For some players, it’s been a while since they have been on the field. For others, it is a quick turnaround into the Fall 2021 schedule.
Here is a look at some of the players to watch from South Dakota college teams in 2021:
Braden Christie
Presentation, LB, Sr.
Chrisite received honorable mention all-conference attention and was third on the team in tackles last fall. He also led the Saints in solo tackles (35), tackles-for-loss (14.0) and sacks (5.0) and he recovered a fumble.
Isaiah Davis
South Dakota State, RB, Fr.
A quick turnaround is an understatement for the Jackrabbits, who were playing in the national championship game less than two months ago. Although, Davis would likely want to keep the momentum he had during the playoff run. The team’s leading rusher for the season last year, he was stellar in the playoffs earning recognition as Co-MVP of the title game, rushing for 444 yards in that four-game span and had five TDs. Davis had 305 all-purpose yards in the championship.
Davian Guajardo
Mount Marty, QB, Fr.
Everything starts fresh and new at Mount Marty in the fall. After a long wait and two years of recruiting classes coming to Sioux Falls, the Lancers officially get things started in September. Guajardo has the potential for four strong seasons with MMU. He has plenty of competition for the starting role this season and will have to work through camp, but the freshman from Texas has an arm and an opportunity.
Noah Guse
Dakota State, DB, Sr.
A First Team selection on the All-NSAA list and honorable mention All-American, Guse took care of business in the secondary. He had a league-high (and tied for NAIA-high) six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Two of those pick-sixes were in the same game. Guse was also fourth on the team in all-purpose yards.
Myles Harden
South Dakota, DB, Fr.
Harden had the opportunity to play in only four games in his true freshman year, but had a solid performance in the time he had. He had 16 tackles, including a TFL, and was one of only eight players on his team to be in double digits in solo tackles. He also brought in two interceptions in those four games.
Kielar Harpham
Black Hills State, WR, Gr.
The challenge for the day is to try to find an offensive stat column for the Yellow Jackets that doesn’t contain Kielar Harpham’s name. Yeah, it’s tough. Harpham is coming back for one more go-round as a grad student. The team’s leading receiver and one of its captains, Harpham is as versatile a player as they come.
Dakota Larson
Northern State, WR, Sr.
Larson was the Wolves’ leader in receiving yards in each of the last two full seasons and an All-Region player in 2019. He also shared the team lead in touchdowns scored, as well as return yardage.
T.J. Liggett
Augustana, LB, Jr.
Liggett put up numbers a team would hope to get from someone in the linebacker position, leading the Vikings in their last full season in overall tackles and solo tackles. He made his way into the opponents’ backfields and collected 9.5 tackles-for-loss, including a pair of sacks. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two.
Cole Peterson
South Dakota Mines, LB, Sr.
As a sophomore, in the last full season, Peterson led his team in total tackles with 114, 11 tackles-for-loss, including 2.5 sacks, had one interception, one pass break-up and a forced fumble. He was recognized with All-RMAC honorable mention.
Thuro Reisdorfer
Sioux Falls, RB, Jr.
Reisdorfer is a big part of an offense that has playoff potential again this season. He scored 19 TDs in ’19 – 13 rushing, five receiving and one on an 80-yard kickoff return. He had a 1,000-yard season running the ball in the last full season (1,150 yards) and did it picking up big chunks of ground at a time (6.8 yards per carry). Reisdorfer averaged more than 120 all-purpose yards per game and keeps opposing defenses guessing from which direction he will strike next.
Dominick Warmbein
Dakota Wesleyan, DL, Jr.
Through just seven games played in 2020, Warmbein collected 8.5 tackles-for-loss, including 5.5 sacks. He did the bulk of his work through the final three games – all wins for the Tigers – and helped DWU close out the season strong and push the team toward ’21.