BROOKINGS — With spring game less than two weeks away and South Dakota State fully engaged in spring practice, second-year coach Jimmie Rodgers has a pretty good idea of what he's thinking and he likes what he sees.
The two-time FCS champions have a lot of holes to fill, especially on offense. That makes it easier for the coaching staff to identify and give responsibility to young players, rookies and hungry players looking to make their mark for the Jackrabbits' season opener. The process of pursuing a three-peat.
“It's going well,” said Rodgers, who posted a 15-0 record in his first year as SDSU head coach. “We have a lot of new faces, but there's a lot of good in this group. We have more depth than good in certain positions, but we're happy with the type of players we have. We just need to come together with the guys in charge.” is.”
Yes, Mark Gronowski takes most of the snaps as a quarterback in the first-team offense. The expectation within the program is that he will be under center when the Jacks open the season at Oklahoma State.
While Chase Mason continues to develop into a more capable engineer of the offense as a backup, Rodgers said third-stringer John Bell has also been able to get some first-team minutes.
At running back, Amar Johnson and Angel Johnson are expected to get the first crack at replacing Isaiah Davis as the featured ball carriers, and they're progressing as expected. But Rodgers also had high praise for sophomore Isaac Crackle and redshirt freshmen Kirby Voorhees and Brenden Begeman. The latter is South Dakota's all-time high school rushing leader and, according to Rodgers, is developing his skill set every week.
Sophomore Griffin Wilde and seniors Gram Gehling, Marcus Preston and Devon Cole will replace the Janke Twins as receivers first in line, but 5-foot-8 freshman Kentrell Prejean is an impressive starter. He is looking to build on his redshirt season to an even more impressive spring.
Senior Kevin Brenner will assume the H-back role, but the rest of the tight end room is completely new. But Rodgers seems particularly excited about the group. 6-6 redshirt freshman Davin Stoffel appears to have the upper hand at the Y position (line tight end), while sophomores Brody Gormley and David Alpers are ready for the game as well. Looks like it's done.
“That group is special,” Rodgers said. “There are a lot of benefits. They just need someone in charge.”
Jen Kenyon/Four Sioux Falls Live
The offensive line is still a work in progress, with the Jacks having to replace three starters. All we know for sure is that current Rimington Trophy winner Gus Miller will start at center. Right guard Evan Beernsen is the other returner, but the Jacks are experimenting with multiple combinations at guard and tackle. Mr. Rogers did not give his name.
“We're trying to put our five best guys together and develop the tackle position,” Rodgers said. “We're feeling good with guys coming in at center and guard, and we've got guys at tackle. It's about who fits best and who plays best together.”
On Rodgers' desired side, the Jacks will use two new starters at linebacker and are looking for another cornerback to replace DeSean Gales along with Daleys Beenham. Stephen Arrell, who missed most of last season due to injury, is the frontrunner for the latter, and the 6-3 senior will be looking to make up for lost time.
At linebacker, Tea Area native Chase Van Tol has been one of the stars of the spring season, earning rave reviews from Rodgers for his athleticism and playmaking ability at the Sam position. Van Tol broke out last year as a true freshman and has put on 20 pounds since then, giving him room to grow. Rodgers likened him to Logan Backhouse in his youth.
Former Roosevelt Rough Rider Aaron Kusler has been as successful as Rodgers has seen, but his twin brother Adam has decided not to return after graduation.
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
Dayton McGaughey, Graham Spalding, Bryce Johnson, Karen McShane and Joe Allman ensure this group remains in deep water despite Caleb Frankl battling a shoulder injury.
And on the defensive line, Rodgers expects the Jacks to continue to benefit from playing a deep rotation up front, despite the graduations of Cade Turvere, Quinton Hicks and Ryan Van Marel. He seemed very confident. Interior redshirt freshman Bryce Hawthorne is one of the standout youngsters of that group so far.
SDSU's spring game is scheduled for April 13th.
Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sportswriter. He graduated from Washington High School, where he played football, Legion baseball and developed his lifelong love for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls and began his long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.
