University of South Dakota Athletics

Returning Starters
Alex Gray
 
Returning Letterwinners
Brian Woodward
Jake Matthew
Jack Cochrane
Joe Kordus
Conner Thiele
 
Redshirts
Kolade Amusan
 
Newcomers
Hunter Headlee
Jarrod Peterson
Brock Mogensen
 
The strength of the Coyote defense this season will be the quality and depth it has at the linebacker position. John Wessel and Jim Litrenta have graduated, but four seniors are back including Alex Gray and Alex Coker who have compiled more than 100 tackles each throughout their collegiate careers.
 
Coach Bob Nielson has stated he feels he has two really good waves of linebackers he can rotate in and out over the course of a game. Jack Cochrane, a sophomore who entered the fray in the middle of his true freshman season last year, will certainly be a part of those waves, as will senior Brian Woodward, who earned two starts and played in nine games in 2017. Inside linebackers coach Atiba Bradley also mentioned Conner Thiele, Joe Kordus and Jake Matthew as players who are knocking on the door, and waiting for an opportunity.
 
Kolade Amusan redshirted last year and is ready for his first opportunity. Newcomers include Hunter Headlee and Jarrod Peterson, who each have older brothers who compete for the Coyotes, and Brock Mogensen, the leading tackler for Farmington High School (Minn.) in each of the last two seasons.
 
Thoughts from inside linebackers coach Atiba Bradley:
 
"This is probably one of the smartest groups, top to bottom, that I've ever been a part of. They understand football, they understand what offenses are trying to do to them, and so as a result, they are trying to be one step ahead of the offense."