“Huge Recognition as Three Former University of South Dakota Football Players Represent Coyotes in the NFL.”

Three former football players from the University of South Dakota (USD) will proudly represent the Coyotes in the NFL this season. As the 2024 season approaches, two of them have secured positions on active rosters.

Myles Harden, a cornerback who played for the Coyotes, has officially made the Cleveland Browns’ 53-man roster, as announced on Tuesday afternoon. Harden, selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in June, has successfully claimed his place on the active roster for the upcoming season.

Harden had a remarkable 2023 season with the Coyotes, earning spots on all four major All-America teams: AFCA (First Team), STATS Perform (First Team), Phil Steele (First Team), and AP (Third Team). He was also one of only two FCS players recognized as a semifinalist for National Comeback Player of the Year. Over his three full seasons at South Dakota, Harden participated in 29 games, recording six interceptions and 26 pass break-ups. He was a significant challenge for opposing offenses, forcing five fumbles and recovering four, while also achieving a total of 143 tackles, 12.5 of which were for loss.

The Browns will kick off their season against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 4:25 p.m. (ET)/3:25 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on FOX.

Jack Cochrane, a former linebacker for USD, is entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and was promoted to the active roster in September 2023 after initially signing to their practice squad in August 2022.

Cochrane has participated in 32 games for the Chiefs over the past two seasons, accumulating 26 total tackles and one pass deflection. While at South Dakota (2017-21), he played a vital role in the Coyotes’ two appearances in the NCAA FCS Playoffs (in 2017 and 2021). As a senior in 2021, he topped the team with 54 solo tackles and 103 total tackles, also achieving a career-high of four interceptions. Across his five seasons in college football, the Mount Vernon, Iowa native played in 46 games, totaling 327 tackles, with 23 for loss, and 16 pass break-ups.

The Chiefs will begin the 2024 season in Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where they will host the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football (September 5). The kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CT) and will be shown on NBC.

Brock Mogensen, a former linebacker from USD, joins Harden in his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys. The Minnesota native spent six seasons at USD, becoming one of the top defensive players in the FCS. In his final season in 2023, Mogensen made 113 tackles, ranking 15th nationally in the FCS, and finished his career with a total of 399 tackles. His impressive play earned him four All-American honors, and he placed 11th in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, recognizing the nation’s top defensive player.

Although the Cowboys waived Mogensen earlier today, he is set to sign a practice squad contract as he heads into the 2024 season.