BROOKINGS With back-to-back national championships, South Dakota State will look to stay atop the Football Championship Subdivision this fall. But unlike last years Jackrabbits, who were built on the same foundation that claimed the first title in school history in 2022, SDSU will rely on some new faces this upcoming season.
This leads to an opportunity for younger players to make their mark. Coming into summer camp, SDSU is projected to have eight new starters on offense and four on defense. While some players have already made an impact, 2024 could be a springboard to take their game to the next level and help the Jackrabbits become the third team in FCS history to win three straight national championships.
RB Angel Johnson
The Jackrabbits rushing attack will remain effective after Isaiah Davis departed for the NFL but while Amar Johnson should handle the bulk of the workout, Angel Johnson could also have his opportunity for a breakout.
Angel Johnson ran for 381 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 8.9 yards per carry last season. While hell technically be behind Amar Johnson on the depth chart, the reserve role has played a major role as Amar Johnson ran for 801 yards and four touchdowns last season and racked up 126 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the national championship game victory over North Dakota State in 2022.
Angel Johnsons athletic ability also signals for a larger role. He was a champion in the 200-meter dash and long jump and set what was a state record with a 10.81-second time while winning the 100-meter dash at the State Class B track and field meet in 2021.
With Angel and Amar Johnson leading the way, the Jacks can continue to lean on their running game, which ranked 10th in the nation with 105.2 yards per game last season.
S Tucker Large
Large had his formal breakout in 2023, racking up 49 tackles with four interceptions and 13 passes defended last season but theres a chance he could be even better this season.
Large was a sparkplug for the Jacks, contributing with an interception return for a touchdown in the season opener against Western Oregon and also becoming one of the nations best punt returners with a return for a touchdown in the Jacks FCS semifinal win over UAlbany last December.
After making the All-MVFC First Team in 2023, there may not be a major breakout in store but the opportunity is there with the departure of Isaiah Stalbird, who graduated and signed as a UDFA with the New Orleans Saints.
If Large can become an All-American for the first time, it would give the Jacks a boost on the back end of their secondary.
WR Griffin Wilde
Wilde made a bigger impact than a typical freshman with six touchdowns including a go-ahead score in a Sept. 9 win over Montana State. But you may be surprised that Wilde had just 399 receiving yards playing behind Jadon and Jaxon Janke.
Wildes first season in Brookings was fueled by his knowledge of the playbook, which was similar to the system he ran in high school at Sioux Falls Jefferson. With the Jankes graduating and signing UDFA deals with the Houston Texans, it elevates Wilde to the No. 1 option in an offense that lost 135 catches, 2,174 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns including tight end Zach Heins.
Who steps up next to Wilde will be an intriguing story in training camp but Wilde should be a key target for SDSU this season.
LB Caleb Francl
Cornerback and defensive line will have their share of opportunities but the biggest one will be at linebacker where the Jacks will look for a partner next to Adam Bock. While Graham Spalding and others will compete for the role, Francl could be a player on the verge of cracking the starting lineup.
Francl spent his first two seasons at SDSU as a reserve and a contributor on special teams but suffered a season-ending knee injury after an interception in the season-opener at Iowa in 2022. Francl returned last year to play in 14 games and his 26 total tackles are seventh among returners on this years team.
Already a key contributor on special teams, Francl could have a chance to start and should at least be a key contributor in the Jackrabbits rotation at linebacker.
TE Davin Stoffel
Outside of the offensive line who has to fill three spots with the graduation of Mason McCormick, Garret Greenfeld and John OBrian tight end may be the biggest mystery of the Jacks offense. The opportunity alone could create a breakout candidate at the top of the depth chart and it feels like the early lead has gone to Stoffel.
Stoffel redshirted last season and didnt record any statistics while appearing in wins over Western Oregon and Drake but did receive praise from SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers who hinted that Stoffel could be the next great one at a position that has produced NFL talent over the last two seasons in Heins (who was signed as a UDFA with the Los Angeles Chargers) and Tucker Kraft, who is entering his second year with the Green Bay Packers.
David Alpers and Brody Gormley could also have a chance to seize the starting role but Stoffels performance with four catches and 29 yards in the spring game could be a springboard to a strong camp.
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