Editor's note: Throughout Spring Football, GoJacks.com will take an in-depth look at various position groups. The initial installment of 1st and Goal focuses on the Jackrabbit quarterbacks.
One of the most seasoned position groups on the South Dakota State football team this spring is at safety, where the Jackrabbits return three players with starting experience and several others who have contributed on the field.
Seniors Chris Balster and Nick Farina lead the group of returners. Balster started the final 11 games of the 2016 season and ranked third on the squad with 75 tackles, while adding an interception, two pass breakups and a forced fumble as he played mostly at free safety. He also made four starts at strong safety in 2015.
Farina has started 16 games over the last two seasons, seeing action at both free and strong safety. A starter in four games in 2016, Farina tallied 39 tackles with an interception and fumble recovery.
Junior Makiah Slade was part of the regular rotation at safety last season and tallied 38 tackles with a pair of interceptions. Slade started the Jackrabbits' 2016 home opener against Drake.
Three other players who have seen limited action in the secondary also return. Junior Alex Romenesko has primarily been a key special teams performer during his time as a Jackrabbit, posting seven tackles in eight games last year. Sophomores Lorenzo Williams and Brandon Thomas also gained valuable experience a season ago.
In addition, the safety spots are expected to be bolstered by redshirt freshman Pete Menage and sophomore Clark Wieneke. Menage was honored as the squad's Scout Defense Player of the Year in 2016, while Wieneke has moved to the defensive side of the ball after spending his first two years in the program as a running back.
Although the Jackrabbits have seen continuity in their on-field personnel at safety, the group will be working with its third different position coach in as many years. Brian Bergstrom, formerly the defensive coordinator at Augustana, was hired to lead the group shortly before the start of spring ball.
Next installment: Tight Ends
