Spring 2021 Preview: Defense
Defense
The 2019 Jackrabbit defense was maybe the best Jackrabbit defense we have seen in the last ten years. Statistically they were outstanding giving up just 16.7 points per game. They allowed just 128.9 yards per game rushing while surrendering only 165.8 through the air. The team registered 37 sacks after having just 20 in 2018. Luckily, the Jacks return 8 of 11 starters on this side of the ball. This group is physical and returns tremendous depth along the defensive line and at the safety position in particular. I expect the defense to lead the way again in 2021.
Defensive Line
The #ChainGang, as they are known by the Jackrabbit faithful, will be the strength of this team. They return 3 of the 4 starters and the depth have all played meaningful snaps. As much as Coach Smith and Coach Spencer Erickson sub players, the designation as "starter" really doesn't mean a whole lot. Starting out is big defensive tackle #91 Xavier Ward (6-2, 285) who is already a senior; which seems unbelievable. Ward doesn't make a ton of splash plays but he does all of the little things that make everyone else around him better. In 2019 he had 21 tackles, 7 TFL (tackles for loss), and 4 sacks. He was recently recognized as an Honorable Mention All-MVFC performer. Next to him is fan favorite #69 Krockett Krolikowski (6-2, 290). Krockett was never quite himself in 2019 as he returned from a knee injury suffered in the 2018 playoffs but the coaches have told me that he is now 100% and ready to revert back to his freshman season form. In 2019 he had 15 tackles and did start to look more like himself as the season went along. #99 Caleb Sanders (6-1, 280) and #55 Thomas Stacker (6-4, 285) have played a ton of snaps in their careers at SDSU. Sanders is known for his quick twitch and the tremendous leverage he plays with. In 2019 he made 22 tackles, 6 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. Stacker, a senior, has worked his tail off to become a key member of this rotation. Stacker has a great understanding of the game and the ability to recognize what the offense is doing. Stacker made 13 stops and had 1.5 sacks last season. The next player that I expect to make a contribution this fall is #98 Ryan Van Marel (6-4, 285). Van Marel is putting it all together and has great strength and flexibility for a man his size. Coaches also credit him for his intelligence as well. In limited action in 2019 he made just 3 stops but I expect that number to really jump this spring. The guy who will likely receive the remaining snaps in 2021 is #52 Jarod DePriest (6-5, 265). He is now fully recovered from an injury suffered his senior year of high school during basketball season. DePriest was the top recruit for the 2019 class and I'm excited to see him on the field.
The defensive end group lost All-Conference performer Ryan Earith but again has players who have played plenty of snaps. The group is led by the very talented #97 Reece Winkelman (6-4, 245) who was recognized as a MVFC Pre-Season 1st Team Selection. He earned this selection following a great sophomore season where he matched Earith's production with 36 tackles, 9 TFL, and 6.5 sacks. Winkelman is more than a pass rusher and sets a really hard edge against the run. Watch for Reece to take another step forward this season. Opposite Reece is an open competition between #22 Tolu Ogunrinde (6-1, 270), #48 Quinton Hicks (6-3, 240), and #94 Cade Terveer (6-3, 245). All three bring a little something different to the table. Tolu brings real physicality and explosion to the group. The former running back racked up 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. There were times last season where Tolu and Quinton would meet at the quarterback just a second late on pass rushing downs. Quinton had a terrific true freshman season where he accumulated 17 tackles, 6 TFL, and 5 sacks. It was nice to have a situational pass rusher in 2019 but I think Hicks can do more. Remember, he was playing at defensive end for the first time ever after performing as an All-State Linebacker in Kansas during high school. There were times last year when he read screens or used a pass rush move that you would maybe expect out of a senior, not a true freshman. Terveer is a player I'm really intrigued with. I thought that he had a tremendous start to his 2019 season and was in line for increased snaps before injury ended his season after a few games. The coaches have shared that he is now 100% healthy and ready to go. One thing that jumps out to me when watching him play is his toughness and quickness off of the line of scrimmage. Redshirt freshman #53 Caden Johnson (6-3, 240) and true freshman #90 Randy Keumogne (6-3, 220) are two others who could see time in situational roles this spring. Caden is a powerful young man and Randy has some of that quick twitch off the edge that we saw from Quinton in 2019.
Linebackers
The linebacker room will look different this spring. Gone is 4 time All-American Christian Rozeboom and also three year starter Seven Wilson. Between them they take 194 tackles from the 2019 season. That is a lot of production and experience to lose. I do think this group has recruited exceptionally well and is in a position to move forward with talented players just as it always has.
HOWEVER, the cupboard is far from empty as All-American snub #12 Logan Backhaus (6-4, 205) returns to anchor this group. When a big play was made in 2019 Backhaus was usually in the mix while finishing with 79 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 INT, 5 breakups, 9 passes defend and 3 forced fumbles. Logan is a tremendous player that I hope finally earns some respect from the national media. There has been some speculation whether or not Logan will shift to WILL or if he will remain the starter at the SAM position. A lot depends on the pieces around him and how they have grown since the 2019 season. #16 Levi Brown (6-4, 210) would be a natural replacement at SAM for Backhaus if he were to shift to WILL. Levi has played plenty of meaningful snaps and has shown the ability to run with anyone. He too has the ability to stuff the stat sheet and finished 2019 with 31 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 2 break-ups, and 3 passes defended all in a reserve role. Coach Rogers has said that he is one of the most physically gifted players he has worked with and now is his chance to put it all together. Rounding out the experienced trio is #46 Preston Tetzlaff (6-2, 215). Tetzlaff is a fan favorite who has made his mark with prolific special teams play. The former walk-on earned a role on defense last season in goal line and short yardage defense and finished with 24 tackles. I could see him at MLB or WILL.
Players who had limited snaps in 2019 but may have a bigger role this season include #32 Adam Bock (6-1, 210) and #29 Graham Spalding (6-1, 200), Bock was a player who has been named by multiple coaches as someone who stood out during his true freshman season. Bock was a multisport standout in high school who is tough as nails but also can run like a deer. He did appear in four games last year and had 4 tackles. Graham played in a few games last fall and seemed to settle in at the WILL position. The former high school safety has the ability to play the pass but also the physicality to hold up against the run. What they lack in experience they may make up for in talent and athleticism.
Rounding out the group is plenty of talent but also some inexperience. #57 Kinser Madison (6-2, 210) and #30 Payton Shafer (6-0, 215), and #44 Saiveon Williamson (6-1, 210) are three players who saw some action in 2019 and registered 10, 8 and 6 tackles respectively. #11 Matt Barnett (6-3, 200), #45 Caleb Francl (6-0, 190), and #43 Adam Kusler (6-3, 205) are players who are competing for reps on defense but also need to provide excellent effort on special teams. Due to the nature of injuries in football and also the unpredictability that COVID may have on the season, this group needs to stay ready and be prepared to contribute.
Cornerbacks
The Jackrabbits did lose three contributing cornerbacks in the offseason. Diamond Evans and Jordan Gandy chose to transfer to NIU while Marshon Harris decided to retire from football. But given how banged up the secondary was at times over the past few years, there is still plenty of experience in the top three corners. #21 Don Gardner was recognized as an All-MVFC corner this preseason and rightfully so. He made 45 tackles, had 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 break ups and 4 passes defended. He plays with a lot of physicality and has just become more and more confident in his time at SDSU. Towards the end of the season teams were just avoiding throwing at him. I'd expect more of the same in 2021. Opposite Don is #13 DyShawn Gales (5-11, 185) who posses great speed. DyShawn surprised everyone when he lined up as the starter against Minnesota in the season opener in 2020. He started four more games after that before a run of bad luck with injuries which limited his availability. I think DyShawn may have a breakout year in 2021! #1 Malik Lofton (5-10, 190) is a really intelligent player who has good instincts and loves the game. Malik showed an ability to be in the right position in 2019 and now must make the play in 2021. He finished with 14 tackles, 2 passes defended and 2 breakups.
Outside of these three, are four young corners who have not made their Jackrabbit debut yet. #36 Torren Union (6-2, 195), #17 Abe Hoskins III (6-2, 175), #28 Dalys Beanum (6-1, 165), and #39 Steven Arrell (6-2, 185) are all big corners with great athleticism. In my opinion, Union and Beanum really flashed in the fall game and would be next in line to see snaps after the three veterans. Union was able to redshirt in 2019 while Beanum was a talented receiver and corner in high school. There may be some growing pains but I really like the potential of this group! These guys could also play a major role on the special teams coverage units.
Safety
This group is loaded with four players with game experience. #3 Josh Manchigiah (6-0, 210) and #6 Michael Griffin II (6-0, 215) anchored the group in 2019 while #35 Chase Norblade (6-1, 185) was impossible to keep off the field as a true freshman. The group is also joined by Nebraska transfer #2 Isaiah Stalbird (6-1, 200). Manchigiah is a terrific coverage safety and he improved his tackling and physicality in the run game in 2019. He finished fourth on the team with 53 tackles, 2 INT, 2 PBUs, and 4 passes defended. I said earlier that Backhaus was usually in the middle of the big play, but if he wasn't then Manchigiah was. Opposite him was Griffin III, who transferred in from SMSU and made a real difference in 2019. He finished with 40 stops and tied for the team lead with 4 INTs. Griff is really a physical and instinctual player. I'm excited to see him take the next step in 2021. Chase Norblade really impressed as a true freshman and was played significant snaps as the season went on. He ended the season with 22 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 INT. He just is a football player and plays with a physical edge in the middle. Stalbird was a special teams demon for Nebraska. He posses great speed and will likely flash in both the run and pass defense. Given the uncertainty around COVID in the 2021 season, it is really nice to four talented safties to help quarterback this defense.
This group is small in numbers with only six listed safties on the roster. #15 Daeton Mcgaughy (6-0, 200) and #25 Cale Reeder (6-0, 185) are two true freshmen that were highly regarded recruits. They may not see much action this spring on defense but I think will be in the mix before too long and I expect them to contribute on special teams this spring.
Special Teams
The Jackrabbit special teams is in a bit of a transition season. Gone is kicker Chase Vinatieri and long snapper Bradey Sorenson is opting out for the spring season. In addition, kick returners CJ Wilson and Cade Johnson are gone. One bright spot that is returning is punter #49 Ben Dinkel (5-10, 220). Dinkel averaged 41.6 yards per punt, had a long of 75 and booted 11, 50+ yards. Maybe one of his best traits though was pinning the opponent deep in their own territory. He landed 21 inside the 20 while forcing 20 to be fair caught. Dinkel can only do what he does because of the grittiness provided by his blockers. Two of my favorites are personal protectors #55 Thomas Stacker and #60 Mason McCormick. Just watch them sometime, they do a terrific job.
#97 Cole Frahm (6-5, 225) split time with Chase booming kickoffs in 2019. On 27 attempts he averaged 60.5 and forced 13 touchbacks. He also took a few swings on field goals where he was 1-2 with his one make being from 43 yards out. The long snapping duties are a position battle to watch but I have heard that reserve linebacker #33 Thomas Motzko (6-0, 230) has a good chance to win the job.
In 2019, Jaxon Janke handled the punt return duties where he had a 10.7 yard per attempt average on 27 attempts and scored one 77-yard TD. Now that he is the number one receiver on the roster, I'm curious if they will allow him to retain this duty or if they will hand it off to one of the other young receivers, corners, or safties on the roster. The top returning kick returner from 2019 is Jadon Janke who had 5 attempts for a 16.8 yard average. Again, with his more prominent role in the offense, it will be interesting to see who handles these duties.
As I have mentioned throughout this post, there are opportunities for younger players to earn snaps on the special teams units. I expect players like Kinser Madison, Saiveon Williamson, Payton Shafer, and Isaiah Stalbird to be leaders in this group and the other young linebackers, safeties, corners, and wide receivers to make contributions throughout the season.
Next week I will take a look at what the always dangerous UNI Panthers bring to the table in 2021.
Go Jacks!
Matt
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