MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State football team is proud to announce its newest class of signees. 17 prep players took the next step and officially signed with the Beavers.
 
According to Head Coach Mike Aldrich, the Beavers are thrilled about their entire recruiting Class of 2021. Minot State employed a very focused approach to their recruiting and honed in on specific needs on both sides of the ball to add depth and complementary pieces to their roster.
 
On offense, the Beavers heavily addressed their running back room with four signees at that spot. They also made improvements along the offensive line and added utility with a couple of tight ends and H-backs. Defensively, MSU did not have as many evident needs but made strides to become more versatile within the second and third levels of that unit.

These student-athletes will be introduced to Beaver fans at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center at the National Signing Day Party at 5 p.m. today. Watch on the NSIC Network. 
 
The following signees will join Minot State University in the fall of 2021 and have been verified by the NCAA Compliance office.
 
Levi Beckham – Tight end – Kingman, Ariz.
Beckham signs with Minot State as a tight end but played his prep football at a different position. A quarterback and defensive end in high school, Levi's big and athletic frame translates well to the Beavers' system. Coach Aldrich and the staff will be able to move him around the line of scrimmage and the backfield to take advantage of his physical, aggressive play.
 
Carson Chrisman – Cornerback – North Lakewood, Wash.
Chrisman is an extremely intelligent student-athlete. His brains have been key for his success in the classroom and on the gridiron. He is an instinctual player who is as quick a corner as there is with loads of talent.
 
Ian Dexter – Running back – Arvada, Colo.
Another running back comes to the Magic City in Ian Dexter. The Colorado native has proved himself as a dynamic back with the ability to carry the rock and catch the ball out of the backfield. Dexter is a physical player and finishes runs with passion. According to the coaching staff, he should be in a position to make an immediate impact and provide depth as another workhorse in the Beavers' stable.
 
Brady Dutcher – Offensive guard – Casper, Wyo.
The Beaver offensive line adds another quality player in Brady Dutcher. Dutcher is a tremendous leader and has shown exceptional growth as a player during his high school career. He is an athletic guard and is good in space, which translates very well to Coach Aldrich's offensive scheme.
 
Clayton Hawkins – Offensive tackle – Las Vegas, Nev.
Hawkins, or "The Hawk," is another versatile athlete in the Beavers' Class of 2021. He has the ability to cross-train as a defensive lineman but tracks as a staunch offensive tackle for Minot State. As a blocker, Hawkins sets the edge in the running game and is ultra-physical and athletic in pass protection.
 
Ben Janowski – Offensive Guard – Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Janowski is a massive young man with a perfect body for a Minot State offensive lineman. Janowski is a mauler in the running game that exemplifies the gritty mentality that works in the MSU program. He is an experienced player is loads of knowledge that will absolutely add to the trenches in Minot.
 
Ty Lorenz – Quarterback – Grand Forks, N.D.
One of two legacy players to sign with the Minot State Class of 2021, Ty Lorenz is a phenomenal athlete with a dynamic skill set. Based on his athleticism, Lorenz could see time at various spots but will get an opportunity to play quarterback for the Beavers. Ty's brother, Jaxton, is currently a wide receiver for the Beavers and their father is a former MSU football player as well. The Lorenz family's connection to Minot State continues outside of football as Ty's twin brother also recently committed to run cross country at MSU.
 
Evan Lovett – Running back – Tucson, Ariz.
Lovett comes to Minot and fills needed depth in the running back room for the Beavers. Given, the style of MSU's offense, the Beavers need a deep group of running backs. Evan Lovett does just that. He is a big, dynamic back with physicality in excess. He often seeks contact and never backs down. Evan not only adds to the team as he is a great person and will be a fine addition to the greater Minot community.
 
Zeth Nastal – Linebacker – Mesa, Ariz.
A nasty player at the second level of the defense, Zeth Nastal is a multi-dimensional and multi-positional linebacker. He has the ability to play in a two-point stance and rush the passer and also playback as a traditional mike linebacker. Nastal has the potential to develop into a great player for the Beavers by utilizing his high motor and premier work ethic.
 
Roman Pickens – Linebacker – Las Vegas, Nev.
Any defense needs an X factor, and Roman Pickens is just that. He comes from the same high school that produced current Beaver star safety Isaiah Bigby and possesses a similar skill set. Pickens is a multi-dimensional athlete with the ability to play both safety and outside linebacker. He excels in both man and zone schemes and is more than willing to provide support against the run. Roman defends the pass well, too, and seems to always be around the ball.
 
Justin Proffitt – Tight end – Overton, Nev.
Proffitt is nicknamed "Big Country" for a reason. He is a physical in-line presence at the tight end position and sets the edge well when running the football. Additionally, he also has silky smooth hands and a large catch radius in the passing game.
 
Cole Roth – Linebacker – Sumner, Wash.
Coach Scheper's defensive unit got better when Cole Roth signed to play in Minot. Roth is a big kid with a unique combination of strength, size, and quickness. His versatility as a linebacker and potential pass-rushing defensive end will be key for the Beavers. Cole is a grinder in the weight room and his outdoor nature fits the culture of North Dakota and the city of Minot perfectly.
 
Noah Schroeder – Tight end – Powers Lake, N.D.
A home-grown product, Noah Schroeder comes to Minot State with a lot of athleticism. Schroeder is versatile player that can impact the game in several fashions and could potentially play multiple positions. He is a smart player and, based on his size and skills, instills high expectations in the MSU coaching staff.
 
Kameron Toms – Wide receiver – Kingman, Ariz.
Another graduate of Lee Williams High School, Kameron Toms addresses a need for the MSU offense and provides a skill set that the Beavers lack. He is a big-bodied receiver with great hands and extreme athleticism. Toms attacks the football with aggression and is never afraid to outwork a defensive back to complete a catch.
 
Joe Varoz – Offensive line – Norwalk, Calif.
The MSU football adds another solid player in the trenches with Joe Varoz. The Southern California native is a big, tough, and nasty force on the offensive line with, according to Coach Scheper, the propensity to "smash faces" play in and play out. Varoz' tendencies fit the Minot State culture perfectly.
 
Jared Williams – Running back – Scottsdale, Ariz.
Jared Williams is a "real deal" player according to the Minot State coaches. His big frame makes for a solid base to build a player around, and his skills complement his size wonderfully. Jared camped with the Beavers in the summer and stood out among his peers. Williams' brother, Steve, is currently an active member of the Minot State squad, and his familial connection was key in getting Jared to become a part of the Beaver family.
 
JJ Williams – Running back – Williston, N.D.
A North Dakota native, JJ Williams is a gifted athlete that boasts a dynamic and versatile skill set. Williams has shown excellent ability as a pass-catcher at the running back position and has explosive open-field speed.

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.