They join four mid-year transfers as newcomers to the program. Morris said UNK will add more players to the roster this spring and summer.

The group features eight Nebraska natives and four players from Colorado. Other states represented includes Kansas (two), California, Florida and Texas (one each).

By position, the class includes seven linebackers or defensive backs, four wide receivers, two running backs, two offensive/defensive linemen, one tight end and one athlete.

The group includes running back Rustin Dring, the all-time leading rusher in Kearney High history. Helping the Bearcats win a Class A state title as junior, Dring rushed for 1,221 yards and 23 TDs this year before an injury ended his prep career in the playoffs.

Another area newcomer is linebacker Justin Swedburg of Axtell. The 2007 Kearney Hub Territory Defensive Player of the Year, Swedburg led the Wildcats in tackles (76) while also rushing for 1,096 yards and 14 TDs.

Also from the local area are running back Justin Luong (Cozad) and receiver Aaron Urbanski (Kearney Catholic) with linebacker Dan Janovich (Gretna) and corner Colby Henderson (Wakefield) coming in from Eastern Nebraska. UNK went just a little bit south into Kansas for linebacker Ethan Kuhlmann (Athol) and safety/outside linebacker Jared Hayes (Smith Center). Kuhlmann prepped at Kensington High School, home to former Loper standout kicker Darren Grauerholz.

UNK continued to mine talent from Colorado, adding linemen Matt Bellendir (Broomfield), athlete Patrick Kremer (Broomfield), receiver Sean Styerwalt (Centennial) and defensive back Trevor Toteve (Arvada).

Kremer joins four Standley Lake High graduates already on the Lopers.

As with previous classes, some recruits already have ties to UNK or Nebraska. Dring's older sister, Kelli, is an All-American track athlete for the Lopers. Jay Reicks (Petersburg) is a cousin of current senior defensive end Nate Reicks while offensive linemen Nathan Bryan (Katy, Texas) has an older sister, Claire, currently playing tennis for UNK.

Also, the uncle for wide receiver Brock Stonacek (Pierce), Troy, was an All-American defensive tackle for UNK in the 1980s. Finally, wide receiver Collin Hogan (Watsonville) is coming from California but his family is originally from Beatrice.

Rounding out the class is defensive back Justin Carlisle from Parkland, Florida, a town located just North of Fort Lauderdale. He'll be the third Floridian on the 2008 Lopers, joining receivers Eric Myrick (Jacksonville) and Tyrone Hilton Jr. (Miami).

2008 UNK Football Recruiting Class

Matt Bellendir (DL, 6-0, 260, Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield H.S.), Nathan Bryan (OL, 6-2, 280, Katy, Texas/Katy H.S.), Justin Carlisle (DB, 6-1, 180, Parkland, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons H.S.), Rustin Dring (RB, 6-0, 190, Kearney/Kearney H.S.), Jared Hayes (S/OLB, 6-0, 175, Smith Center, Kan./Smith Center H.S.), Colby Henderson (CB, 5-10, 165, Wakefield/Wakefield H.S.), Collin Hogan (WR, 5-11, 180, Watsonville, Calif./Monte Vista Christian H.S.), Dan Janovich (LB, 6-1, 205, Gretna/Gretna H.S.), Patrick Kremer (Athlete, 5-10, 1855, Broomfield, Colo./Standley Lake H.S.), Ethan Kuhlmann (LB, 6-3, 230, Athol, Kan./Kensington H.S.), Jason Luong (RB, 5-9, 160, Cozad/Cozad H.S.), Jay Reicks (TE, 6-4, 210, Petersburg/Elgin-Pope John H.S.), Sean Styerwalt (WR, 6-2, 180, Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.), Brock Stonacek (WR, 6-4, 180, Pierce/Pierce H.S.), Justin Swedburg (LB, 6-0, 210, Axtell/Axtell H.S.), Trevor Toteve (DB, 5-8, 170 Arvada, Colo./Arvada West H.S.), Aaron Urbanski (WR, 6-0, 180, Kearney/Kearney Catholic H.S.).

Hastings College announces recruits

HASTINGS Hastings College has announced that 11 players have committed to play for the Broncos next season.

The list includes a pair of future Broncos who hail from Hastings in St. Cecilia's Riley Nikkila and Hastings' Mike Zimmermamn. Nikkila is a 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker, while Zimmerman is a 5-11, 217-pound running back.

2008 Hastings College Recruiting Class

David Chochon (WR, 6-1, 205, Nebraska-Omaha), Adam Dutcher (G, 6-3, 300, Iowa Central), Spenser Jeshani (T, 6-4, 365, Iowa Central), Tyler Kennedy (LB, 6-0, 190, Phillipsburg, Kan./McPherson College), Mike Zimmerman (FB/HB, 5-11, 217, Hastings H.S.), Riley Nikkila (LB, 6-0, 200, Hastings St. Cecilia H.S.), Kaleb Christensen (RB, 5-8, 175, Columbus Lakeview), Tom Van Haute (T, 6-4, 250, Omaha Gross), Matt Peter (C, 6-3, 250, Winside), Cody Swanson (DE, 6-3, 230, Iowa Central), Will Highfield (ATH, 6-2, 190, Lincoln Northeast/SCC).