Returning Letter Winners

Marcus Hendrickson

Senior, Linebacker

Blanchardville, Wis.

Pecatonica High School

Co-captain…three-year letter winner…named defensive MVP after leading the Norse in tackles last season while playing middle linebacker…has 177 career tackles and four career sacks…finished ninth in the IIAC in tackles with an average of 9.4 per game…third and final brother to play football for Luther…multiple letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball at Pecatonica High School…two time all-conference selection and all-area performer in football…son of Don and Nancy Hendrickson.

Tyler Sherden

Senior, Halfback

Rochester, Minn.

John Marshall High School

Co-captain…returns to the Norse lineup after missing all of last season recovering from an injury…has rushed for 1,787 yards and 25 touchdowns after spending his first season and a half as a starting defensive back…in 2004 he was a first team all-IIAC selection…was also named to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette all-region second team…that same year he was named Luther’s offensive and team MVP…three-time All-American in track and field placing fourth at the outdoor national meet in the 400 meter run…was also an All-American on a 4 x 400 relay team both indoors and outdoors…earned two letters in football and four in track while at Rochester John Marshall High School…twice named all-conference defensive back and was a member of the Section 1-5A championship team…son of Scott and Joleen Sherden.

Jonathan Stavast

Senior, Offensive Line

St. Paul, Minn.

Eden Prairie High School

Co-captain…four-year letter winner who will see his fifth season in a Norse uniform because he was granted a fifth season after suffering a season ending injury as a sophomore…has earned first-team all-conference honors three times…has also been named to pre-season All-America teams by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette and D3football.com…he is the most athletic lineman on the team…two-year letter winner for Minnesota State Champion Eden Prairie High School…two-time all-conference performer, all-metro, all-state and captain of the Minnesota All-Star team…son of Andrew Stavast and Constance Nichols.

Mike Tangen

Senior, Defensive Back

Decorah, Iowa

Decorah High School

Co-captain…three-year starter who finished fourth on the team with 46 tackles a year ago…also led the team with three interceptions increasing his career total to nine…he needs one more interception to move into the top-10 on Luther’s career charts…member of Luther’s 4 x 400 relay team that earned All-America honors placing eighth at the indoor track-and-field championships…multiple letter winner in wrestling, track, baseball, and football while at Decorah High School…participated in the state tournament in all four sports including 2004 state track and field championship team…twice named all-district selection in football…placed fifth and seventh at state wrestling tournament…only the 13th wrestler in school history to have over 100 wins (114)…son of Marc and Dena Tangen.

Spencer Allen

Senior, Offensive Line

Southlake, Texas

Carroll High School

Has been the starting right tackle the past two years…"Tex" is a very good pass blocker and does an excellent job of moving the line of scrimmage in the run game…multiple letter winner while at Carroll High School…member of the 2002 Class 5A state championship and 2003 state runner-up football teams…son of Jim and Cathy Allen.

Sam Curtis

Senior, Offensive Line

Manchester, Iowa

West Delaware High School

Returns as the starting left guard...earned his first letter last season…first-team all-district honoree while at West Delaware High School…son of Elwyn and Linda Curtis.

Chad Nelson

Junior, Offensive Line

Northfield, Minn.

Northfield High School

Two-year letter winner…highly talented lineman who will be expected to push for more playing time this season…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Northfield High School…all-Missota Conference selection in football and was a member of the Raiders state semi-finalist team in 2004…qualified for the Minnesota state wrestling tournament in the heavyweight division…son of Mark and Becky Nelson.

Phil Sadler

Senior, Offensive Line

Jesup, Iowa

Jesup High School

Returns as the starting left tackle…he has played every position up front and has enormous potential to be a great Iowa Conference lineman…very athletic, strong and physical run blocker…2006 academic all-conference honoree (3.5 or greater gpa on 4.0 scale)…three-year letter winner for Jesup High School where he earned two all-district honors, including district defensive player of the year, and was also named to all-state team…academic all-district and all-state selection…son of Richard and the late Christine Sadler.

Ben Schott

Sophomore, Offensive Line

Riverside, Iowa

Iowa City West High School

Saw significant action in his first year in a Norse uniform and will be competing for a starting position on the offensive line…also a member of the 2007 Iowa Conference championship baseball team as the starting first baseman…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Iowa City West High School…first team all-conference lineman…also earned all-conference and all-district honors in baseball…two-time state qualifier in wrestling including a runner-up finish as a senior…son of Greg and Mary Schott.

Justin Feldt

Senior, Quarterback

Manchester, Iowa

Maquoketa High School

Was presented his first letter last season…has been eagerly waiting for his opportunity to quarterback the Norse offense…two-time first team all-district honoree while at Maquoketa Valley High School…twice named team MVP…third team all-state selection as a senior…member of the National Honor Society…son of Curt and Nancy Feldt.

Adam Lamos

Junior, Halfback

Jesup, Iowa

Jesup High School

Returns as the top rusher from a year ago…rushed for 639 yards and five touchdowns…named the offensive rookie of the year in 2005…four-year letter winner while at Jesup High School where he earned all-district honors as a running back four times…twice he was named district MVP…also earned letters in baseball, track and wrestling…was a member of two state qualifying baseball teams including the 2003 squad that reached the semi-finals…son of John and Linda Reuter.

Andrew Lower

Senior, Fullback

Williamsburg, Iowa

Williamsburg High School

Two-year letter winner who has been a force in short yardage situations…reached the end zone three times last season…named most improved upper classman on offense after 2005 season…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Williamsburg High School…two-time all-district selection and all-district academic team member…member of Williamsburg’s state championship football team…son of Don and Theresa Lower.

Tyler Bass

Sophomore, Running Back

Blooming Prairie, Minn.

Blooming Prairie High School

Named offensive rookie of the year…averaged 5.3 yards per carry en route to 439 yards and two touchdowns…possesses break away speed and has also become a threat as a receiver…rushed for 1,845 career yards and 41 touchdowns while at Blooming Prairie High School…tallied 28 touchdowns his senior year including six in one game…all-state honorable mention honoree…played in the Minnesota State All-Star Football game…son of Timothy and Sandy Kae Bass.

Derek Abbas

Senior, Tight End

Eagan, Minn.

Eagan High School

Returns as the starting tight end…averaged 13.9 yards per reception last season…two-time academic all-conference honoree (3.5 or greater gpa on 4.0 scale)…two-year letter winner while at Eagan High School…son of Larry and Diane Abbas.

Ben Moe

Junior, Tight End

River Falls, Wis.

River Falls High School

Earned his first letter last season…multiple letter winner in football, basketball and track while at River Falls High…all-conference, all-region and honorable mention all-state tight end…played in the Wisconsin 29th annual Shrine Bowl…was also a member of Wildcats state tournament basketball team…son of Paul and Lori Moe.

Tony Brantner

Senior, Receiver

Mason City, Iowa

Mason City High School

Three-year letter winner who had his best season in a Norse uniform last season…produced 337 yards on 29 receptions and four touchdowns…ranks third all-time with 12 career reception touchdowns…two-time academic all-conference honoree in football and three-times in basketball (cumulative gpa of 3.5 or higher)…2004 newcomer of the year…three-year letter winner as a member of the Norse basketball team…multiple letter winner in basketball, football and track while at Mason City High School…all-state selection in all three sports…participated in the Iowa Shrine Bowl…Mason City High School male student of the year as a senior…State of Iowa Scholar…Governors Scholar…son of Jerry and Maureen Brantner.

Alex Torrisi

Senior, Receiver

Orangeville, Ill.

Orangeville High School

Two-year letter winner…made 14 catches for 267 yards reaching the end zone four times…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Orangeville High School…all-conference performer in both football and baseball…son of Mike and Terri Torrisi.

Erik Clark

Junior, Defensive Line

Madison, Wis.

East High School

Saw action at nose tackle in a full time capacity until an injury limited him to spot time midway through last season…two-year letter winner in football and basketball while at Madison East High School…named to all-city defensive team as a senior…son of Carla Banks and  Lonzo Hillman.

Cody Edwards

Sophomore, Defensive Line

Rock Falls, Ill.

Rock Falls High School

Named defensive rookie of the year…recorded 10 tackles while playing back-up role at nose tackle…multiple letter winner in football and wrestling while at Rock Falls High School…two-time all-conference performer in football who recorded 290 career tackles…state qualifier in wrestling as a senior…son of Suzanne Edwards.

Brandon Rickertsen

Junior, Defensive Line

Bryant, Iowa

Northeast High School

Two-year letter winner…slated to be the starting nose tackle…was credited with 19 tackles and 2.3 sacks a year ago…2006 academic all-conference honoree (3.5 or greater gpa on 4.0 scale)…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Northeast High School…two-time all-district offensive and defensive lineman…all-state selection as a senior…Wendy’s Heisman nominee…state qualifier in wrestling at 215 and was also named team’s MVP…member of National Honor Society and graduated with 4.0 grade point average…also earned all-state honors in speech…son of Jerry and Gwenn Rickertsen.

Brian Rouse

Senior, Defensive Line

Curlew, Iowa

Emmetsburg High School

Will begin the year number two on the depth chart at Sam linebacker…2006 academic all-conference honoree (3.50 gpa or greater on 4.0 scale)…played on two state championship football teams while at Emmetsburg High School…first team all-district and third team all-state honoree…also earned letters in basketball, track and  baseball…member of the National Honor Society…son of Terry and Pam Rouse.

Andrew Seyfer

Senior, Defensive Line

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Washington High School

Two-year letter winner…2006 academic all-conference honoree (3.5 or greater gpa on 4.0 scale)…tallied 13 tackles and one sack a year ago…two-time all-conference and all-metro selection while at Washington High School…son of Greg and Jenny Seyfer.

Cody Webb

Junior, Defensive Line

Decorah, Iowa

Decorah High School

Two-year letter winner who has developed into a solid Iowa Conference defensive lineman…recorded 19 tackles and one sack last season…shared defensive rookie of the year honors with fellow Decorah graduate Jerry Jaeger in 2005… first-team all-North East Iowa Conference performer…also earned all-state honors as a member of the 2005 state runner-up Viking football team…son of Mark and Jane Webb.

Jeremy Klein

Junior, Linebacker

Plymouth, Minn.

Wayzata High School

Two-year letter winner who will once again be a key contributor at fullback…averaged 3.5 yards per carry…twice earned all-Classic Lake Conference honors as a running back for Wayzata High School…also earned all-state honors as a member of the 4 x 200 relay team in track and field…joined the Norse after transferring from Scottsdale Community College…married to Erica Klein and father of Isabelle Ann…son of Chris and Jeanne Klein.

Alex Mierau

Junior, Linebacker

Rushford, Minn.

Rushford-Peterson High School

Earned his first letter last season…finished the 2006 campaign fifth in tackles with 43…was also credited with one sack and one interception…multiple letter winner in football, basketball and baseball while at Rushford-Peterson High School…as a senior he was a member of the state championship football team and state runner-up basketball and baseball teams…named Rushford-Peterson Athlete of the Year…academic all-state honoree in football…member of the National Honor Society…son of Chuck and Karen Mierau.

Eric Olson

Senior, Linebacker

Chicago Heights, Ill.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School

Earned his first letter last season…did all of the kick-offs for the Norse special teams…joined Norse after two years at Slippery Rock University where he earned two letters in water polo…multiple letter winner in four sports while at Homewood-Flossmoor High School including earning high school All-America honors in both swimming and water polo…son of Lance and Cindy Olson.

Brandt Rost

Senior, Linebacker

Manson, Iowa

Manson Northwest Webster High School

Three-year letter winner who will once again be starting at linebacker…was credited with 27 tackles last season…shared Most Improved Upper Classman defensive honors with Marcus Hendrickson after 2005 season…twice named all-district in football for Manson Northwest Webster High School…named team MVP…his sister is Luther head softball coach Renae Hartl…son of Bernie and Kim Rost.

Lee Christians

Junior, Defensive Back

Lehigh, Iowa

Southeast Webster High School

Has been a key contributor on the special teams…earned four letters in basketball, track and baseball…three-year letter winner football while earning all-district honors as many times…also three-time all-conference performer in baseball…son of Gary and Martha Christians.

Sean Hood

Junior, Defensive Back

Manson, Iowa

Manson Northwest Webster High School

Earned his first letter last season…multiple letter winner in football, basketball and track while at Manson Northwest Webster High School…twice named team MVP on offense in football…rushed for 2,205 career yards…also named team MVP of the basketball team…three-times qualified for the state track meet placing fifth in the long jump as a senior…son of Joe Hood and Julie Ashbrook.

Blake Humpal

Junior, Defensive Back

Manchester, Iowa

Maquoketa Valley High School

Earned his first letter last season and returns at right corner…two-time all-district honoree in football for Maquoketa Valley High School…earned all state honors in baseball…state meet qualifier in track as a senior…member of the National Honor Society…son of Greg and Barb Drew.

Darrick Olson

Senior, Defensive Back

Decorah, Iowa

Decorah High School

Had his best season in a Norse uniform last year en route to his first letter…will enter training camp as the starter at free safety…multiple letter winner in four sports while at Decorah High School…second team all-state honoree in football…son of Susan Nelson.

Justin Reitsma

Senior, Defensive Back

Waconia, Minn.

Waconia High School

Three-year letter winner and two-year starter…was credited with 26 tackles a year ago…2006 academic all-conference honoree…his name is listed on Luther's indoor track and field record books as a member of the school record 4 x 200 relay team set in 2006…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Waconia High School…two-times earned all-Wright County Conference honors…all-state as a senior and played in the all-state game…selected conference special teams player of the year and league MVP…member of the National Honor Society…son of Tom and Carol Reitsma.

Matt Reyhons

Senior, Defensive Back

Anamosa, Iowa

Anamosa High School

Two-year letter winner…multiple letter winner in three sports while at Anamosa High School…two-time all-district selection in football…he was named most valuable defensive back and special teams player of the year for the Raiders…son of Steve and Deb Reyhons.

Joe Taylor

Senior, Defensive Back

Houston, Minn.

Houston High School

Three-year letter winner…was third on the team with 50 tackles last season increasing his career total to 111…led the defensive backs with five pass break-ups…multiple letter winner in football, wrestling, and baseball while at Houston High School…two time all-conference and all-area selection in football…named Hurricanes MVP as a running back and as a defensive…son of Vicki Taylor.

Trevor Theobald

Sophomore, Defensive Back

Blanchardville, Wis.

Pecatonica High School

Earned his first letter last season…saw most of his action on special teams…possesses a 37 1/2 inch vertical jump…first-team all-conference linebacker and two time all-conference wide receiver while at Pecatonica High School…also earned all-area honors twice as well as all-region and all-state honorable mention as a wide receiver…lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track for the Vikings…son of Bill and Sue Theobald.

Andrew Burkle

Junior, Punter

Monona, Iowa

MFL Mar Mac High School

Took over the punting duties last season en route to his first letter…did not have a punt blocked the entire season…was credited with 10 inside the 20-yard line…lettered in five sports while at MFL Mar Mac High School…two-time academic all-conference honoree in football…set the school record with eight three-point baskets in one game…son of Todd and Patty Burkle.

Tyler Pease

Senior, Kicker

Stuart, Iowa

West Central Valley High School

Took over the kicking duties last season and led the team in scoring with 56 points…played high school football for his father and was a first team all-district performer and shared team MVP honors…multiple letter winner in basketball, soccer and baseball as well…member of the Luther student athletic training staff…son of Jeff and Mary Pease.

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