Top NFL Players from South Dakota All Time

Last week, we listed out the best South Dakota State products to make it in the NFL. The Jacks have a solid presence in the National Football League. This week's Griz opponents, South Dakota, doesn't have quite the NFL history as their in-state rival does.

But we still looked at the best University of South Dakota alumni to play in the NFL.

Matt Chatham

Chatham at Super Bowl XXXVIII. Credit: Andy Lyons (Getty)

Matt Chatham is the winningest Coyote in NFL history. The linebacker played 8 years in the NFL and won Super Bowls in 3 of them with the early Tom Brady Patriots. He spent two seasons with the Jets after 6 years with the Patriots.

Ordell Braase

Credit: Argus Leader

Ordell Braase was a defensive end for the Baltimore Colts from 1957 to 1968. Braase finished his career as a 3-time NFL champion and a two-time Pro Bowler. He has the longest NFL career of any Coyote in University of South Dakota history.

Tom Compton

Compton with the Bears in 2017. Credit: Jonathan Daniel (Getty)

Offensive lineman Tom Compton has the second-longest NFL career for any South Dakota Coyote and the longest since the late 60s. Compton was drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He had stints with the Atlanta Falcons, the team that blew a 28-3 lead against the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos. Compton started 44 games and played in 124.

Jamel White

White runs for the Browns in 2003. Credit: Andy Lyons (Getty)

Jamel White was a solid running back from 2000-2005 for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best years came with the Browns, where he scored all 9 of his rushing touchdowns over the first four years of his career.

John Sanders

Credit: Ken White (Getty Images)

John Sanders had a shorter career than most of the great Coyotes on this list, but he made an impact. In just 60 games with the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders hauled in 16 interceptions and a pair of touchdown returns. Plus, he recovered 7 fumbles. Sanders was a turnover machine from 1974 to 1979.