North Dakota State Receives Sobering News After NFL Draft

North Dakota State, long recognized as one of the premier FCS football programs in the country, received sobering news following the 2026 NFL Draft as none of its eligible players were selected over the three-day event. The shutout marks a departure for a program that has consistently produced NFL talent despite competing at the FCS level.

The Bison have sent dozens of players to the NFL over the past decade, including quarterback Trey Lance, who was selected third overall in 2021. This year's draft featured several NDSU prospects projected as late-round picks or priority free agents, but none heard their names called.

Several former Bison players quickly signed undrafted free agent deals in the hours following the draft, keeping their NFL hopes alive. Coaches emphasized that the results reflect the depth of this year's class rather than a decline in the program's development capabilities.

The news raises questions about the evolving evaluation landscape for FCS prospects, as NFL teams increasingly prioritize Power Five conference experience and athletic testing numbers over production against lower-division competition.

What This Means For You: If you follow FCS football, this signals that the NFL draft is getting harder for small-school players to crack. For NDSU fans, undrafted free agent signings are where hope lives — many NFL careers started that way. For anyone evaluating college programs: the draft measures one weekend, not a program's worth.