2026 FCS Football Spring Preview: South Dakota State Jackrabbits

It's time for another edition of our all-new FCS Spring Football Preview series.

In this series, we will take a look at where some of the top teams in the FCS stand entering spring camp. This will allow us to take a snapshot of the roster, key returning starters, potential breakout players, and discuss some of the biggest storylines for each team.

Our series continues with one of the projected favorites to win it all in Nashville next season. South Dakota State battled injuries throughout last season, but still found a way to make a run to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs.

Positional Battles To Watch

Cornerback

The Jacks only have one returning cornerback who played over 300 snaps last season, which is Noah St-Juste. That led to an aggressive approach from head coach Dan Jackson, who added multiple defensive backs through the portal.

Ife Current was a Division II All-American at Nebraska-Kearney, where he earned first-team All-MIAA honors after posting 55 tackles, 2 TFLs, 4 INTs, and 8 pass breakups. Wisconsin-Whitewater transfer Paul Kim is a two-time All-WIAC selection at the Division III level. Henry Pickens offers FCS starting experience, spending time at Duquesne and SEMO, where he played nearly 1,000 snaps over the past four years.

Even though he's listed as a safety, VMI transfer Amaje Parker has experience playing cornerback and could be a name to watch in certain packages. There's also Myles Green, who saw limited action as a true freshman. I like Green's upside, and he could emerge as an interesting rotational player going into next season.

Running Back

This might be the most important positional battle going into next season. The Jacks only averaged 3.8 yards per attempt last season, which was one of their lowest averages in the past decade. There's a ton of young returning talent in the room, including James Basinger and Josiah Johnson.

Basinger and Johnson saw action last season, both finishing with 300+ yards on fewer than 100 carries. Johnson really flashed in only 8 games, posting 320 yards and six touchdowns, both of which ranked 2nd on the team. At 220 lbs, he can be a workhorse for the Jacks, which he showed against North Dakota with 76 yards and 3 TDs against an elite run defense.

The true x-factor will be Ramon McKinney, who is one of the top D2-to-FCS transfers of the offseason. He's fresh off a breakout season, where he rushed for 1,093 yards and 15 touchdowns, which earned him D2Football.com Elite 100 honors. McKinney offers upside out of the backfield, posting 340 yards on 35 receptions for Northeastern State in 2025.

We know the Jacks like to rotate fresh bodies at running back, but they've historically always leaned on one guy in key moments. That spot is empty right now, giving all these young backs a chance to claim the starting job. If I'm projecting, I expect a heavy rotation of McKinney and Johnson throughout the season.

Potential Breakout Players

Noah St-Juste (CB)

St-Juste is the only returning cornerback who played over 300 snaps last season. He started the year as a rotational piece, but saw his role grow as the season went along. He finished with 27 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 INT in 14 games for the Jacks. He held opposing wide receivers to only 8.9 yards per reception, allowing only 20 receptions in 14 games.

St-Juste entered last season with almost no experience, but enters next season as one of the projected leaders of the secondary. He thrived in the slot last season, but I'll be interested to see if his skill set translates to either outside corner spots. Regardless, the Jacks should be able to lean on St-Juste as the other new faces find their rhythm early in the season.

Landon Dulaney (WR)

I was a year too early, but everybody should keep an eye on redshirt freshman Landon Dulaney in 2026. He signed with the Jacks over multiple FBS programs and was the highest-ranked FCS signee in the class of 2025. Dulaney was the No. 478 overall prospect in the country and the No. 1 player in South Dakota, according to 247Sports.

As a senior, Dulaney posted 1,025 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on 82 receptions. He has an elite combination of size (6-2, 200) and speed, which is evident from his record-setting track background in high school.

We've seen young wide receivers like Lofton O'Groske and Griffin Wilde emerge as potential superstars in their 2nd season in Brookings. I'm betting on Dulaney to be a key weapon for the Jacks in 2026.

Reis Kirschenman (EDGE)

Is this cheating? Probably, but I still don't think others in the national media give Reis Kirschenman enough credit. A lot of that may have to do with his season-ending injury against Montana State last year. I still think Kirschenman has the potential to be one of the top pass rushers in the MVFC.

As a redshirt freshman in 2024, he posted 10 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks in only 232 snaps. He was extremely effective as a rotational player and earned a starting spot last season before being sidelined. If Kirschenman is back at full strength, the Jacks will have an elite defensive line duo with him and Dawson Ripperda.

Five Most Important Returners

Chase Mason (QB)

An injury against Murray State limited Mason to only nine games, but he was outstanding early in the season for the Jackrabbits. He helped lead SDSU to a win over Montana State in Bozeman, finishing 6-0 as a starter before he was injured. Mason completed 65% of his passes for 2,005 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 4 INTs, while adding another 6 scores on the ground with his legs.

If Mason remains fully healthy, the Jackrabbits have the talent to win the national championship. There's no shortage of weapons for Mason to utilize, either. Lofton O'Groske, Jack Smith, and Grahm Goering all return at wide receiver, while five returning offensive linemen played over 400 snaps in 2025. The impact of all that returning production is only amplified due to Mason's return.

Lofton O'Groske (WR)

O'Groske was one of the top wide receivers in the FCS until an injury cut his season short. Even in his limited action, he still recorded 27 receptions for 355 receiving yards and 4 receiving TDs. His true breakout performance came in the win over Montana State, where he led the Jacks with 12 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns.

There were a ton of injuries that impacted this team last year, but I truly think O'Groske's absence was one of the most impactful. His ability to win 1-on-1 matchups really opened up the offense, giving other players a chance to make plays when the defense focused on stopping him. I expect O'Groske to be an All-American-level contributor for the Jacks in 2026.

Joe Ollman (LB)

Injuries ravaged SDSU's linebacker room last season, but it allowed Joe Ollman to finally shine as a top contributor. He finished the year with 94 total tackles, which led the team, along with 8.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT, and 3 pass breakups. He's the most experienced returner on SDSU's defense, playing over 700 snaps last season.

Dawson Ripperda (DE)

Ripperda was SDSU's most effective pass rusher last season, totaling 43 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 5 sacks. According to PFF, Ripperda finished the year with 39 pressure plays, which include 24 quarterback hurries. Due to some injuries to other key defensive ends, Ripperda carried a heavy burden at times last season, but should thrive with more 1-on-1 opportunities in 2026.

Chase Van Tol (LB)

I mentioned the injuries at linebacker really impacted the Jacks' defense in 2025. Van Tol's season ended after an injury against NDSU in Week 9, which limited him to only 275 total snaps. Despite that, he was productive when he was healthy, recording 38 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 1 INT.

Van Tol is probably the most athletic linebacker on the SDSU defense, which allows the defensive staff to utilize him in so many different ways. He can be trusted in coverage, but also offers upside against the run and as a pass rusher on blitzes.

I have no idea how playing time will be divided with 5 linebackers returning, who played over 200 snaps in 2025. All I know is that Van Tol will find a way on the field, because he's too valuable to what Dan Jackson wants to do with this defense.

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