Jack is a man of character and a tremendous leader on our football team. He's really developed the mental side of his game over the course of the last year. We're excited to see how he can distribute the ball to his teammates this fall.

Marcus is the returning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and I expect him to pick up where he left off last fall. His motor and his demeanor on the field is something truly special, he puts it all out there on every rep and plays the game with physicality and violence.

I am excited to see continued growth in our team and reach the standard our program has established. With eight defensive starters returning, we will lean on that group to be one of the best in the nation while replacing eight offensive starters that were lost to graduation. We believe we have recruited very well in recent years and look forward to those players stepping into significant roles as we strive to compete against a very talented conference with much parity in 2024. We return many key players on special teams units that led the conference but will need to fill impact losses from 2023 in Returner Devon Jones (D2 Special Teams POY), and punter Avery Book (2nd Team All-American).

Jack has been a three-year starter and all-conference selection. He fought through injury last season and continued to be an impact player in the NSIC. We look forward to an impactful senior year from Jack as he leads our young offense.

Peyton was NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2021, a three-time all-conference selection, as well as NCAA All-American in 2023. Peyton has been one of the premier defensive players in the NSIC since he arrived and we are expecting that he will lead our experienced defense this year to be one of the best in the nation. He is a leader and will be a two-time captain of our football team.

I think what excites me most about this team is the amount of experience we return throughout the 2-deep on both sides of the ball. Although we did lose 20 seniors that helped lead us to our third straight NCAA tournament run, we have been fortunate to develop and retain our guys within the program. Overall, I think our strengths will reside in the trenches on both sides of the ball with the amount of talent returning in those groups.

Jake has been a three-year starter and multiple year all-conference for us on the offensive line and has been a pillar for us at the center position. His football IQ and athletic ability for a big man has allowed him to be one of the best at the position not only in the NSIC but in Division II football.

Marcus is the returning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and I expect him to pick up where he left off last fall. His motor and his demeanor on the field is something truly special, he puts it all out there on every rep and plays the game with physicality and violence.

I am excited about the 2024 CSP football team for a variety of reasons. I believe we have a great blend of returning starters, with some key transfers that will make us a stronger team in '24. With 18 returning starters, we bring back a lot of leadership and experience. This team, coaches and players, are extremely motivated and have demonstrated a strong desire to become one of the top teams in a very good football conference.

I believe Jaylin, an All-NSIC First Team selection in 2023, is the best all-around back that I have coached, and I believe he is the best back in the NSIC. His combination of size, athleticism and desire to be his best makes him a phenomenal back. His commitment to his speed development and explosiveness this past off-season will pay dividends this coming season. He is also one of our best leaders, and teammates. In 2023, he rushed for 942 yards, 7 rushing TD's, and averaged 5.0 yards a carry. He was also fourth on our team in receiving with 27 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown.

Cyrus enters his senior year as a three-year starter. He is a versatile player, a man cover DB who plays safety for us. He is one of the best leaders we have had in our program. He commands respect of the team and has a tremendous work ethic and desire to be his best. In 2023 he led our team in tackles, had six pass breakups, and forced a fumble.

I like our kids, they work hard and embrace everything we throw at them. They have taken it upon themselves to make some necessary changes that we feel needed to happen. We still have a long way to go but I feel like we will have a lot more depth and experience. We are hoping to see some improvements this year, and in order to get that done we felt like we need to get older and we have accomplished that this recruiting cycle.

Mujeeb is a guy we are expecting big things from this year. He’s an experienced kid that’s played a lot of football from the FBS level, to the FCS level to now Division II. He’s a great leader on our football team and he exemplifies what we’re looking for in our guys. He’s tough and loves to compete.

Mason was a very productive player for us last year and we expect the same this year. He is a really smart player & he has a great feel for our defensive system. Mason seems to bring energy and passion every Saturday afternoon and because of that I sure enjoy getting the privilege to coach him.

We will return 14 returning starters this fall and have had a committed group of young men this off season. We are excited to see this group come together this fall on the field. I think our development on the field during fall camp will determine how far this group can go.

Kyle returns this year as junior two-time captain to help lead our team. He continues to be a leader by example both on and off the field. His mobility makes him a dual threat QB that continues to develop in our offense. We look forward to watching his development this fall.

Drew returns as a sixth captain off of an All-Conference performance last season. Drew has been a tremendous leader for us throughout his career. He has been a leader by example and has been a top pass rusher as a defensive end.

We are excited to see the development of the players who competed in the fall of 2023 for the Herd. We are also enthusiastic about the newcomers whom we expect to compete for a championship this fall. We had a strong start to the 2023 season and unfortunately had a steep slide to finish the year out. It is imperative that we have a consistent & relentless approach to the toughest schedule in Division II from the beginning to the end of the season. The 2024 team needs to be focused on doing things the Maverick Way and striving to go 1-0!

Hayden will be a four-year starter at quarterback for the Mavericks. He has been the leader for the team & offensive unit. He is a great athlete with a precise and lively arm talent. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience leading the Herd! We are looking forward to his senior campaign.

Maven is a dominant player on the field and warrants a considerable amount of attention for offensive game planners. He has a very strong and physical demeanor along with a relentless motor. Looking forward to great leadership from Maven this fall.

We have a lot of guys returning that have played a lot of football. This is one of the largest senior classes we've ever had. Our program took a step forward last year and we are hoping to build upon that again this season in a very competitive league.

Jack is a man of character and a tremendous leader on our football team. He's really developed the mental side of his game over the course of the last year. We're excited to see how he can distribute the ball to his teammates this fall.

Josiah has been a multiple year captain for us because he has extraordinary leadership skills. His commitment level sets the bar for our team and it inspires greatness out of his teammates.

I would anticipate that will be a much improved football team overall this season. I am pleased with our off-season 'buy in' and the culture that we are developing. With improved leadership internally, the team is more connected. We have a deeper roster that has more experience in our style of play, and is more equipped athletically.

"Evan is a big, physical, agile running back that has the ability to dominate a game. He was limited as a junior with injury, and we expect a big bounce-back year from him. He has been ultra productive when healthy as he is talented, with a high ceiling athletically.

Carson is a physical, athletic, dynamic linebacker. He makes plays sideline to sideline with his ability to run. He has excellent pass rush skills and makes a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage.

I am thrilled by the toughness and compete factor of the 2024 Northern State Football Team. Their dedication to NSU and Aberdeen is evident in the way they play and prepare. The team’s fresh energy ushers in a new era of Wolves Football. Facing our program's first ever FCS opponent at the University of South Dakota marks a huge moment for our team to showcase NSU Football, Northern State, and the community of Aberdeen on a national stage.

Hank is a rising star in the NSIC after a record-setting performance last season. As a player who embodies the very essence of humility and positivity, Hank sets the bar high with his unwavering dedication to the game and his teammates. A true testament to his hard work and integrity, Hank is a throwback, old school, tough RB who has the ability to break big plays while also running hard between the tackles.

Luke is a dynamic and unique force on the football field, showcasing his versatility as a standout special teams player and an OLB for the Wolves. He's proven to be a game-changer by blocking punts, kicks, and even returning a kickoff for a touchdown in his career. Off the field, Luke's exemplary work ethic and camaraderie make him a beloved among his teammates.

We are really excited to enter 2024 with a strong core of returning players. With nearly 15 players seeking a post graduate degree, we feel like our leadership and experience will be vastly improved and play a major role in moving the program forward. This group has worked extremely hard during the off season and I can't wait to see what the 2024 squad can accomplish!

Carter has been a dynamic playmaker for us on both offense and special teams. He was an all-conference performer last season. His ability to catch and get vertical makes him a valuable part of our offense. He has become a leader by example and is one of the most competitive players within our program.

Cal is one of several sixth year players we have on the squad this season. He is one of the best vocal leaders we have and is capable of playing any spot on the DL. He has the ability to anticipate what the offense is going to do before the ball is snapped.

I am optimistically excited about the mixture of youthfulness and seasoned NSIC players on our roster. I look forward to seeing the progress from our players via their hard work and off season dedication to improving their skills. We look to build off the competitive shortcomings from our 2023 season and play with confident consistency in all phases.

Tyler has played in many NSIC games and has been a proven competitor, leader and captain for our football program,” Underwood said. “Each year Tyler has improved his technique and skills through his hard work in the off season and we will look to him as a consistent cog for our offense.

Josiah is a fierce competitor and defensive utility player for our Mustang defense. Chosen as a 2nd team NSIC player in 2023 we rely on his skills as a pass rusher and athleticism as a pass defender in our defense. A results based player that plays with a high motor and leads with a quiet and relentless demeanor.

We return a good number of guys that have a lot of experience for us over the past couple of seasons and have played in big games. Our older guys have done a great job of leading by example for our younger players. Our team leadership and accountability are at a great spot going into our 2024 season.

Nick is a great young man. This will be Nick's fourth season as our starting quarterback. Each season Nick has grown as a football player and as a leader. We are very excited that we have a young man like Nick leading our offense and our football program.

Dexter had a big season last year. Dex is relentless worker and one of the most competitive young men I have ever been around. He has grown as a leader on and off the field. We are excited to have a young man like Dexter leading our defense and our football program.

The 2024 Warrior Football family is hungry, bought in, and motivated by being their best and their love for each other. Our culture has continued to grow and we have a strong player-led football team. We will continue to focus on the daily journey of the process by doing what is right, doing our job, and loving our team and teammates.

Sylvere is an elite competitor with exceptional athleticism, ball skills, and playmaking ability. He has fought through tremendous adversity on and off the field, making him the resilient young man he is today. He has a contagious smile and positive attitude and we will depend on him as a leader of this team.

Kyjuan has become one of our team's and the league's most dynamic playmakers. He has combined his natural gifts, a strong work ethic, a passion to refine his craft, and a coachable spirit to be the best player he can be. He will be a leader up front for our defense and for our team.