Cliff Johnson is among 13 seniors who will join the large number of returners to the University of South Dakota Coyote football program as they signed student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.

Other players include: Carter Bell of Bettendorf, IA, Ryan Bena of Omaha, NE, Brady Booker of LaSalle, Ill., Cori Fant Jr., of Tampa, Fla., Robert Ford III of St. Peters, MO, Nick Gaes of Alta, IA, D.J. Gross of McCook, NE, Blake Holden of Watertown, Jake Larsen of Harrisburg, Joey Lombard of Anoka, MN and Jontrell Olliver of Tampa, Fla.

South Dakota head football coach Bob Nielson expects an additional group to be added in February as the NCAA mandates a dead period in recruiting now through January 10 with a second signing period date of February 6.