Backup QB Jackson Proctor Becomes Coyotes' Secret Weapon
VERMILLION, S.D. — Jackson Proctor didn't get the starting job he wanted at South Dakota. He got something better: a role that's making defenses miserable.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound sixth-year transfer has turned a backup quarterback spot into a game-changing offensive weapon for the Coyotes. Through five games, Proctor has become the team's third-leading rusher with 154 yards on just 12 carries, averaging a jaw-dropping 12.8 yards per attempt.
Patriot's Journey: From Dartmouth to the Heartland
Proctor's path to Vermillion wasn't a straight line. After a standout career at Dartmouth where he completed 68% of his passes for 1,546 yards and 13 touchdowns, he grad-transferred to Northern Illinois. A medical redshirt there led him to South Dakota, where he arrived in January expecting to replace graduated starter Aidan Bouman.
Instead, he lost the starting job to redshirt freshman Austyn Modrzewski. Most players would sulk. Proctor went to work.
Two Touchdowns, One Statement
Last Saturday against Youngstown State, Proctor finally found the end zone. Twice. His 7-yard touchdown dive on the opening drive tied the game at 7-7. After halftime, he raced 22 yards past the Penguins' defense to cut the lead. The Coyotes fell 47-28 in their Missouri Valley Football Conference opener, but Proctor's spark was undeniable.
“I think it was five weeks too late, but it felt good,” Proctor said. “We needed some energy, and I feel like those two touchdowns really gave us that.”
Merit, Not Complaints
First-year coach Matt Vitzthum praised Proctor's character, noting he “easily could have pointed fingers and complained” after losing the starting job. Instead, Proctor embraced his role and became a mentor to Modrzewski, watching film together on iPads and sharing insights from years of college football experience.
“Jackson is a guy that sacrificed a lot and left the place where he had a ton of success,” Vitzthum said. “He has embraced his role from the jump.”
What's Next for the Coyotes' Wildcat Weapon?
Proctor still prepares every week like he's the starter. But he's found value in being the Coyotes' most versatile offensive threat. Defenses can't key on him without opening up the rest of the field.
“Defenses have had a hard time figuring out what we're doing when I'm in the game,” Proctor said. “I am just going to continue to make it hard on them.”
That's the American way: adapt, overcome, and make the most of every opportunity. Proctor is doing exactly that in a football town that appreciates hard work.