DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team has made some additions to its roster with 13 new Bulldogs announced as signees. 
 
"It always feels great to end the recruiting cycle with a bang," Drake head football coach Todd Stepsis said. "In totality, this class is very complete with talent on both sides of the ball at every position. Our roster definitely has taken a step in the right direction and competition will be at an all-time high once all our new Dogs join us in the summer. Special thanks to our coaching staff and support staff for doing a fantastic job showing what we are all about and to our university and the city of Des Moines for being the best around. I can't wait to get started with this crew."
 
Parker Borer | RB | Albion, Neb. | Boone Central HS
Notes: Four-time All-State, All-District, and All-Conference performer … Posted a 2,000-yard season on the ground as a senior … Added 32 touchdowns and 2,600 all-purpose yards in final prep season … Member of 13-0 2023 Nebraska State Champions … Ran for 4,700 career yards with 74 touchdowns.
 
Blane Brakemeier | OL | Littleton, Colo. | Heritage HS
Notes: Four-time letter winner in football and two-time letter winner in track and field at Heritage … Named Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman … Two-time Second Team All-Rocky Mountain League … Second Team All-State offensive and defensive lineman … All-State Academic Honorable Mention … Evan Carlson Memorial Lineman of the Year Award recipient as a senior … recorded 54 pancake blocks as a senior … Reached state quarterfinals twice.
 
Brytan Gaddy | WR | Suphur, Okla. | Sulphur HS
Notes: Four-year starter for the Bulldogs … All-State by Class WR … Second and Third team Prep Redzone All-State performer … Multiple Player of the Week and Good Hands Play of the Week recipient … The Oklahoman Honorable Mention … Logged a career 51 receptions, 1,187 yards, 14 touchdowns, 21 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and four pass-break ups. 
 
Travis Gutierrez | OL | Phoenix, Ariz. | Pinnacle HS
Notes: Three-year varsity starter and letter winner … Allowed just two sacks in three seasons … All-District performer … Reached state quarterfinals twice and finished as state runner-up as a junior.
 
Spencer Halvorson | ATH | Phoenix, Ariz. | Pinnacle HS
Notes: Played in all three phases for the Pioneers … Amassed 129 all-purpose yards and 196 total tackles in his career.
 
Dominic McKibbin | OL | Normal, Ill. | Bloomington Central Catholic HS
Notes: Two-time First Team All-Illini-Prairie Conference offensive lineman … First Team All-Illini-Prairie Conference defensive lineman … First Team All-State offensive and defensive lineman … Pantagraph First Team All-Area defensive lineman … News Gaztte All-Illinois Team Special Mention … 25 WEEK News All-Matson Team … Collected Dr. Gary S. Johnson Inspiration Award … Helped lead Saints to 11-1 overall record and undefeated 9-0 league record and an outright conference title as a senior … Member of quarterfinal team … Varsity letter winner … Won JV Sportsmanship Award as a freshman.
 
Taye Proctor | DB/RET | Johnston, Iowa | Johnston HS
Notes: Two-time First Team All-CIML and All-District player for the Dragons … Named to All-State Second Team as a senior … member of multiple Iowa Class 5A state playoff teams … Made 85 total tackles, 59 solo tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, six picks, one sack, and four forced fumbles on defense … Returned seven total kickoffs for 215 yards and 15 punts for 167 yards.
 
Jackson Reasoner | OL | Third Lake, Ill. | Carmel Catholic HS
Notes: Earned All-Academic Award as a senior … Named Lifting Team Captain as a leader in the weight room.
 
DJ Stewart II | RB | Matteson, Ill. | St. Rita HS
Notes: 2023 First Team and 2022 Second Team All-Chicago Catholic League performer … 2023 Chicago Catholic League Prep Bowl MVP … 2023 Daily Southtown All-Area Special Mention … 2023 Jack Quinn Offensive MVP … Varsity letter winner … Two-time IHSA 7A State Runner-Up … Career 451 carries for 2,685 yards and 29 touchdowns.
 
Mekhi Toms | CB | Ahwatukee, Ariz. | Desert Vista HS
Notes: First and Second Team All-District … First and Second Team All-Academic … Second Team All-Region … Once earned National Football Foundation Southern Arizona Chapter High School Player of the Week … Totaled 110 tackles, 17 pass-break ups, two interceptions, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four tackles for loss, a sack, a touchdown reception, a blocked kick, and 162 return yards in his career.
 
Allen Tate | DE | Downers Grove, Ill. | Downers Grove North HS
Notes: Multi-sport athlete at Downers Grove North … Qualified for state football playoffs in multiple seasons and reached basketball final four.
 
Derek Verdone | DE | Geneva, Ill. | Geneva HS
Notes: Member of IHSA 6A Quarterfinalist team … Black and Blue Pride Team Award winner.
 
Armand Voloder-Munoz | OL | Itasca, Ill. | Lake Park HS
Notes: First Team All-DuKane Conference player … Lineman of the Year as a senior … Three-time Academic All-Conference … Varsity starter as a freshman.
 
The Bulldogs add these newcomers to a crop of 21 signees from the early signing period on Dec. 20.