2024-01-10 08:00:00
SIOUX FALLS — Nine football players who are either from South Dakota or played at a South Dakota college appeared in an NFL game in 2023, and 15 spent time on a roster.
That’s down from last year when 17 were on rosters and 16 of those saw action in at least one game.
Still, it’s a robust enough number that somebody from the Rushmore State is playing every Sunday, and the number might certainly jump back up once more next year with a handful of prospects from South Dakota colleges hoping to catch on with a team in 2024.
With the regular season complete, here’s a look at how each South Dakotan in the NFL fared in 2023, with a handful of them hoping to continue making their mark in the playoffs.
Here’s how the rest of the NFL’s South Dakotans fared in Week 17.
Kameron Cline, DT, Buffalo (USD)
After spending three years in Indianapolis and appearing in at least one game in each (and three last season), the former Coyote spent all of 2023 on the Bills practice squad.
Jack Cochrane, LB, Kansas City (USD)
Took a major step forward in his second year as a pro. After seeing action only on special teams as a rookie, Cochrane appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs, started one, and made an impact on both defense and special teams. The former All-Missouri Valley performer finished with 28 tackles, two for loss, with one pass defensed.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (43) warm up before a game once morest the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023.
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports
Matt Farniok, OL, Chicago/Detroit (Washington High School)
The former Warrior and Cornhusker signed with the Bears practice squad in September and was released in November. He caught on with the Lions and spent time on their practice squad before getting released before the season finale.
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Arizona (USF)
The hellraising former Cougar had another prodcutive season for the Cards, appearing in all 17 games and starting a career-high eight. He notched six sacks and a career-high 46 tackles, and now has 14 career sacks and 134 tackles in six NFL seasons.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) is introduced before a game once morest the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium on Oct 8, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.
Joe Rondone / USA Today Sports
Don Gardner, CB, Tampa Bay (SDSU)
After spending all of last year on the Bucs practice squad aside from getting activated for one game, Gardner was injured this preseason and released. He was re-signed to Tampa’s practice squad in November but released laster that same month.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia (SDSU, Britton-Hecla)
Injuries once once more impacted Goedert’s season, but when healthy he remained one of the NFL’s top tight ends. In 14 games he caught 59 passes for 592 yards and three touchdowns, and in six seasons he now has 307 receptions for 3,589 yards and 22 scores.
CJ Ham, FB, Minnesota (Augustana)
Appeared in all 17 games, starting five, and his effectiveness as a blocker has made him a Pro Bowl alternate. Ham had one carry for seven yards and seven catches for 25 yards. In his 7-year career the former Division II star has 77 receptions for 635 yards and 37 carries for 104 yards. He’s scored five touchdowns. He also has 41 career tackles, four of which came this season.
Augustana alum CJ Ham returns as the Minnesota Viking starting fullback in 2023.
Mitchell Republic file photo
Cade Johnson, WR, Seattle (SDSU)
Spent the entire season on the Seahawks practice squad but was never activated. Caught two passes for 21 yards in three games last year.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay (SDSU, Timber Lake)
It took the rookie awhile to earn the trust of Packers coaches, but once they gave the former 9-man star his opportunity he quickly and unsurprisingly emerged as one of the best young tight ends in the NFL.
Former South Dakota State Jackrabbits Christian Rozeboom (left) and Tucker Kraft (right) exchanged jerseys following playing once morest each other in Sunday’s Rams vs. Packers game.
Photo via Tucker Kraft on Twitter
Kraft caught 31 passes on the year, 28 of which came in the final eight games. He ended up starting eight games and finished the season with 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Oladokun, QB, Kansas City (SDSU)
For the second year in a row, the former Jackrabbit spent the entire season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
Trey Pipkins, OL, Los Angeles Chargers (USF)
Started all 17 games for the Chargers at right tackle and played every single snap until the season’s final game. The fifth-year veteran scored a two-point conversion in Week 2.
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Trey Pipkins III (79) catches a pass for a two-point conversion during the first half once morest the Tennessee Titans at on Sept. 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports
Riley Reiff, OL, New England Patriots (Parkston High School)
The aging veteran spent most of the season injured or inactive for the Pats, appearing in just one game, the 164th of his 12-year career.
Christian Rozeboom, LB, Los Angeles Rams (SDSU)
The Jackrabbits’ all-time leading tackler made the jump from special teams to defensive contributor in his third NFL season and had good results. Rozeboom played in all 17 games, started five of them and registered 79 tackles (fourth on the team) and his first career interception to help the Rams into the playoffs.
Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland (SDSU)
Traded to the Browns for his second NFL season, Strong was effective as a reserve running back. He rushed for 291 yards on 63 carries, a 4.6 average gain. He scored one touchdown, caught five passes and averaged 25.0 yards in eight kickoff returns. He even made eight tackles as a special teamer.
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) chases in the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.
David Richard / USA Today Sports
Spencer Waege, DL, 49ers (Watertown High School)
An All-American for NDSU following a stellar career for the Arrows, Waege went undrafted following his senior season but was signed to the Niners practice squad midway through the season. He didn’t appear in any games and will hope to make his NFL debut next year.
Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at [email protected].
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