Terry Vandrovec, Argus Leader
12:36 p.m. CDT March 29, 2014
South Dakota State spring football practice – the first of the season – was canceled Friday afternoon because of snow. That’s nothing new.
But there will be other considerable changes during this 15-practice period, namely on the lines of scrimmage. The Jackrabbits reconvene minus four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen, eight sturdy pieces from the first back-to-back playoff appearances in program history.
SDSU must retool those units in order to use the proven talent it returns elsewhere.
“I can’t think of another year where we lost as many seasoned (line) players combined,” said 18th-year coach John Stiegelmeier. “That’ll be huge.”
The offensive line lost more in terms of experience – a combined 129 career starts. But it also returns more, four guys with previous starts. They will be led by senior Trevor Greger. Four others appeared in at least four games last season.
On the defensive front, the Jacks graduated 83 career starts and return just nine. Tackles Cole Langer and Auston LaBlance plus ends Jack Sherlock and J.T. Plote are the most established options. After that, Kevin Klocek is back from injury, sophomore Shayne Gottlob continues to progress – he’s a converted tight end – and freshmen Brad Lyons, Mason Leiseth and Lenny Cowans are positioning themselves to push for snaps. Spring is the time for that. By fall, it’s almost too late.
Also, SDSU added immediate help by bringing in at semester break two transfers from Iowa Western Community College: OL Travis Zimmerman and DE Landon Schultz. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Zimmerman was a three-star prospect with multiple FBS scholarship offers, while the 6-2, 250-pound Schultz bears similarities to departed senior and former juco Marshall Peugh – effective, not flashy.
Still, SDSU has not built its program on short-term reinforcements; the young and the inexperienced are expected to get ready to contribute.
“We have a lot of young guys that have a chance to prove themselves – there are a lot of open spots that can be taken,” said Greger, a former Wagner standout. “I just want to see us really working hard.”
The Jacks have no such questions at the skill positions with All-American running back Zach Zenner, all-conference receiver Jason Schneider and school career passing leader Austin Sumner returning.
The senior Sumner will miss spring ball – for a second year in a row – because of offseason shoulder surgery. He’s one of a handful of veterans sidelined by injuries or rehab, resulting in more reps for a couple of walk-ons (Tyler Finnes; Jacob Menage) and a freshman (Dalton Douglas).
The defense is similarly stocked in the second level, bringing back every linebacker except top tackler R.C. Kilgore and four of the top six in the secondary.
Beyond that, the second and third receiver spots are up for grabs heading toward the April 26 spring game.
Stiegelmeier is curious to see how the No. 2 running back situation plays out. Reggie Gandy and Isaac Rodriguez lead a pack pushing to take carries from feature-back Zenner, a 2,000-yard rusher the past two seasons. And former North Dakota offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner will get his feet wet as the new tight ends coach.
Those sound like the problems of a playoff team more than, say, rebuilding entire lines.
“(The young guys) have all gotten a lot better from last year – during winter conditioning they pushed themselves really hard,” said Langer, who started six games last fall as a true freshman. “They all stepped up. It should be a fun year.”
AT A GLANCE
Coach: John Stiegelmeier (17 seasons, 111-81)
Last year: 9-5, second round of the FCS playoffs
Starters returning: 6 offense, 7 defense
Spring game: 11 a.m. April 26 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Missouri
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