SDSU looks for big, talented group of defensive linemen to return to elite form

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Aug. 25—BROOKINGS — If South Dakota State University football is going to accomplish its goals this season, the formula to make it happen is front and center.

That's on the defensive line, as SDSU hopes to have a large group of talented players contribute and provide depth for a unit that hopes to power the Jackrabbits back into national championship contention.

SDSU wasn't bad on defense or in the defensive line position group in 2025 but players and coaches said they ended last season committed to getting the unit to raise its standard and the consistency for the 2026 season, which begins Saturday in Brookings against Stetson (Fla.)

"I'd say our main focus this year is just being the most physical and connected team. I mean we've been that," SDSU defensive end Reis Kirschenman said. "I'd say our D-line room is probably one of the most connected rooms since I've been here. It's been great and dominating on the field too. I mean, every practice is gritty, it's fast-paced, it's up tempo."

"What we need to get accomplished is have 10 to 12 guys that we can play on Saturdays," SDSU coach Dan Jackson said earlier in August. "The thing I think about with the defensive line, who we call the Chain Gang, is first the way they attack every single day. Those guys compete and are violent and physical in everything that they do. Honestly, when you see them practice, every day is a game day to them."

The Jacks believe they have the unit to make that happen. SDSU returns defensive tackles Logan Green and Howard native Jace Sifore, with Green leading the team with 10 tackles for loss and 5 1/2 sacks last season. Defensive ends Dawson Ripperda and Reis Kirschenman are both back, with Ripperda being a second-team preseason All-America selection, while Kirschenman is back after playing only two games in 2025 due to an injury. He was one of numerous SDSU linemen impacted by injuries in 2025.

Kirschenman said he tried to use the time off the field to focus on how he would improve his football IQ and doing two workouts a day, not only doing physical therapy but also doing upper body workouts.

"It was the hardest year of my life," Kirschenman, the Tea native, said. "You have expectations and then you go down in Week 2 against Montana State. I've just tried to attack every day and take it one day at a time and not look too far to the future. But I'm excited to get back on the field this season."

Wayne State (Neb.) transfer Carter Stizman has drawn strong reviews so far and could play multiple defensive line positions. Ashton Sayre, Brody Targgart, Mac Muller, Blake Leiferman, Maverick LeBrun, Liam Shaw, Luke Krempges, Bergan Tetzlaff and Sam Christensen are other names expected to be in the mix for playing time.

In 2025, SDSU's defense had some solid statistical figures. SDSU finished 10th in the country in takeaways with 23 for the season. The defense also ranked top-10 nationally in third-down conversion defense (31.6% conversion rate), and SDSU's scoring defense was 24th, allowing 21.9 points per game. For the defensive line, SDSU had 2.21 sacks per game, which ranked in the middle of the country at 53rd.

It's not bad to any outside observer. But for the players and coaches, it wasn't the top defense in the country, which is where the Jacks' defensive unit ranked in 2022 and 2023 when they were hoisting national championship trophies at season's end.

"We're trying to keep that standard," Sifore said. "We want our defense to be feared and (the coaches) have done a good job letting us know that we came up short of our goal from last year. And then they helped us put the work in and pushed us to get back to where we're at now."

Jackson credited defensive line coach Logan McCormick as bringing intensity to his coaching and holding the players to a high bar.

"I love the mindset of that group, and then it's led to some really strong development from younger players," Jackson said. "We have older guys that we know what to expect from those guys, but I've seen a big, big jump in our younger players on the defensive line because of the level of intensity that they work with."

Leiferman, a Kimball product, moved over to defensive line after former coach Jimmy Rogers wanted him to work on the scout team defense when they were short on players. Building himself up from a raw scout teamer who "didn't know anything coming in," Leiferman saw playing time last season and hopes to have more success this season.

"This D-line group is full of talented players and great leaders as well, which I think is so important for coaching up their freshmen and also helping them get ready to play as well," Leiferman said. "I think that we have a deep room and, you know, you could send anybody in there and their expectation is to perform the same as a starter."

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