Potential for Impact: Top 5 Freshmen Who Could Contribute in 2017

The recruiting class of 2017 was heralded back in February as one of the best in the history of Jackrabbit football.  However, we all know that games aren't won on signing day.  It takes work in the weight room, in practice, and in the classroom in order to reach success. The true test to see how this class stacks up will be in 3-4 years; hopefully the Jacks will have hung a few banners by then.

 Here is a quick list of the men who are joining the program this year.  Below the list are five who I feel can, or may need to, contribute right away. 

Commitments:
QB - Ethan Bullock, 6'4" 200, Maitland, FL (Orangewood Christian) - HUDL 
WR - Chase Templeman, Gretna, NE - HUDL
WR - Deyon Campbell, 5'7" 178, Hopkins, MN - HUDL
RB - Pierre Strong, 6'0" 195, Little Rock, AR, (McClellan) - HUDL
RB - C J Wilson, 5'10" 180, Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland) - HUDL 
WR - Jake Aanderud, 5'10" 165, Rapid City, SD (St. Thomas More) - HUDL
WR - Isaiah Hill, Minooka, IL (Minooka Community) - HUDL 
WR- Keenan Orr, 6'5", Forest, IN (Clinton Central) -HUDL
WR - Michael Wandmaker, 6'4" 205, Andover, MN - HUDL
WR - Mitch Van Beek, 5' 6" 145, Rock Rapids, IA (CL-GLR) - HUDL
TE - Arthur Egan, 6'4" 230, Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep) - HUDL
TE - Caleb Schauf, 6'6" 210, Sparta, WI - HUDL 
TE- Skyler Cavanaugh, 6'5" 235, Vail, AZ- HUDL
C - Wyatt Ewing, 6'4" 260, Winner, SD - HUDL
C - Aron Johnson, 6'5" 238, Lindstrom, MN (Chisago Lakes) - HUDL
OL - Austin Boen, 6'4" 300, Sioux Falls, SD (Roosevelt) - HUDL
OL - Colton Cook, 6'5" 280, Minot, ND - HUDL
OL - Eddie Miller, 6'5" 295, Brookings, SD - HUDL 
OL - Brendan Rotert, 6'3" 290, Spearfish, SD - HUDL
OL - Jonathan Gruetzmacher, 6'8" 285, Merrill, WI - HUDL 
OL - Eagan Lickiss, 6'4" 270, Indianola, IA - HUDL
OT - Austin Lohsandt, 6'8" 260, Madison, SD - HUDL
OT - Jason Titus, 6'5" 280, Andover, MN - HUDL
DE - Daniel Callender, 6'6" 220, Yuma, AZ (Yuma Catholic) - HUDL 
DE - Reece Winkleman, 6'4" 215, Marshall, MN - HUDL
DT - Krockett Krolikowski, 6'3" 250, Winner, SD - HUDL
DT - Xavier Ward, 6'3" 290, Canistota, SD - HUDL 
LB - Levi Brown, 6'4" 190, Roseville, MN - HUDL 
SS - Tylen Small, 6'1" 170, Plantation, FL (Plantation HS) - HUDL
DB - Alex Schiefelbein, 5'11" 160, Elkhorn, NE - HUDL
LB - Seven Wilson, 6'0" 215, Kansas City, MO (Park Hill) - HUDL 
LB - Noah Urbanek, 6'2" 210, Kearney, NE - HUDL 
S - Tyler DeMartra, 6'3" 200, Flossmoor, IL (Homewood-Flossmoor) - HUDL
S - Adam Heien, 5'10" 190, Tea, SD - HUDL
CB - Malik Lofton, 5'10" 175, Minnetonka, MN (Hopkins) - HUDL 
S - Alex Wickersham, 6'1" 194, Brandon, SD (Brandon Valley) - HUDL
P - Ben Dinkel, 5'9" 185, Kearney, NE - HUDL
K - Jake Wolfe, 5'8" 150, Omaha, NE (Millard West) - HUDL

5 Freshman Who Can Contribute Now 
5. Seven Wilson
  • Seven is a tackling machine.  Depth at linebacker is a concern and Seven may have the strength and speed to step in right away and make an impact.  
4. Noah Urbanek
  • With the unexpected retirement of fellow Nebraskan, Jake Harms, outside linebacker is thin.  Urbanek was a play maker from a strong Kearney program that has a history of producing Division 1 talent.
3. Jonathan Gruetzmacher
  • Can we nick-name him "The Mountain" now?  I think anyone who is 6'8" and 310 pounds can have this name and I'm sure many of you might be excited about the season 7 premier of "Game of Thrones" so The Mountain seems like a good name to me..  Last year Wes Genant played at right tackle as a true freshman.  Can Gruetzmacher do the same if needed?   


2. Isaiah Hill or Deyon Campbell
  • These two offer something that the Jacks haven't had in a return man since Jaron Harris, pure speed.  If Hill or Campbell do play this year, it will be as a return specialist.  Kick-off and punt-return has just been okay the last few years.  Can Hill or Campbell give the Jacks a weapon in the return game? 
1. Daniel Callender
  • SDSU's first Parade All-American, Callender also fills an area of need.  The Jacks struggled last season with a consistent pass rush.  Kellen Soulek led the Jacks with 7.5 sacks but someone else will need to step-up and apply pressure on the quarterback.  Callender had 22 sacks his senior year of high school and has the build to contribute right away.  

What do you think, which recruit stood out to you?  As always, Go Jacks!
-Matt

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