Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Tysen Kershaw of Fort Dodge signs his Northern Iowa letter of intent with his father, Robert, and mother, Cori, by his side at FDSH on Wednesday.

A recruit’s journey is often filled with complicated emotions and difficult decisions.

Tysen Kershaw experienced plenty of both in the process of choosing a college. Ultimately, Fort Dodge’s standout receiver followed his heart and officially signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play football at the University of Northern Iowa.

It wasn’t an easy choice for the two-time first team all-stater, who had originally given a verbal commitment to the University of South Dakota. When Panther head coach Mark Farley made one final push for the 6-foot-3 Kershaw’s services last week, though, the offer from the Dodger’s first love became too good to refuse.

“They have a really strong track record (in Cedar Falls), and when I went there for my official visit, I talk to the players and they (talked about getting) treated right,” said Kershaw, who finished his career ranked in the Top-10 all-time for receptions, yards and touchdowns in Class 4A history. “They also have a really good business school, and that’s what I want to major in.”

Kershaw is set to become the first FDSH grid athlete in 23 years to join the Panther program. After a virtual pipeline sent players like Tim Mosley, Alonzo Clayton, Nate Zehr, Matt Zehr and Terry Reiners from Fort Dodge to the UNI-Dome during the Terry Allen era, the well ran dry for all intents and purposes until this week.

“It’s truly an honor to receive (the scholarship offer), but it feels good to know I’ve earned it,” said Kershaw, who joined Sam Cook last month as the only multi-time Dodger first team all-staters in school history. “Hopefully, I’m setting a path for future Dodgers to follow.”

Kershaw admitted the hardest part was breaking the news to the USD coaching staff. Being a full hour closer to home played a factor in the flip, as well as having a longer vested personal interest in the UNI program.

Once a full scholarship offer arrived from Farley himself, Kershaw was ready to join the Panther train.

“(South Dakota) treated me right throughout the recruiting process. They have a great program,” Kershaw said. “I still have a lot of respect for them, and wish them nothing but the best moving forward.

“I learned that good things come with time, and I have to have patience. I’m just looking forward to building new relationships and meeting all the guys on the team.”

This past season, Kershaw had 49 catches for 606 yards and eight touchdowns. The three-year starter became the first Dodger ever to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark for his career, finishing with 149 receptions for 2,145 yards and an FDSH-best 24 scores.

Kershaw is also an all-conference basketball player, and a state track performer. He picked the Panthers over USD, a handful of other FCS schools, and a preferred walk-on offer from Iowa State.