1st and Goal: Tight Ends

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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.

With unanimous All-America selection Dallas Goedert returning, the tight end position will once again play a prominent role in the South Dakota State offense.

A senior from Britton, Goedert recorded a school-record 92 receptions last season for 1,291 yards and 11 touchdowns. He caught a touchdown pass in the Jackrabbits' six games, including tying the school record with four touchdown receptions in SDSU's Missouri Valley Football Conference opener against Western Illinois. He also ran for a 17-yard touchdown in a road victory at Southern Illinois.

A first-team selection on six different All-America teams, Goedert put together a streak of seven consecutive games in which he notched 100 or more receiving yards.

None of the other tight ends on the spring roster, all of whom are sophomores, has caught a pass in a collegiate game. Sam Steckman and Kallan Hart saw limited action a year ago, while Matt Fitzgerald has moved to tight end after spending time as a defensive end during his first two years in the Jackrabbit program.

Next installment: Defensive Tackles