NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Business Economics – 3.61 GPA
Head Coach: John Stiegelmeier | Athletics Director: Justin Sell
Faculty Athletics Representative: Rich Reid
The all-time leading passer in both South Dakota State and Missouri Valley Football Conference history, Taryn Christion leads one of the top teams in the FCS while maintaining an impressive 3.61 GPA. His outstanding résumé earned his spot as the Jackrabbits’ fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A two-time First Team Academic All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, Christion has maintained a 3.61 GPA as a business economics major with a minor in health science. On pace to graduate in December, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native is a two-time recipient of the MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award and three-time member of the MVFC Academic Honor Roll.
Christion has thrown for 2,549 yards and 28 touchdowns this season for the Jackrabbits while adding 215 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He has guided South Dakota State to a 8-2 record and the No. 5 seed in the FCS Playoffs. His 169.5 passing efficiency in 2018 ranks second in the MVFC and third in the nation while his 28 passing touchdowns lead the conference and rank fourth nationally. This season, he became the 18th quarterback in FCS history to reach 100 career passing touchdowns. Christion was announced as one of 25 finalists for the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award as the FCS Offensive Player of the Year.
Christion holds multiple South Dakota State and MVFC records, including career yards of total offense (12,461), career passing yards (11,064) and career touchdown passes (100). His 780 career completions are an SDSU record, and he boasts 14 games with 300 or more passing yards.
The two-year team captain was a Third Team All-American in 2016 and has twice been named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award for the best player in the FCS. A two-time all-conference selection, Christion was named the 2016 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Jackrabbits to a share of the conference title. He has led South Dakota State to the FCS playoffs the past three seasons, including the semifinals and a No. 3 final ranking in 2017. One of Christion’s primary targets in recent seasons was 2017 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Jake Wieneke, who finished his career third in FCS history with 5,147 receiving yards.
Christion has also made an impact in the community, helping organize the “Be The Match” bone marrow drive on campus the last two years. Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has served as an event speaker and as a summer intern for the organization, and he has been a volunteer at Vacation Bible School.
Christion played one year in the NFL and one year in the CFL before announcing his retirement in 2022.
