Kael Kolarik brings Big Ten experience into battle for starting safety role at USD

— At the University of South Dakota, two starting spots at safety opened almost overnight. Roman Tillmon transferred to the FBS level at Boise State, while DeJuan Lewis turned his attention toward the NFL Draft, leaving a pair of vacancies in the Coyotes' secondary heading into the 2026 season. Into that open spot steps Kael Kolarik, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior transfer ...

Apr. 17—VERMILLION, S. D.

— At the University of South Dakota, two starting spots at safety opened almost overnight. Roman Tillmon transferred to the FBS level at Boise State, while DeJuan Lewis turned his attention toward the NFL Draft, leaving a pair of vacancies in the Coyotes' secondary heading into the 2026 season. Into that open spot steps Kael Kolarik, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior transfer from the University of Iowa, bringing with him four years of Big Ten experience and a clear objective: earn a starting role and make his final collegiate season count.

"I am just going to bring that mindset and discipline every day, you know, it's not given to you and you have to go earn it," Kolarik said. "Every day waking up and knowing that this is your day to get better. This is your day to dominate and do what you can to get better every single day is what I am going to do.