Jackrabbit Illustrated

Tucker Kraft was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL draft. In most programs this type of loss would lead to questions about how the offense will go on. However, the 2022 Jacks got a good look of life after Tucker and have many capable options ready to step up including a pre-season All-American and many talented young players. I connected with tight ends coach Chris Meyers to discuss his room. Meyers is now in his second season with the program and love the talented, smart, and playmaking group that he has.

#87 Zach Heins (6-7, 260, SR) chose to come back for his final season and use the COVID eligibility. In 2022, he had 29 receptions for 347 yards and 4 TDs and was the 3rd leading receiver for the Jacks. Meyers calls him Mr. Dependable and expects a big bump in production as “the guy” at the position. Due to a foot injury he suffered the day before the national championship game, Heins missed all of spring ball. Meyers said that he is now 100% healthy and ready to go. For years, coaches have raved about his soft hands and catch radius. For his career he has 68 receptions for 842 yards and 11 TDs. He really has a chance to eclipse the 100 career catch mark. I think he is sitting on a HUGE season. I have a similar feeling about #34 Mike Morgan (6-3, 235, SR). Morgan had just 7 receptions in 2022 but the one that people will always remember is the 44 yard catch and run in the National Championship game. Morgan has soft hands and great run after the catch ability. He’s been a running back, fullback, and tight end for the Jacks. Again, I think he has a big year in him. Meyers feels the same and loves what Mike can do with the ball in his hands! Meyers thinks Morgan is good enough to be an all-conference fullback this season. #44 Kevin Brenner (6-3, 240) is listed at tight end but he should be listed as football player. Due to Tucker’s injury last fall, Brenner split time between DE and TE to assist in short yardage blocking situations. He is now a full-time TE. I expect Brenner’s role to remain the same as an elite blocker. Meyers loves how physical Brenner plays and credits him for picking up the offense so quickly after moving over from DE. In addition to all of this, Brenner is still a special teams ace and it is awesome to see a man of his size make plays on kick coverage.

#83 David Alpers (6-6, 225), #88 Greyton Gannon (6-4, 215), and #89 Brody Gormley (6-7, 225) all had terrific true freshmen seasons and they earned multiple scout player of the week accolades. As I have previously shared, they were all attached to the word “special” throughout the season as I visited with folks close to the program. I think consistency and who can play special teams will go a long ways in determining who makes the travel roster and who stays home for this season. Meyers shared that Alpers has been impressive since he got to Brookings and that he has really gotten bigger and stronger. Meyers thinks that David is to the point where he needs live reps now. He will need to be ready this year but he will compete to start in 2024. Greyton Gannon was a high school quarterback and is really growing as a tight end. Meyers credits his football intelligence in helping him become a swiss army knife for the offense. He’s very athletic and good with the ball in his hands according to Meyers. Brody Gormley has been called an athletic freak by multiple coaches but he has struggled with injuries during his time in Brookings. If he can stay healthy the sky is the limit as Meyers says he is a top-1% type of athlete. He has increased his weight and now is around 240 pounds. This will be an important fall camp for Brody to show what he can do as a football player. #91 Hayden Muirhead (6-6, 230) walked onto the team last year. Meyers shared that he did not play football in high school at O’Gorman but was a standout basketball player. He is still learning the position but he is a big athletic kid who has the tools to become a really good player.

The Jacks added two highly regarded recruits to the best tight end room in the FCS this season. #49 Davin Stoffel (6-6, 215) and #81 Joey Neumann (6-4, 220) committed with days of each other last summer after fielding numerous offers. Stoffel was the recipient of the Al Toon Award in Wisconsin after a terrific senior season where he caught 51 passes for 1,013 yards and 17 TE. His linebacker tape is also incredibly fun and he showcased some tremendous athleticism with some ridiculous dunks on the hardwood. Neumann was a standout in his own right earning first team all-state in Illinois. He wrapped up his career with 49 receptions for 769 yards and 11 TD in a run heavy offense. Meyers is very excited about the potential of these two due to their intelligence, athleticism, and strength.

This room is so much fun and I can’t wait to see Heins and Morgan show out this year. However, I’m pumped to see these young guys perform too. There are such high expectations for this group. Coach Meyers certainly has a loaded room!

Go Jacks!

Matt