Bryce Lance
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Bryce Lance is impressing in the NFL Draft process.
North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance looks to make his mark at the NFL Combine on Saturday and improve his NFL Draft stock.
Lance already has significant interest going into the draft, and CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt compares Lance to Green Bay Packers star wide receiver Romeo Doubs because Lance can make plays at all three levels as Doubs does.
“He can take a slant and house it,” Hunt said via the Fargo Forum. “He can weave his way in and out of traffic really well.”
Hunt forecasts Lance to go during the draft’s second day in April. Lance tallied 127 receptions for 2,139 yards and 25 touchdowns in three seasons. He also made an impact as a ball carrier with 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns on nine carries.
“The long speed (40-yard dash) is the long speed, but can you be elusive?” Hunt said. “It’s the athleticism and him being able to play ‘small’ in certain situations is going to be the difference. We know he can play big, but can you play small when you need me to play small?”
Bryce Lance Following in Brother’s Footsteps
Lance, whose brother played quarterback for the Bison and now in the NFL, can also throw the ball. The younger Lance tallied three touchdown passes on trick plays in his Bison career.
Trey Lance starred in Fargo before Bryce Lance between 2018 and 2020 before entering the draft in 2021. Once a No. 3 pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Trey Lance is now a backup behind Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Lances, Marshall, Minnesota, natives grew up honing their skills in their parents’ backyard for years before becoming prep stars for the Marshall High Tigers followed by the Bison. Their father, Carlton Lance, played professionally in the CFL.
“Yeah I think it definitely paid its dividends,” Bryce Lance told Dakota News Now on Monday. “Like you said, we were always in the back yard doing some type of game or workout or something. So I think that definitely helped in the long run for sure.”
Trey Lance’s NFL career hasn’t turned out as desired, though. The 49ers went with Brock Purdy after Lance’s ankle injury in 2022, and the Niners traded him to the Dallas Cowboys where he sat behind Dak Prescott.
Lance then joined the Chargers while he awaits an opportunity for more snaps in the NFL after five seasons in the league.
NDSU Coach Tim Polasek Praises Bryce Lance
Bison head coach Tim Polasek liked what he saw in Lance during their two seasons together. Lance was a recruit of former Bison head coach Matt Entz after Trey Lance’s dynamic but short collegiate career in Fargo.
“He’s a great worker,” Polasek told Dakota News Now. “He pays attention to the details extremely well and he’s an explosive guy with great size. That always helps and I think he’s a competitive spirit and you know that’s really beneficial when you start talking about taking pride in your craft. And he enjoys football. So those are the things that I think make him great.”