The Jackrabbits wrapped up the second year of spring ball under coach Dan Jackson.  By nearly all accounts this spring better than last year.  The players knew one another, the coaches knew one another, and their was much that could be built on from the last year.  While there are still things to get sorted out, Jackrabbit fans should feel pretty good about where the roster and depth chart stands.  This is a group that is poised to make a run and returning (and winning) a National Championship should be the goal for this team.

 

Offense

Quarterback

1. Chase Mason
2. Jack Henry

Mason is the clear-cut number one.  Jackrabbit fans are intrigued about his NFL future and where a big season could land him.  From what we heard during spring practices and saw at the spring game, Jack Henry is probably in the lead right now as the number two option behind Mason.  However, it wouldn’t shock me to see Josh Holst win this job over the summer.  They are both very talented and both have spent a year in Eidsness’ s offensive system.

Running Back

1. Corey Blair Jr
2. Josiah Johnson

This group is really deep with each back able to do something a little different.  Blair is putting it all together and I think if he is able to stay healthy, he will be the next great Jackrabbit running back.  Johnson, as we saw in his true freshman campaign, is a north-south physical downhill runner.  That compliments Blair’s slasher style.  However, we can’t forget James Basinger who is an all-around back and functioned as the #2 option for most of last season.  Finally, there is the transfer, Ramon McKinney Jr., who may be a lock as the 3rd down back for his pass catching ability and run after the catch.  This is a really really good group and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow as they are all so young still.

Tight End

1. Coleman Kuntz
2. Greyton Gannon

The Jackrabbits have traditionally utilized multiple tight ends so I don’t believe it truly matters who is 1 or 2 on this list.  Kuntz looked terrific at the end of last season when he returned from injury.  His blocking ability is why I have him ahead of Gannon at this point. He was able to retain a year of eligibility so Jackrabbit fans will get to see him at the height of his powers.  Gannon is coming off of an All-MVFC selection and his effort and technique as a blocker improved as the season went along.  However, he is a great pass catcher that has shown some catch and run ability.  Brayden Delahoyde has explosive potential as we have witnessed but it is the down to down consistency that must improve.  Ben Brooks is a young name to watch as coaches have raved about his first year jump.

Full Back/H-Back

1. Andrew Gustad

The fullback was nearly extinct in Brookings but with Coach E returning the position is alive and well!  Gustad was a revelation and fan favorite in 2025 and I hope we will see his role grow in 2026.

Wide Receiver

1. Lofton O’Groske, Grahm Goering, and Jack Smith
2. Sammy Dresie, Landon Dulaney, and Joe Kolega

This group is maybe the strength of the team.  O’Groske, Goering, and Smith all had their moments of excellence in 2025.  Dresie also flashed in his limited opportunities.  Dulaney and Kolega are new to the lineup and used their redshirt year to dive into the playbook and get stronger in the weight room.  Dulaney’s speed is eye popping and Kolega is one of those guys who just gets open.  NIU transfer Landon Tate is worth watching as he was set to start at NIU this upcoming season.  He has true speed as well.  Zac Van Meeteren has also been compared to some Jackrabbit greats and Reese Osgood’s route running is one thing that is always brought up.  Very deep and talented room!

Offensive Line

• LT: Quinten Christensen, John Pica
• LG: Will Paepke, Micah Hach
• C:  Cooper Starks, Caden Hotz
• RG: Shane Willenbring, JB Walters
• RT: Kenyon BigBow, Kyan Rauk

Honestly, this lineup is a complete guess. The listed starters have ZERO snaps together due to the group having a number of guys who had offseason surgical cleanup.  This is my expected starting group.   However, if this group doesn’t mesh, I do have really high hopes for the younger guys (Semchenko, McCarty and Dwyer included with Hach and Walters). I think John Pica can plug and play at 4 positions (not sure if he can play center) and Kyan Ruak showed his potential at UND last fall.  Jae’Shaun Thomas, the Duluth transfer, is also really an intriguing prospect with NSIC starting experience at left tackle.

 

Defense

Defensive End

1. Reis Kirschenman and Dawson Ripperda
2. Carter Sitzman and Liam Shaw

Kirschenman and Ripperda, if healthy, give the Jacks an excellent starting duo.  Before last season we predicted an All-American season from Kirschenman (dang injuries) and Ripperda is the perfect high effort player to be opposite of him.  Essentially Sitzman gives the Jacks a 3rd starting defensive end.  He has the ability and size to shift inside in obvious passing situations. Shaw was a huge addition late in the 2025 signing class that has really bulked up since getting to campus while also maintaining his quickness.  Blake Leiferman contributed in 2025 and grew as the season went along.  He’ll push to take on a bigger role in the rotation this season. Maverick LeBrun and Luke Krempges will also factor into this discussion and will compete to be part of the rotation. Nick Wells has medically retired which is a bummer after a promising start to his career.

 

Defensive Tackle

1. Logan Green and Jace Sifore
2. Ashton Sayre and Sam Christensen

Green and Sifore will form a terrific starting duo.  However, what we saw in 2025 is that this group overall lacked depth.  Sayre provides that experienced depth after transferring in from Moorhead.  Sam Christensen made a huge jump in his year on campus and seems to play with a really high motor.  Mac Muller, Brody Targgart, and Danny Bradley will battle for reps.  Muller contributed some last year as a depth piece. Bradley is intriguing as he shifts inside from defensive end.  Targgart is also promisng after a successful 2 years at IWCC but missing all of last season and this spring due to injury.  This group will be better than 2025!

Linebacker

1. McShane, Krcil, and Van Tol
2. Johnson, Ollman, and Larson

I know, I know.  Many of you are angry at me for not having Ollman in the starting lineup.  However, the Jackrabbits rotate their linebackers enough that I’m not worried about it.  Losing Van Tol was a big hit to the defense last season as there is just an explosive nature to his game that was missing from the lineup.  McShane plays with so much passion and physicality.  If he can channel that, watch out!  Casey Larson has also been raved about and was one of the freshman who did not redshirt last season.  This group is incredibly deep with Kytan Fyfe and Matt Goehring pushing for snaps as well.  I’m also excited to see Boden Schiller making plays on special teams this fall.

Slot/Nickel 

1. Noah St-Juste
2. Amaje Parker

This is a very talented duo that offers some flexibility.  St-Juste was so good in the slot in 2025 and Amaje has played at corner, safety, and in the slot while at VMI.  It wouldn’t shock me to see St-Juste bump out to corner at times and Parker line up at safety.  Again, this duo really gives Coach Bergstrom some flexibility.

 

Cornerback

1. Ife Current and Myles Green
2. Paul Kim and Jayden Robertson

This group should be stronger than it was last year.  Current brings tremendous experience and was here for spring ball and really impressed.  Myles Green has been raved about since setting foot on campus and will get his chance somewhere in the secondary as he has great position versatility.  Paul Kim is coming over from Wisconsin Whitewater and had a really strong spring as he jumps up in the level of competition.  Jayden Robertson is the darkhorse in this room as we haven’t seen him yet.  He was a Freshman All-American at Southern Utah where he had 5 INTs before spending a season at Snow CC.  I also expect St-Juste to factor into this discussion as an every down corner as well!

Safety

1. Dontay Johnson and Max Stanard
2. Noah Thompson and Noah Luginbill

The safety room has rounded into shape.  Fan favorite, Dontay Johnson, will start and hopefully can stay healthy.  Max Stanard has really worked hard to get himself in this position.  Noah Thompson has been in and out of the lineup the past few years but could be looking at a more regular role this season.  Noah Luginbill was a JUCO All-American last season and will push for time too.  Amaje Parker and Myles Green may get some run at safety as well.  The player to know in this group that is pushing to get on the field is Tank Farr, a true freshman who early enrolled this spring.  Finally, Jack Johnson, a Minnesota Moorhead transfer, will miss some time this fall due to an injury he suffered early in winter conditioned.

 

 

Special Teams

Field Goal: Tristan Alvano

Kick Off: Ryan Harrington

Punter: Max Pelham

Long Snapper: Carson Strohbeen

This is a solid group of specialists!  Alvano and Harrington put on a show at the spring game. Pelham is the best punter in the FCS.  It sounds like Strohbeen did a great job this spring and put himself in position to be the starter ahead of transfer Justin Lutz at this point.

 

Again, a lot can shake out between now and August 29th!  I’m excited to see how it goes as this team is a national championship contender.  Hopefully it ends with all of us celebrating together on Broadway in Nashville!

Go Jacks!

Matt