Jackson Kerstin is handling his college football career the old-fashioned way.

There have been no rides through the transfer portal, and chasing riches in the new era of name, image and likeness is not on the 2023 Naperville North graduate’s agenda.

Instead, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Kerstin has embraced the challenge of climbing the depth chart as an offensive lineman at perennial Division I Football Championship Subdivision power South Dakota State.

“It’s been nothing but a good time, and I’m just learning as I go,” he said. “I’m not disappointed in how things have gone. There’s endless support from my teammates. I’m just really excited for the season, and I’m trying to compete as hard as I can to get reps.”

Watching, learning and working, Kerstin hopes to become a starter for a team w

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