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(UJ Sports Information) – University of Jamestown head football coach Shawn Frank announces the signing of several new recruits who will join the roster beginning in the 2014 season.
“As we continue to piece together our 2014 recruiting class, we are certainly excited today to have the young men who we have signed to this point as part of our program,” Frank says. “Offensively, we have added some nice pieces for what we want to continue to do moving forward. Defensively, we still have some work to do, but we are confident we will continue to piece that puzzle together. Signing players from some of the top programs in the state is huge for us. We expect to see these players emerge as role models on campus and leaders in our program.”
By the end of the day Thursday Frank expects to have a number of other letters of intent in hand. Those signees will be highlighted in a future press release.
Robert Bollinger of Jamestown is a six-foot-one, 215-pound linebacker-defensive end. He was an All-Conference and second team All-State selection for the Blue Jays, recording 40 tackles his senior season.
“Rob is a young man who we had our sights set on for over a year,” Frank says. “He plays with great leverage, has great hands, and shows nice flexibility. He has made tremendous strides with his strength and continues to challenge himself every day to get better.”
Bollinger is the son of Mark and Teresa Bollinger.
Wide receiver Chris Hamilton of Rugby is a six-foot-one, 190-pound two-time second team All-State and All-Region selection. He recorded 611 receiving yards and nine touchdowns his senior season.
“Success and tradition have long been staples in Rugby,” Frank says. “Chris is a multi-sport athlete who embraces competition. He has great size and length, two qualities we look for in a wide receiver. He is also outstanding in the classroom.”
Hamilton is the son of Mark and Sue Hamilton. He plans to major in business.
Mid-year signee Tyler Hennings of Jamestown is a six-foot-five, 285-pound offensive lineman from Jamestown.
Tyler is a young man who we recruited as a senior at Jamestown High School,” Frank says. “He possesses great size and arrived on campus in great shape after spending the fall working out every day. We love his work ethic, and he will fit in very well up front in the offensive line.”
Hennings is the son of Daryl and Rhonda Hennings. He plans to major in pre-physical therapy.
Mid-year signee Alex Johnson, a six-foot-three, 160-pound quarterback, from Glyndon, Minn., transferred from Northland Community & Technical College.
“Alex displays nice athleticism with the ability to move well and throw on the run,” Frank says. “He has the frame to add weight, and he possesses the natural leadership skills which are critical to the quarterback position. The added dimension he brings to the running game was certainly an added bonus when we evaluated him.”
Johnson is the son of Merle and Kristina Johnson. He plans to major in psychology.
Kicker Grant Linde (six-foot-one, 215 pounds) of Billings, Mont., was a second team AA All-State selection for Billings West High School. He recorded a perfect 13/13 PAT his senior season.
“Grant shows great leg strength and accuracy, two critical things to ensure success in the kicking game,” Frank says. “He spent a lot of time refining his skillset by attending various kicking camps around the country. We are excited that he’ll continue his career and education here.”
Linde plans to major in business administration. He is the son of Steve and Laurel Linde.
Kaleb Sell, a five-foot-nine, 160-pound wide receiver from Oakes, was an All-Region Honorable Mention selection for the Tornadoes with 331 career receiving yards.
“Kaleb is a hardworking young man who fits our profile as a University of Jamestown student-athlete,” Frank says. “He has had success as a student and multi-sport athlete at Oakes High School. He loves to compete and is very goal-oriented, and he will bring those attributes with him this fall.”
Sell is the son of Randy and Anna Sell. He plans to major in criminal justice.
Running back Mike Thingstad of Velva is a six-foot-two, 190-pound All-State selection who recorded 1,200 rushing yards his senior season.
“We feel Mike’s best football is ahead of him, even after his outstanding senior year at one of the best football programs in the state,” Frank says. “Great size, nice speed, the ability to finish runs and catching the football are qualities he showed this past fall. He runs with great balance.”
Thingstad is the son of Mike and Diana Thingstad. He plans to major in mathematics education.
Offensive lineman Christian Walter (six-foot-one, 230 pounds) is a Bismarck Century product.
“Christian is a very athletic offensive lineman who displays great feet, an ability to pull fluidly and can get to the second level very well,” Frank says. “He is athletic enough to potentially move to a tight end-h back type down the road. We love his upside. He displays all of the qualities we look for in our players.”
Walter is the son of Don and Linnet Walter. He plans to major in mathematics education.
Kris Wharton (five-foot-ten, 165 pounds), Miller, S.D., was named Special Teams MVP at Miller High School. Frank says he’ll play slot wide receiver in the Jimmie offense.
“Kris struggled through an injury his senior year but showed great production and displayed abilities to make plays in space,” Frank says. “He plays with great energy and is a very good student. Kris had visited our campus on several occasions and is a great fit for our program and institution.”
Wharton is the son of Chad and LaDonna Wharton. He plans to major in nursing.