South Dakota's NFL alumni had a weekend to remember in Week 2, headlined by a statement defensive play from cornerback Myles Harden that helped swing a tightly contested game in Cleveland's favor.
Harden Turns the Tide in Cleveland
The Browns edged the Buccaneers 23–19 on Sunday, and Harden — a former Coyote cornerback — was in the thick of it. The interception was a highlight-reel moment for the South Dakota product, who has carved out a role in Cleveland's secondary since entering the league. In a game decided by just four points, a turnover of that magnitude carries outsized weight, and Harden delivered exactly when his team needed it most.
It's the kind of play South Dakota fans have come to hope for from one of the program's most prominent NFL exports. Harden entered the league as a developmental project at corner, and a timely pick in a Week 2 win is the sort of résumé line that cements roster standing heading into the heart of the regular season.
Cochrane on the Field in Kansas City's Thriller
Across the league, linebacker Jack Cochrane was active as the Chiefs survived a nail-biter against the Colts, winning 33–30. The former Coyote LB suited up for Kansas City in what turned into one of the more dramatic games of the week — a three-point margin against Indianapolis that came down to the wire.
Cochrane hasn't been a headline name, but his presence on one of the NFL's premier rosters speaks to what South Dakota's linebacker pipeline has quietly produced in recent years. The Chiefs' depth at the position is formidable, and staying on that roster through the early weeks of a season is its own accomplishment.
The Bigger Picture for Coyote Nation
South Dakota currently has eight alumni on active NFL rosters — Harden and Cochrane joined by the likes of Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), Michael Reid (Saints), JJ Galbreath (Colts), Brock Mogensen (Cowboys), Jeremiah Webb (Patriots), and Kameron Cline (Bills). That's a remarkable footprint for a program out of Vermillion that competes at the FCS level.
The Coyotes don't produce first-round picks, but they clearly produce players who stick. Week 2 gave fans two data points on active contributors, with Harden's interception as the clear centerpiece. If the South Dakota pipeline keeps delivering moments like Sunday's play in Cleveland, the Coyote faithful will have plenty of reason to keep an eye on the NFL ticker all season long.
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