Former Little Hawk football player Jake Leohr is making a big impact in his first couple games as a true freshman at the University of South Dakota.

“My favorite part about playing college football is that you are going against some of the best players in the country every week,” Jake Leohr ‘14 said, “The game day atmosphere is incredible.”

Leohr is making the transition without a hitch, despite the differences between high school and college football. In just two games, Leohr has recorded three tackles, and recovered a fumble, returning it forty-six yards for a touchdown.

“The biggest difference playing for South Dakota as opposed to City High is that everyone at the college level is bigger, faster and stronger.” Leohr stated. “The speed of the game is a lot faster as well and instead of playing some of the best teams in Iowa week in and week out, we play some of the best teams in the country.”

Leohr isn’t the only one, other former Little Hawks are playing in college as well, including AJ Derby at Arkansas, Andrew McNulty at North Texas, and Steve Ferentz at Iowa. AJ Derby has four catches for 40 yards and a TD, and McNulty is 4-11 passing with two interceptions.

“It’s awesome that so many former Little Hawks are having success at the collegiate level, ” Leohr said. “The fact that many kids from West and City are playing college football or college sports in general says a lot about the athletes in the area and the high school athletic programs.”

The Coyotes have played two games, one against the Oregon Ducks, currently the number two team in the country in the AP poll at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Or. The other game was against the William Penn University Statesmen, a small school in Oskaloosa, IA.

“It was a great opportunity and experience playing my first two games as a Coyote,” Leohr said. “Getting a chance to play arguably the best team in college football, the Oregon Ducks will be something I will always remember.”

Leohr is looking forward to the rest of the season, as the Missouri Valley Conference schedule begins.

“South Dakota plays in the toughest conference in the FCS,” Leohr said. “This week we play at #4 ranked Montana who has a QB who has been dubbed the ‘Johnny Manziel of the FCS.’ So that will be a very good and exciting game.”

Jake says he chose the University of South Dakota for a variety of reasons.

“I thought it was the best fit for me,” Leohr said, “The University has a great Sport Science department. The coaches are experienced and very energetic. The team is like a family and the program is on the rise.”

Despite playing in college, Jake says he misses City High football and show choir.

“Coming off a 4-6 season my Junior year, losing the Boot and then being doubted by many people was very rough, but my teammates and I worked very hard during the off season and played an outstanding game and to get the Boot back.” Leohr recalls, “There is not a day that goes by I don’t think about when we played Iowa City West my Senior year.”