Beerntsen drafted, 4 former SDSU football standouts earn UDFA deals

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 15: Evan Beerntsen #60 of the Northwestern Wildcats in action against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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 sits next to a pair of FCS national championship trophies.

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.