GREEN BAY — The last time there wasn’t a single NFL Draft pick from South Dakota was in 2016.

That year’s South Dakota State Jackrabbits team had a handful of players who would eventually make their way to the doorstep of the NFL (some of whom are still playing today), but they were underclassmen. The development of NFL talent within South Dakota’s high school and college programs was just beginning.

Then in 2017, former Sioux Falls Washington star Nate Gerry was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles, and someone from South Dakota has been drafted every year since:

2017
Nate Gerry, LB/S, Sioux Falls Washington (Nebraska), 5th round, Philadelphia

2018
Dallas Goedert, TE, Britton-Hecla, SDSU, 2nd round, Philadelphia

2019
Trey Pipkins, OL, USF, 3rd round, LA Chargers
Jordan Brown, CB, SDSU, 7th round, Cincinnati

2020
Derrek Tuszka, DE/LB, Warner (NDSU), 7th round, Denver

2021
Matt Farniok, OL, SF Washington (Nebraska), 7th round, Dallas

2022
Pierre Strong, RB, SDSU, 4th round, New England
Chris Oladokun, QB, SDSU, 7th round, Pittsburgh

2023
Tucker Kraft, TE, Timber Lake, SDSU, 3rd round, Green Bay

2024
Mason McCormick, OL, SF Roosevelt, SDSU, 4th round, Pittsburgh
Isaiah Davis, RB, SDSU, 5th round, NY Jets
Myles Harden, CB, USD, 7th round, Cleveland

Pierre’s Grey Zabel is projected by many outlets to be a first round pick this year. If that happens he’d be the 8th South Dakotan to get taken in the first round.

Here are the others:
Urban Odson, Clark, 1942. 9th overall to Green Bay.
Larry Jacobson, SF O’Gorman, 1972. 24th overall to NY Giants.
George Amundson, Aberdeen, 1973. 14th overall to Houston.
John Dutton, Rapid City, 1974. 5th overall to Baltimore.
Lynn Boden, SDSU, 1975. 13th overall to Detroit.
Chad Greenway, Mount Vernon, 2006. 17th overall to Minnesota.
Riley Reiff, Parkston, 2012. 23rd overall to Detroit.

As for the area colleges, South Dakota State currently has a three-year streak of beging represented in the draft, a streak that seems a longshot to reach four this weekend in Green Bay. While there are a handful of Jackrabbits on the NFL radar this year, many of whom will end up in a camp, there hasn’t been much buzz around them in mock drafts.

Same goes for USD, who ended a 10-year drought of draft picks last year when corner Myles Harden went in the seventh round to the Browns.

Here’s a look at the draft history of South Dakota’s college programs:

SDSU
Total Picks: 34
Highest pick: Lynn Boden, 1st round, 1975
Most recent: McCormick, Davis, 2024

USD
Total picks: 18
Highest pick: John Kohler, 3rd round, 1970
Most recent pick: Harden, 2024

Augustana
Picks: 3
Highest pick: Bryan Schwartz, 2nd round, 1995
Most recent: Schwartz

USF
Total picks: 2
Highest pick: Pipkins, 3rd round, 2019
Most recent pick: Pipkins

Others
Yankton Colleg
Lyle Alzado, 4th round, 1971

Black Hills State
Mike Savoy, 9th round, 1971

South Dakota Tech
Maher Barakat, 15th round, 1970
Lars Ditlev, 13th round, 1974

The NFL Draft is this weekend in Green Bay. It will be televised on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, and can be streamed on various platforms including ESPN+ and YouTubeTV.
The first round is set for Thursday at 7 p.m.
Rounds 2-3 are Friday, starting at 5 p.m.
Rounds 4-7 are Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

MITCHELL, S.D. — For Calli Williams, being named to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazers program is the culmination of years of hard work, advocacy and building a ranch from the ground up with her husband, Tate, and their two sons.

“We are first-generation ranchers located near Mitchell, South Dakota,” Williams said. “In the 10 years Tate and I have been together, we’ve doubled our cow size. We’re at a point where we’ve kind of maxed out the property that we own, so we’re always looking to continue to grow.”

Williams, who co-manages their annual online bull sale and direct-to-consumer retail beef business, has long had a passion for promoting the beef industry. That passion started early, when she was named the South Dakota Beef Ambassador in 2009. But it wasn’t until recently that she decided to take the next big step and apply for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Trailblazers, a program that trains beef advocates across the country to effectively communicate and represent the industry.

“I had seen a couple of girls on the team last year and the year prior, women that I absolutely admire,” Williams said. “And I thought, that is a heck of an honor to be on a team like that. I thought, you know what, now or never.”

The application process included short essays, a video submission, and certifications in Beef Quality Assurance and Masters of Beef Advocacy.

“And then we had to submit a five- to six-minute video of why we thought we should be a member,” she said.

Her first in-person orientation with the Trailblazers team is set for the end of June at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association headquarters in Denver.

“It’s only a two-day orientation, but it is going to be packed full,” she said, highlighting mock interviews, panel sessions, keynote deliveries, a culinary challenge, and a visit to a feedlot.

Balancing the ranch, her children, and a leadership role on the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association board, Williams acknowledges the challenge of taking on more, but also the necessity.

“It felt like it’s time that I step back on that platform of promoting and advocacy outside of just social media,” she said. “As hard as it is to leave the ranch, I think it’s important that we make those connections.”

Williams currently serves as the vice president of membership for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, where she’s focused on member engagement and partnership development.

“I set a personal goal of where I’d like to see our membership when my position is up,” she said. “We’re in that brainstorming process, what brands or businesses can we partner with, how do we get additional cattlemen involved?”

Her selection to the Trailblazers program is celebrated by industry leaders back home.

“The beef industry needs strong, effective advocates — and Calli is exactly that,” said Warren Symens, president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. “Her passion, dedication, and understanding of the industry make her an ideal representative for South Dakota. We’re excited to see the difference she’ll make on a national level.”

Williams also wants to be a voice of encouragement for those just getting their start.

“I think about Tate — he grew up on Lake Mitchell, zero ag background. He started buying cows in high school because of a friend’s operation,” she said. “There are families out there who would love a kid to come show something of theirs. It’s about making those relationships, letting people know you’re interested.”

Williams sees this opportunity as more than just personal growth for herself, she hopes to build community, raise awareness of the beef industry, and help shape the future of agriculture.

“There’s a lot to learn,” she said, “but we’re here, and we’re doing it.”

Kennedy is a reporter for Sioux Falls Live based out of Brookings with a focus on the people and issues in Northeast South Dakota. She grew up on an organic crop farm where her family also raises cattle near Estelline and also contributes to AgWeek. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2023 with a major in agricultural communication and minor in agricultural business.

News

South Dakota small grains planting pass halfway

South Dakota farmers are making progress on planting amid very dry conditions.

The USDA says seven percent of the corn is planted, ahead of this time last year and the five-year average. Oats are 59 percent planted, and spring wheat is at 50 percent.

Winter wheat is rated 31 percent poor to very poor, with only 14 percent good.

Topsoil moisture is 80 percent short to very short in the state.