SDSU spring football: Jackrabbits feeling confident about backup quarterbacks
Apr. 7—BROOKINGS — Even after all the turmoil that surrounded them in the aftermath of a coaching change, the South Dakota State football team came flying out of the gate to start the 2026 season, winning their first seven games. They were 7-0 with a road win at eventual national champion Montana State, and starting quarterback Chase Mason was leading the way.
But an injury early in that seventh win, at Murray State, would sideline the talented signal-caller, and the Jackrabbits soon discovered one of their weaknesses — experience at quarterback behind Mason. Luke Marble, a redshirt freshman who had transferred in from Northern Illinois, got the first crack at replacing Mason, and battled injuries of his own and inconsistency. Redshirt freshman Jack Henry was next, and while he played better than Marble, Henry was clearly learning on the job, and flashes of his talent were interspersed with mistakes.
He definitely looked like he had a bright future, but he wasn't ready, and the Jacks lost their first four games without Mason. Henry got them a win in the regular season finale at North Dakota, though, throwing a dramatic overtime touchdown pass to win that game and send the Jacks to the playoffs, at which point Mason returned. Now as the Jacks look ahead to 2026, their quarterback room is deeper and more experienced.
It's clear that head coach Dan Jackson and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Eric Eidsness made it a priority to be better equipped if something were to happen to Mason again this year, and suddenly an area of weakness looks like a sure strength. Mason is healthy and looking as dangerous as ever, but Henry has taken significant strides physically and mentally, while the Jacks brought in others to fill out the room. Josh Holst transferred in from Northern Illinois, where he started three games in 2024 and was named the MVP of the Idaho Potato Bowl.
And Anthony Rezac joins the Jacks from Notre Dame, where he spent two seasons with the Fighting Irish after being named the Nebraska high school player of the year in 2023. Rounding out the group is former Brandon Valley sophomore Jack Thue, who continues to show the kind of improvement that is earning more and more trust from the coaching staff. Marble transferred to West Georgia.
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