Former South Dakota State offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 25, while four other former Jackrabbits signed undrafted free agent contract after the draft ended.
Beerntsen was the 253rd pick, going in the seventh round. The offensive guard was the second at his position taken by Baltimore in the draft, joining 14th overall pick Olaivavega Ioane, from Penn State.
Beerntsen spent six years in Brookings before playing his final college season in 2025 at Northwestern. He was a part of both FCS national championship teams in 2022 and 2023 and was an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection twice.
Mark Gronowski, the quarterback of those national title teams, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins. Gronowski transferred to Iowa for the 2025 season, where he threw for 1,741 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions and started all 13 games. He had 10,308 passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 1,767 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns in four seasons as a Jackrabbit.
Gronowski will likely be competing with former North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller for the third-string QB spot in Miami.
Alex Bullock, South Dakota State's leading receiver in 2025, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bullock spent his only season as a Jackrabbit well, going for 936 yards and five touchdowns on 71 catches.
Sam Hagen, a one-year Jackrabbit offensive lineman, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Texans. Hagen played in 10 games this season after transferring in from North Dakota.
Tucker Large, a safety from Sioux Falls, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Large made 71 total tackles and deflected six passes in 2025 at Washington State after 102 tackles, seven interceptions and 21 pass deflections in three years as a Jackrabbit.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Beerntsen drafted, 4 former SDSU football standouts earn UDFA deals