Kasson-Mantorville football standout commits to Division I University of South Dakota – Post Bulletin

KASSON — A recent Kasson-Mantorville High School graduate has found his next home.

Standout K-M football player Caisen Thome has committed to continue his career at Division I University of South Dakota. The 2025 K-M graduate announced the news via his ‘X’ account late Saturday afternoon.

Thome is quite familiar with the program, with his father having played for the Coyotes.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back was originally committed to Division I JUCO Iowa Western Community College, but an offer from his father’s alma mater on May 20 was simply too good to pass up. Thome had originally picked Iowa Western over offers from Division I Stetson, Drake, Western Illinois, Mercyhurst, St. Thomas, Army West Point and the Air Force Academy. He also held Division II offers from Winona State and Augustana.

Thome had fought through multiple injuries throughout his prep career, but still rarely missed a game.

He was fully healthy last year, recording 25 total tackles with three interceptions — two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was often lethal anytime the ball was in his hands as the KoMets used him in a number of ways on offense and to return kicks. He showed off his versatility in a Section 1, Class 4A semifinal win against Faribault this past year, totaling four touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving and one on the game’s opening kickoff).

Thome started on Kasson-Mantorville’s Class 4A state runner-up team as a freshman.

He also played basketball and ran track for the KoMets.

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