2026 Recruiting Classes for the NSIC

[Otis Day]

Official post from the Coo: https://usfcougars.com/news/2026/2/4...6-signees.aspx

NSD event at the Bob tonight at 5:30pm. Will also be livestreamed: nsicnetwork.com/usfcougars

A live episode of the Coo Coach Cast with Coach Glo will also be up later as well.

I don't get too caught up in recruiting, espeically in the transfer portal era. I'll cheer for the guys on the field when the season starts. That being said, the class appears to be solid, not flashy. USF is pretty set in the skill positions at the moment so it makes sense. Lots of beef. Feel good about the high-end local guys they grabbed but will still of course compare with Augie's :)

Otherwise, pretty even regionally with recruits from: Iowa (5), Kansas (2), Minnesota (7), Missouri (2), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), South Dakota (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (8). The higher Wisconsin number jumped out this year. USF did well there in the Stugart years but that number has dropped off some recently.

Link to the Coo Coach Cast: https://www.youtube.com/live/X85w5nM...qX8_P_aj-yk5_a

[SW_Mustang]

we used to have a signing day luncheon. I wish we still did. It was fun to hear from the coaches.

I went to that once for a class assignment - it was the year we signed Connor Wilkie and I wanted to hear about how that happened. Fun way to spend lunch

[Matt Witwicki]

Link to the Coo Coach Cast: https://www.youtube.com/live/X85w5nM...qX8_P_aj-yk5_a

Sam D..nice job with this recruiting edition of your show. I really wish other schools had something similar on youtube for NSIC content. Tukes just a nice job with Northern..did he have a recruiting thing with Schmidt? I assume yes..but just didn't see it in my quick look for it. Others? Thanks guys.

[Swisher]

Tukes had Schmidt in studio and the audio can be found on Facebook…Fox Sports Aberdeen-98.5 and 1420 AM-Aberdeen, SD
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19hKtpQ8AK/

[tman28]

2026 Football Signing Class (PDF) - Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

I love it when dudes jump off the tape and wow me, Your all nsic RB from last year did so in his HS tape, Mankato and Duluth do such a great job..... I see a few guys every year from your school that are like that, this year included.

[laker]

I love it when dudes jump off the tape and wow me, Your all nsic RB from last year did so in his HS tape, Mankato and Duluth do such a great job..... I see a few guys every year from your school that are like that, this year included.

At first I thought you were referring to my rendition of Uptown Funk. My recruiting video was actually a single picture. But I can prove that it was post Civil War.

All kidding aside- the physical ability of these athletes is simply amazing.

[tman28]

Its hard to know what way is up now with the transfer portals being wide open. What attracts big time d2 talent? How do you get these big time players to stay in your program? I know the coo have the legacy association. Do most d2 programs specifically nsic have an NIL deal group?

[Matt Witwicki]

Its hard to know what way is up now with the transfer portals being wide open. What attracts big time d2 talent? How do you get these big time players to stay in your program? I know the coo have the legacy association. Do most d2 programs specifically nsic have an NIL deal group?

No..at this point it's barely a thing in the NSIC. For example, that Coo Legacy Foundation is really former players (mostly) trying to help the program out with the challenge of operating expenses at the small college level. Bigger schools like Mankato have some small avenues for NIL..but in the NSIC the NIL isn't really a thing at this moment. I've heard a school or two mention they have something but we are talking about the less than $50,000 range and not something that's really going to attract or keep very many players.

The schools with true NIL in D2 right now are schools like Harding, Ferris (leading the way), and then there's MIAA schools as they are always an arms-race there..Pitt, NW, and some others who are starting to get things going there. Outside the top funded teams, NIL isn't a D2 thing for the larger percent of the membership. This is a spot where a greater "have's and have nots" can really occur, honestly.

[MrMustang]

Pleasantly suprised byt he alarge number of kids we signed from successful winning programs. I think that is somethign we have been lacking in. it matters to have kids who are used to winning and know how to win.

We got multiple recruits from Byron, Marshall, and Mankato West

[Stanger86]

Pleasantly suprised byt he alarge number of kids we signed from successful winning programs. I think that is somethign we have been lacking in. it matters to have kids who are used to winning and know how to win.

We got multiple recruits from Byron, Marshall, and Mankato West

5 from Byron, 4 from Marshall, 3 from Mankato West.....definitely caught my eye.

[tman28]

No..at this point it's barely a thing in the NSIC. For example, that Coo Legacy Foundation is really former players (mostly) trying to help the program out with the challenge of operating expenses at the small college level. Bigger schools like Mankato have some small avenues for NIL..but in the NSIC the NIL isn't really a thing at this moment. I've heard a school or two mention they have something but we are talking about the less than $50,000 range and not something that's really going to attract or keep very many players.

The schools with true NIL in D2 right now are schools like Harding, Ferris (leading the way), and then there's MIAA schools as they are always an arms-race there..Pitt, NW, and some others who are starting to get things going there. Outside the top funded teams, NIL isn't a D2 thing for the larger percent of the membership. This is a spot where a greater "have's and have nots" can really occur, honestly.

I guess my question Matt, is how to best apply the funding for the benefit of the program/recruiting. Im guessing focusing on facilities?

[zimmy21]

Pleasantly suprised byt he alarge number of kids we signed from successful winning programs. I think that is somethign we have been lacking in. it matters to have kids who are used to winning and know how to win.

We got multiple recruits from Byron, Marshall, and Mankato West

Too bad Mankato East is now the power in Mankato Football. West has definitely taken a few steps back after their last state title in 2021.