The University of South Dakota football program, an FCS power, has added three Kansans to its roster.
Former Maize High School standout Bryce Cohoon, who has played wide receiver at Kansas and Syracuse, is headed from Lawrence to Vermillion, S.D., to play for the University of South Dakota.
“One of the fastest athletes in Kansas high school history, Cohoon is another Kansan headed to help FCS power South Dakota remain a national championship contender,” said Kansas Pregame.
Wichita Northwest’s Dustin Cochran and Hillsboro’s Jesiah Gooch both graduated in December from their respective high schools and are already on campus in Vermillion as part of the South Dakota football team.
“Now, it looks like they are going to be roommates as well,” said Kansas Pregame. “The Coyotes continue to look to Kansas talent to build their powerful FCS roster.”
According to Kansas Pregame and Sports in Kansas, several Kansas athletes have made commitments or have received offers:
• Cheney High School senior defensive end Nolan Durr commited to Fort Hays State University to play football. Durr was announced as a Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
• Hoisington High School senior Tianna Lutters has signed to run cross country at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth.
• Great Bend High School senior Conner Holladay picked up a Division II football offer from Southern Nazarene in Oklahoma yesterday.
• Former Blue Valley High School standout and KFBCA 2024 All-Class pick Maguire Richman is headed to Northwest Missouri State after being released by Kansas State.
“Richman is a stout, physical linebacker who could make an immediate impact for the DII power,” said Kansas Pregame.
• Nemaha Central High School’s Carter Hajek committed to Emporia State University. An incredibly versatile weapon Hajek could fit a variety of roles for the Hornets.
Hajek (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) completed one of the greatest careers in Kansas high school football history. He was the 2025 Sports in Kansas All-Classes Offensive Player of the Year.
Hajek broke the legendary DeAngelo Evans state record with 132 total touchdowns and finished second all-time in Kansas in rushing yards.
He is a three-time Sports in Kansas 2A Player of the Year and, for the first time in his career, was named to the Sports in Kansas Top 11, joining his brother Cooper, who earned the honor in 2022.
“One of the best careers I’ve ever covered,” said Sports in Kansas CEO Chet Kuplen. “You know he’s getting the ball every play, teams load the box, and you still can’t stop him. Ask 4A programs that have played him how good he is. He’s one of the best players in Kansas, regardless of class.”
As a senior, Hajek rushed 326 times for 2,638 yards and 41 touchdowns, while also throwing for 830 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added a kick return touchdown and contributed defensively with 16 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups.
For his career, Hajek totaled 7,902 rushing yards, 132 total touchdowns, and 3,014 passing yards with 37 passing touchdowns.
During Hajek’s four-year career, Nemaha Central captured 2A state championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and finished as the state runner-up in 2024 under head coach Michael Glatczak.
• Hoxie High School senior Taegan Lindenman will continue her athletic career at the collegiate level, joining the Cloud County Community College Thunderbirds’ cross country and distance program for the 2026–27 school year.
Lindenman earned state medals at the 2A level in cross country, the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters, helping Hoxie to third-place team finishes at the state cross country meet in 2024 and 2025 and a 2A state track and field team title in 2025.
• Osage City High School senior Kasen Parsons missed the latter part of the football season and will miss all of basketball to injury, but his football career is not over. The multi-sport standout announced his commitment to play football at Emporia State after graduation.
“Also a Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, Parsons hopes to return in time to make a run at another state track championship in the javelin this spring before playing in the annual all-star game this summer,” said Kansas Pregame.
• Victoria High School senior Kyle Huser won’t have to go too far to play collegiately. Huser committed to Fort Hays State University. Huser was selected for the Kansas Shrine Bowl on Sunday.
• Hoisington High School football prospect Brody Pfannenstiel, a junior in the Class of 2027, picked up an offer from Arkansas.
“Last summer and fall, he (Pfannenstiel) picked up offers from K-State, KU, Michigan State, Duke, Minnesota and Illinois and he has interest from many other major programs,” said Kansas Pregame.
“Together with Hays High’s Gus Corsair and Great Bend’s Cooper Ohnmacht, there will be plenty of football recruiting excitement in Ellis and Barton counties this spring and summer.”
• Blake Jay of Mill Valley has officially flipped his commitment to Kansas State, and the Wildcats are getting one of the top athletes in the state, according to Sports in Kansas.
Jay totaled 32 touchdowns and 2,395 all-purpose yards, including 1,531 rushing yards, while playing quarterback and leading the Jaguars to an 8-3 record.
“A true playmaker, he consistently made game-changing plays with the ball in his hands,” said Sports in Kansas on its Facebook page.
Jay was originally committed to play MIAA baseball before flipping his commitment to Kansas State football.
“His versatility, athleticism and competitive edge make him a great fit in Manhattan,” said Sports in Kansas. “He is one to watch at the next level.”
