A Pella High School junior who had a breakout season on the gridiron and the wrestling mat this academic year, and would have likely done the same in the throwing circle this spring, is getting the early jump on the college selection process.

Kody Huisman announced Tuesday he is committing to the powerhouse North Dakota State Bison program in Fall 2021. Huisman says he wanted to make the choice on a college before his senior season to be able to enjoy everything about that experience, and at the same time, join a team he felt at home at.

“They’ve been recruiting me very hard, and it’s been a great experience for me personally–I love their campus and coaching staff, they’re really involved with their players, and it just seems like it’s going to be a great fit for me, and I can’t wait to be repping the green and gold.”

NDSU is one of the most successful football programs regardless of division in the NCAA, as the school has won eight of the last nine NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national championships.

Huisman will be among the leaders of a talented group of athletes in the Pella High School class of 2021. Kody racked up 21.5 tackles for loss in 2019 for the Dutch football team as a defensive end–good for fifth most in Class 3A, which earned him First-Team All-State Recognition. In his first year as a wrestler, Huisman qualified for the state meet in the 220 pound weight class, and last spring, placed 11th in Class 3A in the discus throw at the state track and field meet.