I got to visit with new wide receivers coach, and Jackrabbit alum, Jake Menage about his room. This room is exciting because there is so much new and unknown to the room but yet stable with the presence of two multi-year starters. Menage said the competition to see who steps up will be exciting to watch. From my visit with him it is clear that this room is full talent, athleticism, and guys who love to play football. This is a position group to watch this fall!
The Jackrabbits top 2 receivers return in #10 Jaxon Janke (6-3, 210, SR) and #1 Jadon Janke (6-3, 210, SR) and both were MVFC second team selections in 2022. This duo was unstoppable at times in 2022 and has already been named to the Shrine Bowl watch list. Coach Menage credits these two for their competitiveness and the smoothness that they play with. Both are physical with Jaxon have a strong ability to make contested catches while Jadon maybe has a little more run after the catch ability. Jaxon ended the year with 60 receptions for 857 yards (14.3 avg) with 9 TDs. Jadon had 774 yards and 6 TDs off of 51 receptions. Jaxon now has 193 career receptions, 2,859 yards and 24 TDs. Jadon has 113 career receptions for 1,854 yards and 20 TDs.
The other holdover who contributed last season is #15 Devon Cole Jr (5-9, 165, Jr). He finished with just 4 receptions for 29 yards but he saw his playing time increase throughout last season and I think he is in line for a jump. Coaches have praised his toughness and route running. Menage is excited to see what Cole can do with an expanded role in 2023. Again, he pointed to his toughness and love for football as two of his top traits.
The next group of players are guys who were on the roster last year but did not see any action. #12 Grahm Goering (6-2, 190, So) had a great catch and run in the spring game and according to Menage, that was just the culmination of a really big spring. Goering has the ability to play on the inside or outside and Menage shared that he is dynamic with the ball in his hands. #36 Dane Miller (6-3, 180, RFr) was recognized as someone who took a big jump this spring and is still learning the position after converting from quarterback in high school. All of the physical tools are there and Menage thinks he will continue to develop and reach a pretty high ceiling. #86 Patrick Hoffman (6-1, 200, Jr.) was Mark Gronowski’s high school teammate and Menage worked with him previously at NIU. Hoffman offers consistently great effort. They tried him at multiple spots this spring so that can be knowledge about the entire passing game.
The next trio are guys the Jacks added via the transfer portal. Most of the evaluation is from tape as none of them were here for spring ball. The Jacks added UND transfer #2 Marcus Preston (6-2, 195, Jr.) via the transfer portal. Preston is another big bodied receiver who was recognized as a great blocker. Preston caught 29 passes for 285 yards over 3 seasons in Grand Forks. I’m very intrigued by his potential in this offense. Menage says he got to Brookings this summer and has really worked hard. He knows what it takes to win in the MVFC and Menage thinks he will contribute this fall. The next transfer is #19 Elijah Ervin (6-2, 190, JR) from Snow College. Ervin had 28 receptions for 435 over two years at Snow. His highlight tape shows a player who can make the highlight catch and Menage says he has really strong hands. Menage is excited about Ervin’s physicality and how he uses his body. Finally, the Jacks added #82 Ky Oday Jr. (5-11, 175, RFr) from Colorado State. Oday was injured in his lone season in Fort Collins but appears to be fully healthy. If he is indeed healthy, he possesses elite speed. Oday could be a factor in the return game early in his Jackrabbit career.
The Jacks brought in four preps as part of the 2023 recruiting class. Menage is excited about these four and plenty of good things to say about each one. #18 Griffin Wilde (6-2, 180) dominated the past two seasons at Sioux Falls Jefferson. His former high school coach and former Jackrabbit, Vince Benedetto, heaped praise on him for his work ethic and route running ability. Menage is excited about his future because of the natural talent, skill, and work ethic that he possesses. He had 100 receptions for 1,858 yards and 22 TDs in his last two seasons. #80 Kentrell Prejean (5-10, 165) signed in the late period and showed some ridiculous catch and run ability. Prejean is out of Louisiana and looked like the best athlete on the field on a regular basis. His senior year he had 70 receptions for 1,304 yards and 14 TDs. Menage thinks that he may be the most unique wide receiver the Jacks have had and we struggled to pinpoint a former player that he may be like. #84 Joseph Randle (6-3, 205) is a player I’m really excited about! Randle is a big bodied, physical receiver that has an incredible ability to make contested catches. In his senior season he caught 53 passes for 1,003 yards and 18 TDs. Menage says he moves really well for a big receiver. Rounding out the group is #85 Joe Roll (5-9, 185). He is a scrappy do whatever it takes to win type of player. Coming from a winning program like Gretna means that Roll knows what it takes to be successful. He was injured his senior season but finished his junior year with 55 receptions for 877 yards.
After the Janke’s I’m not sure what to expect from this room in 2023. There is only so much football to go around. What made former Jackrabbits Canyon Bauer and AJ Coons great in this system was their willingness to do the dirty work in the run game and to block downfield for the Janke’s. Landon Wolf provided leadership that was raved about from everyone close to the program. Will the new transfers be able to fill these roles or will one of the returning guys emerge or will one of the freshmen fight their way into the lineup. This is one of the most interesting position groups to watch!
Go Jacks!
Matt