The back half of this article will feature several nuggets of information gathered from SDSU’s practice the past month.
But first, the five biggest question marks surround the South Dakota State Football Program:
Did we just witness a great team? Or is this a budding dynasty?
The 2022 & 2023 SDSU football teams consisted of the same starting offensive line, same QB, same backfield, same weapons on the perimeter (minus Tucker Kraft in 2023), and outside of replacing Caleb Sanders and Reece Winkelman, it was largely the same names across the defense for both seasons as well.
That group won back-to-back titles.
So, did we just witness a great team? Or is this a college football dynasty in the making?
While this year’s roster features several familiar play makers, it’s no secret they have plenty to replace; but the task remains the same.
If the Jacks can climb atop the FCS again this season, they’ll join Minnesota, NDSU and Appalachian State as the only teams to ever win three consecutive National Championships in Division I football.
2. Can Gronowski reach another level?
Let's be clear, you don’t win the Walter Payton Award by accident, but there is room for improvement.
Not only is the Naperville, Illinois native in search of a third consecutive title, he wants to prove he's an NFL-caliber quarterback.
He’ll need to add a touch of accuracy on his deep balls, and his release could be quickened up a bit too. It’s only practice, but I can tell you watching him in fall camp, he’s clearly sharpened both sectors of his game.
He’s also noticeably sharpened his body as well. “My weight has gone up a little bit, but my body fat percentage has gone down,” Gronowski said. “I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, I went up in almost 20 kilos in every single weightlifting program that we did.”
Can the fifth-year senior display the tools and ability to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft? It’s certainly a possibility.
And it all starts this Saturday at Oklahoma State, a tape NFL scouts will surely go back and study when dissecting Gronowski’s game.
3. Will this team have a weakness? And if so, what?
No football team is perfect, but if you can find me a hole in last year's SDSU squad, let me know. Maybe too many penalties? But that's it.
While the roster is still littered with talent, several stars have departed, particularly on offense.
So how will teams look to exploit the Jacks? My first guess would be overwhelming their offensive line. With three new starters, I wouldn’t be shocked if SDSU saw a few more blitzes than they have in the past few seasons.
The Jacks defensive line gave up a mere 3.2 yards per carry a season ago, and only 6 rushing touchdowns. They’ll have several new faces in the rotation this season. Will they be stout again against the run game? That’s a potential question mark as well.
But maybe the biggest uncertainty surrounds their personal on the perimeter.
4. Playmakers on the perimeter / what will this year’s offense look like?
Gronowski’s top three targets from a season ago are gone.
WR’s Jadon and Jaxon Janke will be replaced by Griffin Wilde and Grahm Goering.
Wilde accounted for six touchdowns in 2023 as a true freshman, while Goering had maybe the catch of the year against Montana State. Both are listed at 6'2, 200 pounds and both have shown the ability to get the job done.
But it’s a different responsibility when you now become thee go to playmakers. They’ll receive more attention from defenses this coming fall.
At tight end, Zach Heins’ departure will open the door for several new names, with 6'6 250-pound redshirt freshman Davin Stoffel the first man up.
Mason McCormick, former SDSU O-lineman now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, told me during a practice last season, “That’s the next great SDSU tight end,” while pointing at Stoffel.
And that very well may be true. But Stoffel has yet to play in a live college football game, and he’ll be given quite the introduction on August 31.
Also of note, Ryan Olson has taken over as the latest SDSU Offensive Coordinator. Danny Freund has been added to the staff as the QB Coach and Co-Offensive Coordinator.
Will it continue to be a run-first attack in Brookings? Will they look to spread things out to display Gronowski’s arm strength? It’s certainly something to pay attention to as the season progresses.
5. How does this program stack up against Power 4 FBS talent?
The current day South Dakota State program is clearly FBS quality. NFL scouts have even compared them to Power 4 level teams in which the lens they are now viewed. Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy recently compared them to a Power 4 team as well.
Are these over-exaggerations? Or are these accurate assessments?
Welp, get out your measuring sticks because we’re about to find out come August 31 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Many people, including myself, believe last year’s team was one of the best 25 teams in all of college football. Unfortunately, we never got to see them line up against an FBS opponent — This year we do.
I’m extremely curious to see how the Jackrabbits matchup with one of the best programs in the Big 12.
Emptying out the notepad
Hardest Working Jackrabbit
It was a difficult question for him to answer. There were several names he sifted through, but here’s who SDSU Strength Coach Matt Jacobs told me has been the hardest working Jackrabbits through summer workouts and in the weight room during fall camp.
Defense: Colby Huerter
I must note, Jacobs did mention it was very difficult not to say Adam Bock. Referring to Bock as the ‘north star’, the guy who the team follows. But he had high praise for Huerter, telling me he’s been an animal preparing for 2024.
Offense: Mark Gronowski
When your best players are your hardest workers, we’ve got something special.
Who’s Next
Offensive breakout star: Davin Stoffel (Redshirt freshman TE)
While the youngest position group on the team, it’s possibly the most talented as well. Greyton Gannon, David Alpers, and 6'7 245-pound Brody Gormley, often referred to as a ‘freak athlete’, will see their snaps, but Stoffel will be the first stringer.
We know Gronowski and this offense loves to utilize the tight end; I think the Wisconsin native finishes hovering around seven touchdowns for the season.
Defensive breakout star: Bryce Hawthorne (Redshirt freshman DT)
The coaching staff, support staff, his teammates, everyone has echoed the same thing about Bryce Hawthorne: “He’s going to be a star.”
I wrote about him as a standout freshman a season ago, and it appears he’s only gotten better.
10 Quick Notes from Fall Camp
Northern Arizona cornerback transfer Colby Humphrey will play a lot of football this season. Both Jimmy Rogers and Cornerbacks Coach Mike Banks have been impressed with him.
NW Missouri State defensive tackle transfer Kobe Clayborne too will play a lot of football this season. He’s maybe 6'0 on a good day, but he uses his frame to create leverage.
Before he’s done playing college football, Volin, South Dakota native Andrew Gustad will make an impact in the program. I think he’ll end up in that Mike Morgan, Kevin Brenner type of fullback / tight end spot that this offense clearly values.
Ky Oday Jr. had several nice catches at a practice I went to. Maybe not a ton this season, but he’ll see the field plenty one day soon.
Sophomore WR Griffin Wilde, expected to become the team’s top wideout, put on 10 pounds of muscle this off-season.
Kentrell Prejean, a redshirt freshman from Louisiana, has now put on 25 pounds since stepping onto campus a little over a year ago. The youngster has a bright future as a slot receiver.
There are several Jackrabbits the NFL Scouts have interest in seeing when stopping at practice. One player I was told who they’ve seemed most interested in learning more about is Steven Arrell. He may not get the notoriety that Dalys Beanum does at this point, but that may soon change.
I had a personal conversation with an NFL scout. I asked him if anything or anyone really stood out to him. He told me he was a bit surprised at just how well Amar Johnson was put together.
Those who have been hoping for it, you will see two QBs on the field at the same time at some point this season. That package does exist.
During summer workouts, to little surprise, it was Tucker Large who came away with the quickest pro agility time and the fastest 20-yard sprint.
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