The Jackrabbit safety room is looking towards a strong 2026 as they have a good mix of experience and young talent in the room. Coach Marcus McLin leads the group after spending last season as the corners coach.  He is technically the defensive backs coach but Dyshawn Gales is leading the corner room this year.  McLin said that year 1 to year 2 jump is going to be big for this team.  He said that the defensive backs know that they have a target on their backs after last seasons performance.  He’s also confident that this group is ready for it and will be better.

#3 Dontay Johnson (6’2, 190) is fully healthy and that he looks great.  He said Dontay has embraced being a leader and is being counted on because of all his playing experience.  Dontay has the ability to be the field or boundary safety and is a really strong communicator.  Dontay finished last season with 37 tackles and a PBU.  Throughout his career Dontay has battled injuries so I really hope for his sake he is able to put a full season together to showcase what he can do.

#27 Noah Thompson (6’0, 185, SR) is also now in his senior season and will be counted on to compete this season.  Coaches have spoken highly of Noah since he got to campus but have always said he just needs to cut it loose and go make the plays in front of him.  Noah has played lots of special teams in his career and he understands the system and what it takes to be a Jackrabbit.  Again, Coach McLin said that Noah always does his job and now just needs to make the plays.  Noah ended last year with 15 tackles.  Again, similar to Dontay, I hope Noah can put it all together and start making the plays.

Maybe one of the biggest risers coming out of spring ball was #24 Max Stanard (5’11, 195, So). Max played on special teams last season and it sounds like that confidence carried over into the spring and he was making plays left and right.  Coach McLin said that he has made a huge jump physically, in his skill set, and in his confidence.  He’s very intelligent and has good instincts.  He’s grown in his communication skills and McLin knows that Max will ensure everyone is in the right spot before the ball is snapped.

The next safety up is VMI transfer #2 Amaje Parker (6’0, 195, JR).  The coaches have raved about Amaje’s versatility and that he has the ability to play at corner, in the slot, and at both safety positions.  He played over 700 snaps at VMI last season so on field experience is not an issue.  When I attended practice, Amaje was all over the place making plays.  McLin credits Amaje with good coverage and balls skills and that now that he knows the system, he is playing really fast!  Amaje had 71 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks last season.

The Jacks brought in two other transfers last January as well.  #16 Noah Luginbill (6’0, 190, JR) will push to contribute on special teams this season.  He’s very athletic and is picking up the defense.  #25 Jack Johnson (6’0, 195, JR) is a big physical presence that would have pushed to start at boundary safety this season and would have provided depth at SAM.  Unfortunately he had an Achilles injury shortly after starting winter workouts in Brookings.   McLin thinks that he will be back by the end of the season and playoffs.

The Jacks brought in 5 freshmen in this class at the safety position.  I was very impressed with them in my visit to Brookings.  This group will certainly push to get on the field and make the veterans earn every rep that they take.  #4 Michael Farr (5’11, 200, FR) was an early enrollee and likely will see time on the field this fall.  McLin said that he is a sponge and is soaking in all the information.  He said that “Tank” made a huge jump from the first practice in the spring to the last and carried that momentum forward this summer.  The next guy McLin brought up was #38 Landin Jackson (6’2, 190, FR) who was the last player added to this class.  He apparently was under recruited until his senior season and then ended up with 30 D2 offers in a very short span.  His dad played at Oklahoma from 2007-2010.  Jackson is physically gifted and is really long and lean.  He caught my eye at practice and seems to be a pretty fluid mover.  He has a chance to push for a special teams spot this season.  #17 Micah Bush (6’1, 195, FR) was the best 9 man player in the state of Minnesota last fall.  He also starred on the basketball court and on the track.  McLin just said that he is very “gifted” and that his athleticism is apparent.   #37 Shane Veenhof (6’0, 180, FR),  was a track star this past season.  Although maybe a bit undersized, Shane just finds ways to make plays on the field.  He has grown and added weight since getting to campus.  I think Shane could be someone who makes a big jump on a college weight lifting routine and nutrition program.  #32 Amari Williams (6’0, 185, FR) is a standout from the St. Louis area and a graduate of the powerhouse DeSmet Jesuit high school.  The Jacks battled MAC schools to keep Amari and Coach McLin sees him as a really smart and instinctual player.

This group will be really interesting to follow this year.  They are counting on guys to remain healthy and make plays.  At the same time, there are young and inexperienced BUT talented players chomping at the bit to get on the field.  I’m excited to see how this group plays out this season.

Go Jacks!

Matt