The Dordt Defender football program has announced the addition of 14 athletes to its commitments for the 2025-26 school year. In December an initial list of 37 commits was released. 

"Our recruiting strategy is simple but not easy - find prospects who will thrive at Dordt; including great football talent, strong academics, and those who desire to grow in their faith.  We start in our backyard and widen our reach from there.  In this class you'll notice signees from Boyden Hull/Rock Valley, Unity Christian, Hinton High School, Western Christian, and Sioux Falls Christian. You'll notice signees from other schools here in Iowa, states that border Iowa, and then places like Colorado, Washington, California, and Texas.  This incoming class averages just under a 3.8 GPA.  Additionally, this class is comprised of 20 All-State,  35 All-Conference, and four state championship players, including the unanimous Iowa Player of the Year from North Polk High School.  Finally, we added four mid-year transfers to the roster from a junior college, a Division II program, and another NAIA school. I believe the quality of a recruiting class is best measured on senior day and graduation, but our expectations are incredibly high with this group," said Dordt football coach Joel Penner. 

Caleb Abramson 
Previous School: Lutheran (Colo.)
Height/Weight:  6'2/260  lbs
Position:  Offensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Engineering
Honors & Highlights:   1st Team All-Conference; All-State Honorable Mention; Academic All-State; Two=time State Champion Runner-Up  

Joshua Henderson  
Previous School: Simi Valley (Calif.)  
Height/Weight:  6'2/220  lbs  
Position:  Linebacker  
Intended Field of Study: Construction Management  
Honors & Highlights:   Three-time All-CIF Southern Section; Ventura County Star and CIF-Southern Section Division 3 Defensive Player of the Year; MaxPreps Small School All-American; Two-time CIF Southern Section division titles and a state title     

William Henderson 
Previous School: Immanuel (Calif.) /College of the Sequoias 
Height/Weight:  6'2/225  lbs 
Position:  Linebacker 
Intended Field of Study: Theology 
Honors & Highlights:   Rushed for 1,248 yards during his senior season with 15 touchdowns and had 81 tackle son defense; 1st Team All-Conference for College of the Sequoias 

Kesston Dickson 
Previous School: Bruning-Davenport (Neb.) 
Height/Weight:  6'6/270  lbs 
Position:  Center, Nose Guard 
Intended Field of Study:  Exercise Science 
Honors & Highlights:   2023 2nd Team Offensive and Defensive All=State  

Ryder Eastin 
Previous School: Loveland (Colo.) 
Height/Weight:  6'0/170  lbs 
Position:  Quarterback 
Intended Field of Study: Business Administration 
Honors & Highlights:   1st and 2nd Team All-Conference Honors 

Lyam Edwards 
Previous School: Ponderosa (Colo.)/West Texas A&M 
Height/Weight:  5'9/175  lbs 
Position:  Wide Receiver, Running Back, Returner 
Intended Field of Study:  Business Administration/Finance 
Honors & Highlights:  Denver Post Colorado Top-40; Capital League Specialist Player of the Year; 42 catches for 582 yards; 606 return yards and five interceptions with three pick-sixes; 1,191 all-purpose yards  

Nathan Feldmann 
Previous School: North Polk (Iowa) 
Height/Weight:  5'10/185  lbs 
Position:  Quarterback, Defensive Back 
Intended Field of Study:  Exercise Science 
Honors & Highlights: 2024 1st Team All-State and Class 4A All-State Team Captain; 2024 State Football Champions; Accounted for 46 total tackles and 2,789 offensive yards; 118 total tackles and six interceptions.    

Noah Franken 
Previous School: Unity Christian (Iowa) 
Height/Weight:  6'1/215  lbs 
Position:  Center, Defensive End 
Intended Field of Study: Ag Business 
Honors & Highlights:   1st Team All-District; Academic All-District; Two solo tackles per game 

Savella Greer 
Previous School: Anna (Texas) /Langston University 
Height/Weight:  5'11/217  lbs 
Position:  Linebacker  
Intended Field of Study:  Exercise Science 
Honors & Highlights:  1st Team All-District twice; Academic All-District twice; State Champion; Recognized as a Texas Top Outside Linebacker in 2024  

Elijah Gruenes 
Previous School: Minneota (Minn.) 
Height/Weight:  6'3/210  lbs 
Position:  Tight End, Defensive End 
Intended Field of Study: Criminal Justice 
Honors & Highlights:   District Defensive Lineman MVP; Two-time All-District and Academic All-District honoree; Minnesota Star Tribune All-Prep Bowl Team; Three-time State Champion; State Champion Runner-Up  

William Henderson 
Previous School: Immanuel (Calif.)/College of Sequoias 
Height/Weight:  6'2/225 lbs 
Position:  Linebacker 
Intended Field of Study: Theology 
Honors & Highlights: 1st Team All-Conference at College of Sequoias; 81 tackles as a high school senior 

Gavin Kelch 
Previous School: Syracuse (Neb.) 
Height/Weight:  6'4/260  lbs 
Position:  Offensive Tackle 
Intended Field of Study:  Social Work 
Honors & Highlights:   All-District Honorable Mention twice; C1 Preseason team; two sacks allowed this season; team captain and three-year starter 

Nolan Nase 
Previous School: Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (Minn.) 
Height/Weight:  6'3/210  lbs 
Position:  Linebacker 
Intended Field of Study: Pre-Physical Therapy 
Honors & Highlights:   All-District and two-time team captain; 73 tackles and two sacks in eight games  

Tyler Zwingman  
Previous School: Columbus (Neb.) 
Height/Weight:  6'3/210  lbs 
Position:  Linebacker, Long Snapper 
Intended Field of Study: Civil Engineer 
Honors & Highlights:   Two-Time All-Conference; Academic All-State; 195 total tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss 

 
DECEMBER 18 COMMITS
 
Frankie Alvarado
Previous School: Chaparral (Colo.)
Height/Weight:  6'3/175  lbs
Position:  Safety
Intended Field of Study: Business Administration
Honors & Highlights:   Two-Time All-State Honorable Mention; 53 Tackles

Caden Anderson
Previous School: Ballard (Iowa)
Height/Weight:  6'0/195 lbs
Position:  Linebacker; Defensive End; Cornerback; Safety
Intended Field of Study: Health & Human Performance
Honors & Highlights:  2^nd Team All-District; 29 Solo Tackles; 5.5 Sacks; 9.5 Tackles For Loss; 2 Fumble Recoveries
 
Carson Ash
Previous School: Milaca (Minn.)
Height/Weight: 6'4/200 lbs
Position: Defensive End/Tackle
Intended Field of Study: Environmental Science
Honors & Highlights: Academic All-Conference; All-District; District Lineman of the Year; Team Captain
 
Zachary Barnes
Previous School: Pius X (Neb.)
Height/Weight:6'6/215 lbs
Position: Defensive End
Intended Field of Study: Construction Management
Honors & Highlights: Academic All-Conference; Two-Time Letterwinner
 
Matthew Beekman
Previous School: St. Croix Lutheran (Minn.)
Height/Weight:  5'11; 180 lbs
Position:  Running Back, Linebacker, Kicker
Intended Field of Study:  Engineering
Honors & Highlights:  Two-Time All-Conference; Honorable Mention All-Conference; District Special Teams Player of the Year
 
Jacob Bishop
Previous School: Hinton (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'3/215 lbs
Position:  Defensive End, Linebacker, Tackle, Tight end
Intended Field of Study:  Criminal Justice
Honors & Highlights:  2^nd Team All-State; 2024 1^st Team All-District; 2023 2^nd Team All-District; District Lineman of the Year; Team Captain; 33 Solo Tackles and 10 Tackles For Loss
 
David Bowman
Previous School: Cornerstone Christian (Texas)
Height/Weight: 6'0/ 205 lbs
Position:  Linebacker
Intended Field of Study: Pre-Medical 
Honors & Highlights:  2024 Defensive MVP; 56 Solo Tackles; 3 Fumble Recoveries
 
Derek Burrage
Previous School: Pius X (Neb.)
Height/Weight: 6'3/250 lbs
Position: Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Engineering
Honors & Highlights: Three-Time Letterwinner; Averaged 5.3 Tackles Per Game; 7 Forced Fumbles In 2024
 
Cooper Buxton
Previous School: Columbus (Neb.)
Height/Weight: 6'2/225 lbs
Position: Defensive Line, Offensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Criminal Justice
Honors & Highlights: All-Conference; Academic All-State; 119 Career Tackles; 16.5 Career Tackles For Loss
 
Gavin Christensen
Previous School: St. Croix Lutheran (Minn.) 
Height/Weight:  5'11/240 lbs
Position: Defensive End/Tackle and Offensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Highlights:  Two-Time All-Conference Honorable Mention; 2023 St. Croix Lutheran Lineman of the Year; Qualified for 2022 State Playoffs
 
Parker Daughety
Previous School: Brighton (Colo.)
Height/Weight:  6'2/265 lbs
Position:  Defensive Line, Offensive Line, Tight End
Intended Field of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Highlights:   Two-Time Honorable Mention All-Conference; Three-Time Academic All-State
 
Jackson Daum
Previous School: Gothenburg (Neb.)
Height/Weight:  6'2/210 lbs
Position: Linebacker
Intended Field of Study: Business
Honors & Highlights:  Two-Time All-State Honorable Mention; Two-Time All-Conference 1^st Team; Two-Time All-Conference Honorable Mention
 
Kaden De Jager
Previous School: Western Christian (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'2/180 lbs
Position: Safety, Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Running Back
Intended Field of Study: Finance
Honors & Highlights: 34 Tackles in 2024; 3 Tackles For Loss; 3 Career Interceptions; 15 Catches and 14.1 Yards Per Catch; 1^st Team All-District; Team Captain
 
Andrew Hahn
Previous School: Brookings (S.D.)
Height/Weight: 5'11/ 215 lbs
Position: Offensive Line/ Defensive End
Intended Field of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Highlights: All-State; Academic All-State
 
Jarrett Hansen
Previous School:  Atlantic (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 5'9/170 lbs
Position:  Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Kick Returner
Intended Field of Study:  Agriculture
Honors & Highlights:  1^st Team All-District Wide Receiver; 1^st Team All-District Cornerback; All-Area Defensive Captain; All-Academic; Averaged 19.8 Yards Per Catch; 3 Interceptions
 
Colton Harken
Previous School: Aplington Parkersburg (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'3/235 lbs
Position: Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Agriculture Business
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time 2^nd Team All-District; Three-Time Letterwinner; Beck's Hybrid Player With Heart; Mike Nevin Hardest Worker Award
 
Wyatt Hulshof
Previous School: Unity Christian (Iowa)
Height/Weight:   6'4/200 lbs
Position:  Defensive End
Intended Field of Study: Agriculture & Business
Honors & Highlights:  2024 All-District; 39.5 Tackles; 5 Sacks; 2 Fumble Recoveries
 
Willem Kattenberg
Previous School: Sioux Falls Christian (S.D.)
Height/Weight: 6'0/ 220 lbs
Position: Offensive Line, Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Engineering Technology
Honors & Highlights: Academic All-State
 
Jayden Lambert
Previous School: Watertown (S.D.) 
Height/Weight:  6'0/245 lbs
Position: Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study:  Enivornmental Studies
Honors & Highlights:  All-ESD; All-State; 2024 11AA State Champion; 32 Solo Tackles; 3 Sacks; 2 Interceptions; 4 Forced Fumbles; 5 Fumble Recoveries; Scored 4 Defensive Touchdowns
 
Logan Moore
Previous School: Manitou Springs (Colo.)
Height/Weight: 5'11/195 lbs
Position: Safety, Running Back
Intended Field of Study: Pre-Medical 
Honors & Highlights: 1^st Team All-State; Two-Time 1^st Team All-Conference; 2,300 Career Rushing Yards; 278 Career Receiving Yards; 29 Rushing Touchdowns; 42 Solo Tackles; School Record 352 Rushing Yards In A Game
 
Miles Netten
Previous School: Rock Valley (Iowa)
Height/Weight:  6'3/ 205 lbs
Position:  Offensive Line & Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Engineering
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time Honorable Mention All-District; 2023 & 2024 42 Total Tackles and 4.5 Sacks
 
Cade Odell
Previous School: Princeton (Ill.)
Height/Weight:  6'0/265 lbs
Position:  Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Education
Honors & Highlights:  2024 All-State both Offensive and Defensive Line; Two-Time 1^st Team All-Conference; 2^nd Team All-Conference
 
Lincoln Prins
Previous School:  Sioux Falls Christian (S.D.)
Height/Weight:  6'0/180 Pounds
Position:  Quarterback
Intended Field of Study: Biology
Honors & Highlights:  All-State; Academic All-State; Two-Time All-Conference; Sioux Falls Argus Leader Player of the Year Finalist; 3,911 Passing Yards; 418 Rushing Yards; 49 Passing Touchdowns; Team Record Holder for Season Passing Yards, Season Passing Touchdowns, Career Passing Touchdowns, Career Passing Yards
 
Levi Schroeder
Previous School: Canistota (S.D. )
Height/Weight:  6'1/190 lbs
Position: Running Back; Wide Receiver; Linebacker; Defensive Back
Intended Field of Study: Engineering
Honors & Highlights: All-Conference; Academic All-State; 32 Tackles; 6 Sacks; 229 Yards Receiving; 282 Yards Rushing; 7 Touchdowns
 
Cole Snyder
Previous School: Sioux Falls Christian (S.D.)
Height/Weight: 6'0/170 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver, Defensive Back
Intended Field of Study: Nursing
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time Elite 45 Selection; Three-Time All-State; Three-Time All-Conference; 23 Career Interceptions is a South Dakota 11A Record; 55 Receptions in 2024 For 1201 Yards and 18 Touchdowns; Six Interceptions in 2024 with 61 Tackles
 
Cooper Spronk
Previous School: Pella Christian (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'2/205 lbs
Position: Linebacker, Running Back
Intended Field of Study: Biology
Honors & Highlights: 1^st Team All-District Offense & Defense; 2^nd Team All-District Offense & Defense; Three-Time Academic All-District; 160 Career Tackles; 685 Rushing Yards In 2024
 
Joseph Spuler
Previous School: Northwest Christian (Wash.)
Height/Weight:  6'0/235 lbs
Position:  Offense Line & Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study:  Accounting
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time 1^st Team All-League Offensive Line; 1^st Team All-League Defensive Line; 2^nd Team All-League Defensive Line; 81 Tackles In 2023-24; 24 Tackles For Loss In 2023-24; Eight Sacks In 2023-24
 
Connor Stephens
Previous School: Crean Lutheran (Calif.)
Height/Weight: 6'0/185 lbs 
Position:  Kicker/Punter
Intended Field of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Highlights: 2023 All-Orange County; 2023 1^st Team All-Empire League; 2022 & 2023 Empire League Special Teams Player of the Year; 2022-24 Crean Lutheran Special Teams Player of the Year; 2021-24 Scholar Athlete; School Records 48 Points After in a Season, 42 Yard Field goal, 39.4 Yards Per Punt
 
Boden Teal
Previous School: Northwestern (Wis.)
Height/Weight: 5'10, 165 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver, Defensive Back
Intended Field of Study: Pre-Physical Therapy
Honors & Highlights: All-Region Defense & Offense; Two-Time 1^st Team All-Conference both Offense & Defense; School Record Holder for Season Receiving Yards and Season Touchdown Receptions; 1100 Career Receiving Yards; 43 Career Receptions; 1112 Career Rushing Yards; 122 Career Rushes
 
William Thesing
Previous School: HLWW (Minn.)
Height/Weight: 6'2/270 lbs
Position: Offensive Line, Defensive Line
Intended Field of Study: Construction Management
Honors & Highlights: 1^st Team All-Conference; Team Captain, Most Improved
 
William Tiedeman
Previous School: Malcom (Neb.)
Height/Weight: 5'9/160 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Intended Field of Study: Construction Management
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time 1^st Team All-District;  Team Captain; 5 Interceptions; 27 Solo Tackles in 2024
 
Brody Van Kley
Previous School: Western Christian (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'1/160 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver, Defensive Back
Intended Field of Study: Business Administration
Honors & Highlights: 17.8 Yards Per Catch in 2024; 213 Yards Receiving
 
Brock Verboncouer
Previous School: Kaukauna (Wis.)
Height/Weight:  6'1/195 lbs
Position: Running Back; Tight End; Wide Receiver
Intended Field of Study: Biology
Honors & Highlights:  All-Fox Valley Association Honorable Mention; 12.7 Yards Per Catch
 
Jayden Weinzetl
Previous School: Webster City (Iowa)
Height/Weight: 6'0/205 lbs
Position: Defensive End/Running Back
Intended Field of Study: Business Administration
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time 1^st Team All-District Defense; Two-Time KQWC All-Area Defense; 2023 KQWC Defensive Player of the Year; 119.5 Tackles; 30 Tackles For Loss and 9.5 Sacks; 301 Rushing Yards and 3 Touchdowns
 
Zach Wickenhauser
Previous School: Central (Minn.)
Height/Weight: 6'1/200 lbs
Position: Linebacker
Intended Field of Study: Pre-Physical Therapy
Honors & Highlights: Two-Time Preseason All-State; Two-Time 1^st Team All-District; 2024 Section Champion; 2023 & 2024 District Champion; 185 Career Tackles; 22 Tackles For Loss
 
Thomas (TJ) Worthy
Previous School: Keller (Texas)
Height/Weight:  6'0/185 lbs
Position:  Safety
Intended Field of Study:  Business
Honors & Highlights:  Elite Team Academic All-State; 72 Solo Tackles; 18 Assisted Tackles; 2 Interceptions; 3 Blocked Kicks; 4.7 Tackles Per Game
 
Jason Zeeb
Previous School:  Emery (S.D.)
Height/Weight:  5'11/210 lbs
Position:  Defensive End, Linebacker, Offensive Lineman
Intended Field of Study:  Agriculture
Honors & Highlights: All-Conference, All-State; Elite 45 Selection; Team MVP; 85 Season Tackles; 5 Sacks; 15 Tackles For Loss; 170 Career Tackles; 9.4 Tackles Per Game