Jake Steffen

Position:
Defensive Lineman
Height:
6-3
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Mount Vernon, S.D.
High School:
Mount Vernon H.S.
Major:
Health Promotion/Pre-Physical Therapy

Jake returns for his third season as a starting defensive end for the Jackrabbits

2010
Started all 11 games ... led team with seven pass breakups and ranked second on squad with 5.5 tackles for loss ... broke up two passes and recorded two tackles in season opener against Delaware ... made six stops and knocked down two passes in home victory over Western Illinois ... tallied season-high eight tackles, including two for loss, and batted down a pass in Hobo Day win against Youngstown State ... registered lone sack of the season in final game versus North Dakota

2009
Played in 10 games with seven starts ... opened season with two tackles for loss, including sack, against Georgia Southern ... named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording career-high 10 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 22 yards, and returning an interception 24 yards in road victory at Illinois State ... suffered injury at Cal Poly and missed next two games versus Missouri State and North Dakota State ... marked return to lineup with two tackles, quarterback hurry and interception in Hobo Day victory over Northern Iowa ... made three tackles and recovered fumble in road game at Minnesota ... notched sack in regular season finale at Western Illinois

2008
Saw his playing time increase as the season progressed and appeared in 10 games ... three of his four tackles were sacks, including two in the Jackrabbits' victory against Illinois State ... made two tackles with a sack at Indiana State

2007
Redshirted ... named squad's Scout Defense Player of the Week for efforts in preparation for games against Northern Iowa and Southern Utah, and also was selected as Scout Special Teams Player of the Week before the North Dakota State game

BEFORE SDSU
Rolled up more than 6,000 yards in total offense during a standout prep career for the Stickney-Mount Vernon football team coached by his father, Myron Steffen ... older brother, Mike, played at SDSU from 2006-09 ... two-time Class 9AA all-state and Sioux Falls Argus Leader Elite 45 quarterback, his career totals included 3,457 rushing yards, 2,948 passing yards and 115 touchdowns ... the 2006 Mitchell Daily Republic Player of the Year, he also recorded 336 career tackles ... ran on Mount Vernon High School's Class B state runner-up 800-meter relay team in 2005, and also played basketball and baseball ... honor roll student