Spring 2021 Preview: Offense

Well, here we are. Less than two weeks until the Jacks take the field to face UNI.  It will be the first game in over a year which coincidently ended in a 10-13 loss to the Panthers.  For the spring season, in lieu of doing separate previews for each position group, I'm choosing to just break it down between offense, defense, and special teams.  Let's go!

Offense

The Jackrabbits have developed a reputation as being one of the top offenses in the FCS.  In 2019 they scored 29.7 points per game in a really balanced fashion rushing for 2,576 yards and passing for 2,544.  The offense averaged a whopping 6.6 yards per play!  The Jacks return 8 of 11 starters from 2019 but are replacing their All-American wide receiver and All-Conference left tackle and fullback.  However, the Jacks have lost plenty of talented players in the last ten years and have continued their run of being a top FCS contender.    

Quarterback

I think THE biggest roster question entering the fall season was who would emerge at QB between sophomores #13 Keaton Heide (6-3, 195) and #2 J'Bore Gibbs (6-3, 230).  Both played well at times in their freshmen season but both also had some shaky moments; certainly a sign of inexperience.  However, both showed big play potential, J'Bore's game winning TD against YSU and Heide's keep on the RPO against NDSU are two plays that stand out as signature moments for both of them.  Ironically, they both come as plays with their legs vs. their arms.  Below are the 2019 statistics for Gibbs and Heide in the passing games.  

• Gibbs: 6 games played, 73/124, 1,058 yards, 10 TD
• Heide: 7 games played, 85/127, 1,072 yards, 7 TD

Now entering the spring season, I think we need to add true freshman #11 Mark Gronowski (6-3, 200) to this QB competition.  During the "fall game" Gronowski looked great! Gibbs was still recovering from his knee injury and Heide did not have his best day.  This opened the door for Gronowski who looked unfazed and showed the arm strength needed for the elements that often come into play in Brookings.  In addition, he was given the snaps in the two minute situation and nearly led his team to victory before the defense stood up for a goal-line stand.  This is really an interesting group to watch as we get ready for week one and as we move throughout the season.

Running Back

This position is a little more clear cut than the QB room. All-American #20 Pierre Strong Jr. (5-11, 210) leads the group and will receive a bulk of the carries.  Over 11 games in 2019, Pierre rushed for 1,018 yards and 8 TD.  He also added 14 receptions, for 169 yards and 1 TD.  With inexperience at wide receiver and quarterback, I'm expecting a HUGE season from Pierre. Joining the backfield is grad transfer #8 Jordan Meachum (5-8, 190).  Meachum joins the Jackrabbits after a solid career at Sacred Heart University.  His film shows someone who has quick feet with good explosion.  I think he'll be a good compliment to Pierre's style.  In his career at SHU, he rushed for 1,986 yards and snagged 48 receptions for 450 yards.  After Strong and Meachum I expect true freshman #22 Isaiah Davis (6-1, 220) to have a role.  Davis was the 2019 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year after he rushed for 2,283 yards on just 253 carries and 45 touchdowns.  Davis is a powerful young man who has good vision.  Davis will need to be ready as the room does not have the experienced depth that it has over the last ten years.  Another player I like is #37 Jefferson Lee, V (5-9, 190).  Jefferson's opportunities have been limited but when he has gotten in  the game, he has made plays.  His coaches have raved about his work ethic too.  Remember, he scored over 100 touchdowns during his high school career at Marshall.  

Wide Receiver

If quarterback is the biggest question mark, this is the second biggest unknown.  However, I have confidence that Coach Schleusner will get this group moving in the right direction.  Losing an All-American like Cade Johnson and a three year starter like Adam Anderson is never an easy transition to make but that is the nature and exciting part of college football!  The team returns #10 Jaxon Janke (6-2, 210) who showed a propensity for making the tough catch and the ability to absorb contact.  He ended the season with 29 receptions for 353 yards and 4 TD. 

And this is where the questions start because outside of Jaxon, there is very little returning production or experience.  His twin brother #9 Jadon Janke  (6-3, 210) seems to be the next man up.  Jadon has been a solid special teams contributer for the past two years (played 4 games as a true freshman) and Coach Stig raved about him on the coaches show last fall.  #4 Canyon Bauer (6-0, 195) , #19 Mason Leighton (5-9, 175), and #23 Shane Dailey Jr. (5-9, 160) all seemed to turn some heads last year as members of the practice squad.  Bauer has tremendous athleticism that helped him earn PWO offers from Minnesota and Iowa.  Dailey Jr. is a superior route runner that just knows how to get open.  Leighton is a transfer from DSU where he broke school records for receiving.  In addition, #24 Deyon Campbell (5-9, 195) has some experience and a wealth of talent.  Deyon has been bit by the injury bug in his time at State but if he can stay healthy I think he could add some juice to this offense.  The Jacks also added a trio of talented freshmen in #80 Nate Sullivan Jr (6-2, 175), #83 AJ Coons (6-4, 190), and #86 Devon Cole Jr. (5-9, 160).  Given the lack of experience at wide receiver currently, I have to think that someone from this trio has a good of chance to see action this season.

Tight End

The tight end group will play a significant role in the success of this offense; both from a blocking and receiving standpoint.  #88 Blake Kunz (6-5, 255), now a junior, has been a starter for two seasons but battled injuries throughout 2019 which limited his production to just 8 catches for 105 yards and a TD.  If healthy, Kunz is a YAC (yards after catch) machine.  #87 Zach Heins (6-7, 260) was in line to be a significant contributor to the 2019 offense before injuring his knee.  In limited action he snagged 3 receptions for 63 yards and a TD.  Given his massive catch radius, I expect Heins to be the QBs best friend in the redzone.  My player to watch for the 2021 offense however is #85 Tucker Kraft (6-5, 250).  Kraft is a former 9-man star who had offers from every MVFC school, Montana and Montana St, and Wyoming.  Tucker played Wing-Back on his high school and spent his freshman season learning the intricacies of playing tight end.  He has great speed and athleticism and I'm excited to see what role he has in this offense. A player I like ALOT down the road is #89 Wyatt Seagren (6-7, 245)  He played at a small Nebraska high school but dominated.  He may not see the field this year but is certainly someone to keep an eye on in future seasons.   

One new wrinkle in the offense is that they have transitioned away from the pure power fullback.  The Jacks will now utilize an h-back.  I'm curious to see if #82 Caleb Schauf (6-5, 245), #81 Skyler Cavanaugh (6-5, 240) or #34 Mike Morgan (6-3, 235) emerge in this role.  Morgan is a player I'm especially interested in.  He has spent time on the roster as a fullback, running back, and now tight end.  I think there could be a really useful role for him as a bit of a swiss army knife in this offense.     

Offensive Line

The offensive line brings back a ton of experience.  On the interior #77 Wes Genant (6-4, 295), #56 Eagan Lickiss (6-4, 320), #60 Mason McCormick (6-4, 300), and #54 Eddie Miller (6-5, 315) have played a ton of snaps over the course of their careers.  I'm not certain how this will shake out on the interior but I feel good knowing that there is someone with a ton of experience who can come in at the drop of a hat and be ready to go.  The left tackle position was manned for 3 years by Evan Greenway and he really did a good job week in and week out.  #71 Aron Johnson (6-6, 295) had a good sophomore campaign at right tackle and will now be making the flip to left tackle.  His development is really something that I think all incoming freshmen offensive linemen should aspire to.  It's been pretty cool to see.  I expect the tackle opposite of Johnson to be #74 Garret Greenfield (6-6, 295).  The MVFC is still full of good edge rushers so it is critical that Greenfield hit the ground running this spring.  He too has good feet and the strength to move people in the run game.  #76 Bo Donald (6-6, 300) is someone who needs to be ready to go in case of injury.  He was a highly regarded recruit and I have heard nothing but good things about his time on campus where he has showed great athleticism for someone his size.  I do think that #75 Jon Gruetzmacher (6-8, 310), who has also seen a number of snaps over his career, could also provide solid depth at either tackle spot.  There are plenty of other young and talent offensive linemen on this roster that we will dig into more before the fall season.  I like the depth of talent that Coach Eck has built with this group!

Later this week we will dig into the defense and special teams. 

Go Jacks!

Matt