You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered when North Dakota State University (NDSU) last had a player selected in the NFL Draft’s prestigious first round. Known for dominating the FCS and producing elite talent, NDSU’s draft history has been marked by steady success. But a first-round pick? That’s a big deal.
The Last First-Round Pick: Carson Wentz
With all the recent Bison championships and superstar players, it’s easy to forget that their most recent first-round draft pick wasn’t recent. And it wasn’t an ordinary player; it was a quarterback who became the face of a Super Bowl champion team.
It was probably a thousand years ago, but it was the last time ever, in 2016, that any North Dakota State player was ever picked in the NFL Draft’s first round. Quarterback Carson Wentz was the Philadelphia Eagles’ choice with the second overall pick in 2016.
It was a pioneering one, not just for NDSU but for all the FCS football players. Wentz’s rise was a spectacle, having come from a smaller college where he’d led the Bison to many national championships.
And now, he has been picked as one of the country’s top draft choices. His play at NDSU, where he accumulated over 5,000 passing yards and 45 touchdowns throughout his collegiate career, has also earned him notice and led to his being selected second overall in the 2016 draft.
It was not a standard draft selection, though. Wentz was made the highest-drafted FCS player ever, a testament to his greatness and potential. His physical equipment—6’5″ with a cannon for an arm and athleticism—made him the perfect prospect for the modern-day NFL quarterback. Despite the usual questions about competition in FCS football, Wentz always performed in the FCS playoffs. And his calm leadership in high-level games was just the cream on the cake for his already exceptional skill set.
As a rookie with the Eagles in his rookie season, Wentz seemed the real deal after passing for over 3,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. His performance helped guide the Eagles to the Super Bowl title in only two years.
While Wentz’s career has had its ups and downs, his place in the annals of NFL history is secure—he was not just a first-round pick but a franchise-changing quarterback for the Eagles in 2017. His success continues to be a hot topic for NDSU fans, who point to Wentz as a symbol of the program’s ability to produce NFL-ready talent.
NDSU’s NFL Draft History and First-Round Legacy
While Wentz’s 2016 first-round draft was the most recent, the history of NDSU’s drafts is riddled with talented players who have asserted themselves in the NFL. Before Wentz, though, the last Bison to be drafted in the first round was offensive lineman Chris Kuper. The Denver Broncos took him in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
North Dakota State has become known for producing quality players at nearly every spot on the field. However, despite how often Bison players are selected in the NFL draft, the program still lags in having a first-round draft pick since Wentz.
Over the years, a few of the players, like linebacker Jabril Cox (2021, 4th round, Dallas Cowboys) and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (2021, 2nd round, Tennessee Titans), have made it big in the pros. However, none have been drafted as a first-rounder yet.
The absence of a first-round pick since 2016 doesn’t detract from NDSU’s power in the NFL. The program has quality players with long, successful careers in the league. While the Bison haven’t brought another first-rounder, they remain well-represented in the draft, especially in the mid-rounds, where their well-rounded, steady players are coveted.
What’s Next for NDSU’s Draft Prospects?
So, what does the future hold for North Dakota State in first-round draft picks? It may be a matter of “when” and not “if” the Bison get another high draft pick. The program has no indications of ever slowing down. In fact, with a dominant 2023 season under their belt at this point, they are some of the top young talent in the country. Well, NDSU will surely be on the NFL’s radar for decades.
Other potential first-round picks would be players like Cody Mauch, an offensive lineman with the skill set that makes him one of the best prospects. Christian Watson, a wide receiver with speed and big-play ability, was selected by the Green Bay Packers in round two in 2022.
With NFL scouts’ growing respect for NDSU’s program, it won’t be long before another Bison player winds up in the first draft round.
KEEP READING: When Was the Last Time Boise State Had a First-Round NFL Draft Pick?
Wentz’s second-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft is likely the most recent North Dakota State first-round draft choice, but not the denouement of their NFL success story. Wentz’s rise to NFL stardom further established NDSU as a program capable of producing elite-level talent.
The legacy of Wentz and the power of the Bison in the NFL will continue to inspire generations of players—and who knows? The next big NDSU star could be just around the corner, poised to make a name for himself in the league.
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