2019 Roster

Offense
The Jacks return 8 of 11 starters offensively.  Quarterback, left guard and right tackle are the three positions that are up for grabs.  Whoever wins the starting quarterback job will step into a loaded offense.

*Note that returning starters are bolded

Backfield
QB: Kanin Nelson (Jr), Justin Roberts (Sr), J'Bore Gibbs (rFr), Matt Connors (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Kurt Walding (ASU Transfer), Keaton Heide and Karst Hunter

RB: MIKEY DANIEL (Sr), Pierre Strong (So), CJ Wilson (So), Blair Mulholland (Jr), Jefferson Lee IV (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Devin Blakley

FB: LUKE SELLERS (Sr), Turner Blasius (Sr), Mike Morgan (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Payton Madison

• Obviously everyone is watching the quarterback battle to see what happens.  I have zero insight on how it will shake out.  I think adding Walding to the mix provides some very interesting competition.  He has never been a full time starter but he has been really good when given the opportunity.  I'm curious to see how J'Bore Gibbs and Matt Connors look after a year in the system.  I have heard that both have really grown in the playbook and that things are starting to slow down.  Both are tremendous athletes so it will be interesting to see what shakes out.  
• Running back may be the strongest position on the roster.  I'm confident that all 6 backs could be "the guy."  Pierre, CJ, and Mikey will form maybe the best trio of backs in the MVFC, each filling a different role.  Devin Blakley is a very interesting prospect who possesses speed and shiftiness that is comparable to Wilson.  Whoever is the new position coach for this group is walking into a tremendous situation.
• Fullback sees the return of Luke Sellers.  He is a devastating blocker and operates as another offensive lineman.  Mike Morgan will have another year to prepare to take over and I'm excited to see what Payton Madison can do in fall camp as I think he has a really bright future.    

Receivers
WR: CADE JOHNSON (Jr), ADAM ANDERSON (Sr), JACOB BROWN (Sr), Deyon Campbell (So), Isaiah Hill (So), Jadon Janke (rFR), Jaxon Janke (rFr) Michael Wandmaker (So), Jake Aanderud (So), and Jayd Vanderwerff (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Canyon Bauer and Shane Dailey Jr.

TE: KAL HART (Sr), Blake Kunz (So), Skyler Cavanaugh (Jr), Caleb Schauf (So), Arthur Egan (So), and Zach Heins (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Tucker Kraft and Jharett Bloomendrader

• Whoever wins the battle at quarterback will not have a shortage of pass catchers to throw to.  Cade Johnson and Adam Anderson were the best receiver duo in the conference in 2018.  Jacob Brown battled through injuries last fall but still provided his downfield physicality and blocking that Jacks fans love.  If he is healthy, the Jacks will have an experienced and explosive trio of wide receivers.  The depth at this position is really promising.  Isaiah Hill showed what he can do in the playoffs and the pure speed that he possesses.  Deyon Campbell was a breakout star from the spring of 2018 but a leg injury in camp essentially created a lost season for the shifty slot receiver.  The Janke twins are both highly regarded and showed what they could do in limited action in 2018 while maintaining their redshirt. Canyon Bauer was the Gatorade player of the year and has great speed and play making ability.   
• The tight end group is also a position of great depth.  Kal Hart is such a reliable player both in the run and pass game.  He is not the most athletic of the group but he is super effective when given the opportunity.  Blake Kunz had moments of brilliance in his true freshman season and should be even more dangerous after a year in the system and in the weight room.  A reminder, last year was only his second year of organized football.   Cavanaugh, Schauf, and Egan are all talented and have all the ability but will need to elevate their level of play to see the field more frequently.  I'm keeping my eye on Zach Heins this spring.  I think it is telling that he was on the travel roster for the playoff games.  With his size and athleticism he could emerge as a major red zone weapon in 2019.  

Offensive Line
LT: EVAN GREENEWAY (Sr), Garret Greenfield (rFr)

LG: Eddie Miller (Jr), Mason McCormick (rFr)

C:  WES GENANT (Sr), Jack Domandle (Jr)

RG: EAGAN LICKISS (Jr), Austin Boen (So)

RT: Aron Johnson (So), Jon Gruetzmacher (So)

Other offensive linemen who will compete for snaps: Grant Schmidt (Sr), Jason Titus (So), Ian Bass (rFr).
2019 Signing Class: Alex Westendorf, Bo Donald, Ethan Vibert, Evan Beerntsen, Tyson Strohbeen, and Brady Beck

• This is a group that I feel really good about.  I thought Evan Greeneway put together a very good 2018 and provided a level of consistency that you need out of your left tackle.  I liked what Eddie Miller and Eagan Lickiss did at the right guard position and would fully expect one of them to move over to left guard position to replace Tiano.  Wes Genant has been a really good player for the Jacks for three years and it is hard to believe he is now a senior.  If he can stay healthy, I really think it will help out the new quarterback but Jack Domandle played well last season while Genant was out.  I'm interested to see what happens at right tackle.  Both Johnson and Gruetzmacher had good moments in 2018 that they can build off of.  UNI and their speedy defensive ends were certainly not it though.  I'd expect both to take a major step forward in 2019, if not, I would not be shocked to see one of the freshman earn some playing time.  Coach Eck has proven over the years that he is not afraid to play true freshman.  

Defense
The Jackrabbit defense brings back 8 starters and plenty of game experience.  The defensive line returns 100% of its snaps from the 2018 season . This is unheard of in the MVFC where upper-classman typically dominate the trenches. 

Defensive Line
DE: RYAN EARITH (Sr), AUSTIN SMENDA (Sr), Elijah Wilson (Jr), Tolu Ogunrinde (Jr), Reece Winkelman (So), Malachi Johson (So), Cade Terveer (rFr), Alex Parella (Jr).
2019 Signing Class: Quinton Hicks, Caden Johnson, Zac Wilson, Kevin Brenner

DT: XAVIER WARD (Jr), KROCKETT KROLIKOWSKI (So), Spencer Hildahl (Sr), Thomas Stacker (Jr), Caleb Sanders (So), Zach Dorgan (Sr), Ryan Van Marel (rFr), Trajan Walhof (rFr), Matthew Borowicz (rFr).
2019 Signing Class: Jarod DePriest

• The chain gang is one of my favorite position groups on the team.  A lot depends on the return of Krockett Krolikowski who suffered a knee injury in the week leading up to the Kennesaw State University playoff game.  He is an all-american caliber player and makes everyone along the line better.  Ward, Hildahl, and Stacker are all battle tested but I expect Caleb Sanders, Ryan Van Marel, and Jarod DePriest to all push for playing time. Sanders in particular looked really good at times in 2018 and Van Marel has been raved about by coaches. Again, this a very competitive group, I imagine there will be a heavy rotation to keep guys fresh but the depth means there is always a difference maker on the field.  
• The defensive end group is also loaded for whoever the new position coach is.  Ryan Earith is criminally underrated and Austin Smenda and Elijah Wilson are solid players who have performed their role in their time at SDSU.  Smenda has been especially good against the run but hasn't generated much pressure on the quarterback.  Wilson has struggled to stay healthy but is a very good player when right.  I would love to see Tolu or Terveer or Winkelman emerge as a true pass rushing threat in 2019.  I'd love to see a guy that can win 1 on 1 on the edge and at least generate some heat on the quarterback in obvious passing downs.  A true pass rushing threat is something that has been lacking since maybe Danny Batten.    

Linebackers
WLB: Seven Wilson (Jr), Jaden Snyder (rFr), Josh Fenske (rFr).

MLB: CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM (Sr), Preston Tetzlaff (Jr), Kinser Madison (rFr)

SLB: LOGAN BACKHAUS (Jr), Levi Brown (So), Kyle Tuttle (Jr), Saiveon Williamson (rFr)
2019 LB Signing Class: Thomas Motzko, Adam Bock, Payton Shafer, Matt Barnett, and Graham Spalding.

• Rozeboom, Backhaus, and Wilson form a very athletic starting group that has tons of experience.  Rozeboom is likely the next NFL bound Jackrabbit and his name is already popping up on 2020 draft boards.  He has been a staple for the defense for three years.  However, after the three I mentioned is a lot of inexperience.  Tetzlaff had one of the greatest special team seasons that I can remember in 2018.  Does that tenacity and heart carry over to the linebacker position?  Levi Brown and Kyle Tuttle both have speed to burn and are hyper athletic but are they ready to make the heady plays we have grown used to seeing from Backhaus?  Finally, Jaden Snyder has a great combination of size and speed but he has taken zero in game reps so it is hard to know how he will perform when he gets tossed into the lineup.  Lots of questions regarding this group after the starting three but TONS of potential.  Also, the coaches added five highly regarded athletes to the group.  The Jacks are not afraid to use freshmen as it was only two years ago Seven Wilson and Noah Urbanek saw extensive action at the position.  The five freshman will need to be ready to go when they hit campus this summer.  

Secondary
CB: MARSHON HARRIS (Sr), Zy Mosley (Sr), Malik Lofton (So), Don Gardner (Jr), Bryce Banks (Jr), Lance Eide (Sr), Ti'Jaih Davis (rFr), DyShawn Gales (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Diamond Evans, Jordan Gandy, and Torren Union

S: JOSH MANCHIGIAH (Jr), Larenzo Williams (Sr), Jarek Berg (Jr), Michael Griffin (Jr), Tyler DeMartra (So), Tylen Small (So), Nic Garlisch (rFr)
2019 Signing Class: Baily Darnell, Chase Norblade, and Joey Slama

• The secondary is at an interesting cross roads.  They lose three seniors who played a ton of snaps in 2018.  Harris and Mosley have spent plenty of time the last two years opposite Jordan Brown.  They have been tested and picked on but now it is their turn to step up.  I really have no idea how this group will shake out.  Malik Lofton is very gifted and is a student of the game, Don Gardner brings a toughness and physicality that helped him excel on special teams but does he have the athleticism to start at CB.  Bryce Banks has rare size at the position.  Davis and Gales were raved about all through the fall with Davis seeing action in the final four home games.  Diamond Evans is a very highly regarded recruit and I wouldn't be shocked if he found his way onto the field for four games next fall.  
• The safety group saw the emergence of Josh Manchigiah in 2018.  The former cornerback seemed to finally get comfortable at safety and his play making ability in the pass game really took off.  He will have to improve as a run defender but I'm confident he can.  Filling the spot next to Manchigiah is a really interesting dilemma. Zo Williams makes plays when given the opportunity but he hasn't been able to find the field consistently in his time in Brookings.  Berg has also flashed when given the opportunity.  Michael Griffin is an SMSU transfer who sat out last season and won a half dozen scout player of the week awards.  Rumor has it that he is the most complete safety on the roster.  I'm really interested to see how Garlisch bounces back from his knee injury as I was very high on him heading into fall camp last year.  I think Baily Darnell has a chance to play as a true freshman.  He was offered by Wyoming and pursued heavily by Nebraska as a PWO but stayed committed to the Jacks. This is an athletically gifted but inexperienced group that will need to get sorted out this spring and summer.  

Special Teams

K: CHASE VINATIERI (Sr), Jake Wolfe (So)
2019 Signing Class: Cole Frahm (Nebraska Transfer)

P: Ben Dinkel (So)
2019 Signing Class: Michael Drotzmann

LS: BRADEY SORENSON (Jr)

PR: MARSON HARRIS (Sr), Jaxon Janke (rFr)

KR: CADE JOHNSON (Jr) and ISAIAH HILL (So)

• The Jacks lose the talented Brady Hale to graduation but bring back every other component of their special teams.  Replacing Hale will be either Ben Dinkel or Michael Drotzman.  Dinkel has a big leg and has been itching for his opportunity.  Cade Johnson serving as a kick returner is a hot debate among the Jackrabbit faithful.  He is sooo naturally good at it but is it worth losing his abilities as a wide receiver?  I think the Jacks may use him as a kick returner in emergency situations but I would not be shocked to see Isaiah Hill and Deyon Campbell back as the primary returners to start the year.  They both have speed to burn and it gives them an opportunity to use their talents while preserving Cade's health.  Marshon Harris provided a level of stability to the punt return game.  With the trend of teams going towards rugby style punting there are not many opportunities for returns.  Harris does a good job of eliminating the 20 yard rolls that had plagued the Jacks for a number of years.  Janke is on the list because of his work at Illinois State when he had two returns for 18 and 17 yards.  Small sample size but he looked really patient on those two returns.  His size and speed make him a dangerous option.  Finally, Brady Sorenson is everything you want your long snapper to be, consistant and reliable.  

The cupboard is far from bare.  The roster is loaded up and down with talent but there are a handful of positions where guys need to emerge.  I'm confident they will as the Jackrabbit coaches have a history of developing players to step in after the next "greatest Jackrabbit ever" graduates.

Go Jacks!

Matt