The Jackrabbits are doing something different at the linebacker position this year.  Coach Zane Busekist is in his second year leading the group but the Jacks have split off the Sam linebackers are they are now with Coach Jade Lawrence.  This is slightly different as the Will, Mike, and Sam have typically been together.  However, the responsibilities of the Sam are so much different than the other two that it really does make sense to have them separate.

Mike and Will

In this defense, the Mike and Will are very similar.  Talking to Coach Busekist gives me confidence that this group will be even better than they were in 2025.  He said that there was a lot of unknown about the group entering last season with most of the guys previously just having mop up duty or special teams experience.  However, they are all aware of the high expectations that Jackrabbit fans have for this group and appreciate the history that this group has.

#5 Cullen McShane (6’2, 225, SR) is certainly the vocal leader of this group.  Cullen is intense.  It doesn’t matter if it is in a game or practice.  McShane finished the season second on the team with 88 tackles, 7.5 TFl, and a sack along with 2 PBUs and 4 QBH.  Cullen battled through injuries last season and missed spring ball while recovering.  I was recently at a practice and I can say that he is in great shape and looks 100% healthy.  Coach Busekist said that he had a good offseason and that Cullen brings so much fire and passion to the group.

Another senior is #11 Joe Ollman (6’1, 230, SR) who led the team in tackles last season with 94 total stops.  He halso had 8.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 5 QBH, and 3 forced fumbles.  Ollman fully embraced his chance to start and did a great job.  Ollman does find himself in major competition to start and that has caused him to elevate his game and leadership this season.  Coach Busekist said that whether Ollman starts or not, he will see the field plenty as this unit aims to get to the playoffs healthy vs. as battered as they were last season.

A player who may have had the best offseason is #33 Bryce Johnson (6’3, 220, SR).  Bryce has always looked like a cyborg but according to Busekist, this is the fastest and strongest he has been.  He said that Bryce does his work in the dark and doesn’t try to create a lot of flash or buzz.  He can play both the Mike and Will and is very smart.  He also shared that Bryce is planning to head to med school when he is done playing.  Busekist said that Bryce is just mature and so reliable as a person and player.  He finished last season with 39 tackles and 2 TFL.  Bryce was playing his best ball at the end of last season.  Let’s see if it carries over!

Former USF transfer #9 Matt Goehring (6’1, 225, SR) also has the ability to play the Mike and Will due his really good athleticism. Matt has a ton of trust from Coach Busekist.  His role for this season is uncertain but he will have a role in some capacity.  Coach Busekist believes that Matt is a player who needs reps to get into the flow of the game.   Goehring finished with 16 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 sack.

A player that we have all heard a ton of buzz about is #18 Jes Krcil (6’1, 220, JR).  The coaches have raved about Krcil’s potential and what he can bring to the defense.  According to Busekist, he is a freaky athlete that is really strong, physical, and twitchy.  Krcil was the NSIC defensive player of the year.  He accumulated 81 total tackles, 12 TFL, and 4.5 sacks.    At the practice I attended, he was running with the first team defense at Mike.

Local product (Sioux Vlley) #45 Boden Schiller (6’1, 210, So) is a player that coaches seem really excited about.  Boden battled injuries in 2025 but made his presence felt on special teams when healthy.  He finished with just 5 tackles but Coach Busekist said that Boden has had an awesome summer.  He said that Boden is cleaning up the efficiency in his foot work to go with his elite movement skills.  I wouldn’t be shocked if we started to see Boden at times this season in order to build experience for the future.  Another player we may see more of this season is #44 Casey Larson (6’2, 215, So) who has a terrific mind for the game according to Busekist.  He’s physically read to play now in base defense situations where last year he was used primarily on special teams where he made 4 stops.

New faces to the field this fall include #39 Beau Bakken (6’4, 230, RFR) and #42 Brady Kurt (6’2, 210, RFR).  Beau played 9man high school football but things are starting to click and the pieces are coming together.  Beau is getting healthy and has learned to fuel his body the right way according to Busekist.  With Beau’s size and speed, he could be the next special teams demon for the Jacks.  Brady is credited with being a very selfless player for the Jackrabbits and he will do anything for the team.  Busekist said that he is a very high effort kid who is very smart.  The game just needs to slow down a bit for him still.

New freshmen are #26 Barry Fries (6’3, 230, FR) and #35 Mitch Guthmiller (6’4, 210, FR). Coach Busekist shared that this summer Barry and Mitch were studying in the dorms together and drawing out things on the white board.  They understand the expectations of being a linebacker at SDSU.  Barry early enrolled so he did have a head starts.  Busekist said that Barry has a knack for relating to anyone and that he is one of the leaders of the freshman class.  He cares a lot and is going be a good one.  Guthmiller was high school teammates with Boden and he is pumped to be a Jackrabbit.  Coach Busekist said that Mitch makes full speed mistakes (the best kind) and that he is getting better everyday.

The Will and Mike position have so much depth.  It would not shock me to see a heavy rotation this season in an effort to keep guys healthy for a deep playoff run.  Coach Busekist trusts these guys and they are all hungry to make plays.

Sam Linebacker

The Sam spot is different than the Mike in Will because of the responsibility that it has covering the slot and being more in space.  Coach Jade Lawrence is in his second year with the program having served as the assistant linebackers coach last season.  He said the move allows the team to have easier installs and to streamline film watching.

The unquestioned starter is #28 Chase Van Tol (6’1, 210).  Similar to Lofton O’Groske, Chase was headed towards an All-American type season in 2025 before injuries derailed him.  Chase only played in 8 games but still finished with 38 tackles, 4 sacks, and an INT.  Chase does everything at 100 miles per hour and he will be leaned on heavily again in 2026.  He’s very instinctual (recent pick-6 at practice) and extremely physical.  His leaping sack last season kind of showed off everything that Chase is.  Hyper athletic, somewhat reckless, but instinctual enough to still know where the ball carrier was.  According to Busekist he is a tone setter and becoming more of a leader for the defense.  Lawrence said that he is healthy and ready to go.  From what I saw at practice, I would agree!

#47 Kytan Fyfe (6’2, 215, SR) is back as the top backup.  Fyfe looks bigger than his listed height and weight and he has the ability to play a number of different positions.  Fyfe started games in 2025 when Van Tol went down and Lawrence said that he is reliable and consistent.  He said that Kytan has great special teams value and it’s all about effort and physicality with him.  He finished with 39 tackles and 2.5 TFL last season along with a PBU.

#20 Graham Eben (6’1, 215, So) and #48 Jack Nash (6’1, 200, So) are two younger players competing to be the next guy up.  Graham had a good spring and made plays.  Lawrence said that this is a huge fall camp for him to solidify his spot.  Coach said that Graham will play special teams.  He credits him with being a hard worker and a great kid. Nash also needs to have a big fall.  He had a solid spring

The two incoming freshmen are #41 Joel Sankoh (6’0, 190, FR) and #54 Brady Schroedermeier (6’3, 195, FR).  Coach Lawrence said that Joel has been a really good worker since getting to Brookings in June.  He comes from a very strong program in Iowa and will look to make an impact on special teams.  Coach said he’ll see how far he can push both freshmen in the playbook this summer to see how much they can pickup.  Brady is Chase’s cousin and a terrific athlete in his own right but he is still very raw.

This group maybe doesn’t have the same time of experienced depth as the Will and Mike.  It’ll be interesting to see who steps up after Chase and Kytan.  Chase is one of the most impactful players in the subdivision so I’m very curious to see what he can do if he is able to stay healthy for an entire season.

Go Jacks!

Matt