HAYFIELD – Hayfield senior Cody Carpentier moved from Stewartville to Hayfield two years ago and next year he’ll be making an even bigger move. Carpentier has made his verbal commitment to play football at Southwest Minnesota State University next season as a walk-on.

Carpentier played a lot of defensive line this past season for the Vikings and he racked up 51 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and five sacks. Carpentier also had five fumbles forced and one fumble recovery. At SMSU, he may move back to linebacker, which is where Carpentier played for most of the 2013 season for Hayfield. He could also end up on the defensive line.

“I’m excited to play wherever they put me. Wherever they want me I’m going to give 110 percent,” Carpentier said. “It’s going to be fun. I think it’ll help improve my game and make myself a better player. The main goal is to bring a championship to Southwest.”

Carpentier also drew interest from Concordia-St. Paul and Augsburg, but he ended up going with the Mustangs, who went 3-8 last season.

“They made feel the most at home,” Carpentier said of SMSU. “I like the coaches and when I’ve been out there i’ts a nice place and feels the most at home.”

Carpentier will sign his national letter-of-intent with SMSU at Hayfield High School Wednesday.