Three more Byron football players announce college commitments

Jan. 6—BYRON, Minn. — The Byron-to-Marshall pipeline might need to be watched closely.

There's so much traffic in it, it could get plugged.

Monday night, Bears' star lineman Charles Jones became the fifth Byron football player to commit to Southwest Minnesota State University since mid-July.

"I am very excited to say I'm committed to continue my football and academic career at Southwest Minnesota State University!" Jones wrote on social media when he made his announcement. "I would not be where I am without my friends, family and incredible coaches with their support and guidance throughout my journey. Go Mustangs!"

Chuck Jones is also the second Byron player in eight days to commit to the Division II program in Marshall, Minn. Linebacker/running back Jake Jones announced his commitment to the Mustangs on Dec. 30.

"I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to continue my football career at Southwest Minnesota State University!" Jake Jones wrote. "I want to thank my family and coaches for their support and guidance throughout this journey. I can't wait to be a Mustang!"

Charles and Jake Jones join fellow Byron standouts Gabe Coshenet, Brevin Brakke and Ben Steele as SMSU commits.

Coshenet, a receiver, announced his commitment on Nov. 30, and Brakke followed with his announcement on Dec. 18. Steele, a defensive back and three-sport athlete, made his commitment in mid-July.

Charles Jones, a 6-foot-1, 270-pound senior center and the anchor of the Bears' line, was named the Skyway District-Brass Division Offensive Lineman of the Year, helping pave the way for Byron's offense to average 37.3 points per game. Bears coach Ben Halder described Jones after the season as "a great leader and student of the game."

Jake Jones is a 6-foot, 195-pound senior who had 50 tackles this season for the 9-1 Bears, who reached the Section 1, Class 4A championship game. Jones also had 10 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback sacks. Halder described him as a "vocal leader and a hammer for us on defense."

A day after Jake Jones made his announcement, Byron lineman Carter Meincke made his college decision public. Meincke, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound senior, will also play Division II ball in the NSIC, at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where Byron native Carter Geerts was named a First Team All-NSIC offensive lineman in 2025. Meincke announced his offer from UMD on Dec. 5, two days after Byron receiver/defensive back Evan Durst committed to Winona State.

Meincke as an honorable mention player on the Post Bulletin's All-Area Team last fall, after helping the Bears offense score more than 37 points per game and helping senior running back Carson Heimer top the 1,300-yard mark in just seven games played.

"I am excited and blessed to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth," Meincke wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account. "I would like to thank god, my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me get to where I am today."