2026 North Dakota State Bison

TwentyTwo

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Surprised to see i am on the list for this preview..so figured my as well go for it!
It has been FUN following this FCS Powerhouse over the years with a lengthy list of NFL players.

See that Bucky made the 1st and only NDSU preview back in 2024 with 17 Overachievers projected to Start...i was sure to reply!
But no preview was made for last 2025 season. (but Truthteller did start a rival South Dakota State Jackrabbits preview)

>>>This season is a bit of a buzzkill with just 10 projected starters ( maybe 9?)

This will be the Bison 1st Season in the FBS joining the Mountain West Conference. Athlon's Pre-season magazine has them picked 4th out of the 10 teams ; ahead the likes of Air Force (5th) ; Wyoming (6th) ; Nevada (7th) ; San Jose State (8th) ; UTEP (9th) & Northern Illinois who is borderline FBS - like these days in 10th!

The Bison projected Starter @ RB is a Kennesaw State transfer...go figure.
Almost a Snow Patrol @ O-Line ; but a Kansas transfer is at RT

Keep an eye on 2nd team...WR Cade Osterman ; WR Logan Conklin ; TE Kaden Zenzen
Also..WR Dylan Vokal ; WR John Gores

OFFENSE (6)
QB Nathan Hayes
TE Ries Kessell
LT Ryan Babatz
LG Nate Tastad
C Griffin Empey
RG Josh Mangin

DEFENSE (4)
DE Matthew Stenbroten
DT Logan Larson
DE Kelton McCaslin
LB Gavin Sell ( battle for position)

2nd team ...DT Zach Vanderpool ; DE Anthony Okes ; LB Peder Haugo; LB Oliver Lucht; SS Will Steil
Others to watch ...FS (rs Fr) Walker Braaten ; CB Will Rosenmeyer
 
Good but not great considering 17 starters was a mere 2 seasons ago. Anyway, I’m sure they will be better than 95% of other FBS teams. Go Bisons!
 
Not only are they going more black but they have no white fullbacks, damn! I thought this outfit regularly employed two or three of them at the same time. think I’ve only seen one or two fullbacks in the entirety of the team previews, which I appreciate by the way. Thanks for this one TwentyTwo.
 
Nice write up! @TwentyTwo

I’m assuming an extra honkey or two will be out there at times at the other TE position and a FB?! @El Gringo

Couple 2nd team WRs on offense can make things interesting as well.

On Defense maybe some of the backups LBs/Safeties get some pt.
 
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