NFL Draft preview: How many from South Dakota will get the call?

Apr. 22—DETROIT — Over the last decade or so, South Dakota has had an increasingly significant role in the NFL Draft, regularly putting players on the radar as the state's college football programs churn out more and more pro prospects.

And 2024 could be our biggest year yet on draft weekend.

A handful of players are expected to hear their name called at some point during the three-day event, while the number of players who are on draft boards and likely to at least receive a post-draft free-agent contract or camp invite reaches double digits.

Kim Nelson, who coached high school football in South Dakota for more than 40 years, has had a front row seat to the rise of NFL prospects in the state, and credited South Dakota State's Division I move two decades ago for sparking a revolution.

"Everything changed when SDSU went Division I," said Nelson, who won 314 games as a high school coach and is now an assistant at USF. "There were really good players at SDSU and USD for years and nobody saw 'em. (NFL teams) wouldn't send their scouts out here. Well now all the sudden those teams are playing D1 football and having success and it's getting attention. Now (NFL scouts) come out. It's been really good for football in this area and certainly for South Dakota."

One of Nelson's former players, Jackrabbit offensive lineman Mason McCormick, is expected to be the first South Dakotan off the board. An All-American guard who paved the way for two FCS national championships, McCormick has become a draft darling ever since putting together a memorable performance at the Combine in Indianapolis. His all-around marks rank among the best ever by a guard, and the former Roosevelt Rough Rider has gone from a projected late-round fringe candidate to one of the top-rated guards on the board. He's been projected as high as the 2nd round by some analysts, though others see him going in the 4th or 5th round.

McCormick has had private workouts and meetings with several teams and their representatives since the Combine, some of whom came to Brookings. Nelson said he fielded calls from a handful of teams. They wanted background information from McCormick's high school coach, but also made clear they were big fans of the 6-foot-4, 309-pounder.

It all could be a gut-wrenching time for McCormick, but he's taking it in stride.

"I'm not too nervous," he said. "You've just got to have fun with it. Not too many football players get this opportunity and I'll only get it once. I've always been confident in myself and this program at South Dakota State has done such a good job of preparing all of us for this. Going out there and showing everyone what Jackrabbit football is all about has been pretty fun."

McCormick is unlikely to be the only Jackrabbit taken, as his linemate, left tackle Garret Greenfield, also turned heads at the Combine after an All-American career, while star running back Isaiah Davis has also been a popular name amongst draft sleepers. Greenfield has been projected anywhere from the 3rd round to the 7th, while Davis is expected to be a third day selection (rounds 4-7).

Down the interstate in Vermillion, the Coyotes have a likely draftee on the boards as well, in cornerback Myles Harden. The 5-11, 195-pound Florida native was fully healthy last year and earned first-team All-MVFC honors in helping USD to a 10-win season. He, too, performed well at the Combine, running a 4.5 40-yard dash and a 3.98 20-yard shuttle to go with a 35-5 vertical leap and 9-10 broad jump. He's been projected as high as the 4th round.

The other name most likely to get a call left the state to play college football. Former O'Gorman and St. Thomas More tight end Tip Reiman played at Illinois, and the 6-5, 270-pounder ran a 4.64 40-yard dash while putting up 28 reps on the bench, showcasing a unique combination of power and speed that has him on every mock draft out there, projected as an early third-day pick.

After that are roughly a dozen others who may not get picked but can likely expect an offer after the draft.

SDSU receivers Jaxon and Jadon Janke, tight end Zach Heins and linebacker Isaiah Stalbird have all generated various levels of NFL buzz, while cornerback DyShawn Gales, offensive tackle John O'Brian and linebacker Jason Freeman could also get a shot.

USD's Brock Mogensen, Stephen Hillis, Jon Joanis, Isaac Erbes and Brendan Webb will be waiting for a call as well, while Augustana tackle Blake Larson, a Brandon native, is one of the top Division II candidates in the draft after an All-American career.

Will these players go where they're projected? Perhaps not. For those outside the power conferences, there will always be questions. NFL scouts will hold their competition level against them, and scouts/personnel people whose jobs are on the line will, when in doubt, probably always be more comfortable going with the guy from the Big Ten over the guy from the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Here's the thing, though: Of the couple dozen players from South Dakota who have been drafted and/or signed by NFL teams over the last decade, hardly any of them have been busts.

Dallas Goedert was taken in the 2nd round. He's become an elite tight end who, in hindsight, would've been worthy of a first round pick.

Tucker Kraft had a promising rookie year last year. Pierre Strong has produced when given the chance. Former USF tackle Trey Pipkins has been a starter for the Chargers for the last two seasons. Tom Compton was a 6th-round draft pick out of USD back when they were still in the Great West Football Conference, and he lasted more than a decade in the NFL.

Zach Zenner (SDSU), Chris Streveler (USD), Christian Rozeboom (SDSU), Bryan Witzmann (SDSU), Dennis Gardeck (USF) and Jack Cochrane (USD) all went undrafted and each one of them made something of themselves in the NFL. Former Augustana running back CJ Ham made the Vikings out of a rookie tryout and is now the longest-tenured player on their offense and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Not only is there little reason for any NFL team to look at a potential draft prospect from South Dakota and have doubts about his ability to play in the league, there is, in fact, reason to look at those players and think 'South Dakota? Hell yeah, those guys can play.'

"I don't know what they look for, honestly," said Jacks coach Jimmy Rogers. "I know (Davis) is one of the best running backs in the country, including all levels. Where is he gonna get picked? I don't know. But I know those guys are gonna make it. They're gonna make it because of who they are and what they're about. These are guys that can handle setbacks and stay focused. Guys that can be coached hard and that will put in the work. There are multiple guys in this group that are gonna have a career, not just a cup of coffee."

The draft begins with the first round Thursday night in Detroit at 7 p.m., and continues with round 2-3 on Friday starting at 6 p.m. and finishing up with round 4-7 on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. The Chicago Bears have the first pick.