2019 Season

[Yotes]

My favorite memory of Crawford was Coyotefan complaining that Crawford should have been selected all-conference leading into his first season on campus (a season he ended up redshirting).

Just another guy that had a ton of hype and didn't pan out at all. With guys like that I wonder if they just wouldn't put in the work, couldn't handle the freedom of college, if the coaching staff wasn't a good fit, or any other number of things. Whatever led to this he was way too quiet for me to be disappointed.

[GoYotes]

Could be a number of reasons things didn't work out for Crawford. Moving away from home for the first time is a big transition for a lot of students, not just athletes. I wish him well in the future.

[howlingyote]

Spring practice starts next Wednesday! Thankfully it looks like the weather is warming up quickly for the outdoor practices. The boys will be outside the entire spring due to the dome renovations.

No spring game this year, just a couple of open practices. Hopefully they’ll have seating outside to accommodate fans.

Looking forward to a great season. We have most of our starters and impact players back.

Questions/observations:
- will our OL play and running game improve on a disappointing season?
- will Austin show significant improvement in his second season like Strevler?
- with Nathan Schulz, we should be solid up front on defense and free up Greenfield and Kramer on our edge rush.
- looking forward to a fully healthy Cody Case. Missed him last year with his breakaway speed and play making ability
- looking forward to our new defensive scheme. I’m very impressed with our new DC and his successes in the past

[Yotes]

No spring game? That's odd. Must be the construction.

Edit: Forgot that all practices are going to be outdoors. I wonder if they considered booking Howard Wood for a spring game.

[easmus]

My guess is they figured “we just spent a million bucks on a new practice facility, probably should use it.” I’m ok with that approach.

[Yote 53]

Dear Coyote Football Alumni,

Spring practice is scheduled to begin on March 20th. We are hopeful that the weather will improve as the Dome is under construction and we will be practicing outside on our new outdoor practice complex. As it looks right now, we may be moving snow to be able to practice on the 20th but you never know with South Dakota weather.

The Dome renovation project is in full swing as the demolition phase should be completed this week. We will continue to share photos of the construction progress on our website and through social media.

We welcome Travis Johansen and Abdul Hodge to our coaching staff as defensive coordinator and outside linebacker coach respectively. They have both hit the ground running and will add a tremendous amount to our program.

Here is a quick position update as we prepare for the spring:

QB – Austin Simmons returns after a strong junior season where he led the conference in passing and total offense. He is backed up by junior Tyler Tsagalis and sophomore Jakob Parks. Iowa State transfer Devon Moore enrolled this spring and brings more depth to this position.

RB – Juniors Kai Henry, Ben Klett, and sophomore Canaan Brooks, all who played last year, return and have had great winters in the weight room. They will be pressed by South Dakota native Lincoln Gibbs who was injured most of last season.

WR – This group continues to be one of our deepest with seniors Dakarai Allen, Randy Baker, and Trystn Ducker all returning. In addition, juniors Levi Falck and Caleb Vander Esch along with sophomore Kody Case (who redshirted last year) bring experience to the group. A talented group of freshmen players including Marquis Majors, Wes Eliodor and Carter Kuchel will be fun to watch develop this spring.

TE – Juniors Brett Samson and Connor Herrmann lead this group but will be pushed by sophomores Austin Goehring, Alex Jensen, and Nate Kneifl, who all go six feet five and 250 pounds or better.

OL- This group still holds the biggest question mark as injuries have hurt us over the past two years. Three starters return in juniors Tyler Ciurej (Center) and Mason Scheidegger (Guard) and sophomore Braden Schneider (guard). We are excited about our youth here with sophomore Austin Wallace and freshmen Isaac Erbes and Kian Rexroat-Potts expected to compete for starting positions this spring.

DL – This position group has the most experience of any on our team as we return seniors Darin Greenfield, Luis Peguero, Devalon Whitcomb and juniors Jack Coker, Jake Headlee, and Nick Kramer. Other young guys that will push in the spring include sophomores Riley Peters and Peter Klug and freshmen Ethan Burson and Brendon Webb. Sophomore Nate Schultz who missed the entire 2018 season due to injury is on the comeback trail and will practice on a limited basis this spring.

LB – Backers in the new 3-4 system will include junior Jake Richardson and sophomore transfer Brady Booker at the strongside outside position. Juniors Jack Cochrane and Jake Matthew along with sophomore Jon Joanis return with experience and freshmen Brock Mogensen, Dakota Smith, Tre Thomas, and Hunter Headlee will all compete this spring.

CB – Sophomore Cam Tisdale and junior Mark Collins return as starters although Collins missed more than half the season due to injury in 2018. Freshmen Tre Jackson and Rodney Sivils will be highly competitive here as well.

Safety – Another position that returns some depth with senior Mike Johnson and juniors EJ Reed and Phillip Powell returning. Powell who missed most of the year with an injury in 2018 will be a welcome addition back to the group. Sophomores Isiah McDaniels and Jordan Sommerville (who moves from corner) give this group additional experience.

Specialists – Punter Brady Schutt returns but will be pushed by sophomore Bryan Clements. PAT/FG kicker Mason Lorber, who improved throughout the year, returns along with long snapper Dalton Godfrey.

All together we will have around 80 players practicing this spring and it will create a highly competitive environment. If you get a chance to stop by for practice, we plan to do controlled scrimmages on April 6th and 13th.

Thanks again for all your support and Fight South Dakota!!

Bob Nielson
Head Football Coach
University of South Dakota

[Yote 53]

Lots of good info on the position groups there.

[olifer]

Mar 14, 2019 6:35:53 GMT -6 Yotes said:

No spring game? That's odd. Must be the construction.

Edit: Forgot that all practices are going to be outdoors. I wonder if they considered booking Howard Wood for a spring game.

Playing a spring game at Howard Wood would be absolutely fantastic and I think it would draw a nice crowd.  

[elcoyote]

Notable to me: no seniors on the offensive line, although there is experience. Also, Nathan Schultz still is limited? That injury was over a year and a half ago and I realize it was very serious, but that doesn't sound promising.

[easmus]

Isn’t it pretty normal to be careful with guys who are coming off injuries in spring practice? Ease back in like an old man in a warm tub.

I think a spring game at Howard Wood is a terrible idea. Very little upside. Takes a lot of effort to move everything for a scrimmage and it’d be embarrassing if no one showed up. The school is in Vermillion. Embrace it.

[Yotes]

Mar 14, 2019 13:06:33 GMT -6 elcoyote said:

Notable to me: no seniors on the offensive line, although there is experience. Also, Nathan Schultz still is limited? That injury was over a year and a half ago and I realize it was very serious, but that doesn't sound promising.

It was questioned whether he would ever play again. That he is even going to practice is progress to me.

[elcoyote]

Mar 14, 2019 19:23:48 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Mar 14, 2019 13:06:33 GMT -6 elcoyote said:

Notable to me: no seniors on the offensive line, although there is experience. Also, Nathan Schultz still is limited? That injury was over a year and a half ago and I realize it was very serious, but that doesn't sound promising.

It was questioned whether he would ever play again. That he is even going to practice is progress to me.

That's what I meant by very serious, but I didn't want to mention career ending. Fingers crossed, but long term health is more important. 

[coyotecrazie5]

Mar 14, 2019 10:55:33 GMT -6 Yote 53 said:

Dear Coyote Football Alumni,

Spring practice is scheduled to begin on March 20th. We are hopeful that the weather will improve as the Dome is under construction and we will be practicing outside on our new outdoor practice complex. As it looks right now, we may be moving snow to be able to practice on the 20th but you never know with South Dakota weather.

The Dome renovation project is in full swing as the demolition phase should be completed this week. We will continue to share photos of the construction progress on our website and through social media. People get too caught up with stadium capacity. Make the Dome the best it can be with seating that is comfortable and viewer friendly. NDSU fans complain about the leg space in their new BBall arena, it's not worth putting a thousand more people to fit. The new boxes are a great addition and the viewing through the South side from the SCSC is underrated IMO. The Dome can be vastly improved with a few changes, I believe the west side entrance with bathrooms and concessions is a game changer as it has never been used for that. It will alleviate the congestion on the East Side which is my biggest gripe.

We welcome Travis Johansen and Abdul Hodge to our coaching staff as defensive coordinator and outside linebacker coach respectively. They have both hit the ground running and will add a tremendous amount to our program. The Hodge hire is a big deal. We have lacked great linebacker play in as long as I can remember. There have been some good/great ones, but not consistent (Hold back the if Van Ginkel would have stayed talk). Hodge was a very gifted and smart LB opposite of Chad Greenway at Iowa. He should help in recruiting better LB from name alone. The new DC is a wild card, but I feel like in the FCS, having a position-less defense could be an advantage. The Yotes have had very bland defensive schemes in the last few years.

Here is a quick position update as we prepare for the spring:

QB – Austin Simmons returns after a strong junior season where he led the conference in passing and total offense. He is backed up by junior Tyler Tsagalis and sophomore Jakob Parks. Iowa State transfer Devon Moore enrolled this spring and brings more depth to this position. I saw a list of the top 5 returning passing leaders in the FCS and Simmons was #4. He has the arm strength, just needs to make progression as a better decision maker. He needs to have better pocket presence when it collapses early and be able to make throws on the run at the line of scrimmage. Otherwise tuck and run as he has the wheels to do so. I am not sure why Foote transferred unless he didn't like the Moore transfer. I think Moore will be the clear #2 by the end of Spring.

RB – Juniors Kai Henry, Ben Klett, and sophomore Canaan Brooks, all who played last year, return and have had great winters in the weight room. They will be pressed by South Dakota native Lincoln Gibbs who was injured most of last season. Kai has been hit or miss over his career. Hopefully he can always have the tenacity we've seen on many runs. Klett is underrated IMO and should get more carries.
His downfall is he is so tall, he needs to get lower or be somewhat more elusive. Brooks underwhelmed me last year, but a year in the weight-room and better OL blocking can benefit him greatly. He should maybe be used more out out the backfield, does great in space (Henry included).

WR – This group continues to be one of our deepest with seniors Dakarai Allen, Randy Baker, and Trystn Ducker all returning. In addition, juniors Levi Falck and Caleb Vander Esch along with sophomore Kody Case (who redshirted last year) bring experience to the group. A talented group of freshmen players including Marquis Majors, Wes Eliodor and Carter Kuchel will be fun to watch develop this spring. Allen is also underrated. He makes so many tough catches and understands how to play position to make himself open. The WR position is deep as Baker and Ducker are solid and experienced, especially in the slot. Falck was a steal as a walk on (SDSU baseball commit) and is as reliable as it gets. Kase is just great all around WR, but excels at deep routes. Keeping him healthy is a big key. Vander Esch is a Yote legacy and made a big jump last year as he came in way undersized and made some good plays last year catching but also blocking. Majors has the best track to playing time with his ability. Eliodor could be a Shamar Jackson type guy and Kuchel could impress.

TE – Juniors Brett Samson and Connor Herrmann lead this group but will be pushed by sophomores Austin Goehring, Alex Jensen, and Nate Kneifl, who all go six feet five and 250 pounds or better. TE is a solid group with Sampson and Herrmann as better pass catchers/playmakers than blockers. With the young guys being so tall, the Yotes should have the ability to target them in the end zone.

OL- This group still holds the biggest question mark as injuries have hurt us over the past two years. Three starters return in juniors Tyler Ciurej (Center) and Mason Scheidegger (Guard) and sophomore Braden Schneider (guard). We are excited about our youth here with sophomore Austin Wallace and freshmen Isaac Erbes and Kian Rexroat-Potts expected to compete for starting positions this spring. OT is a big question mark for this team. I wouldn't be surprised to see Diggs slide to an OT position if he adds more muscle. Ciurej is solid and Schneider needs to be more consistent. The OL slipped in comparison to expectations last year. They need to have an improvement if this team wants to make the playoffs.

The D will be next.

[elcoyote]

Really impressive analysis. Looking forward to your comments on the defense.

[yotefbfan]

The first day of practice and looks like a few more names are off the roster.

Cannon Cox - RB and Ethan Faliniko - RB

Down to 4 left at the RB position with 2 coming in the fall.