receptions in a game (4), third most touchdowns in a season (3, three different seasons) ... was a two-time Academic All-State Honorable Mention selection ... also earned Academic All-State Honorable Mention honors once for basketball. Personal: Born February 4, 1992 ... son of Scott and Jennifer Ochwat ... has a younger brother, Collin ... is undecided on a course of study at Concordia ... has a number of relatives who have competed in collegiate athletics: Jessie Larson (North Carolina A&T softball), Dallas Davis (CSU football WR), Kyle Martin (CSU football, Air Force prep football), Cody Larson (Friends University baseball). - TOP -

FLORIDA (1)
Charles Gilbert (WR, 6-0, 175, Jr., Jacksonville, FL / Ridgeview HS / Webber International University)
Webber International University: Attended WIU in Babson Park, Florida an NAIA Independent athletic program. Ridgeview High School: A three-sport athlete earning letters in football, basketball and track ... was a two-time All-Conference First Team performer in football and basketball in 2005 and 2006 ... also earned All-County First Team in both sports ... scored 20 touchdowns between junior and senior seasons with 14 as a junior. Personal: Born May 18, 1987 ... plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice at Concordia. - TOP -

ILLINOIS (5)
Abudllah Asad (DB, 5-10, 190, Fr., Matteson, IL / Morgan Park HS)
Morgan Park High School: A strong safety, recorded 88 tackles (50 solo) as a senior with two sacks ... named a team captain ... earned All-Conference, All-Public League and All-City League First Team on defense ... a Chicago Defender Prep Star of the Week (November 2-8). - TOP -

 Chevy Daley (RB, 5-7, 175, Fr., Evanston, IL / Evanston Township HS)
Evanston Township High School: A two sport athlete earning three letters in football and one in basketball for the Wildcats ... earned the Ted Van Zelst Excellence Award and was a two-time CSL Leadership attendee ... a three year varsity player and two year starter ... earned the African-American Achievement Award twice. Personal: Born December 28, 1991 ... son of Rudy and Donna Daley ... has four siblings: Kerry, Sasha, Jerome and Brittney ... plans to pursue a business degree and with aspirations of a career in marketing. - TOP -

Tyler Hoeg (DB, 6-2, 175, Fr., Minooka, IL / Minooka HS)
Minooka High School: Senior: Team captain earned All-Conference honors for the Indians ... earned four total letters with two each in baseball and football ... started 11 games with 82 tackles, three interceptions and four pass deflections. Junior: Started eight games with 60 tackles, two interceptions and six pass deflections. Personal: Born September 4, 1991 ... son of Michael and Anne Hoeg ... has two younger siblings, Zach and Abbie ... will pursue a pre-med path at Concordia with a biology minor ... aspires to become a doctor ... his father played at the University of Iowa from 1979-82. - TOP -

Davonte Taylor (RB, 5-7, 145, Fr., Chicago, IL / Chicago Agriculture HS)
Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences: Earned three total letters for the Cyclones: one in track & field, one in football and one in wrestling ... earned two football medals and a football award for performance on the field ... named the Rookie of the Year as a freshman ... led team to playoffs as a junior, running two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Personal: Born March 27, 1992 ... son of Yaen White and Cornelia Taylor-White ... has three younger siblings: Dominique, Leila and Joaqua ... plans to pursue a degree in biology to be a laboratory researcher in his career.  - TOP -

Dionte Turner (LB, 6-0, 247, Fr., Chicago, IL / Morgan Park HS)
Morgan Park High School: Won the Hit Man Award as a junior ... team leader ... played inside linebacker.
- TOP -

MINNESOTA (10) 
Prince Agekyum (DL, 6-1, 252, Fr., Plymouth, MN / Armstrong HS)
Armstrong High School: A force on the Armstrong defensive line ... very athletic and mobile big man with big upside ... had three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a sack ... voted Most Improved Player on the 2009 team ... earned the Armstrong Football Academic Achievement Award ... also involved in track. Personal: Born November 14, 1989 ... son of Nana Atari and Esther Agyekum ... has four older siblings ... is undecided on a field of study at Concordia ... his favorite Bible passage is the same as the rock at Sea Foam Stadium: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phillipians 4:13 - TOP -

Corey Blexrud (WR, 6-1, 185, Fr., Savage, MN / Burnsville HS)
Burnsville High School: Three-time letterwinner for the Blaze ... 2008 Watermelon Bowl MVP ... earned Perkins Player of the Week for performance against Chaska in 2009 ... as a senior recorded 21 receptions for 245 yards with a long of 45 ... also a three-time letterwinner in track, competing in 2009 sections ... also played two years of basketball. - TOP -

Matt Buhmann (WR, 6-5, 185, Fr., Elk River, MN / Elk River HS)
Elk River High School: Earned letters in four different sports for the Elks: football (1), track (3), basketball (2) and strength & speed (1) ... was named the Elk River HS Offensive Player of the Week in 2009 and had the highest GPA on the team ... in basketball was the team's leading rebounder ... as a track & field performer, was named the Rookie of the Year in 2008, the Hurdler MVP in 2009 and was an All-Section athlete ... earned Outstanding Academic Achievement four times and Spotlight on Scholars four times as well ... also involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Link Crew. Personal: Born October 21, 1991 ... son of Brian Buhmann and Robyn Hoerr ... has two younger siblings, Morgan and B.J. ... will pursue a degree in information technology at Concordia ... both of his parents played basketball at Minnesota State University, Mankato. - TOP -

Jordan Halverson (LB, 6-1, 190, Fr., Fridley, MN / Fridley HS)
Fridley High School: A three-time letterwinner, led Fridley to Conference Championship ... an All-State Honorable Mention selection ... was named All-Conference twice in prep career ... deemed a senior captain, team MVP and Most Valuable on Defense ... also earned two letters in basketball and in track ... team captain on basketball team ... was a Conference Champion in the triple jump event which helped team to Conference Championship ... earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in track. - TOP -

Jim Kemp (DL, 6-2, 310, Fr., Andover, MN / Andover HS)
Andover High School: Earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference honors as a senior with an Honorable Mention selection as a junior ... named the Northwest Suburban Conference Most Valuable Defensive Lineman ... as a senior, recorded 41 tackles, three tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. - TOP -

Aaron McMillen (DL, 6-5, 295, Fr., St. Paul, MN / Armstrong HS)
Armstrong High School: A run stopping defensive force in the middle ... had five tackles for loss and two sacks ... stopped the interior run of opposing offenses and caused chaos in the middle of the line ... a productive prep player. - TOP -

Kevin Murphy (OL, 6-6, 275, Fr., Mendota Heights, MN / Henry Sibley HS)
Henry Sibley High School: An All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2009 ... earned All-Metro Third Team ... was named the Warriors' Best Offensive Lineman ... a 2008 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection ... earned two letters in football and baseball ... a four-time Academic Athlete and two-time Academic Letter. Personal: Born June 12, 1992 ... son of Tim and Tammy Murphy ... has two older brothers, Paul and Stephen ... will pursue a degree in kinesiology with a career goal in occupational or physical therapy. - TOP -

Zach Nelson (RB, 5-9, 170, Fr., Andover, MN / Andover HS)
Andover High School: All-Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention ... had 32 receptions for 435 yards and five touchdowns ... scored six total touchdowns with another TD on the ground. - TOP -

John Omann (RB, 6-1, 178, Fr., Pierz, MN / Pierz Henly HS)
Pierz Henly High School: Earned 12 combined letters between wrestling (6), football (3) and track (3) ... rushed for 1,545 yards and 19 touchdowns with a 9.8 per carry aveage ... led Pioneers to a Section 6AA Championship ... Pioneers over the past two seasons went 20-4 overall ... earned All-Area, All-Section and All-Conference honors ... was named the Brainerd Dispatch Player of the Week and St. Cloud Times Player of the Week ... named team MVP and team captain ... earned the Leadership Award and was named Pierz Henly Athlete of the Week seven times. Personal: Born August 11, 1992 ... son of Todd and Susan Omann ... is the youngest of five in his family with two older brothers, Anthony and Zach; and two older sisters, Brittany and Heather ... will pursue a degree in kinesiology and a career as a chiropractor. - TOP -

Willie Sapp (WR, 5-10, 180, Fr., Apple Valley, MN / Apple Valley HS)
Apple Valley High School: Was named a team captain in two sports for the Eagles, football and track ... was the Eagles' Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2009 ... in track, earned the Baton Award in 2009 ... was a 2009 Section Finalist in the 200m ... was a 2008 Super Sophomore track performer. - TOP -

Jake Stejskal (K, 6-2, 210, Fr., Annandale, MN / Maple Lake HS)
Maple Lake High School: Earned three letters for the Irish ... was a two-time Central Minnesota Conference Specialist of the Year (2007, 2009) ... kicked the Irish to a 2009 Section Championship ... buried 12-18 of his field goals and 57-62 (91.9%) of his point after touchdown attempts ... average kickoff length increased each season, going from 45 to 46 to 52 yards ... field goals made and attempted increased one each season, hitting 3-5 as a sophomore, 4-6 as a junior and 5-7 as a senior ... converted 3-4 from 30+ yards as a senior and 6-8 from 30+ during career ... had a long of 38 as a junior and 37 as a senior ... three of his six career misses were blocked, one each season. Personal: Born June 11, 1992 ... son of John and Susan Stejskal ... has a younger brother, Charlie ... will pursue an academic path in biology to be pre-med with a business minor ... aspires to be a physician. - TOP -

TEXAS (2)
Tre Mason (WR, 6-3, 206, Jr., League City, TX / Clear Creek HS / Howard Payne University)
Howard Payne University: 2009: Played in all 10 games  and led team with 740 receiving yards ... named All-American Southwest Conference First Team ... averaged 14.5 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns ... hauled in 51 receptions with a long of 87 ... also had eight rushes for 73 yards including a touchdown run ... averaged 7.3 yards per carry on the ground ... 11 total touchdowns led the team with next closest player scoring five. 2008: Played in eight games and started in five games, with the majority of his games coming at the end of the year ... led the team in receiving yards with 633, receiving touchdowns with nine, average yards a game with 79.1, and balls caught with 32 ... was named All-American Southwest Conference Second Team and American Southwest Conference Co-Freshman of the Year ... he was also named the Yellow Jackets Most Valuable Player. Clear Creek High School: Earned two letters in football and track ... football team earned Bi-District Championship ... track team captured four straight District Championships ... also lettered in basketball. Personal: Born July 16, 1989 ... son of Hershel and Cayana Wafer ... has two younger brothers, Mario and Corey ... will pursue an academic path in pre-studies engineering while aiming for a business management minor ... career goal is to become a mechanical engineer ... his step-father, Hershel, played basketball at the University of Houston.

Xavier Laster (OL, 6-4, 360, Fr., Sugarland, TX / Thurgood Marshall HS)
Thurgood Marshall High School: A two-sport athlete, earning two letters each in football and baseball ... was a member of the 2009 summer 7-on-7 Houston championship team ... a 2009-10 Honor Roll student at TMHS. Personal: Born December 5, 1991 ... son of James and Pamela Laster ... has two older siblings: Tora and Tamara ... plans to pursue an academic path focused on human performance with a criminal justice minor ... aspires to be a coach ... his father, James, played baseball at Prairie View A&M ... his uncle, Tyrone Laster, played football at OSU. - TOP -

WISCONSIN (13)
Casey Belongia (FS, 6-1, 185, Fr., Green Bay, WI / Ashwaubenon HS)
Ashwaubenon High School: Earned two letters for the Jaguars and was a senior captain ... had 51 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception during senior year leading team to a 6-4 record ... an All-FRCC Second Team pick at outside linebacker ... All-Area Honorable Mention OLB as senior as well ... also earned letters in academics and participated in community service and was an Honor Roll selection. Personal: Born March 14, 1992 ... son of James and Sue Belongia ... has a younger sister, Katie ... had a high school job working for the Green Bay Packers ... will major in kinesiology to pursue a future in teaching and coaching ... his mother was an All-American track & field athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. - TOP -

Bryan Bronaugh (RB, 5-9, 185, Fr., Milwaukee, WI / Homestead HS)
Homestead High School: An All-Conference First Team selection ... rushed for 845 yards on 121 carries, averaging 7.0 per tote ... scored 16 total touchdowns, rushing for 14 ... had 23 receptions for 185 yards out of the backfield ... also competed in basketball. - TOP -

Nate Burchell (DB, 6-2, 185, Fr., Green Bay, WI / Green Bay Prebble HS)
Green Bay Prebble High School: Earned the Team Leadership Award which was voted on by the team and coaching staff ... named a captain for senior season ... an All-Conference Honorable Mention defensive back.
- TOP -

Rory Chapman (DL, 6-1, 248, Fr., Waupaca, WI / Waupaca HS)
Waupaca High School: A two-sport star earning seven total letters in two sports for the Comets: three in football and four in wrestling ... helped Comets to four consecutive Conference Championships  (06-09) and Wisconsin State Championships in 2006 and 2008 with a 2009 Wisconsin State Semifinal run in 2009 ... deemed a 2009 All-Conference First Team selection ... his class of seniors produced a 46-6 overall record in their four year run as Conference Champions ... earned the Most Decorated Award ... was an All-Conference Second Team wrestler ... wreslted for 12 years ... a two-time National Team Member of Grecco and Freestyle wrestling. Personal: Born July 2, 1992 ... son of Rodney and Stacey Chapman ... has an older sister, Jennifer; and an older brother, Raymond ... will pursue a degree in sociology with a business minor and hopes to use his degree to gain a career in the sociology field ... takes pride in his work ethic and passion for the game of football. - TOP -

Jermaine Clemon (WR, 6-3, 215, Fr., Racine, WI / Racine Horlick HS)
Racine Horlick High School:  All-Wisconsin Southeast Conference … Journal Times All-Racine County … 51 receptions, 682 yards and six touchdowns in senior year averaging 13.4 yards per catch and 75.8 yards per game … senior starter and team captain … earned Coaches Award, Best Hands Award and award for hard work in the weight room … three varsity letters in football … one varsity letter in music with numerous state competition awards … senior varsity basketball starter … student leader and school representative for North Star Racine District-wide Initiative … 3.4 senior year GPA … Honor Roll.  Personal: Born January 20, 1992 in Chicago, IL … son of Bob and Wendy Webb … will pursue a degree in kinesiology … hopes to coach high school boys, giving opportunity to those who may otherwise not get a chance. - TOP -

Kenny English (WR, 6-0, 190, Fr., Racine, WI / Racine Horlick HS)
Racine Horlick High School: A team captain on football and track teams ... an All-County track star ... runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds. - TOP -

Nick Jauch (LB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Verona, WI / Middleton HS)
Middleton High School: 2009: Starting outside linebacker also backed up at full back ... led Cardinals with 168 tackles in 12 games, setting a new MHS record ... named All-Big Eight Conference First Team and the Big Eight Conference OLB of the Year ... also named All-State, All-Region and All-Metro First Team. 2008: Played significant time at outside linebacker ... led Cardinals to WIAA Division I State Semfinals. Prep Career: Dual sport athlete also competing in lacrosse ... was an All-Conference Second Team performer as a junior in just his second year playing the sport. Personal: Son of Jim and Elizabeth Jauch ... his father, Jim, played football at the University of North Dakota ... his two uncles played football at University of North Carolina ... his grandfather, Ray, played for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1957-59) and was a top head coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL) earning a Grey Cup victory in 1975 ... his sister, Kelly, was a four year soccer letterwinner at Minnesota State University, Mankato ... his brother, Matt, played football for Bemidji State University for two years and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. - TOP - 

Andy Paider (LB, 6-0, 190, Fr., Denmark, WI / Denmark HS)
Denmark High School: Has earned four combined letters in three sports for the Vikings, two in football and one each in basketball and track ... named a 2009 All-Conference Second Team linebacker and All-Area Honorable Mention linebacker ... a 2008 All-Conference Honorable Mention linebacker. Personal: Born January 16, 1992 ... son of Ron and Mary Paider ... has a younger brother, Jake ... is undecided on a course of study but would like to be a football coach in the future ... his cousin is former Concordia linebacker Mike Kudick (2005-09), also a Denmark-native and has a relative ... has another relative, Logan Krueger, that plays football at St. Norbert College (2008-present). - TOP - 

Jesse Perkins (DL, 6-2, 235, Fr., Milwaukee, WI / Riverside HS)
Riverside High School: Earned three letters in football and two in track & field for the Tigers ... a two-time All-Conference performer on the gridiron in the 2008 and 2009 seasons ... was a team captain as a senior. Personal: Born February 22, 1992 ... son of Jesse and Merchell Perkins ... has two older siblings, Allen and Lachrisa ... will pursue a degree in accounting. - TOP -

Shawn Peterson (QB, 6-1, 190, Fr., Chippewa Falls, WI / Chippewa Falls HS)
Chippewa Falls High School: A two-sport athlete with three football letters and pursuing a second letter in baseball this spring ... helped his teams to a pair of undefeated Big River Conference Championship seasons ... was starting varsity quarterback as a senior in 2009 ... despite a season ending injury early in the year, he completed 20-35 passes for 284 yards and one touchdown ... received student-athlete awards all four years of prep career and will be receiving a Big Rivers Scholar Athlete certificate this year. - TOP -

Jared Russo (QB, 6-3, 210, Fr., Milwaukee, WI / Milwaukee Pius HS)
Milwaukee Pius High School: A three-sport athlete, earning letters in football, basketball and baseball ... a team captain as a junior and senior ... earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a junior and senior ... set single season record for passing yards as a junior. Personal: Born June 8, 1992 in Bayview, WI. - TOP -

Matt Sajdak (WR, 6-1, 185, Fr., Freedom, WI / Freedom HS)
Freedom High School: Two-sport athlete for the Irish, earning three letters in football and pursuing a third letter in track & field this spring ... played three years of varsity football and was a two year starter ... was named a team captain as a senior for leadership on the field and in the weight room ... two-time All-Eastern Valley Conference runner for the Irish track team. Personal: Born September 11, 1991 ... son of Peter and Sally Sajdak ... has a younger brother, Eric ... plans to pursue a degree in business and finance.  - TOP -

Coy Smith (WR, 6-3, 185, Fr., Mequon, WI / Homestead HS)
Homestead High School: An All-Conference Second Team performer ... hauled in 21 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns averaging 23.1 per catch ... in basketball, averaging 17.5 points per game as a senior.         - TOP -

Prior Recruiting Classes:
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005 Signing Day
2005 Additional Signings
2004