‘My best opportunity’: Epperson looks to take advantage of extra season

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Augustana standout Jarod Epperson was one of 16 seniors in 2023 to play their final season for the Vikings… or so he thought. Now, the All-Conference running back returns to Augie for a sixth year with the program.

Jarod Epperson left his mark on the Augustana program in his senior season, capping off 2023 a career best 1,067 yards and 11 scores.

“After last season, I thought it was wraps and that I was done with college football forever,” Epperson said.

Jarod began the NFL Draft process, working out at a local football training facility and taking part in the USD Pro Day.

“I wasn’t really getting much attraction with any pro teams, Europe, CFL or NFL. I just kept training and going to tryouts to stay in shape,” Epperson said.

Epperson got a job working at the Minnehaha Country Club earlier this summer. One day, Epperson was golfing with Wide Receiver Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Casey Brink when the idea of playing football started to take shape.

Epperson got injured during the 2022 season, playing in just four games before suffering a season ending injury.

“I thought my medical wavier was past the amount of games that I was allowed to play from the injury season in 2022. I guess the appeal never got filed or anything like that,” Epperson said.

“I see it for everyone else, but it’s the first time that it’s happened for us though,” Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski said. “I’m really happy. It was the right thing by rule, he only played in the four games, so it was just a paperwork issue.”

Once Epperson heard the news, he had to make the decision to continue training for the pros or return to school.

“I had a lot of conversations with coach OJ and my parents. It came down to my parents who said it was my decision to make,” Epperson said. “They didn’t want to influence anything, but I thought it was the right decision.”

“I was just spitting truth at him. Here’s one side and here’s the other. If your true goal is to play football after college, then I believe this is your best opportunity to continue to do that,” Olszewski said.

Epperson is now back on the field for the Vikings, looking to take advantage of another season and potentially someday reach the pros.

“I want to try and play more football. I think this is my best opportunity to try and make that level of play. I think this is what’s working and I’ll be able to play more football after college,” Epperson said.

Epperson and the Vikings host Northern State this Saturday at 1 p.m. You can watch that game on KELOXTRA and KELOLAND.com.

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