The South Dakota State football team kicks off its 2024 season on Saturday, and a new season means Jackrabbit fans will have to learn about a few new names and faces this year.
The Jacks lost countless standout players this offseason, including a couple of NFL draft picks as well as six other players signed to NFL rosters.
Without the likes of Isaiah Davis, Mason McCormick, Zach Heinz, Jadon and Jaxon Janke, Garrett Greenfield, Dyshawn Gales and Isaiah Stalbird, this season’s team will look much different than the previous two national championship teams.
“I stood up here a year ago and I talked about taking over and largely, the roster itself was intact,” said South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers at media day. “We returned multiple all-Americans, multiple all-conference players.”
And while this season’s roster looks vastly different than before, the coaching staff is almost completely intact after eight different coaching changes in the 2023 season. Zach Lujan, the former Jackrabbits offensive coordinator, took a job at Northwestern making him the only loss within the staff.
“That staff was deemed the youngest coaching staff in the country, and this is a result of that,” said Rogers. “15-0. Conference champions. Back-to-back national champions. Numerous all-Americans. Walter Payton award winner in Mark Gronowski. Eight players with NFL opportunities, several still on teams right now. 26 graduated seniors. And doing that at a cumulative GPA of 3.19.”
Arguably the biggest piece returning for one more season is Gronowski, who made his announcement back in April that he will be staying with the Yellow and Blue and attempt a three-peat.
“This is the best Mark (Gronowski) has looked, he’s taken another step in his game,” said Rogers. “He’s become more of a complete passer. He’s been really good at manipulating the defense with his eyes. How he’s been able to go through progressions quickly and get the ball out on time and be really, really accurate. I’m excited to see what he can do.”
In the backfield with Gronowski, running back and senior bowl watchlist member Amar Johnson and junior running back Angel Johnson look to fill some big shoes left by Davis from the previous four seasons.
The receivers and tight ends will play a big role in the Jacks 2024 campaign, after losing the Janke twins, Heinz, and Michael Morgan, there are plenty of starting roles to be filled at those positions.
But, after catching 20 passes for 399 yards and six touchdowns, Griffin Wilde could play a huge role in the passing game, along with junior wideout Grahm Goering, who had another 171 yards on 13 catches last season.
The offensive line will see some turnovers as well. After losing McCormick, Greenfield, and John O’Brian, the 605 Hogs will have to replace three standout linemen from the last few years. Returning starters on the line include Shrine Bowl 1000 watchlist members Evan Beerntsen and Gus Miller, who were awarded the Remington award last season given to the top center in the FCS.
Defensively, much of last year’s secondary remains the same including all-conference corner Dalys Beanum, all-conference safety and return specialist Tucker Large, and numerous seasoned defensive backs such as Colby Huerter, Matthew Durrance, and Cale Reeder.
The linebackers and defensive line will be led by a returning Adam Bock, a three-year captain and multi-time all-American who will have an even bigger role with the losses of Stalbird, Jason Freeman and Saiveon Williamson.
Hunter Dustman still holds the kicking and punting duties on special teams, while junior long snapper Kaydon Olivia returns as well.
After losing numerous standout players for the Yellow and Blue, SDSU will have to get the replacements up to speed for its season opener against the No. 17 ranked team in the country.
“Fall camp this year has been extremely competitive, extremely physical, and in my time here this might’ve been the most competitive camp that we’ve had,” said Rogers.
The 2024 Jackrabbit football season kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 27, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it will take on the No. 17 ranked Oklahoma State, coach Rogers says there will be no moral victories against the Cowboys.
“Our guys are chomping at the bit to embrace that challenge,” said Rogers. “We’re not going down there for moral victories, we plan to down there and give it our best, and however it shakes, it shakes.”
