South Dakota State has had an impressive rise in the FCS — From a new team in the subdivision in the early 2000s, to a consistent playoff team in the early 2010s, to a consistent deep playoff team in the late 2010s, to winning a national title in the 2022 season.
During that time, the Jackrabbits have put up impressive facilities to help attract higher-level recruits, and have built their roster to become the new bully on the FCS block.
SDSU, a program without much football tradition historically speaking, has grown its followers. Attendance has risen year to year. And SDSU supporters have become one of the most engaged fan bases on FCS Twitter.
SDSU has also now developed a strong and consistent pipeline to the NFL. Its rise nationally has come with having next-level talent on its roster.
SDSU had just one draft pick between 2000-2017: DE Danny Batten getting selected in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. Between 2018-2023, the Jacks have had five draft picks, including three in the last two years.
| Yr | Rd | NFL | Player |
| 2023 | 3 | GB | Tucker Kraft (TE) |
| 2022 | 7 | PIT | Chris Oladokun (QB) |
| 2022 | 4 | NE | Pierre Strong Jr. (RB) |
| 2019 | 7 | CIN | Jordan Brown (DB) |
| 2018 | 2 | PHI | Dallas Goedert (TE) |
Along with those draft picks, FB Mikey Daniel, FB Luke Sellers, and LB Christian Rozeboom signed undrafted free agent contracts in 2020. WR Cade Johnson did the same in 2021. Last year, CB Don Gardner, safety Michael Griffin II, and OL Aron Johnson signed UDFA deals while OL Wes Genant got a rookie minicamp tryout invite. This year, SDSU had a very small departing senior class. On top of Tucker Kraft getting drafted, DT Caleb Sanders received a rookie minicamp tryout invite.
The growing NFL pipeline looks to continue next year.
RB Isaiah Davis will certainly have a good shot in the 2024 NFL Draft. OL Garret Greenfield and Mason McCormick are returning for their sixth years this fall to help their draft stock. They were UDFA projections heading into the 2022 season. WRs Jaxon Janke and Jadon Janke are also coming back for sixth years. With their size (both 6-foot-3) and level of athleticism, they could rise during the predraft process from UDFAs to late Day 3 potential. Zach Heins is a 6-foot-7 TE that will surely intrigue NFL teams. And LB Adam Bock is a senior who could return in 2024, but he has next-level potential he may want to pursue next offseason.
SDSU may have at least five guys who sign NFL contracts a year from now.
North Dakota State still leads the charge in a big way with 11 draft picks since 2015, plus many more UDFAs. Northern Iowa is second in the FCS with six draft picks since 2015 along with several UDFAs. SDSU’s NFL pipeline is relatively new, but growing stronger, which coincides with the Jacks becoming the top team in the subdivision.
