University of South Dakota Athletics

As we approach the season opener against Montana on Aug. 31 inside the DakotaDome, we will take a quick look at each of the Coyotes' position groups. We continue the series with offensive linemen where coach Andrew Prevost is in his second season with the unit and fourth with the team. Check out the video posted above and text below to learn more about USD's "hippos".

Returning Starters
Mason Scheidegger, Jr., Fonda, Iowa (TEAM CO-CAPTAIN)
Braden Schneider, So., McLouth, Kan.
Austin Wallace, So., Metamora, Ill.
 
Returners
Michael Bianchi, Sr., Island Lake, Ill.
Cam Seck, So., Paola, Kan.
Isaac Erbes, R-Fr., Urbandale, Iowa
Kian Rexroat-Potts, R-Fr., Oconomowoc, Wis.
Trevor Shohoney, R-Fr., Franklin, Wis.
Spencer Gavin, R-Fr., Indianola, Iowa

Newcomers
Alex Jensen, So., Plymouth, Minn. (played tight end prior two seasons)
Cole Ernst, So., Le Claire, Iowa (Iowa Western CC)
Noah Alling, Fr., Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Whitefish Bay HS)
Ryan Bena, Fr., Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep HS)
Colton Harberts, Fr., Dike, Iowa (Dike-New Hartford HS)
Joey Lombard, Fr., Anoka, Minn. (Anoka HS)
Siler Tschirhart, Fr., Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley HS)
Tyler Smith, Fr., Joplin, Mo. (Joplin HS)
Cliff Johnson, Fr., Lake Andes, S.D. (Andes Central HS)

It is a position group 18 members strong, but incredibly young. Bianchi is the position group's lone senior, and Scheidegger is the only junior. Just five have competed along the offensive line in the past for the Coyotes and just one, Scheidegger, can boast double-digit starts. Still, the group will need to mature quickly for South Dakota to reach its goals in 2019.

Scheidegger hasn't missed a start in the last two seasons and has competed at all five positions along the line. He started all 11 games at left guard a year ago. Schneider started seven games at right guard in 2018, but injuries forced him to miss a few games. Wallace picked up those other four starts at right guard. Bianchi has had a tremendous fall and is competing for a starting role. He logged his only collegiate start as a redshirt freshman in 2016 and competed mainly on special teams in 2017. Erbes and Rexroat-Potts both saw time as true freshmen a year ago, but were able to redshirt.

The newcomers include Jensen, who slides over from the tight end group. Ernst competed competed on an 11-1 Iowa Western team a year ago. Seven of the newcomers are true freshmen.

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