VALLEY CITY, N.D. - Dennis McCulloch, Valley City State head football coach has announced that five transfers have joined the Viking brotherhood for the 2026 season. 

The group includes Wide Receiver Michael Cardonita of Melrose, New Mexico; Offensive Lineman Barrett Luce from Omaha, Nebraska; Defensive Back CJ Merritt Jr. of Minneapolis; Tight End Ryan French of Lansing, Kansas; and Offensive Lineman Kenneth Thompson from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Thompson is a 6-3, 280-pound Offensive Lineman. He is a St. Thomas More graduate (Milwaukee, WI). Thompson was a two-time all-conference player in football and won a state championship in basketball.  He appeared in 17 games for Concordia-Wisconsin, was 2nd Team All-Conference in the NACC during the 2025 season. 
 
Luce is a 6-4, 310-pound offensive lineman. He is a Millard South High School (Nebraska) graduate. Was a Class A All-State Honorable Mention. He comes to Valley City State from Wayne State in Nebraska. Luce played in 18 games, with one start while at Wayne State.
 
French, a 6-3, 230-pound tight end, is a Lansing High School graduate (Kansas). He was an All-Conference football and basketball player in high school. French attended William Jewell College in 2024 and 2025. Was a 2024-25 Academic All-GLVC award winner.
 
Cardonita is a 6-3, 190-pound wide receiver. He is a Melrose High School (New Mexico) graduate. Was the 8-Man Player of the Year his Senior Year. Totaled 29 Touchdowns and 1400 Receiving Yards. He began his career at Eastern New Mexico before transferring to New Mexico Military Institute.
 
Merritt Jr is a 6-3, 175-pound defensive back. He is a Minneapolis North graduate and attended Iowa Central in 2024 before transferring to Mesabi Range for the 2025 season. CJ played in 4 games for the Norse. Had 20 Tackles and 4 INTs. 
 
Valley City State ended the 2025 season at 6-4 overall, winners of two of the last three games of the season. The Vikings had a three-game winning streak early in the season. The Vikings finished fourth in the Frontier Conference East Division champions with a 3-3 division mark.