J.R. Plote probably put it best himself.
“I’m jacked to be a Jackrabbit,” the Mountain Pointe senior said after leaving the Tempe All-City banquet.
To be more specific, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end committed Monday to continue his football career with South Dakota State.
The Jackrabbits, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division II), were 5-6 last season while playing in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Plote picked SDSU over Air Force and New Mexico State because of the relationship he quickly forged with the coaching staff, which is headed by John Stiegelmeier.
He also liked the Brookings-based campus, facilities and players but mostly the idea of the opportunity to take summer classes and getting his masters all from the same school.
“They said I could use my full scholarship to get my masters and that is important,” said Plote, who is plans on going to business or engineering.
Plote was one of the Pride’s team leaders and led the team with five sacks and had 34 total tackles.
