The Jackrabbit safety group is the deepest position group on the team in my opinion. Safety coach, Pete Menage agrees and emphasized how much this group pushes one another. He shared that this group is also extremely close and they take pride in coaching one another and making one another better, even if it may be at the expense of additional playing time for themselves. This group is experienced and are very knowledgeable about the defense and what advantage the offense is trying to leverage on any given play.
The room is led by senior #25 Cale Reeder (6-0, 190, SR). Menage believes he is one of the most underrated players in the country. In 2023 he recorded 58 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass defended and 1 forced fumble. His combination of physicality and coverage skills are special and he has become way more versatile during his time in Brookings. Menage knows he can rely on Reeder to make the right check and get the defense in the best spot possible. Part of the reason he is so underrated is because he fixes problems pre-snap that we never see as fans. When he’s on the field he just makes the whole defense better.
The other senior in the room is #14 Colby Huerter (6-1, 200, SR) who turned in a terrific 2023 season. Menage was really impressed with his growth over the course of the season. Colby is a sure tackler and provides a level of consistency. He racked up 42 total tackles, had 3 TFL, 1 INT, 2 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble. According to Menage, Huerter is a terrific coach and mentor for the younger guys and he also works hard to improve himself; movement and quickness being an area of emphasis.
No one burst onto the scene in 2023 quite like #1 Tucker Large (5-10, 180, JR) at both safety and punt returner. Because of his play, he has appeared in the top-5 on multiple “Top FCS Safety” lists this summer. Tucker earned All-MVFC Honors and appeared on a an All-American list after racking up 49 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 INT, 1 TD, and 13 passes defended. He was also an electric punt returner and averaged 19 yards per return on 21 attempts and had 1 TD. Defensively, Menage says that his ability to cover in the slot makes him a special safety because he is often matched up against the opponents best wide receivers. Even though Tucker is getting plenty of national attention Menage is proud that Tucker is still carrying forward with the attitude that makes this former walk-on such a special player. He has also earned the respect of his teammates as he was selected as a captain which is somewhat rare for a junior.
One of my personal favorite players is #23 Matthew Durrance (6-2, 210, JR). What he did last year on punt team was ridiculous and his punt block, scoop, and score vs. Villanova is a play that Jackrabbit fans will remember forever. When healthy, he is one of the fastest guys on the defense. He looks like a linebacker but he plays like a safety. He finished the season with 25 tackles and the blocked punt. Menage knows that Durrance could be a starter at a lot of other places and he will definitely get his chances this season because of what he can do in the box especially in nickel and dime defenses.
A breakout candidate for 2024 is #3 Dontay Johnson, 6-2, 180, SO). Many thought 2023 may have been Dontay’s year but it took awhile to get fully back from injury. Menage said Dontay is doing all the right things and his body is responding and he is adding weight and he has become noticeably faster. Dontay and Durrance formed a formidable group of punt gunners who allowed virtually no return yards to some of the most formidable punt returners in the FCS throughout the playoffs. Menage thinks Dontay may be the best cover guy in the room which will be critical. Dontay will certainly compete for reps in 2024!
#27 Noah Thompson (6-0, 185, SO) and #26 Kolten Tilford (5-9, 190, FR) are a pair of young guys who continue to get better. Noah ended spring really strong with a big hit forced fumble in one of the final practices and four tackles during the spring game. Tilford dealt with injuries during his freshman campaign but in the West Oregon game he made a ridiculous interception a play after nearly make another interception. Lots of talent is there. Both of these guys will compete for special teams reps this season.
The two incoming freshmen are #31 Trey Ridley (6-1, 190, FR) and Max Stanard (6-0, 195, FR). Trey was in Brookings for spring ball as an early enrollee. He certainly looks the part and closed out the spring game with an interception. Menage thinks he has the potential to be special for the Jacks and he has been impressed with the jump he has made from January until now. Max’s dad coaches the linebackers at Kansas State and he really has a great understanding of football. Menage credits him with being really versatile and said that he played in the slot, in the box, and was his high school teams punt returner.
Again, this group has five guys with plenty of experience and the young guys are chomping at the bit to get on the field. They are talented, fast, and physical. Maybe more importantly at the safety position, they are intelligent and good communicators to get people where they need to be. I’m looking forward to seeing this group again this season!
Go Jacks!
Matt
