A South Dakota kid may have just saved FCS football — including the Jackrabbits and Coyotes — just by staying at North Dakota State.

Is that a stretch? Maybe. But as dire as things were looking with FBS squads pillaging FCS rosters in these last 10 days of the spring portal window (which closed Friday), the "little guys" certainly got a shot in the arm with Bison lineman and Pierre native Grey Zabel's first round NFL Draft selection.

Happy Hour host John Gaskins says SDSU and USD's first-year coaches should use Zabel's choice to stay with the evil empire up north as a recruiting tool, even if NDSU stands to gain the most and best publicity for Zabel's moment in the spotlight.

Gaskins also says the Vikings nailed it by picking up Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson and refusing to "trade down" after Zabel and Alabama guard Tyler Booker both came off the board. He also thinks the Packers not only crushed their pick, but the announcement in front of over 200,000 cheeseheads.

And the Jags, Steelers, and Giants? Swing and a miss — Ouch!

Today's guests provide plenty of well-connected, deep dive analysis on a memorable Draft night.

Jay Elsen (Midco Sports / longtime USD reporter and TV play-by-play)

What the transfer portal take-ith'd, it gave-ith'd (at least something) back.

After a whirlwind 10 days of college football players being allowed to make themselves available to change teams, and so many from the University of South Dakota taking advantage, the Coyotes made some late additions from the FBS and FCS to help fill the roster.

South Dakota State suffered a seismic loss in the winter when head coach Jimmy Rogers left, while North Dakota State lost three of its best players in the spring.

But the Bison flexed their muscles Thursday night with Pierre native Grey Zabel's NFL Draft first round selection — a potential "shot in the arm" not just for NDSU but the Jacks and Yotes and all FCS programs, as well. It was a sign that "the grass isn't always greener" just because a Power Four or FBS program can make it that literally make it that way with NIL money.

Now what?

Jay Elsen has been covering the Coyotes for 15 years for Midco Sports, including play-by-play of their games on TV, and deep dives into USD's massive losses but encouraging gains, post-spring football.

How could the recent "House settlement" involving ad revenue sharing other other potential future recent court rulings and new NCAA regulations affect the constant flux of player movement.

Elsen also sizes up USD's chances of remaining a Top 5 national program in the FCS under first year head coach Travis Johansen after all the turnover.

Darren Wolfson, KSTP-TV Minneapolis (Vikings / Wolves)

Sexy? No.

But the Minnesota Vikings got as close to exactly what they needed most by selecting Ohio State left guard Donovan Jackson with the No. 24 overall pick on Thursday and not taking a potential offer to trade down for at least one more pick.

And even with a "rookie" quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, they are a "viable" Super Bowl contender.

Hear why veteran KSTP-TV Minneapolis "scoop master" Darren "Doogie" Wolfson — also a regular on SKOR North media shows — feels strongly about those two statements.

Now, what should the Vikings do with their next three draft picks? Where is the next biggest position of need? More importantly, who should they go after for their backup quarterback —

Kirk Cousins (there's plenty of credible reporting steam it's a possibility)? Ryan Tannehill?

Plus, where are the Wolves-Lakers and Wild-Vegas series headed now that both Minnesota teams currently have home court/ice advantage?