The Jackrabbit offensive line (aka the #605Hogs) has a new coach in 2025 in Mike Bangtson, previously the OL coach at Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.  He certainly has bought in to the #605Hog mentality and thinks that it is really cool and unique how SDSU fans celebrate their offensive line.  He is excited about his group and believes that there is plenty of depth to utilize this season.  He said the veteran guys in the room are doing a great job of leading and helping to coach up the younger guys.

The Jacks will have a mammoth right side of their offensive line with seniors #76 Same Hagen (6-6, 315, SR) and #73 Nate Adams (6’7, 320, SR) playing right tackle and right guard.  Hagen transferred to SDSU prior to last season and quietly had an excellent season anchoring the right tackle spot.  Bangtson credits him with having a deep knowledge of the game and just knowing what his job is on every single play.  He plays with great physicality and has taken on a leadership role this season.  Adams was recruited by Bangtson to SFA and followed him to Brookings.  Bangtson said that Adams is like another coach on the field and is doing a great job with the younger guys in the room.  His physical presence and ability to move people will be huge to this offense.

#69 Quinten Christensen (6’5, 300, JR) was recently recognized as a 2nd Team Pre-Season All-American after an outstanding first season at left tackle for Jacks.  Quinten is the epitome of a #605Hog and is the vocal leader of the room and doing a good job of holding everyone accountable according to Bangtson.  He’s recovered from off season surgery which caused him to miss all of spring ball and he’s getting better every day.  Bangtson said that he has a very high ceiling and football IQ.  Christensen is slated to be the starting left tackle again this season.

Another transfer is #56 John Pica (6’4, 280, JR) who came over from Dakota Wesleyan where he played two dominant seasons as a true freshman and sophomore.  Bangtson said that he made a HUGE jump this spring, is really athletic, and that he provides some real flexibility for the Jacks in his ability to play inside or out. Pica provides experienced quality and versatile depth this season.

The third year player group is lead by #77 Will Paepke (6’5, 295, SO) who started on three separate occasions on the interior last season.  It was evident that Will had the athleticism to be an effective puller last season.  Bangtson said that he is a quiet guy but that goes about his business and just does everything the right way.  He also has some position flexibility.  Will is competing to be the starter at left guard.  #62 Kenyon BigBow (6’5, 295, SO) is another player who has really improved and Bangtson said that his development has really come in the weight room where he has added a ton of strength.  He can also play guard or tackle and will compete to start at left guard with Paepke.  #58 Jackson Kerstin (6’4, 280, SO) is a player that Bangtson believes is still figuring out how good he can be because Bangtson believes he has a super high ceiling. He continues to add weight and is a really hard worker.  Like so many in this room, he has tackle/guard flexibility.  He won scout offensive line player of the week once last year.  The group is rounded out by #67 Ian Mutchler (6’4, 280).  Bangtson said he is an awesome kid who is technically sound at either guard spot.  He shared that he was matched up against Kobe Clayborne for much of the spring and that he got better because of it and that he held his own.  Mutchler won scout offensive line player of the week a team leading 4 times last year.

The second year group has a pair of centers who are competing to start in #54 Shane Willenbring (6’4, 285, RFR), and #53 Caden Hotz (6’2, 280, RFR).  Bangtson credits both of these guys with just doing everything the right way.  They are both working really hard.  Willenbring is a great student and has the ability to make all the offensive line calls.  He said that for a 2nd year guy he is very mature and has really identified with the #605Hog mentality.  Hotz is a little quieter but still does things the right way and that he is fighting really hard.  Hotz won scout offensive line player of the week 3 times.

Other second year players include #63 Kyan Rauk (6’8, 285, RFR), #79 Thomas Martian (6’3, 280, RFR), and #72 Hayden Venenga (6’6, 290, RFR).  Rauk is obviously a big rangy guy who is working hard in the weight room to change his body by bulking up.  He’s really learning and will have a shot to make the 2-deep travel roster this season.  He has high potential and plays with a nastiness to his game.  Martian has taken a big step forward and Bangtson said he is just a big and strong kid.  He’s figuring out the technique but stressed how much he has improved. Venenga is still battling through some injuries but he is doing everything in his power to get healthy.  Bangtson hasn’t had a chance to see him in any football activity yet but said he is a really good kid.

The Jacks added SEVEN freshmen this season.  All worked extremely hard before getting to Brookings to ensure they were in good shape and could attack the summer workouts.  They all have shown that they care about their work and the detail that goes into being great.  Here are just some notes about each player.

#70 Lincoln Semchenko (6-5, 290)- Terrific leader, special player

78 Micah Hach (6-4, 285)– Great athlete, been exciting to see him compete in wrestling this summer

#74 JB Walters (6-4, 275)– Can’t wait to get the pads on him.  Quiet but very intentional.

#65 Landyn Lewerke (6-3, 270)- Projections as a center, really hard worker

#66 Brock Osbahr (6-2, 280)- Looks better each day and he’s very eager to learn

#61 Evan McCarty (6-5, 260)- Can’t wait to see him in pads.  Big nastiness to his game.

#64 Thomas Dwyer (6’6, 285)- Coming back from a basketball injury.  Very athletic with a high ceiling.

Go Jacks!

Matt