Coyote football seeks new defensive leaders ahead of 2026 season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 11:52 PM
Last updated Jun 30, 2026
College SportsThe University of South Dakota football team aims to fill leadership roles on defense as they prepare for the 2026 season. With key veterans like Caden Crawford and Mosai Newsom having graduated, the Coyotes need to develop a new core to improve from last season's fifth-ranked defense in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Returners Nathan Laperi and Chris Dixon are expected to play significant roles, alongside linebacker Gabriel Hardman, who started every game last season. The team’s coaching staff is counting on both returning experience and new talent such as Maryland transfer Neeo Avery to enhance defensive performance. Fall camp will be critical as USD seeks to sharpen their pass rush and defensive takeaways.
- •USD finished last season with the fifth-ranked defense in the MVFC.
- •Nathan Laperi will become the top pass rusher for USD.
- •Chris Dixon returns as a key leader on the defensive front.
- •Gabriel Hardman is the lone returning starting linebacker for 2026.
- •Neeo Avery transfers in from Maryland and could impact the linebacker corps.
- 11:52 PMYahoo Sports — Analysis: Finding new defensive leaders key for Coyote football in 2026
"Jun. 30—VERMILLION, S.D. — For the University of South Dakota football defense, replacing production is only part of the challenge heading into the 2026 season. Replacing leadership may be an even taller task. With veteran playmakers gone at every level of the defense, a new group of Coyotes are being asked to become the leaders of a unit looking to take the next step this fall after finishing ...
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