Trey Lance Leaving North Dakota State to Focus on Training for 2021 NFL Draft
Oct 6, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) winds up to throw during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against James Madison, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance declared for the 2021 NFL draft Tuesday, per Yahoo Sports'Pete Thamel.
Lance made his decision after North Dakota State announced in August it would not play football in the fall and would attempt to hold the season in the spring.
"It's a little bit mind-boggling for me," he told Thamel. "It's been a heck of a ride for the last year. I've learned a ton, I've grown a ton as a person and a football player. I honestly have to give all the credit to the guys around me, to the strength staff and coaching staff and guys I've played with."
Lance added that it "was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life, without a doubt."
The Missouri Valley Football Conferencepostponedits season to the spring amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bison did end up playing one game, beating Central Arkansas 39-28 on Saturday. Lance finished 15-of-30 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Lance was already considered one of the top players in the 2021 NFL draft class. He was rated No. 4 overall by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller in his initial big board. The Minnesota native joins Clemson's Trevor Lawrence as the top quarterbacks available.
Even with just one full season playing at the college level, Lance was incredible as a redshirt freshman in 2019 while leading the Bison to an FCS championship.
The 6'4" quarterback finished last year with 2,786 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions in 16 games. He also added 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
In the FCS Championship Game, Lance took over with 160 rushing yards to lead his team to a win over James Madison.
While some will question the numbers versus weaker competition, the quarterback has impressed scouts with both his physical and mental abilities on the field.
Daniel Jeremiahof NFL Network compared Lance to Andrew Luck as a prospect, noting both had good athleticism and impressive maturity.
"More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field," Jeremiah wrote. "They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance."
Considering he was just a freshman last year, there is still room for the talented player to grow.
The question for NFL teams is whether he has done enough to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft or close to it.
A limited amount of game tape against mostly inferior competition and what is in effect a whole year off could create too many question marks for teams trying to invest in a franchise quarterback. It puts more pressure on the predraft workouts for one of the most intriguing prospects in years.
Trey Lance Draws Andrew Luck Comparison from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah
Jul 15, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against James Madison, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
North Dakota State's Trey Lance is one of the quarterbacks to watch during the 2020 college football season (assuming there is one amid the COVID-19 pandemic).
And despite playing for a smaller school, Lance is already garnering big comparisons. The NFL Network's draft guru, Daniel Jeremiah, sees a lot of Andrew Luck in Lance's game:
"I know Luck is a little bit bigger, but they are similar athletes and they both played with a maturity beyond their age at the collegiate level. I remember watching Luck run over defenders. I also remember being so impressed with his ability to execute on key plays in every game. I see the same things when I study Lance. More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field. They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance. Luck was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before shocking the football world and retiring a year ago. I don't have quite the same grade on Lance, but he could get there with continued growth and development."
Lance has good size for the position (6'3", 224 lbs) and had an excellent 2019 season, throwing for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 66.9 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 scores.
Those are massive numbers on their own. But don't ignore that North Dakota State has also become something of a burgeoning quarterback factory in recent years. Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz is an NDSU alum. So is Los Angeles Chargers' fifth-round pick Easton Stick.
The QB1 of the 2021 draft is expected to be a battle between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. However, @MoveTheSticks and I believe another QB (Trey Lance) should be included in the conversation. We had a lively discussion on the MTS podcast today.. pic.twitter.com/mEHnCGtmDe
Trey Lance has certainly caught the eyes of the NFL scouting community as a dynamic player with outstanding skills. It doesn’t take long to see his talent and potential as a future QB1 in the next level... He’s a good one https://t.co/lFSGV3EOzl
Comparing him to Luck is major praise. Before shocking the world by retiring before the age of 30, Luck was a four-time Pro Bowler who had thrown for 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2018, completing 67.3 percent of his passes.
If Lance ends up being anything close to Luck, he'll have had a successful career and made an organization very happy. For now, of course, he has to prove his superb 2019 season wasn't a fluke.
North Dakota State Beats James Madison 28-20 for 3rd Straight FCS Championship
Jan 11, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) runs the ball as James Madison safety D'Angelo Amos (24) pursues during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
The top-seeded North Dakota State Bison defeated the No. 2 James Madison Dukes 28-20on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to win the 2019-20 FCS National Championship Game.
With the win, NDSU completed its second consecutive undefeated campaign and continued its dominance over the FCS by winning its eighth national title in the past nine seasons. Meanwhile, James Madison lost to North Dakota State in the National Championship Game for the second time in three years.
One day after NDSU quarterback Trey Lance became the first freshman to win the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy—the Walter Payton Award—he led the Bison to victory thanks largely to his legs.
North Dakota State rushed for 281yards as a team in the win, and it held the Dukes to 365total yards.
The Bison defense made the pivotal play of the game as well with safety James Hendricks intercepting James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci at the goal line in the closing seconds to secure the win.
Trey Lance, QB, NDSU: 6-of-10 for 72 YDS; 30 CAR for 166 YDS and 1 TD
Adam Cofield, RB, NDSU: 7 CAR for 24 YDS and 1 TD
Phoenix Sproles, WR, NDSU: 1 CAR for 38 YDS and 1 TD; 1 REC for 13 YDS
Ben DiNucci, QB, JMU: 22-of-33 for 204 YDS, 2 TD and 1 INT
Percy Agyei-Obese, RB, JMU: 18 CAR for 73 YDS
Riley Stapleton, WR, JMU: 10 REC for 100 YDS and 2 TD
Lance Dazzles on National Stage as Bison Win 8th National Title
Despite NDSU's dominance for nearly a decade, James Madison entered Saturday's game as a slight favorite, and it was expected to be a tightly contested affair.
That is primarily because the Bison and Dukes boasted two of the best defenses in FCS this season, per ESPN Stats & Info:
The FCS National Championship Game takes place on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC) as North Dakota State - winners of an FCS record 36 straight games - goes for a 3rd straight title when they face James Madison.
The defensive excellence wasn't on full display in the early going, as JMU bled 7:33 off the clock on its first drive, which lasted 17 plays and 86 yards, and concluded with a five-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to Riley Stapleton:
The Dukes drive their way into the end zone first!!
James Madison made a big-time statement on that drive, which meant the Bison needed to answer in impressive fashion.
They did precisely that, as Lance orchestrated a 70-yard drive in less than four minutes. After Lance set the Bison up on the 1-yard line with a 13-yard run, Adam Cofield punched it in from one yard out to tie the game:
North Dakota State struck again on its next drive after forcing James Madison to punt, and it didn't take the Bison long to assume the lead.
After a pass interference call and a 14-yard run by Lance set the Bison up in JMU territory, NDSU used some razzle dazzle, as wide receiver Phoenix Sproles scored on a 38-yard reverse that saw him fake the pitch:
Phoenix Sproles rushes for 38 yards and it's another touchdown for the Bison!!#FCSChampionship Q2 | (2) JAMES MADISON 7 | (1) NORTH DAKOTA ST. 14 pic.twitter.com/tSphLYL9k9
James Madison did manage to answer with a field goal to cut the deficit to four, but it was the Bison who entered halftime with momentum on their side.
The Dukes thought they executed a huge third-down stop late in the half, but NDSU outsmarted James Madison again with a fake field goal that saw Hendricks rush for a 20-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 11:
While the total yardage numbers were comparable in the first half and the numbers didn't indicate that North Dakota State should have a two-score lead, first-year head coach Matt Entz's willingness to call some trick plays were the difference.
Lance's ability to do damage with his legs also played a big role in NDSU's early success, including this run, which saw him plow through the entire JMU defense and give his team a ton of energy:
That seemingly began to change in the third quarter, as James Madison held North Dakota State scoreless and kicked a field goal to pull to within eight points.
Just when it looked like the Dukes were trending in the right direction, though, Lance made another highlight-reel play on a 44-yard touchdown run in the opening second of the fourth quarter to give NDSU a 15-point advantage:
It would have been easy for James Madison to pack it in against a top-flight defense at that point, but the Dukes continued to fight. They cut the lead back down to eight on another five-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to Stapleton with 6:55 remaining.
The key play on that drive was conversion by DiNucci on a 4th-and-6 that saw him lower his head and bowl over a defender on a six-yard run:
North Dakota State had a chance to essentially put the game away on the ensuing drive, but the Dukes stopped the Bison on a 4th-and-2 and took control of the ball at their own 37 with 2:40 remaining.
JMU got the ball all the way down to the NDSU 3-yard line, but DiNucci was intercepted by Hendricks, who scored a rushing touchdown earlier in the game, which sealed the win for the Bison.
Lance wasn't asked to do much through the air, but he carries the NDSU offense with his legs and finished the season with no interceptions in 16 games, while the Bison defense came through in the clutch as well.
Donald Trump Serves McDonalds, Chick-fil-A to NDSU Football Team at White House
Mar 4, 2019
President Donald Trump welcomes 2018 NCAA FCS College Football Champions, The North Dakota State Bison, to the White House in Washington, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
President Donald Trump once again has served fast food to a championship college football team.
The North Dakota State football team was invited to the White House Monday to celebrate its FCS championship—its seventh in the last eight years—and the players were treated to a mix of McDonald's and Chick-fil-A food:
Fast food spread at the White House for North Dakota State University Football Team. Big Macs and Chick-Fil-A. pic.twitter.com/B3iTtSHbW2
— Laura Figueroa Hernandez (@Laura_Figueroa) March 4, 2019
Easton Stick presented the #45 jersey to President Trump in the State Dining Room followed by a quick lunch. Next stop, the Oval Office! #NDSUinDCpic.twitter.com/qdFVODhEej
This came nearly two months after the Clemson Tigers were also treated to fast food at the White House after winning the FBS championship.
Trump reportedly paid for the meal in January himself with the government in the midst of a shutdown, although that wasn't an issue this time around.
According to Tom Schad of USA Today, the president personally chose the fast food instead of a meal prepared by chefs.
Donald Trump Invites North Dakota State to White House to Celebrate FCS Title
Feb 8, 2019
North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman walks onto the field during a timeout in the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against Eastern Washington, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Frisco, Texas. The 38-24 win was Klieman's last game at North Dakota State before he takes over as head coach at Kansas State. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The North Dakota State Bison football team is scheduled to visit President Donald Trump at the White House after winning the FCS football championship for the seventh time in eight years.
According to TMZ Sports, North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven contacted Trump to set up the invite.
"With NDSU's history of excellence, it is only fitting that they be honored at the White House," Hoeven said. "And we look forward to working with the President to coordinate the visit."
NDSU will follow Clemson, which visited the White House in January after beating Alabama for the FBS national title.
As part of the visit, Clemson football players and coaches were served a fast food feast amid the federal government shutdown.
The Bison have dominated the FCS scene for the past several years, and their 38-24 win over Eastern Washington in the 2018 title game helped them break a tie with Georgia Southern for the most FCS national titles in history.
North Dakota State will be honored for its achievements with a trip to the White House at a yet-to-be-determined date, but it is unclear if head coach Chris Klieman will be part of the celebration since he made the jump to Kansas State to replace Bill Snyder.
FCS Playoffs 2018: Date, Schedule for NDSU vs. Eastern Washington Championship
Dec 15, 2018
FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, North Dakota State wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, right, celebrates with quarterback Easton Stick, left, after catching a 20-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. North Dakota State begins its hunt for its seventh Football Championship Subdivision title in eight years with a familiar ingredient on offense: a high-quality quarterback with plenty of experience in senior Stick. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Stop if you've heard this before: No. 1 North Dakota State (14-0) is headed to the FCS Championship. After handling rival South Dakota State in the semifinal by a score of 44-21, the defending champion Bison will play in the championship for the seventh time since 2011—having won all of their previous six appearances.
What's different about the 2018 FCS Championship Game, though, is the opponent. North Dakota State has never faced No. 3 Eastern Washington (12-2) on the biggest stage. After taking care of Maine 50-19 on Saturday afternoon, the Eastern Washington Eagles will join the Bison in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5.
The game will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at noon ET.
This will be Eastern Washington's second appearance in the FCS Championship—the last coming in 2010, which they won.
Based on each team's semifinal performances, the ground game will feature heavily in the championship game. NDSU senior quarterback Easton Stick rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns as the Bison accumulated 439 rushing yards on 49 total carries split between six ball-carriers.
Eastern Washington sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere shouldered the Eagles through the air against Maine with seven touchdowns and 352 yards on 21-of-30 passing. Barriere's target of choice was senior Nsimba Webster, who finished the game with 188 yards and four touchdowns on nine receptions.
On top of that, the Eagles gashed the Black Bears for 216 yards on the ground between six ball-carriers.
Barriere took over as starting quarterback in October after senior Gage Gubrud suffered a career-ending toe injury. With Barriere under center, the Eagles have gone 8-1—their last loss coming on Oct. 13.
NDSU will have extra incentive. On top of looking to become the first FCS program to win seven championships, the Bison will be sending off head coach Chris Klieman. Klieman has already been named Kansas State's head coach beginning next season.
With a win on Jan. 5, Klieman will tie Jim Tressel as the FCS coach with most championship wins (four).
With a win in Frisco, Stick will have his 49th career victory and become the winningest FCS quarterback in history—a record he is currently tied for with former NDSU quarterback Brock Jensen.
"Never underestimate the power of people that love each other, are honest with each other and will battle for each other," Klieman said after his team's semifinal win on Friday night. He has been head coach since 2014.
The last time these two teams faced off came in Week 2 of the 2017 season on Sept. 9 at Eastern Washington. The Bison dominated and won 40-13 with a team largely the same as the one that will show up in Frisco—NDSU sports 24 seniors. But Jan. 5 will be the first time NDSU plays a Barriere-led Eagles squad.
NDSU Escapes James Madison for 6th FCS National Championship in 7 Years
Jan 6, 2018
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2016, file photo, North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman reacts during the FCS championship NCAA college football game against Jacksonville State in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State won 37-10 to win their fifth consecutive championship. NDSU hosts James Madison on Friday, Dec. 16 in the semifinals with the winner advancing to the FCS title game Jan. 7, 2017, in Frisco. (AP Photo/Mike Stone, File)
The North Dakota State Bison held off the James Madison Dukes 17-13 on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to win their sixth FCS National Championship in the past seven seasons.
NDSU led from wire to wire and used its dominant defense to return to the top of FCS college football, as it held James Madison to 241 total yards and forced three turnovers.
Bison quarterback Easton Stick played a mistake-free game with 130 yards and one touchdown through the air, while running back Bruce Anderson ground out 63 rushing yards and a score.
The Dukes couldn't get anything going offensively throughout the day, and that manifested itself in quarterback Bryan Schor's numbers, as he finished with 148 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
There was a clear championship atmosphere for Saturday's game at Toyota Stadium, andNFLDraftScout.com's DaneBruglerwas among those who took notice:
I live in Frisco and every year I'm blown away by the way #NDSU fans travel. Green and yellow everywhere - I feel like I'm in Green Bay. Credit to #JamesMadison also, plenty of purple here too.
While both teams were well-represented in Frisco, theNDSUfaithful were energized early on when the Bison scored on their first drive of the game.
North Dakota State marched 66 yards on 11 plays, and Anderson finished things off by punching the ball into the end zone from three yards out, as seen in this video courtesy ofFCSFootball:
Bruce Anderson punches it in and NDSU strikes first!
James Madison closed the gap with a field goal, but the Bison took an even more commanding lead with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
On what was undoubtedly the most explosive offensive play of the game for either team, Stick found wide receiverDarriusShepherd on a perfectly thrown deep ball for a 50-yard touchdown:
An offensive play breaks through! Easton Stick finds Darrius Shepherd for a 50 yard touchdown.
Shepherd was an unlikely candidate to putNDSUahead 14-3 since he hadn't scored a touchdown all season entering the contest.
NDSUadded a field goal after aJMUfumble, which put the Dukes in a precarious position ahead of halftime.
James Madison got the ball with just 39 seconds remaining in the half, but it managed to drive 69 yards and cancel out the North Dakota State field goal with a field goal of its own to make it 17-6.
The pivotal play on that drive was a remarkable 28-yard catch by wideout RileyStapleton:
Riley Stapleton has another #SCTop10 grab this postseason and the Dukes are on the move!
StapletonwasJMU's lone standout on offense, finishing the game with seven grabs for 107 yards.
The momentum gained from the late field goal carried over to the second half when James Madison forced North Dakota State to punt on its first drive of the third quarter.
D'AngeloAmos set up shop with a 33-yard punt return, and running back Marcus Marshall finished the drive shortly thereafter with a one-yard scoring plunge:
The defense comes up big and Marcus Marshall finds the end zone to bring JMU within a score in the 3rd quarter.
The Dukes created some nervous moments in shrinking the deficit to 17-13, but the remainder of the game was a defensive struggle in which neither team could find an offensive rhythm.
With roughly three minutes remaining in the game,JMUfeigned punting on a 4th-and-9 from its own territory, but it pulled off a gutsy fake with punter HarryO'Kellyrunning 24 yards for a first down:
This play on 4th and 9 has kept JMU's hopes alive!
James Madison quickly got itself in prime position to take the lead with a first down at theNDSU19-yard line.
Just as the Bison defense had done all game long, however, it stiffened and forced a turnover on downs that effectively ended the game.
North Dakota State was once again the king ofFCSafter losing to James Madison in last season's semifinals, and ESPN'sAnishShroffput what the Bison have accomplished into perspective:
There was some thought that last season's win over North Dakota State and eventual national title win signaled a changing of the guard in favor of James Madison, but the Bison proved Saturday that they are a true dynasty.
No team inFCShistory has ever enjoyed the run of successNDSUis in the midst of, and the victory over James Madison suggests there is no end in sight.
NDSU Reaches 6th FCS Title Game in 7 Years with Win vs. Sam Houston State
Dec 15, 2017
North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick warms up before an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State are powerhouses at the FBS level, but it is hard to match what North Dakota State has built in the FCS.
Running back Bruce Anderson and the second-seeded Bison advanced to their sixth FCS national championship game in seven years Friday with a commanding 55-13 victory over the No. 6 Sam Houston State Bearkats at the Fargodome.
They never looked back after scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and are one win away from taking back the throne after James Madison snapped their streak of five straight national championships last season.
They will play the titleholders if the Dukes beat No. 5 South Dakota State in the other semifinal Saturday.
Anderson was dominant as North Dakota State gashed the Bearkats on the ground with 471 rushing yards in the blowout win. He finished with 183 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards and five total touchdowns, while quarterback Easton Stick demonstrated his own dual-threat abilities with 160 passing yards, 32 rushing yards and five total touchdowns.
Given recent precedent, it was no surprise the Bison set the tone with the running game. According toJ.P. McBrideof theHuntsville Item(h/t NCAA.com), Sam Houston State allowed a combined 935 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground in its playoff losses the last three years and was once again overmatched up front.
Anderson's showing was only part of the problem for the visitors in a nightmare first half as the Bison established an overwhelming 41-3 lead.
Sam Houston State couldn't get out of its own way as Jeremiah Briscoe threw interceptions to Tre Dempsey and Marquise Bridges, while Nathan Stewart lost a fumble on a kick return. Anderson scored touchdowns following the Bridges pick and the Stewart fumble, and Dempsey's interception came on the final snap of the half with the Bearkats inside the red zone.
Sam Houston State also struggled with Stick, who scored on the ground on the Bison's first possession and connected with tight end Jeff Illies and Anderson for touchdowns.
He hit Anderson over the top on a wheel route for 23 yards after Sam Houston State brought up additional defenders to deal with the run, via FCS Football:
Another TD for Bruce Anderson, this time through the air
There was a reason so many defenders were caught flatfooted.
Anderson's ability on the ground was the primary storyline, as he demonstrated a Le'Veon Bell-like patience at the line of scrimmage and waited for holes to open before he consistently burst through them for explosive plays.
He averaged 10.8yards per carry and tallied touchdown runs of 62, 37 and 33 in the first half alone:
The game was a formality after halftime, although Stick padded his totals with touchdown throws to tight end Ben Ellefson and Anderson once again. Seth Wilson also got involved in the offense and thrived right alongside Anderson with 194 rushing yards on 24 carries, many of which came as the home team was running out the clock.
The question now is whether the Bison can replicate their head-turning offensive performance in what figures to be a more challenging championship game.
A contest against James Madison would mean a date with a stout defense that held opponents to single digits five times and allowed more than 14 points just once all season. A showdown with South Dakota State would be a rematch of a Nov. 4 game that saw the Jackrabbits win 33-21.
It is difficult to imagine the Bison will lose if they play like they did Friday. But with the championship hanging in the balance Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, the stakes will be higher, and the competition will be stiffer.
North Dakota State vs. Richmond: FCS Playoffs 2015 TV Info, Time and More
Dec 17, 2015
North Dakota State receiver Eric Perkins, right, eludes North Dakota defender Mitch Meindel, (89) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Fargo, N.D. North Dakota State won 34-9. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
The North Dakota State Bison are just two wins away from securing their fifth straight FCS championship, but they must first overcome dark horse Richmond in Friday's semifinal.
The Bison are 11-2 and coming off a pair of convincing playoff wins over Montana and Northern Iowa, which they outscored 60-19 to reach the semifinal.
Seventh-seeded Richmond is seeking its first national title since 2008
Friday’s victor will take on either No. 1 seed Jacksonville State or Sam Houston State, who meet in the remaining semifinal Saturday.
The Bison have won 18 straight playoff games and host Friday’s contest at the Fargodome, considered one of the most hostile environments in the FCS.
Despite a capacity of 18,700, the Fargodome has been measured to reach decibel levels of 115, per Dave Johnson of the Daily Press, which is on par with the New Orleans Saints’ Superdome. Such a figure is classified as the “average human pain threshold” by the Purdue University department of chemistry.
Richmond head coach Danny Rocco said the Spiders conducted three days of practice in simulated noise environments this week, per Johnson.
What’s remarkable is the Bison continue to win without star quarterback Carson Wentz—considered a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft —who has missed seven games after breaking his wrist in October.
Wentz returned to practice last week with optimism, but ultimately was a no-go for the team’s quarterfinal win over Northern Iowa. His status for Friday remains in question.
Yet the Bison are undefeated with backup Easton Stick, a freshman that won’t light up the stat board but embodies a winning poise.
Either Stick or Wentz will duel with Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta, who ranks second in the FCS with 3,427 passing yards and 11th with a 150.8 passing efficiency.
In his third year—he played as a true freshman before redshirting in 2014—Lauletta is gaining valuable experience at every checkpoint, particularly this late in the season, as he told the Colonial Athletic Association:
Lauletta - "Every single game I feel more and more comfortable back there." #CAAFB
But Lauletta and company will meet a NDSU defense that ranks seventh in scoring (16.4 points per game allowed) and total yardage allowed (281.5 yards per game). It’s historically been the Bison's catalyst as the root of their overall success.
The allure and attention paid to the FCS playoffs—particularly North Dakota State’s unprecedented run—hasn’t gone unnoticed, and rightfully so.
According to Sports TV Ratings, more people tuned into the Bison’s win last week than the college basketball game between North Carolina and Texas, which ended in a buzzer-beater:
The Bison and Spiders should duke it out for another exciting FCS playoff finish with the platform of a national audience to lean on. There should be some great fireworks from the Fargodome Friday.
Can Carson Wentz Become the 2016 NFL Draft's Top QB Prospect?
Jul 11, 2015
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) carries the ball during the FCS Championship NCAA college football game against Illinois State Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State won the game 29-27 for their fourth straight national championship. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Finding a franchise quarterback is one of the most difficult tasks placed on talent evaluators. Not only is it a hard position to project forward into the NFL, but also there just isn’t enough talent to fulfill the demand. Almost half of the NFL starts a quarterback with very little chance to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
That’s a harsh reality that is extremely hard to fix. It takes a certain degree of luck to find even a second-tier quarterback via the draft. As we prepare for the 2016 NFL draft, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is a player who could provide that lucky ticket to greatness for a franchise next season.
The big question around Wentz is if he can become the top quarterback prospect in 2016. Right now, the class has several promising, but flawed, prospects at the top. There’s certainly room for a player like Wentz to show in 2015 that he is the guy deserving of that crown.
We’re going to break down Wentz’s positives and negatives as a prospect entering the year. This will help provide a full scope of his talent. Then, we have two comparisons for Wentz, and an early conclusion to our big question about whether he can become the top quarterback prospect.
Positives
It’s best that we start with Wentz’s resume. As a first-year starter in 2014, Wentz helped the Bison win their fourth-consecutive FCS title. The Bison finished the year 15-1, and Wentz won the Most Outstanding Player award for his play in the national title game.
Wentz set school records for passing attempts, completions, yards and total offense per game. He threw for 3,111 yards and 25 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. There were numerous clutch touchdown passes toward the end of games that helped the Bison continue their winning ways.
At 6’5” and 222 pounds, Wentz has the prototypical frame for an NFL quarterback. There should be no concern about whether he can absorb hits from defenders or see over his offensive line. Those are questions that much smaller quarterbacks face, as their size can create massive issues.
Although size isn’t everything, it helps Wentz’s outlook. What’s also impressive about his size is how well he moves. He shouldn’t be characterized as a running quarterback, but he has the ability to scramble and punish defenses on the ground.
In Wentz’s first season as a starter, he had two 100-yard rushing games. He totaled 642 rushing yards on the season, which is the most among the other top 2016 quarterback prospects. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s a strength that can help in the NFL.
Quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are terrific scramblers while also being great in the pocket. When the quarterback knows when to pull the ball in and when to extend plays, you have a special and effective playmaker at the position.
As seen above, Wentz has at least flashed the ability to extend plays and complete tough passes downfield. He avoided the free pass-rusher by using a small pump fake and then scrambled to the sideline before throwing. We’ll touch more on his ability to handle pressure later, but if Wentz can show more of this skill in 2015, he’ll shoot up draft boards.
One way that the Bison put Wentz into a position to succeed is to keep him on the move. His athleticism at his size is notable, but more important is his passing ability while mobile. Wentz has plus arm strength when working to the far side of the field, and also when throwing across his body.
By completing off-balance short to intermediate throws, Wentz creates more open passing lanes than more limited quarterbacks can. Defenses cannot simply sag off their assignments in hopes that Wentz will deliver an inaccurate throw because he’s moving toward his left.
On this next play, Wentz wasn’t flushed from the pocket, but he still shows off his strong arm. Working in the middle of the field, Wentz delivers a strike into the chest of his receiver. If this throw is behind his target even by a foot, this is a pick-six.
Ideally, we’d like to see this throw happen from the far sideline across the field on a deep out-route pattern. Through the three games available on YouTube, Wentz attempted no such throw. That is the best measure of arm strength, and a throw that even good NFL quarterbacks will make via anticipation or pure arm talent.
Hopefully we’ll see Wentz show his talent in this area more in 2015.
An important area where Wentz has shown confidence is throwing into tight windows. This is a massive positive to work with. By understanding leverage and spacing, Wentz is able to thread the needle the way only a dozen or so NFL quarterbacks can.
Below is an example of an NFL-caliber throw into a small area.
As Wentz drops back into the pocket, he reads the linebackers taking away the underneath receiver. This allows his slot man to dip inside of the zone and exploit the small gap between his man and the safety over top.
This throw is dangerous, not only from a turnover aspect but also for his receivers’ health. The receiver ultimately drops the throw, but Wentz showed poise and great accuracy to deliver a catchable pass. His willingness to make these throws is notable; the opposite mindset is what limits average NFL quarterbacks.
Let’s move on to the negatives found in Wentz’s game.
Negatives
The first thing that must be acknowledged is Wentz's competition. The Bison program is the standard in the FCS division, possessing more talent than numerous FBS teams. Their win against Iowa State in 2014 was their only game against an FBS program.
Games Started
Completions
Attempts
Yards
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Carson Wentz
16
228
358
3,111
25
10
Christian Hackenberg
13
270
484
2,977
12
15
Jared Goff
12
316
509
3,973
35
7
Trevone Boykin
13
301
492
3,901
33
10
Cody Kessler
13
315
452
3,826
39
5
Cardale Jones
3
56
92
860
7
2
It’s hard to get a good feel for Wentz when he’s playing with much better talent than the opposition. Not to mention, Wentz doesn’t have to do much heavy lifting in comparison to other top quarterback prospects. Below are the numbers for Wentz and other quarterback prospects.
Without an FBS foe on the docket for 2015, Wentz must showcase great talent at the Senior Bowl, if he’s invited. That’s where Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois solidified his status as a legitimate second-round pick in 2014.
There are several areas of concern in Wentz’s game that could hold him back in the race to be the top quarterback prospect. The first is his ability to handle pressure in the pocket. Below is one example of many where Wentz did not feel the heat and made a poor pass.
The inaccurate throw was a direct result of Wentz’s poor poise. As the rush is crashing in, Wentz slides backward before the throw. The top of his dropback was at the 2-yard line, but he releases the ball close to the goal line.
This shuffling of his feet cost Wentz the ability to deliver through his throwing motion. His arm is strong, but not good enough to overcome bad footwork. This applies to almost every quarterback in the NFL.
Handling pressure with poise is Wentz’s biggest weakness and potential stock killer in the draft. It’s imperative for any prospect to show competence in the pocket. But Wentz’s film has more examples of his not feeling the rush or reacting to it too late.
Remember, the jump from FCS-level pass-rushers to the NFL is going to be even more severe than what an FBS quarterback faces. Poor pocket presence will be magnified tenfold at the next level. The opponent is much faster, longer and more instinctive in the NFL.
Another concern with Wentz is his deep ball. Despite having a strong arm, he is a bad deep passer at this juncture. Even when he had wide-open receivers, Wentz struggled to hit receivers in stride on throws past 15 yards.
Above is one example of his poor deep passing mechanics. Wentz had time to step into a throw and follow through his passing motion. His receiver has steps on the defender, and yet Wentz throws the ball out of bounds.
Where the concern comes is when the ball leaves his hands; it’s as if Wentz is shot-putting the ball. He has little control over where his deep passes are heading. This could be due to small hands.
The small-hands theory may hold water, although there is no official measurement of his hands available online. In the three games evaluated, Wentz consistently had issues with fumbles and deep passing. These are problems that often plague quarterbacks with a small hand radius.
Lastly, an area where Wentz could stand to make a major leap is working off his first read. 2014 was his first season starting, so there were some growing pains and moments where he didn’t show much polish. That’s understandable.
Nevertheless, Wentz must show the ability to read through progressions. When he couldn’t go to his first option in 2014, he would immediately look to scramble or make a panic throw elsewhere. It's paramount that Wentz improves this aspect of his game.
Below we can find an example of Wentz locking onto his first target.
Facing Iowa State, Wentz drops back to pass into the end zone. His receiver is running a slant into off coverage. This is a dangerous pass that has little chance of being completed, as the cornerback just has to hit the receiver to jar the ball loose or play the ball for a pass defensed.
The linebacker underneath is also unaccounted for. Wentz never takes his eyes off his first read, and the linebacker and cornerback see the play unfold with ease. The pass is tipped and luckily not turned into an interception.
Again, this is one example of numerous found in just three games. These patterns are potentially crippling for Wentz’s rise to the top of the 2016 draft class.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about Carson Wentz entering the 2015 season. He’s one of the top 10 quarterback prospects in the country, without a doubt. He could be the top senior quarterback in the country.
His size, athleticism and arm talent are all above average. He’s not a freakish athlete for the position, but he doesn’t have to be to find success. His running ability is simply another positive to build around.
Wentz has the ability to stick very difficult throws when he has a clean pocket. He shows flash as a creator outside of the pocket, but he needs to show more consistency and take fewer risks in this area.
But Wentz has at least shown the competence to build off this year and beyond.
In terms of a comparison, Wentz’s 2014 tape is reminiscent of Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Carolina’s Derek Anderson. Each are big, athletic quarterbacks with strong arms. Wentz’s arm strength isn’t quite on par with those two, but that could be due to poor deep passing mechanics.
Like Flacco, Wentz struggles with passes that go 20 yards or more. His arm talent allows him to control the short to intermediate game and hit all of those throws, though. It’s possible to be a very good quarterback without an efficient deep passing game.
Considering how Wentz struggles against the rush, his floor is similar to Derek Anderson. Anderson found brief success as a starter but could not consistently win inside of the pocket when pressured. Now he is a backup with the Panthers.
Whether or not Wentz can become the top quarterback prospect in the 2016 draft class depends on if he becomes more like Flacco or more like Anderson. Although Flacco isn’t an elite playmaker at the position, he is successful with a very good team around him. He was well worth the first-round pick he was taken with.
Wentz’s ceiling is that of a top quarterback prospect. He has some major concerns to address in 2015, though. As always, we can expect the on-field play to help hash out this question, and surely we will revisit this discussion after football starts next month.
