Local standouts Freeburg, Brenneman sign to Chadron State football

OSHKOSH, Neb. - Chadron State College added strong regional talent to its 2026 football recruiting class, highlighted by Carsten Freeburg of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, and Lane Brenneman of Chappell, as part of a 39-player National Signing Day class announced Wednesday.

The Eagles signed 32 high school student-athletes who will join the program in fall 2026, along with seven transfers expected to participate in spring ball.

“We brought in young men who are athletic, excel in the classroom, compete at a championship level and fit our culture,” head coach Jay Long said. “This group gives us a strong foundation for the future of Eagle football.”

Freeburg comes to Chadron State following a standout career at Pine Bluffs High School. He earned 1A all-state honors, was a two-time 1A Southeast all-conference selection, and was named the most valuable player of the 2024 Wyoming Class 1A state championship game. Freeburg helped lead Pine Bluffs to a state title and was a key playmaker in the secondary throughout his high school career.

Brenneman brings championship experience from Garden County High School, where he was named a first-team all-state defensive lineman and earned honorable mention all-state recognition as a kicker. He played a central role on Garden County’s 2025 Nebraska six-man state championship team, the first football title in school history, and was a three-time letterwinner in basketball.

The 2026 signing class includes players from six states and features 19 defensive signees, including 10 defensive linemen.

“We felt like we addressed our immediate needs with our transfers, and then focused on recruiting our core surrounding states,” Long said.