DES MOINES, Iowa –The Drake women's basketball team has signed a trio of talented prospects to their newest recruiting class. The Bulldogs welcome Maggie Taylor, a South Dakota native, Peyton McCabe, a Nebraska native, and Grace Knutson from rival territory in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
  
Peyton McCabe is a 5'6" guard hailing from Blair, Neb. She has been a standout at Omaha's Skutt Catholic High School one of the premier programs in the state. McCabe has been named an All-Class B First Team and All-Class Second Team performer during her career as a SkyHawk. She currently holds the school's girls' basketball record for points in a game with 37 and has averaged nearly 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists with a three-point shooting percentage over 40% throughout her three-year varsity career.
 
Drake will also welcome a signee from enemy territory as Grace Knutson enters the Bulldog family. The Cedar Falls, Iowa native has had a lucrative prep career with multiple All-Conference, All-Region, All-District, and All-State nods as a sophomore and junior. Knutson was named the Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior and is closing in 1,000-career points at Cedar Falls High School. She owns the Tigers' record for most made three-pointers in a season (65) and is only six threes away from the all-time made three-pointers record. As a junior, Knutson averaged 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game.

Rapid City, S.D. native Maggie Taylor rounds out the Bulldogs' group of signees. The 6'2" forward has been a stellar multi-sport athlete on the Rangers' girls' basketball and volleyball teams. She has been selected as an All-Conference performer in both of those sports and currently holds the Hill City volleyball record for career blocks. Taylor has averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists per game. A team captain for her prep squad, Taylor has also competed on the AAU circuit for the SD Network.
 
 
Details about Drake's signees…
 
Grace Knutson – Cedar Falls HS – Cedar Falls, Iowa
 
"Grace has such a passion for the game and loves to be in the gym. Grace is one of the purest shooters I have ever coached and has a relentless drive to be successful. She has evolved into a great leader on and off the court and has set the example for her teammates. Grace's ability to play at all three levels on the offensive end is going to allow her to be successful at Drake. She has the ability to spread teams out with her shooting, mid-range jump shot, and can get to the rim. Her work ethic will fit in great with the team culture at Drake." – Gregg Groen, Cedar Falls High School coach
 
"Grace is an outstanding shooter and a great person. Her shot is extremely quick which allows her to get her shot off against any defender. Grace is a very smart player who understands the game and as a result makes whatever team she plays with better. Grace is a joy to be around, all the Drake fans will enjoy having Grace around. Her smile lights up the room and her skill set will fit the style of basketball that Drake plays." – Dickson Jensen, All-Iowa Attack coach
 
"Grace is a fantastic fit for our system. She has a very high motor on both ends, is super-fast and her love of the game shines thru every time she steps on the court.  Grace loves being in the gym.  She figures out ways to impact the game however her team needs her, and we are ecstatic she is a Drake Bulldog." -- Allison Pohlman, Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach
 
 
Peyton McCabe – Skutt Catholic HS – Blair, Neb.
 
"Peyton is a true inspiration to her teammates and coaches alike. Her relentless work ethic is a testament to her commitment to the game. Every day, she steps onto the court with an unmatched determination to improve herself. Early morning drills, late-night shooting, or giving her all in every game…her dedication is unwavering. Peyton will excel at the next level for Drake both on the court and in the classroom." – Kip Colony, Skutt Catholic High School coach
 
"Peyton is a competitor. She loves to win and will do whatever is asked of her to help her team win. Having coached Peyton for 6 years, it was clear practice after practice, game after game that Peyton desires to get better and competes all the time. Peyton is the type of player that any coach wants to have in the gym and on their team. Peyton is also a great shooter; she has worked hard to be a very accurate and a very deep shooter. Once she crosses half court, she is in range to make a 3 ball. Peyton is also the type of player that will be on the floor for a loose ball and always ready to make the right pass to her teammates to turn a good shot into a great shot. Drake university and its fans will love having her on the team." – Dickson Jensen, All-Iowa Attack coach 
 
"Peyton was one of those players that knew Drake was an amazing fit for her the first time she stepped on campus. She has a high basketball IQ, is able to stretch defenses with her range, and she makes others around her better.  She also loves dogs, so it is fitting that she's locked in as a Drake Bulldog." – Allison Pohlman, Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach
 
 
Maggie Taylor – Hill City HS – Rapid City, S.D.
 
"Maggie is an exciting player to watch because she is so multi-faceted. Her court sense is extremely keen, both offensively and defensively. She is also one of better passers I have seen in our program, despite her position. She's worked on her outside game the last few years which makes her a threat from both behind the arc and down low. She has been a great asset to the Rangers since middle school and it will be exciting to see how much more she will grow this year. It will be exciting to see how Maggie will contribute to Drake, and vice versa. Being around a group of athletes and having the mindset that she does will raise her ceiling even more and make her into a stronger player. She'll be exciting to watch for years to come." – Anna Eckert, current Hill City High School coach
 
"Having the opportunity to coach Maggie and witness her unrelenting work ethic is what sets her apart as a true leader on and off the court. I have no doubt that she has a bright collegiate future with the Drake Bulldogs and will be a great asset on the court as well as to the surrounding community." – Wade Ginsbach, former Hill City High School coach
 
"Maggie is one the hardest working kids I've had the pleasure to coach. When I met her three years ago, her dream was to play Division 1 basketball…with her determination and self-motivation she will get a chance to fulfill her dream. Maggie will not only be successful on the basketball court, but she will also be successful at whatever she decides to do in life." – Sean Ladd, S.D. Network Basketball Director
 
"Maggie adds a different state to our roster and our Drake faithful will absolutely love getting to know her and her skill set.  She is one of the most thoughtful, genuine, and kind people and her drive to want to learn and get better is just another impressive characteristic that Maggie possesses. Her size and versatility fit our system, so we are thrilled to have Maggie as a Drake Bulldog." – Allison Pohlman, Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach