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2025 marks a massive transition season for South Dakota State Football. With a new head coach, it’s imperative that the Jackrabbits remain a legit FCS playoff threat.
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
South Dakota State’s roster underwent major offseason turnover. Similar to their Dakota counterpart (USD), national expectations surrounding the Jackrabbits have fallen, but there is belief in the culture and tradition of SDSU.
SDSU was primed to three-peat, but North Dakota State ultimately proved too much to overcome, as the Bison reasserted their dominance in the Dakota Marker Series. Despite their shortcomings, the Jackrabbits were still able to put forth a phenomenal year, capturing 12 wins and making an appearance in the FCS semifinals. Offensively, SDSU ranked fourth in the nation in scoring offense (36.67 ppg), rushing for 236.1 yards and passing for 197.93 yards per game. On defense, the Jackrabbits were elite once again, allowing just 13.93 points per contest, which ranked first in the Championship Subdivision.
SDSU faces one of the most drastic offseason talent shifts in the FCS. The Jackrabbits lose 20 contributors, including their starting QB, three offensive linemen, and four starting DBs. Fortunately, they return 10 key pieces and bring in nearly two dozen transfers to stabilize the roster.
SDSU suffered three blows along the offensive line, but has plenty of returning talent and strong incoming portal prospects.
Fortifying the boundaries upfront are tackles Quinten Christensen and Sam Hagen – both starters who combined for 28 appearances during the 2024 campaign. William Paepke is positioned to secure a spot at guard and has a remarkably high ceiling. He saw action in seven conference showdowns, and also started several games due to injuries on the O-Line.
Nate Adams (6-7, 321) transfers in from Stephen F. Austin, where he started all games in 2023 and 2024. Dakota Wesleyan offensive lineman John Pica has competed in 20 contests over three years and is poised to take a big step next season. He earned GPAC All-Conference First Team awards as a sophomore.
At quarterback, senior Chase Mason steps in for Mark Gronowski, who finished his time in Brookings with over 10,000 passing yards. Mason showed promise in limited action last season, completing 17 of 26 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 464 yards. If he is able to further evolve his game, he will be discussed among the FCS’s top quarterbacks.
One of the most splashy transfer additions this offseason comes in the form of star running back Julius Loughridge, who was a Two-Time First Team All-Patriot League selection at Fordham. During his time as a Ram, he compiled 3,086 yards – fifth all-time at Fordham – and 27 touchdowns – sixth on the Fordham career list. He is expected to replace Amar Johnson, who recently signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. Nate White will provide a change of pace and complement Loughridge’s wide ranging skill set.
In the wide receiver room, Lofton O’Groske and Grahm Goering bring back valuable experience and will boost the overall depth at this skill position. In 2024, O’Groske hauled in 15 passes for 212 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He was listed as a starter prior to a semifinal tilt vs NDSU and has a good rapport with the coaching staff. Goering produced better numbers – 360 yards and 5 touchdowns – but struggled with ball security, dropping passes at critical times.
Reese Osgood joins SDSU from Iowa, where he spent three seasons with the Hawkeyes but did not see game action. Osgood attended Franklin High School in Wisconsin, receiving an Honorable Mention All-State nomination and totaling 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. Nebraska wideout Alex Bullock recorded 221 yards and 1 touchdown in 2023, putting up a notable statline at a Big Ten program.
Other potential contributors include Jack Smith, Luke Womack, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Elijah Ervin, and Sammy Dresie.
Sacramento State transfer Coleman Kuntz will serve as more of an H-back in the Jackrabbits’ system and take on role player duties. David Alpers and Greyton Gannon are in the mix for the starting tight end job, having amassed 277 yards and two touchdowns for SDSU in 2024.
The defensive line is loaded with talent, regardless of the departure of three starters.
Defensive end Kobe Clayborne is fueling up for another standout year following a 34-tackle campaign. Crucial rotational pieces Dawson Ripperda (6-4, 245) and Aaron Wolfcale-Holsten (6-2, 285) are positioned to break out in 2025. Together, they posted 37 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 5 sacks last season. Edge rusher Reis Kirschenman impressed during spring ball and has experience in 13 games with the Jacks. Instant impact transfer Mason Brosseau started 10 contests for Sacramento State in 2024, tallying 20 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.
Linebackers Adam Bock and Graham Spalding depart after accumulating 661 total tackles, 48.5 TFLs, and 15.5 sacks throughout their tenure with SDSU. Versatile SAM linebacker Caleb Francl is also gone, transferring to Washington State in January.
Joe Ollman and Cullen McShane are reportedly the frontrunners to anchor this core, with Chase Van Tol and Bryce Johnson set to receive opportunities as well. LB Graham Eben (Iowa) and LB Matthew Goehring (University of Sioux Falls) could crack the rotation and supply depth in the middle of the defense.
In the secondary, SDSU loses all four starters, forcing the coaching staff to open up the competition and utilize the portal to create a sense of fortitude. Safety Dontay Johnson and cornerback Aydan Dautermann are seasoned returnees who both have taken reps with the Jackrabbits. Koby Bretz enters the contest with a resume that includes participating in 16 games in three seasons at Nebraska. Ernest Blackshire Jr. (College of DuPage) put up solid numbers in 2024, booking 26 solo tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 PBU.
Long snapper Kaydon Olivia is back, but the rest of the special teams unit was completely gutted.
Kicker/Punter Hunter Dustman graduated, and backup kicker Jackson Stevens committed to Washington State, tying himself to Jimmy Rogers.
Return weapon and viable running back Kirby Vorhees also took his athletic abilities to Pullman, Washington. He rushed for 581 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2024.
Kevin Carrigan Jr. offers promise for the future, as he has experience as both a punter and kicker on the collegiate stage. While he didn’t see action at UCF, he impressed at Bloomsburg, where he landed 13 punts inside the 20-yard line and also kicked some field goals.
Max Pelham, previously the backup punter, enters 2025 with elevated expectations.
Bold indicates home game
YSU’s dynamic receivers and dual-threat QB Beau Brungard could expose a rebuilt SDSU secondary if the pass rush falters.
The Coyotes are projected to take a step back, but will remain a formidable opponent. SDSU could potentially underestimate USD, and get caught looking ahead towards a huge matchup with Illinois State.
There is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward as the Jackrabbits embark upon a critical time. Dan Jackson has breathed new life into the program and restored optimism among SDSU faithful. The question now: will this energy translate to on-field success?
SDSU Edge Kobe Clayborne @TheKobeC1 is another stellar cog in the machine that is the Jackrabbits defense. Equipped with inside and out versatility, Kobe showed that the jump from D2 Northwest Missouri State to Brookings wasn't too big for him. Expect bigger things in 2025. #FCS
Former Fordham RB Julius Loughridge (@Julius15_15) entered the transfer portal back in December after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. ▪️ 2024: 1,044 yards, 9 TDs ▪️ 2023: 1,146 yards, 10 TDs Loughridge has been one of the most productive FCS backs over the last two years.
