The South Dakota State football team was without 14 players due to injury for its scrimmage Friday at Howard Wood Field, and a 15th - cornerback Julian Wagner - went down during the low-contact exercise.

That's all the more reason to celebrate the health of offensive lineman Jacob Ludemann.

The Nebraska native was maybe the most promising recruit at his position, at least on par with current NFL prospects Casey Bender and Casey Knips. But less than two months after signing a National Letter of Intent in 2005, he was injured in a head-on, high-speed collision not far from his hometown of Norfolk.

Ludemann and a high school teammate were returning home from a workout for an all-star wrestling event when they were struck on a stretch of open highway.

The driver of the other car died in the crash, while her passenger was critically wounded. Ludemann broke 13 bones and was hospitalized for two weeks. He spent the first six months at college in a knee brace and the better part of two and a half years trying to work his way back into football shape.

"He was in real rough shape," SDSU offensive line coach Luke Meadows said. "They'd have to have one surgery to get to the next surgery."

There was yet another surgery on the horizon. Ludemann blew out his other knee just three games into his third season at SDSU in 2007.

He considered quitting the team and transferring to another school. But he didn't because, for all the physical damage the accident had done, it also prompted a sort of emotional awakening.

"It makes you appreciate everything you have; it makes you take everything more seriously," he said. "You put a lot more effort into everything you do."

Like school. Ludemann graduated in May with degrees in secondary education and history and is currently working an a master's in administrative education. And football.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder worked his way into spot work late last season, his fourth in the program. This year, he's a projected starter at left guard and one of the few healthy bodies on the offensive line. Five others have missed time during fall camp due to injury.

And there figures to be a next year - Ludemann has been granted one more year of eligibility by the NCAA due to his medical hardships.

"All the coaches were really great," he said. "They've kept me on the team and kept their faith in me. It's my time to repay them."

The way the staff sees it, he already has.

"Jake's a winner," Jacks head coach John Stiegelmeier said. "When you walk beside a guy who's done what he's done, that's got to motivate you today, tomorrow or somewhere down the road."