Good morning, good evening, good afternoon, or good whatever time and place you may be reading this from. I am writing this from near Silver Lake, Michigan. My first article for JI as an alumnus of the yellow and blue. I was thankful to be able to be at the glorious day in January when our Jackrabbits finally broke through. I do not have the time to go over fifty things about the 2023 team as I did with the 2022, but I have settled on fifteen as that is how many wins we need to run the table and solidify our hype as the number one team in the FCS. You can follow me on Twitter at @JackHusker27
- Has there been anywhere close to as much hype for a Jackrabbit team anywhere before? I’m thinking all sports here. The amount of All-Americans and NFL draft prospects has people around the country’s attention grabbed and put at an all-time high. This is both exciting and daunting knowing that a certain team had the same expectations last year and we all know how that turned out.
- I’m going after the elephant in the room. I do not want FBS for the time being. However, with how fast the college football world moves, I understand if it is best for us to be in the best position we can be in. I have had the privilige with being in several classes with Justin Sell, the AD of South Dakota State University. A lot of the recent exposure from both the Pride of the Dakotas’ trip to New York, the WNIT in Spring 2022, and the championship in Frisco, Jackrabbit Athletics is debatably in the best spot it has ever been.
- What, if anything, does Jimmy Rogers change about how the program is ran? I don’t expect that much to change but it will be interesting to see how Coach Stig involved his players in both the SDSU and Brookings communities in so many ways, such as the Hobo week festivities and service projects. I’m very interested in seeing how he handles the media responsibilities and a lot of the in game scenarios that can occur through a game, particularly in the nitty-gritty scenarios that occur. Also, if anyone is reading this from the athletic department, can we get a mic’d up Coach Rogers for fall camp?
- How does Jackrabbit nation show up in 2023? The home schedule is loaded with good games from the September to November, and hopefully into December once again. The fans came out in droves throughout the regular season before the playoffs hurt a lot of attendance averages (Montana State was very hard to travel to for anyone until like a day before the game, or the night before) but the Jacks continued to win with the absolute difference makers in the stands for the playoff run.
- What are the biggest hinderances to getting back to Frisco? This is what my dad suggested, so shoutout to him for reading and love you! I can think of a few possibilities. One would be injuries, as long as the season is, there will be some, but the Jacks will need depth at some key positions (more about that later), as well as staying disciplined in key situations of games in all phases of the game. The Jacks will also need some players to step up to be ready when their name is called, as others may draw more attention. Off the field issues also need to be minimized. The team is so connected with all of the chemistry but hurting what has been built can be so dangerous.
- What are the deepest positions on the Jackrabbit roster? I would say that is either running back, the entire chain gang, or the linebacker room. I would not be surprised to see the Jacks with 2 1,000 yard rushers at the season’s end. The chain gang is the one group to get an FBS transfer and I think Blake Peterson will make a lot of plays this year in a way like a Reese Winkelman did. The linebackers return so much high quality starting experience and have some intriguing guys at all positions and can make plays at any time.
- What Jackrabbit positions am I a little worried about as far as depth? I would say wide receiver, quarterback, and offensive line. I would say WR is slightly less of a concern as I could see the Jacks operating a lot out of 2 tight ends and the Jankes sets, but there are not many who have played significant snaps for the Jacks outside of those two. Quarterback is similar except for Mark. I think Chase Mason has sky the limit potential but I hope to see him get some good reps in game action this year. The #605Hogs are the best OL group without a question in the country, but who is the 6th guy if one were to go down? I can’t say I know that question right now but I am looking forward to seeing if any rotations emerges on the right side of the line.
- Who is this year’s breakout candidate? I thought last year was going to be Tyler Feldkamp, and he’s now at Campbell. I may be cheating with this answer but I think Zach Heins has a monster year. I’m thinking 60+ catches, 750+ yards and at least 7 touchdowns. This should be good enough for seeing the guy drafted, as Kraft’s breakout campaign was 65-773-6. And to think that Kraft went in the 3rd round with one full year of health. I have no doubt Heins can do the same. Other players that are due for a breakout season could be any number of different new pass catchers, just looking at the talent makes me think one of them could show out early and hopefully often.
- I asked this question last year and the answers may still be the same due to roster continuity. Who are your favorite Jackrabbits on the roster now? In no particular order, give me Mark Gronowski, DyShawn Gales, Zach Heins, Saiveon Williamson, Garret Greenfield, Graham Spalding, Adam Bock, Zach Heins
- How good can Hunter Dustman be? Hunter Dustman won the Jacks the MVFC title in Cedar Falls with his field goal. I am very curious to see how he continues to improve his craft at all three positions of kickoffs, placekicking, and punting. I particularly want to see if he can expand his range on the field goals as he seems good from 45 yards in but outside that seems a little questionable. I also wonder if the Jacks will use some of their additional depth to keep the Jankes and Davis off the field in the return game. Ball security is important as well as getting advantage in the field position can make the difference in some games.
- What is Mark Gronowski’s ceiling? Mark was in line for the Jerry Rice award as a freshman but I think we saw him back at full health by the end of the season last year. If he picks up where he left off, and continues to get the support from the rest of the offense, there could be plenty of reason to give it to Mark, particularly if the Jacks are in contention, and Mark has to be limiting turnovers and bad mistakes, something that the offense as a whole needs to look at as a collective group.
- What is the biggest weakness as a team? Historically looking back at previous Jacks’ teams, the deep pass has been a struggle. Big plays particularly early on can give the opponents some hope, as well as the fake punts and other short yardage things that can cause our defense to have drives go on longer tiring them out. The MVFC now has the Jacks has the main target so we will get everyone’s best shot. I think the Jacks also need to be able to be more scoring more touchdowns in the red zone, something that I said last year as well.
- How does the Target Field experience go? The Jacks should beat Drake by 35+ but how will the attendance, pre-game experience, operations, and more go? I think Jacks will draw 30K at least to the game. The weather should be beautiful for the middle of September and Jacks have a great contingent in the Twin Cities should lead to the Jacks drawing a great crowd. Pre-game should be great, follow @JackrabbitBookClub for all of your needs for that.
- Are you taking over or under 85 rushing yards allowed per game by this run defense? The Jacks run defense is one of the most fearsome units in all of the FCS, and I think could even stop some of the FBS units. It helps play in their favor that the MVFC loves to run to the ball, but the Jacks are so good all around where they can stop the run very easily against most of their opponents.
- Do the Jacks run the table? 1-0 each week. 15 times over. Against one of the hardest conferences in the FCS? The Jacks have the unity as a team, proven they can win with most of last year’s talent present, they have the targets on their backs, the depth that is there, but just simply the attitude that made last year’s team so fun to watch.
Go Jacks!
Joshua Hofman
Josh is a recent graduate of SDSU and a super fan of the Jackrabbits!