Jackrabbit Illustrated

If you know me, I’m always looking to the future. As I have stated time and time again, roster building and recruiting is what I am really passionate about. Obviously the team loses plenty of talent but there are also highly regarded players waiting in the wings. Here is a WAY to early preview of each position.

Quarterback

• Key Loss: None
• Key Returners: As it stands now, the Jackrabbits bring back their top-3 quarterbacks. Mark Gronowski has a chance to become the all-time winningest starting QB at the FCS level. Chase Mason continues to be an intriguing backup that oozes athleticism and Jon Bell should have mastery of the playbook at this point. I’ve continued to hear good things about Jeff Becker and Jack Amer. Becker won scout player of the week at least 4 times this season. Amer certainly looks the part of a D1 QB.
• Key Additions: None

Running Back

• Key Losses: Isaiah Davis and Derrick Johnson
• Key Returners: Amar Johnson and Angel Johnson should form a nice 1-2 punch. Amar had a solid season and showed up on an All-American list as an All-Purpose player. I’m very curious to see how he performs as a lead back. Angel Johnson seemed to put it all together in 2023 and emerged as a true homerun threat. Now can he take another big step and become an elite player. Derrick Johnson was expected to be the “big back” in the backfield but he entered the transfer portal before the playoffs begin. Depth is a bit unknown here but Isaac Kracl, Kirby Vorhees, and Brenden Begeman are intriguing.
• Key Additions: They won’t be here for the spring but Maxwell Woods and Quin Renfro are as talented of freshmen running backs as we have seen. Obviously, it would be ideal to redshirt them but the best players should play.

Wide Receiver

• Key Losses: Jadon Janke and Jaxon Janke
• Key Returners: Griffin Wilde, Grahm Goering, Marcus Preston, and Devon Cole Jr. all ended the season as contributing members of the Jackrabbit offense. They all had niche roles on this offense but who emerges to be “the man” that the Jackrabbits have continuously had at the wide receiver position in the D1 era. Obviously, Wilde seems like the most obvious candidate but I really liked what Grahm Goering did with his opportunities this fall + he has already shown to be one heck of a blocker. I am excited to see what Elijah Ervin, Ky Oday Jr. and Kentrell Prejean can do with additional reps. Many weeks, one member of this trio won a scout team award.
• Key Additions: None. I expect all of the talented incoming freshman to redshirt but if needed, I think Sammy Dresie could contribute.

Tight End

• Key Losses: Zach Heins and Mike Morgan
• Key Returners: Kevin Brenner is truly a dominant blocker at the H-back position and he did show nice hands when given the opportunity. We did get to see the truly elite size/speed of Brody Gormley late in the season on special teams kick coverage. I am so excited to see what he can do with another offseason. Greyton Gannon was Mr. Consistent and was dressed for every game this year and contributed on special teams. David Alpers battled injuries but he sounded like the most well rounded in previous conversations. I think people are REALLY excited for Davin Stoffel and Joey Neumann but we have not seen them in action yet. This will be a BIG spring campaign for this entire group.
• Key Additions: None. I expect all freshmen to redshirt and get stronger and bigger. If the young guys struggle this spring and appear not to be developing, I would expect the Jacks to dip into the portal and add an experienced grad transfer.

Offensive Line

Key Losses: Garret Greenfield, Mason McCormick, John O’Brian, and Jharrett Bloomenrader

Key Returners: Returning the Rimington Award winner at center in Gus Miller is a good place to start. Evan Beerentsen has been rock solid at right guard over the past two seasons and I expect him to gain some recognition for how well he has performed. At this point, I think Jalen Lee, William Paepke, Ethan Vibert battle it out at the left guard position. The tackle position is up in the air but I expect some combination of Dawson Rudd, Colby Christensen, Quinten Christensen, and Bo Donald to start. There are lots of young guys in this group and it wouldn’t shock me if any of them emerged.

Key Additions: Marcus Hicks will push to play at tackle if he can stay healthy. He is in Brookings for the spring. I think incoming freshman Shane Willenbring could contribute.

Defensive Line

• Key Losses: Cade Terveer, Caden Johnson, Quinton Hicks, Ryan Van Marel and Brian Williams
• Key Returners: I fully expect the Jacks to continue to platoon at this position. The rise of the Jackrabbits has revolved around dominant defensive line play. I’m concerned about defensive end where really it is just Zac Wilson returning with experience. Blake Peterson played a bit before his season ending injury. Dawson Ripperda and Levi Vanden Bos also saw some snaps this season and I believe Vanden Bos even played against Montana. Randy Keumogne is finally healthy but the production just hasn’t been there. Can he at least become a pass rush specialist? Jimmy brought up Reis Kirschenman as a freshman standout earlier in this season. Aiden Murphy won a scout award a few times this fall. Someone will need to emerge from this group to start opposite Wilson and others will have to improve to make sure this unit lives up to its past.
• On the interior, I really like what the Jacks return in Jarod DePriest, Max Baloun, Logan Green, and Aaron Wolfcale-Holsten. DePriest can be downright dominant when he wants to be. I think Jace Sifore and Bryce Hawthorne become part of the rotation next fall as I know coaches were excited about Hawthorne last August and Sifore appears to have really made a jump. Defensive tackle is a really solid group in my opinion.
• Key Additions: Incoming players Bennet Lihs and JR Lecuona are two dudes on the interior. Bennet will be here for the spring after spending the fall at a prep-school. Lecuona looked like a man among boys at the high school level. Defensive end should be a position they target in the transfer portal.

Linebackers

• Key Losses: Jason Freeman, Isaiah Stalbird, and Saiveon Williamson
• Key Returners: Adam Bock can hopefully stay healthy and return to All-American form. His play in the natty reminded all Jackrabbit fans what a healthy Bock looks like. He’ll be flanked by returning players Graham Spalding, Caleb Francl, and Daeton Mcgaughy. Even with losing 3 talented seniors, this may be the most talented linebacker corp in the FCS. I expect Bryce Johnson to push Spalding for reps. I think Aaron Kusler will continue to have a role in the heavy package. I really am excited to see what Chase Van Tol, Cullen McShane, Kytan Fyfe, Joe Ollman, and Trevor Scott can bring to the table. All contributed on special teams this season.
• Key Additions: The Jacks bring in some wickedly talented linebackers in the freshmen class. I expect all to redshirt and gain strength and knowledge of the defense. Given the depth of talent at this position, I do not anticipate an addition.

Cornerback

Key Losses: DyShawn Gales

Key Returners: Dalys Beanum will be an All-American in 2024 and will likely set the career interceptions record at SDSU. Myles Taylor, Steven Arrell, Jalen B. Lee, and Aydan Dautermann are going to be in one heck of a battle to start opposite Dalys. All played and they played well this season. I was really impressed with what Taylor in particular did in the playoffs when he was locked up with some tremendous wide receivers. Hopefully Arrell can return to form after his shoulder injury. His size is truly unique. Lee and Dautermann played well in limited snaps this season. I’m excited to see them continue to grow with Coach Banks!

Key Additions: In a bit of a surprise move, the Jacks only added one corner in the early signing period and it was NAU transfer Colby Humphrey. He played in 20 games for the Lumberjacks and had solid production. He will have 2 years of eligibility left I believe.

Safety

• Key Losses: None
• Key Returners: Everybody is back from this group which is the best safety group in the FCS. I think Coach Menage does a wonderful job of coaching/managing this group. Cale Reeder is so underrated for his solid and steady play. He goes unnoticed because he doesn’t always flash but his consistency is part of why this defense is great. Tucker Large is dynamic and just has a nose for the football. Colby Huerter, Matthew Durance and Dontay Johnson will all see action as this position rotates frequently and all have flashed in their time as Jackrabbits. Durrance and Johnson in particular are terrific special teams players. A player to watch is Kolten Tilford. Early in the season he looked electric and made plays.
• Key Additions: Trey Ridley is a 3-star recruit from Kansas. He is enrolling early and will be a star for the Jackrabbits eventually.

Special Teams

• Key Losses: None
• Key Returners: The field goal operation wasn’t always the cleanest this year but Hunter Dustman (kicker), Jon Bell (holder), and Kaydon Olivia (LS) all return for another season together. The Jackrabbit return and coverage units were so good this season and most of those guys return. With Amar Johnson and Griffin Wilde becoming starters on offense, I assume new kick returners must be found. I think someone like Ky Oday would be a good bet and maybe we’ll see more of Angel Johnson at kick returner too. Coach Cashmore did a terrific job in his first season.
• Key Additions: Again, I think guys like Kolten Tilford and Chase Van Tol will find roles on special teams while they wait their turn to start on defense.

Again, we will find out more throughout spring ball but this should be a good overview before it even begins for all of you roster building junkies like me.

Go Jacks!

Matt