Wyler Broeker is able to express himself on a football field.

The Mexico senior won’t have to give up the sport after signing to play with NCAA Division III Monmouth College (Illinois). Broeker had his signing ceremony on Friday at the Mexico Sports Complex.

Broeker said he is interested in agribusiness, but because Monmouth doesn’t have it, he plans to go in undecided or study business. He said he had to go to Monmouth after seeing what it offered. Plus, Broeker said Monmouth is about two and a half hours away, so it isn’t too far away from home.

Wyler Broeker Signing Photo Gallery

“The coaches and community helped a lot,” Broeker said about his decision. “It’s a really solid program. They’ve got good players all over the roster with great coaches. It’s overall a very good fit for me.”

Broeker had his best season during the Mexico defense’s best season in four years at 26.3 points allowed per game. He was named first team North Central Missouri Conference and all-district in Class 4 District 5 after finishing with 50 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Broeker played offense and defense like many others on the team. He said has stuck with football since third grade because he loves the physicality, especially on defense.

“I really love playing defense,” Broeker said. “It’s a really good way for me to express myself. I express myself through football.”

Broeker’s four sacks tied Leighton Hilderman for the team lead, and he ranked second on the team in tackles for loss. He said he embraced the senior role and played with a great group of players this season to help the Bulldogs finish with their first winning record (6-5) in four years.

Head coach Steve Haag said Broeker is another example of a kid who will enjoy playing football while earning a college education, which he always loves to see.

“Wyler has improved every year, both physically and as a football player,” Haag said. “I believe he still has room to grow, and as he continues to get stronger and matures, he will become an even better football player.”

Being a good defensive lineman requires obvious things such as strength, but Broeker said there is much more that helps someone find the ball carrier as well as he did this past season. He said he was coached well by defensive coordinator Travis Simmons.

“A lot of it is experience,” Broeker said. “Anybody can hit big. It’s how you use that and what you use it for. Anybody can make a big tackle, but did you do your job? There’s a lot of steps to it. It’s a lot of practice and a lot of stuff over the summer that you got to work for.”

Haag said Broeker brings a lot of intelligence and intensity to the team and that has helped in his development.

“Over the past two years, he has developed a level of intensity that elevated him into a standout defensive lineman while also making him a valuable contributor on the offensive side of the ball,” Haag said. “If he continues to carry that same intensity and discipline both on and off the field, he will be a tremendous asset to Monmouth.”

Broeker’s senior season was his best season, but Broeker hopes it was just his best season so far. He always thinks he can do better, and that’s what he’ll try to do at Monmouth and his college football career. 

Broeker even has eyes on Mizzou because he said that was a goal he had in high school. No matter where he is, he said wants to make the most of this opportunity to play NCAA football.

“I would just like to focus on building myself up,” Broeker said. “NCAA is further than some people made it. I’m young and like to go through experiences. It’s a great opportunity, and it’s something that’s going to be good.”