College football: Three Jackrabbits named to All-Newcomer Team

Posted

ST. LOUIS - Three South Dakota State players were among the 25 student-athletes named Tuesday to the 2022 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team.

Representing the Jackrabbit offense was lineman John O’Brian. A junior transfer from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, O’Brian started all 11 regular season games for a squad averaging 31.4 points and 367.6 yards of total offense per game. He started the first three games at right guard before moving to right tackle at the beginning of league action.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jason Freeman and Tucker Large were honored from SDSU. A junior transfer from Zion, Illinois, Freeman ended the regular season second on the team in tackles with 56 from his linebacker position. He also registered five tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of pass breakups.

Large, a redshirt freshman from Sioux Falls, filled in where needed for a Jackrabbit defense that ranks No. 1 among Football Championship Subdivision teams in rushing defense. He notched 20 total tackles and broke up two passes while seeing action at both safety and linebacker during the 2022 regular season.

South Dakota State won the MVFC regular season title with a perfect 8-0 league mark and enters the FCS playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed with a 10-1 overall record. The Jackrabbits, who are making their 11th consecutive FCS postseason appearance and 12th overall, host Delaware in second-round action Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.