NDSU players in the NFL: How Bryce Lance can join brother Trey, Christian Watson, more Bison alums originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There are college football powerhouses. And then, there is North Dakota State, a buzzsaw of sorts at the FCS ranks.
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The Bison might not have the name recognition of Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama. But rest assured; the program is more adept at winning national titles than all of them, hoisting 10 championships in the past 15 years. Whether helmed by Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, Matt Entz or Tim Polasek, wins never appear too far from the Bison’s grasp.
The Fargo-based program is renowned for its collective success. But a fair few individuals have seen their names shot up in lights, from one-time MVP candidates like Carson Wentz to more contemporary talents like Christian Watson, Grey Zubel and now, Bryce Lance.
With that, The Sporting News takes a look at NDSU’s history in the NFL Draft, a billowing quilt certain to collect extra threads in the years.
MORE:Â Full list of every North Dakota State upset against a FBS opponent
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NDSU players in the NFL
There were 12 NDSU players who fielded snaps during the 2025 season. They are as follows:
A three-time FCS national champion with the Bison, Board has spent eight seasons in the league, turning out for four different franchises. Known as a special team specialist, Board inked a two-year, $6 million deal with the Giants ahead of the 2025 season. He played sparingly in the first two games of the season before being ruled out for the year with a chest injury. In March, New York released Board. He is still looking for a spot on an NFL team.
Hayes spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at NDSU. The 6-foot cornerback transferred to Virginia following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes finished his collegiate career at Kansas State. The Buccaneers selected Hayes in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 47 games across three years in Tampa Bay, recording 67 tackles, three pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
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Jones, a cornerback, anchored the Bison’s defense across four seasons, tallying 83 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections for the two-time national champions. He opted to transfer to Colorado State to live out the final two seasons of his collegiate career, achieving modest success in Rams colors. Jones signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent, making five appearances before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Trey Lance Chargers 082225
Lance enjoyed a brief — but wondrous — career at the Fargodome, capturing the Walter Payton Award as FCS’s most outstanding player after leading NDSU to national championship glory. He opted out of the 2021 season, prioritizing his NFL Draft prep. His decision paid off handsomely; the 49ers selected Lance with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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Lance’s NFL career has been marred by injuries and inconsistent performances. He’s now a backup in Los Angeles, serving as Justin Herbert‘s understudy.
A two-time FCS champion and three-time first-team All-MVC fullback, Luepke was a dominant force at the collegiate level. He signed for the Cowboys in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. Luepke has made a marked impact across his three years in the league, inking a two-year, $7 million deal with Dallas at the start of the 2025 NFL season. Luepke is currently the fifth-highest-paid fullback in the NFL based on average annual value (AAV).
A second round pick out of Fargo, Mauch was the FCS’ best offensive lineman during his time with the Bison. He, too, was a member of the NDSU side that captured three-straight national titles.
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All told, Mauch spent six seasons with the Bison. He started each of his first 35 games with the Buccaneers before being cut down by a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
Radunz, a hulking guard, found plenty of success during his time at NDSU, capturing three-straight FCS titles while picking up FCS All-American honors as a junior. Radunz’s prowess as a pass-blocker earned him admirers. The Titans selected him in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has since emerged as a steady option on the line, starting 41 games across his career. In 2025, he signed with the Saints.
Like Jones, Sigle took his talents from NDSU to the Wildcats, joining Kansas State after his redshirt freshman year. He emerged as one of the Big 12’s better defensive backs during his time in Manhattan, earning all-Big 12 honorable mention honors. The Niners selected Sigle in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. He started seven games for the playoff-bound 49ers in his maiden season, recording 52 tackles, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery.
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Sundell is one of two standout Seahawks linemen on this list. A center, Sundell actually shined at left tackle during his senior year with the Bison, earning first-team All-American honors after moving down the line. Despite his versatility, Sundell failed to hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Maryville, Missouri native didn’t pay too much mind, agreeing terms to a deal with the Seahawks in the offseason of 2024. Sundell made 12 appearances as a rookie then emerged as a starter ahead of the 2025 season. Sundell suited up for Seattle until Week 10, when he was cut down with a knee injury. He returned to action before the end of the year and started Super Bowl 60 as the Seahawks captured their second-ever Lombardi Trophy.
Christian Watson
A rangy wide receiver with acrobatics flowing through his frame, Watson looks to be one of the league’s better pass-catchers when healthy. He spent five seasons in Fargo, recording 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns during his spell.
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The Packers selected Watson in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has struggled for fitness across his time in the league, playing in 48 of a possible 68 games across his four-year career. Watson has yet to break the 700-yard plateau in his career. But his mix of speed and leaping ability has made him a favorite of Jordan Love‘s when he’s on the field.
Carson Wentz
Wentz is perhaps the most successful of NDSU’s active NFL talent, earning second-team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring across a glistening — if inconsistent — career. Wentz was sizzling during his time in Fargo, finishing his Bison career with five championship rings. The Eagles proceeded to select the hulking sidewinder with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
By Wentz’s second season, he was a star, emerging as an MVP candidate before being cut down by an ACL injury. Philadelphia went on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy — albeit with Nick Foles under center.
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Wentz returned to the starting post in 2018 and enjoyed a few decent campaigns. In 2020, he struggled, prompting the Eagles to deal him to the Colts in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 first-round pick. Wentz shined during his lone season in Indianapolis, recording 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Despite this, he was shifted to the Commanders ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Wentz has primarily served as a backup in the years since his departure from Indianapolis. Nevertheless, his record is still glistening, especially in comparison to other Bison alums — Wentz ranks first among former NDSU players in passing yards and passing touchdowns in the NFL.
Like Sundell, Zabel makes his bones on the popular front that is Seattle’s offensive line. He, too, was a highly-accomplished college player, earning first-team All-American honors in 2024. The Seahawks selected him in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Since his arrival, Zabel has taken his mantle as one of the league’s finest guards. He started all 17 games in his rookie season, landing PFWA All-Rookie Team honors as a result of his skillset. Zabel also played a vital role in Seattle’s momentous Super Bowl triumph.
MORE:Â Full, seven-round Mock Draft
NDSU NFL Draft history
All told, the Bison have had more than two dozen alums selected in the NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the full history of NDSU’s draft picks:
Player
Drafted Team
Position
Year
Draft Pick No.
Carson Wentz
Eagles
Quarterback
2016
Round 1, Pick No. 2
Trey Lance
49ers
Quarterback
2021
Round 1, Pick No. 3
Grey Zabel
Seahawks
Guard
2025
Round 1, Pick No. 18
Steve Nelson
Patriots
Linebacker
1974
Round 2, Pick No. 34
Christian Watson
Packers
Wide Receiver
2024
Round 2, Pick No. 34
Stacy Robinson
Giants
Wide Receiver
1985
Round 2, Pick No. 46
Cody Mauch
Buccaneers
Tackle
2023
Round 2, Pick No. 48
Dillon Radunz
Titans
Tackle
2021
Round 2, Pick No. 53
Phil Hansen
Bills
Defensive End
1991
Round 2, Pick No. 54
Dolphins
Tackle
2014
Round 3, Pick No. 67
Lamar Gordon
Rams
Running Back
2002
Round 3, Pick No. 84
Jabril Cox
Cowboys
Linebacker
2021
Round 4, Pick No. 115
Bengals
Tackle
2022
Round 4, Pick No. 136
Ernie Wheeler
Pirates
Defensive Back/Running Back
1939
Round 5, Pick No. 32
Chargers
Linebacker
2015
Round 5, Pick No. 153
Colts
Tackle
2016
Round 5, Pick No. 155
Marques Sigle
49ers
Safety
2025
Round 5, Pick No. 160
Chargers
Quarterback
2019
Round 5, Pick No. 166
Doug Lloyd
Raiders
Running Back
1991
Round 6, Pick No. 156
Josh Hayes
Buccaneers
Cornerback
2023
Round 6, Pick No. 181
Joe Mays
Eagles
Linebacker
2008
Round 6, Pick No. 200
Kevin Donnalley
Cardinals
Defensive Back
1981
Round 7, Pick No. 171
Nick Schommer
Titans
Defensive Back
2010
Round 7, Pick No. 242
Broncos
Defensive Lineman
2020
Round 7, Pick No. 254
Chad Stark
Giants
Running Back
1987
Round 12, Pick No. 329
Tyrone Braxton
Broncos
Defensive Back
1987
Round 12, Pick No. 334
Jerry Mulready
End
1947
Round 19, Pick No. 169
Clarence McGeary
Packers
End
1948
Round 30, Pick No. 281