By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Rich Benenge, Harrisburg, Akron: A 2023 Harrisburg High School graduate, Benenge originally signed with Army out of high school, spurning scholarship offers from Arizona, San Jose State, UNLV and Akron. But Benenge entered the transfer portal in Oct. 2023 and signed with Akron during the early signing period in Dec. 2023. A 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker, Benenge is listed as a freshman for the Zips. 

Thomas Heiberger, Sioux Falls Jefferson, Wisconsin: A true freshman, Heiberger suffered an early-season setback for the Badgers. Heiberger, who was reportedly on track to see significant time this season, recently sustained a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future. But outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell recently told reporters, “It’s not a season-ending injury; we’ll get him back. … But he was on path to earn the right to play as a true freshman.” A 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker, Heiberger was a four-star prospect out of high school and picked Wisconsin over Oklahoma, Nebraska and Washington. 

Nash Hutmacher, Chamberlain, Nebraska: The Polar Bear’s time as a Husker is coming to a close. Hutmacher, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive lineman, completed his degree in management in May 2024 and will compete as a graduate student this fall. Hutmacher is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He’s made a major impact on the football field, too. Last season, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the coaches and media members. Hutmacher started all 12 games at nose tackle and set career highs with 40 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Hutmacher was key in Nebraska ranking eighth nationally in rushing defense. He wore the No. 0 as one of 10 Huskers to earn a single-digit number in a team vote selecting him as one of Nebraska’s “toughest” players. Following the completion of the football season, Hutmacher dropped more than 40 pounds to compete for the Nebraska wrestling team in the 285-pound class. Hutmacher posted a 7-8 record, finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Hutmacher was also one of nine Huskers named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List. 

Lincoln Kienholz, Pierre, Ohio State: The state’s all-time leading passer is in a crowded Buckeye quarterback room. A 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, Kienholz is in his second season at Ohio State and played in two regular-season games last year for a total of 21 snaps. He relieved injured starter Devin Brown in the first half of the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl against Missouri and ended up playing 42 snaps. He enters his sophomore campaign with 10 completions and 22 attempts for 111 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Kansas State University transfer Will Howard was recently named Ohio State’s starting quarterback. As a result, Kienholz is battling with Brown and incoming freshmen Air Noland and Julian Sayin for spots on the depth chart. 

Jacob Knuth, Harrisburg, Kansas State: A University of Minnesota transfer, Knuth is now a sophomore for the Wildcats. After redshirting for the Golden Gophers in 2022, Knuth transferred to K-State and did not see any game action in 2023. Avery Johnson is the starter, while Knuth and UConn transfer Ta’Quan Roberson battling for the backup spot. Knuth ran K-State’s scout team last season, and coach Chris Klieman recently told reporters, “The game keeps slowing down for Jacob Knuth,” said Klieman, a former North Dakota State University head coach. “I’ve been really impressed with Jacob and his continued growth.”

Jason Maciejczak, Pierre, Nebraska: Maciejczak redshirted in his first season at Nebraska and did not play in a game. He made a position switch from the defensive line to the offensive line for this season. A 6-foot-2, 320-pounder, Maciejczak is expected to battle for one of the top interior offensive line spots this season. 

Navarro Schunke, Brandon Valley, Kansas State: Schunke, one of the state’s most decorated high school wrestlers, is a walk-on for the Wildcats. A 6-foot-6, 318-pound offensive freshman lineman, Schunke joined the Wildcats after he became the first wrestler in South Dakota history to win five Class A state titles. The all-state football player was regarded as a top-25 offensive guard by both ESPN and On3.com. 

Randolph Kpai, Sioux Falls Washington, New Mexico: After spending three seasons at Nebraska, Kpai transferred to New Mexico this season. A former four-star recruit, Kpai redshirted in 2021 at Nebraska and did not see any game action in 2022 and ‘23. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker is a redshirt junior for the Lobos, and is jockeying for significant time in the linebacker corps. “He’s done a really good job,” New Mexico special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Shane Hunter recently told reporters. “I mean, he’s a kid who’s been in college football — he understands it, he knows how to play, does a really good job of running around trying to make plays.”