South Dakota State University, referred to as the Jackrabbits, is a public research university in Brookings, South Dakota. The university is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in agriculture and engineering, as well as its notable athletic accomplishments.
The Jackrabbits are members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), which was formerly known as Division I-AA. But how many NFL players went to South Dakota State?
NFL Players From South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits have a long and proud football history dating back to 1889, when they played their first game. South Dakota State has won 33 conference titles, made 10 playoff appearances, and reached the FCS semifinals four times. The Jackrabbits have produced some great players in college football who have gone on to play in the NFL.
Just 34 players from South Dakota State have played in the NFL since 1922. Some of the most notable Jackrabbits who have played in the NFL are Jim Langer, Adam Timmerman, Dallas Goedert, Steve Heiden, and Jordan Brown.
Langer played center for South Dakota State from 1967 to 1969, earning All-American honors in his senior year. He then played for the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1979 and the Minnesota Vikings in 1980, helping the Dolphins win two Super Bowls and achieve the perfect season in 1972.
A six-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro, and an NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member, Langer was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Timmerman, a guard who played for South Dakota State from 1991 to 1994, earned All-American honors twice. He then played for the Green Bay Packers from 1995 to 1998 and the St. Louis Rams from 1999 to 2006, helping both teams win the Super Bowl. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf offense.
Steve Heiden played tight end for South Dakota State from 1995 to 1998, setting several school records for receiving. He played for the San Diego Chargers from 1999 to 2001 and the Cleveland Browns from 2002 to 2009, catching 201 passes for 1,689 yards and 14 touchdowns in his NFL career.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Brown, a cornerback, played for South Dakota State from 2015 to 2018, earning All-American honors and leading the team in interceptions in his senior year.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round in 2019 and has played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in four games and recording two tackles in his NFL career.
The most recent NFL player from SDSU is Dallas Goedert.
The tight end played for South Dakota State from 2014 to 2017, earning All-American honors twice and becoming the school’s all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns as a receiver.
He was then drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has been one of the team’s top targets, catching 171 passes for 1,966 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first four seasons.