South Dakota’s Spring Sport wasn’t a lot of a sport. However in its open follow Saturday within the DakotaDome, USD ran by means of dwell performs for almost all and several other gamers stood out.

The Coyotes, returning a largely comparable roster from maybe its finest Division-I season ever, didn’t have many query marks coming into the spring. However, as at all times, a brand new season brings some place battles price watching. 

South Dakota is ready on the quarterback place (Carson Camp), the operating again place (any of Travis Theis, Shomari Lawrence, Nate Thomas and Mike Mansaray present a robust starter plus depth) and the offensive line (returning all 5 starters) on offense. However past that, many place teams at the least require one participant to take a sophisticated position this upcoming season.

“There have been some good performs,” South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson mentioned. “Noticed some good issues making an attempt to get some youthful guys just a few extra reps within the staff stuff as we speak.”

Most of these gamers had a chance to point out their capability Saturday. Listed here are 4 takeaways from South Dakota’s remaining spring follow.

Defensive again Myles Harden wholesome, grabs interception to finish follow

It was anybody’s ball. South Dakota ran a deep route within the remaining play of follow and redshirt freshman vast receiver Makai Lovett wrestled with sophomore defensive again Myles Harden for place. 

Lovett has been probably the most talked-about gamers in spring to this point, an actual menace to take loads of snaps as a receiver subsequent yr. He made a pleasant catch over the center earlier in follow. However this time, Harden acquired the higher of him. He leaped up and pulled the ball down, hopping again and punting the ball away from a frenzy of defensive gamers who came to visit to have fun.

Harden kicked the ball together with his proper leg, however the different one feels good, too, after an harm to his left leg ended his season final yr. Round follow seven this spring, Harden began working his approach again into particular person drill and was wholesome sufficient to play even with the overly-cautious strategy to accidents this spring. Harden will rejoin a defensive backs unit that Nielson has been happy with to this point this spring. With the lack of security Elijah Reed in a management position, Harden nonetheless expects there can be a lot in that unit who may “make performs.”

“I really feel like we progressed quite a bit this spring,” Harden mentioned.

Nate Thomas may miss time subsequent season after “non-contact” harm holds him out of Spring Sport

Whereas South Dakota’s operating backs displayed Saturday what made it the most effective speeding models within the Missouri Valley Soccer Convention final yr, breakout star Nate Thomas watched from the sideline with a brace on his left leg. Thomas suffered a “non-contact” harm final week, head coach Bob Nielson mentioned and there may be already concern that he may miss vital time subsequent fall.

“He has a knee (harm),” Nielson mentioned. “Sadly, it seems to be prefer it’s gonna be one thing that is going to require surgical procedure. It was robust to see.”

The freshman joined USD as a walk-on a season in the past and took 114 carries for 717 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was awarded a scholarship on his birthday after the season. 

“It’s a chance (Thomas misses subsequent season),” Nielson mentioned. “You need to get by means of spring with out anyone getting harm, and significantly a man like Nate, who was having a fantastic spring and, clearly, had a fantastic fall for us.”

With no Brett Samson, tight finish room is “enterprise on a regular basis” combating for snaps

Considered one of beginning quarterback Carson Camp’s first passes was off-line. It was only a quick move to JJ Galbreath. Camp shortly turned to the correct facet of the sector and snapped his wrist, getting the ball out fast however not proper to Galbreath’s numbers. 

It didn’t matter. Galbreath caught out his left mitt, clamped the ball with one hand and ran the ball upfield. It was a powerful show of catching capability from Galbreath, one thing that doesn’t appear to be an anomaly after he made similar-type grabs in the course of the warmups and drill parts of the dwell follow. 

“I beloved spring ball this yr,” Galbreath mentioned. “When you really study (every part you’re alleged to be doing) and put all of it collectively, it is like an entire totally different world.”

Considered one of South Dakota’s greatest pass-catching losses from final yr is the commencement of tight finish Brett Samson. Tight finish Austin Goehring was held out of the spring sport attributable to an harm, however Nielson famous his backup tight finish from a season in the past who caught his justifiable share of passes is a “fairly good receiver, too.” However there’s nonetheless catches available in that room, and Galbreath made a robust impression Saturday.

Galbreath mentioned he’s performed out of the slot some, switching off with redshirt freshman tight finish Matteo Bonnin, who’s a “good little shifty receiver as properly.” 

“It is enterprise on a regular basis if you’re out right here,” Galbreath mentioned. “We misplaced (Samson) so individuals must step up. There’s gonna must be individuals who play in huge roles. So we’re competing as a place group proper now for who can be that particular person. Or individuals.”

Offensive line depth shaping up behind first-time captain and left deal with Alex Jensen

South Dakota has its captains for subsequent season: linebacker Brock Mogenson, lengthy snapper Dalton Godfrey and, for the primary time in his profession, beginning left deal with Alex Jensen.

“I used to be excited to obtain that recognition,” Jensen mentioned. “Getting the management title is one factor, however demonstrating it and following by means of into the season is the larger factor.”

Jensen has a strong basis within the group he’s working with. South Dakota returns all 5 of its offensive line starters and he, Isaac Erbes and Joey Lombard make a “combination” of the verbal leaders who’re filling in for the presence vacated by Mason Scheidegger, who took on a player-coach position after he medically retired from soccer previous to final season.

The Coyotes offensive line made huge strides final season, and with accidents, a lot extra needed to take snaps in huge video games, too. 

“We’ve been in a position to preserve near two-deep, which is good,” Jensen mentioned. “That is actually necessary for everyone getting the reps on a regular basis and with the ability to actually benefit from each alternative you get all through the spring.”

Comply with Sioux Falls Argus Chief reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary.