South Dakota State football has pieces in place to repeat as national champions

South Dakota State didn’t just win its first football national championship in 2022.

They dominated. Cruised to the title. 14-0 against FCS opponents. Their only loss was a 7-3 squeaker at Iowa, a team that went 8-5 and won the Music City Bowl this year. Does anyone think if the Jacks and Hawkeyes played in December instead of August the outcome might have been different?

They creamed most of their Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents, facing challenges only at the Fargodome and UNI-Dome from NDSU and Northern Iowa. Then in the playoffs they pasted all four opponents, averaging 42 points per game and winning all four by at least 21 points (OK, the quarterfinal against Holy Cross was close for three quarters).

More:South Dakota State football celebrates national championship with fans

With their 45-21 win over the Bison they not only handed the 9-time champions their first loss in Frisco, but set a record for points in the FCS title game since it moved to Frisco in 2010.

And when it ended, after an hour or so of celebration and the usual postgame questions about how the game played out and what it means to the program, focus shifted already to next year.

More:Zimmer: After 26 years, John Stiegelmeier has his national championship

Can the Jacks repeat?

There’s little reason to think they can’t, and even less to think this will be SDSU’s last FCS title.

Neither coach John Stiegelmeier, the players, or the support staff are shying away from that expectation.

“When NDSU walked through that door and won the first of five in a row, they had a pretty young team,” said Jacks athletic director Justin Sell. “I think we have a chance to win several more. It would not surprise me at all if in 10 years we’re talking about this having uncorked winning three or four or five (national championships). I think that’s entirely possible, and if you can’t dream that way you don’t understand what this is about.”

In the world of NIL and the transfer portal, it’s almost a certainty there will be some roster attrition. Wide receiver Tyler Feldkamp, a Roosevelt alum, has already transferred to Campbell. And wide receivers coach Josh Davis was just hired by rival USD to be offensive coordinator. Other coaches could be poached (or retire...) as well.

So with the understanding there could be more changes, here’s an early look at what SDSU has coming back for 2023. We won’t speculate on what players may have interest in transferring or receive interest from potential poachers – players listed as returners are those with remaining eligibility.

Quarterback

The Jacks are obviously set here.

Mark Gronowski has played two seasons for SDSU and led them to two national championship games, winning one. He made strides as a sophomore, won MVP of the title game and should be nothing less than one of the best players in the country next year. He finished the year with 2,967 yards and 26 touchdowns passing and 408 yards and 12 scores on the ground.

Behind him are, among others, backup Rudy Voss and former prep phenom Chase Mason, who missed this year with an injury.

Running back

Isaiah Davis had another monster season, rushing for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns, and as the season went on, Amar Johnson fully emerged as a capable second option, finishing with 744 yards, including a career-high 126 in the national championship.

Angel Johnson, Josh Buri and Derrick Johnson all saw action as reserves.

Wide receiver

The Janke twins are back, giving SDSU two of the best wideouts in the nation. Canyon Bauer, Devon Cole and AJ Coons are next on the depth chart after Jadon and Jaxon, while incoming recruit Griffin Wilde has a chance to play right away.

Tight end

Tucker Kraft moves on to the NFL, but 6-foot-7 Sioux Falls native Zach Heins and H-back Mike Morgan both have the option of returning. A handful of young tight ends also got valuable experience this season.

Offensive line

With pro prospects Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield both returning for another season, the Jacks will have their entire starting offensive line back. Those two join Gus Miller, Evan Beerntsen and John O’Brian, as well as a handful of backups led by Bo Donald.

Defensive line

Caleb Sanders and Reece Winkelman were the backbone of SDSU’s top-rated defense this year, and those two have exhausted their eligibility. They’ll leave as two of the best in school history. But as SDSU proved this year, they can reload up front and still be dominant.

Cade Terveer, Ryan Van Marel and Quinton Hicks are expected to return for one more year, while Zac Wilson, Brian Williams, Jarod DePriest, Logan Green and Jace Sifore are just some of those who will be back as well.

Oh, and they added Iowa State transfer Blake Peterson, who played 28 games as a Cyclone and notched two sacks and 21 tackles. The Beresford native should be a big factor at end.

Linebacker

Adam Bock and Jason Freeman will be back to form arguably the best 1-2 punch in the country at the position. Graham Spalding, Daeton Mcgaughy and the highly underrated Saiveon Williamson should also be back, along with Aaron and Adam Kusler and promising youngster Bryce Johnson.

Isaiah Stalbird, Tucker Large and Caleb Francl, who served as linebacker/safety hybrids throughout the season, will also return.

Secondary

Cornerback Malik Lofton moves on after an excellent senior season. DyShawn Gales, Dalys Beanum and Steven Arrell will all be back, giving the Jacks a strong foundation at corner.

At safety, Cale Reeder, Matthew Durrance and Colby Huerter will be back, with Stalbird, Large and Francl able to contribute in this grouping as well.

Specialists

Hunter Dustman was excellent this year, proving he can handle kicking and punting duties. He’s back, as is long snapper Jaden Mueller. Holder and backup quarterback Keaton Heide has the option to return for another season.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota State football has pieces in place to repeat as champions