4 hours Ago By Matt Zimmer
FARGO — For just the second time in the last five years, the Jackrabbits are not heading to Frisco to play for the FCS national championship. It'll be a difficult couple of weeks for South Dakota State, as the 28-21 semifinal loss to North Dakota State was, much like the Bison's 13-9 win over the Jacks in October, a game SDSU could have won. ADVERTISEMENT The Jacks won 12 games and earned a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title, but when senior linebacker Adam Bock was asked if 2024 qualifies as a successful season, he didn't hesitate in his answer.
"No," the All-American said. "No it is not." Another decorated senior class will move on, and in the transfer portal era, there's always the chance others could leave.
It's likely that richer programs will scour the Jackrabbit roster looking for talent to poach with NIL money. That goes both ways, though, too. With FBS rosters now being capped at 105 players per team, there are hundreds of players looking for a new home, and the Jacks will likely bring in some transfers of their own.
As disappointed as Jacks coach Jimmy Rogers was in the aftermath of Saturday's loss, he made a point to insist the future of this program remains bright, and it's not difficult to make that case. Here's a look at where the Jacks stand heading into the spring of 2025. Quarterback Mark Gronowski is done, leaving an enormous void behind.
Still, backup Chase Mason saw extensive action this year, mostly as a runner, and has spent the past two seasons preparing to take over as the starter. He rushed for 464 yards and six touchdowns and had two touchdown passes. ADVERTISEMENT Mason is probably the best all-around athlete on the team, a former Big 10 baseball player and FBS recruit out of high school.
How he'll handle being the full-fledged QB1 remains to be seen, but the tools are there to be a star. Jon Bell gives them an experienced backup, while Dell Rapids product Jackson Henry is a promising talent who impressed this year as a redshirt, and if things go to plan he'll soon be pushed by incoming freshman Owen Eshelman of Norman, Okla. Running back Amar Johnson moves on after a 1,000-yard season, but Angel Johnson (646 yards) and Kirby Vorhees (581 yards) give them two established returners.
Maxwell Woods appeared in seven games but will still be a freshman next year, while 6-foot-2, 220-pound Brendan Begeman gives them quality depth. Wide receiver This could be the deepest group on the roster. Griffin Wilde did exactly what was expected of him as a sophomore, catching 70 passes for 1,147 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Grahm Goering was a solid second option when healthy.
Freshmen Lofton O'Groske and Kentrell Prejean combined for 33 catches, while true freshman Jack Smith saw action in six games and by all indications is a future impact player. So is incoming Brandon Valley product Landon Dulaney, who spurned FBS attention to join the Jacks. Tight end Kevin Brenner graduates after a quietly excellent career in the H-back role, but the young collection of in-line tight ends all return.
Davin Stoffel (14 catches), Davis Aplers (nine catches), Greyton Gannon (nine catches) and Brody Gormley (five catches) all showed star potential. Overall, SDSU tight ends caught 43 passes this year. Andrew Gustad could get the first crack at replacing Brenner, otherwise this unit should be better next year with more experience.
ADVERTISEMENT Offensive line Statistically this unit was outstanding once again in 2024 despite losing three starters and two all-time greats. Tackles Quinten Christensen and Sam Hagen will be back next year but the Jacks will need three new starters in the interior. Center Gus Miller will be an especially big loss.
William Paepke started a few games this year due to injury and will likely be a starter next year as a sophomore. The Jacks could look to bring in a veteran transfer, otherwise this will be an extremely young group in 2025. Defensive line Tackle Jarod DePriest was a wrecking ball this year and will be a tough loss.
Max Baloun, Zac Wilson and Randy Keumogne are also moving on. The Jacks have already landed one impact transfer in defensive end Owen Ostroski, who's been a starter at Tulsa, and could add more. Meanwhile Kobe Clayborne, Dawson Ripperda, Bryce Hawthorne, Levi Vanden Bos, Reis Kirschenman, Logan Green and others will return.
This unit should be strong again in '25. Linebackers Adam Bock just completed a legendary career. Caleb Francl had a spectacular senior year.
Graham Spalding and Daeton Mcgaughy were productive players, too. Francl is expected back but the others move on. Joe Ollman, Chase Van Tol, Bryce Johnson, Anthony Palano and Carston Reynolds are just a few of the many underclassmen in line to step into prominent roles.
The Jacks have a history of printing out linebackers like an assembly line under Jimmy Rogers. It will be interesting to see if they bring in a veteran transfer to give the unit more experience, but talent shouldn't be an issue. ADVERTISEMENT Secondary Dalys Beanum is one of the best corners in team history and will be missed.
Tucker Large and Matthew Durrance will be back at safety, as will Dontay Johnson, Kolten Tilford and Noah Thompson. The Jacks incoming class of cornerbacks is arguably the highlight of the entire group, with a handful of players who had FBS interest and will be candidates to play as true freshmen. Special teams Hunter Dustman will quietly be a huge loss.
He handled both kicking and punting duties, and was excellent at both. Max Pelham, who had one 44 yard punt this year and averaged 40.4 yards in two seasons at MSU-Mankato, could fill the punting role, while Jack Stevens is expected to take over at placekicker.
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