Second-year Starter

BROOKINGS — It was the second year of spring practices where Chase Mason knew he was going to be the starting quarterback for South Dakota State, and this year was a lot different than the first one.

Last year, there were a lot of question marks going into the spring. Dan Jackson was appointed head coach three months before practices started. Mason was going to be taking over for Mark Gronowski, who had started four of the past five seasons, and he wasn’t the only new starter as the Jackrabbits lost plenty of players to both graduation and the transfer portal.

Mason noted that spring practice felt different this year and he felt like they were able to get a lot more done because of it.

“It was a lot more controlled than last year,” Mason said. “I don’t know. We just had an idea of actually what was going on compared to last year. I mean, everything was kind of thrown together [last year], so things ran a lot smoother [this year]. The guys had a lot more confidence going into spring ball this year. The spring went really well. I’m excited about where we’re at right now.”

Last year at this time, Mason had not started at quarterback since he played his senior year at Viborg-Hurley. He was also learning a new offense and had to form a connection with some of the wide receivers as the Jacks had some transfers and freshmen that were going to play a big part in the offense.

Mason didn’t have to learn much this offseason, with it being the second year in Eric Eidsness’ offense, and the Jackrabbits only adding one wide receiver in the transfer portal. He said that allowed the offense to click in spring practices.

“I think just understanding the overall offense is the biggest thing, and then just getting the trust between guys. Once the wide receivers and the quarterbacks can kind of click without even having to think about things, that’s when the offense clicks a lot with like [run-pass options] and things like that, and you can start signaling different routes. So I think we’re in a great position with where we are in the offense,” Mason said.

Mason had a strong start to his first season as a starter at SDSU. He averaged 225 yards through the air in the first six games of the season and threw 11 touchdowns and just one interception in those games.

He then went down with an injury after the first drive against Murray State on Oct. 18 and proceeded to miss the final five games of the regular season. Mason would then come back in the FCS Playoffs and threw for 586 yards and four touchdowns in two games.

Mason said he learned a lot when he sat out those five games and thinks it’s something that he can think back on when he’s on the field this upcoming season.

“[Sitting out] kind of took my game to another level. Just like being able to coach the other guys. Once you can coach guys, you can actually kind of learn the game at a whole nother level. So it sucked being out, but I really took my game to another level, which was really good for me,” Mason said.

When Mason went down the Jacks had to look at a group of inexperienced backup quarterbacks to replace him. They first went with sophomore transfer Luke Marble and he only played against North Dakota State and got hurt against the Bison.
That allowed redshirt freshman Jack Henry to take the reins in the final four games of the regular season.

The Dell Rapids native struggled at times but showed some promise, especially in the final game against North Dakota where he led the team to a comeback overtime victory over the Fighting Hawks.

The backup quarterback position is one of the questions for the Jacks as they head into the 2026 season.

Henry will battle against two transfers for the job as junior Josh Holst came to SDSU from Northern Illinois and sophomore Anthony Rezac is now in Brookings after not playing at Notre Dame.

All three quarterbacks played in Saturday’s spring game and Rezac and Holst each led touchdown drives. Jackson talked about their performances, specifically saying Rezac did a great job.

“I was impressed with the quarterbacks. I thought Anthony kind of did what Anthony does. He just goes in and leads you to touchdowns every time he’s in. So I thought it was fun, and that competition’s growing. [Henry] looked great, and he looked awesome, and so did [Holst],” Jackson said.

Holst played 14 games over two seasons at Northern Illinois. He threw for 1,282 yards and six touchdowns, while also running for 385 yards. He started in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2024 and won the MVP after going 18-for-30 with 182 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 16 yards and caught a two-point conversion in overtime.

Mason has had a front-row seat for the start of that competition and he said he’s been impressed with the way that each of the transfers came in and developed in the spring.

“First of all, Rezack and [Holst], those great guys came into the quarterback room and just learned of every single moment throughout [the spring],” Mason said. “They embraced the culture here, and [Rezac’s] done a great job of improving this spring. From day one to today, it’s this night and day difference. Super cool, seeing him improve just as much as he did over the spring.

“And then [Holst], having a little bit of game experience came in here, and he knew the system too, with the coach [Eidness being at NIU when he was there]. So, he did really well this spring too, and really balled out and he had controlled the offense, which was super cool to see a guy come in here and the other guys embrace.”

When Mason was out, one of the guys he did help coach was Henry He helped him through his first action at the collegiate level and said Henry has made big strides since his first start and loves watching him improve.

“The jumps [that Henry has] taken from the season, every single game, he was getting better. The biggest thing for him was just getting confidence. He understands things. It’s just processing things quickly and having the confidence to do it. This spring was huge for him, just getting confidence underneath his feet and making the right decisions all the time,” Mason said.

South Dakota State will begin fall practice either at the end of July or the beginning of August. The Jackrabbits are still trying to find an opponent to play on Aug. 29 and as of right now, their first game scheduled is Sept. 5 at Northwestern.