May 16—VERMILLION, S.D. — If there is one position the University of South Dakota football team hasn’t worried about over the last few years, it’s been tight end.
With JJ Galbreath — perhaps the best FCS tight end in the country over the last two seasons — the Coyotes were solidified at the position. But with Galbreath off to the NFL, USD needs new faces to fill the production vacated by his departure.
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But replacing Galbreath will be no easy task. He finished his USD career with 93 receptions, 1,355 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. The last two years were his most impressive, combining for 1,042 receiving yards, nine touchdowns and was one of quarterback Aidan Bouman’s favorite targets. Not to mention, he was a first-team All-American last season.
Despite his absence, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Tim Morrison said prior to spring practice that he was excited to see the Coyotes’ crop of returning tight ends, highlighting the mix of experience and youth.
“Zach Witte’s had a really good offseason, a kid that’s been with us for quite a while now that’s really looking to take that next step with JJ being gone,” Morrison said. “Jesse Miller gained invaluable experience last year. Once JJ was injured, Jesse Miller came in and played a lot of snaps, that’s going to carry over and it’s been fun.
“Those two new guys, Caden Frey and Mason Cowgill, two young guys that are looking to step into that role,” Morrison added. “They’ve had great winter offseason workouts, now they’re using that newfound size and strength to carry that on the football field. So that room is really developing as a young group as we move forward together. It’s been fun to watch them work.”
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USD got a sneak preview of what life without Galbreath would look like after he was injured against South Dakota State. He was out for four games, but over that span, those four returners combined for one catch over that span. However, USD coaches believe all four returners have taken steps forward since then.
The Coyotes were also set to return Hayden Erickson, who was used primarily in blocking situations last season. However, he entered the transfer portal shortly after spring practice got underway. But even with his departure, the competition in the room was fierce during the spring.
Miller got a lot of run as the Coyotes’ No. 1 tight end in spring practice and said even though everyone was working hard to earn reps, they all wanted to take steps forward through the competition.
“If you’re fighting for that No. 1 or No. 2 spot, people can maybe be hesitant to help the other guy out because maybe they want that spot. But that’s not a problem in the tight end room,” Miller said. “Everyone wants everyone to succeed. There’s never been a lack of communication, simply because we don’t want the other person to have the one reps or the two reps. I think the communication is great and the competitiveness is always great.”
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That competition will get more fierce in the next few months with USD adding multiple tight ends out of the transfer portal.
The Coyotes began with Lafayette transfer Dallas Holmes. Over three seasons in Easton, Pennsylvania, Holmes had 304 receiving yards and six touchdowns while earning Patriot League all-conference second-team honors last season. He’ll likely be in the rotation from day one and could compete for the top spot come fall.
Then, the Coyotes picked up a commitment from West Virginia transfer Jackson Accuardi. The former three-star prospect enrolled at West Virginia early this spring, but soon entered the portal. Accuardi has great size, standing at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds and has full eligibility remaining. The move could yield results in the short term, but will likely be even more valuable after Accuardi has had a year or two in the system.
Miller will likely in the middle of that rotational competition and said for him to be in the best position possible to earn the starting job, he’ll need to prove to those around him that he can be a go-to weapon.
“Putting more good reps on tape, just proving to my teammates that, ‘hey, you can count on me,'” Miller said. “Just being in the right spot at the right time, doing the right things, building people up, developing a good chemistry with my team.”
