Yotes Getting - NFL Shot...

VERMILLION, S.D. — Coming off the 2025 NFL Draft, several South Dakota Coyotes from the 2024 squad signed as undrafted free agents and/or earned invites to NFL rookie minicamps.

JJ Galbreath, tight end

Galbreath was the first Coyote this year to sign an undrafted free agent contract, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ending his career as a First Team All-American (AP), Galbreath played in 10 games in his final season as a Coyote. Despite missing four games, he still sat third on the team in both receptions (32) and receiving yards (469), both categories leading the tight end room.

 Galbreath a two-time All-MVFC performer (First Team, 2024; Honorable Mention, 2023), ended his Coyote career with 1,355 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. 2023 was a break out season for the Arvada, Colorado native where he put up career bests in receptions (36), receiving yards (579), and touchdowns (5).

Mike Reid, defensive back

Reid was the other Coyote to sign an undrafted free agent contact, signing with the Carolina Panthers.

In his one season at South Dakota, Reid was a lock down corner for the Yotes, earning a Second Team All-Conference nod for his efforts. He was also named to the MVFC All-Newcomer team after starting his career at Monmouth.

He played in all 14 games for the Yotes with 13 starts. He was one of 10 Yotes with 40+ tackles on the season and had a season-best six tackles in the win over Indiana State. His two interceptions on the season sat for the team lead, while also having eight pass break-ups to be a disruption in the opponent's passing game.

Travis Theis, running back

Theis earned an invite to the Denver Broncos minicamp following a stellar senior campaign as a Coyote.

Arguably one of the best running backs in the South Dakota Division I era, Theis was a multiple-time All-MVFC performer and a two-time team captain (2023-24). He rushed for 3,666 career yards which is the most in the USD Division I era. He leaves Vermillion as the program's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (40), putting up 19 alone in 2024 with a career-long rush of 55 yards at Montana State.

Joey Lombard, offensive line

The anchor of the South Dakota offensive line the past few seasons, Lombard earned an invite to join the two-time defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp.

A 2024 All-American offensive lineman, Lombard heads to Kansas City after making 48 career starts on the USD offensive line. He started all 14 games in 2024 at center, anchoring the Coyote OL. He was instrumental on an offensive line that sat second in tackles for loss allowed (2.93), sixth in rushing offense (215.9), and ninth in the FCS in total offense (436.9). 

The offensive line unit helped an offense post six games with 500+ yards of total offense with a season-best 622 yards against Indiana State.

Nick Gaes, defensive line

Earning a minicamp invite from the New York Giants, Gaes becomes the second defensive Yote to earn a spot in the 2025 cycle.

Gaes leaves South Dakota sitting tied for fourth in program history in career sacks (24.0), after posting a career single-season best 10 sacks in 2024. For the third time in his career, Gaes posted double-digit tackles for loss (12) and ended his career with 34.5. He departs the program with 164 total tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.

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