The pre-eminent program in FCS college football* *has been stocking NFL rosters. Here’s a look at North Dakota State’s draft history.
It took the NFL Draft picks during North Dakota State’s FCS era to catch up to the Bison dynasty, but they soared afterward at a much-higher rate than any other program in the Division I subdivision.
The selections of offensive lineman Grey Zabel and quarterback Cam Miller in the 2025 NFL Draft increased NDSU’s picks to 17 during its Division I era since 2004, including 14 since 2014. NDSU is moving up to the FBS from the FCS beginning in the 2026 season.
The Bison’s golden age of draft picks reflects on their program capturing a record 10 FCS national championships since 2011. That season was the first of five straight titles, also the all-time high.
NFL Draft Picks FCS 2011-25
Graphic by Graham Bell.
North Dakota State NFL Draft Picks
FCS Era (Since 2004)
2005 – Rob Hunt, C (Indianapolis Colts, Round 5, Pick 165)
2008 – Joe Mays, LB (Philadelphia Eagles, 6, 200)
2009 – Nick Schommer, FS (Tennessee Titans, 7, 242)
2014 – Billy Turner, OT (Miami Dolphins, 3, 67)
2015 – Kyle Emanuel, DE (San Diego Chargers, 5, 153)
2016 – Carson Wentz, QB (Philadelphia Eagles, 1, 2)
2016 – Joe Haeg, OT (Indianapolis Colts, 5, 155)
2019 – Easton Stick, QB (Los Angeles Chargers, 5, 166)
2020 – Derrek Tuszka, DE (Denver Broncos, 7, 254)
2021 – Trey Lance, QB (San Francisco 49ers, 1, 3)
2021 – Dillon Radunz, OT (Tennessee Titans, 2, 53)
2021 – *Jabril Cox, LB (Dallas Cowboys, 4, 115)
2022 – Christian Watson, WR (Green Bay Packers, 2, 34)
2022 – Cordell Volson, OT (Cincinnati Bengals, 4, 136)
2023 – Cody Mauch, OT (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2, 48)
2025 – Grey Zabel, OG/C (Seattle Seahawks, 1, 18)
2025 – Cam Miller, QB (Las Vegas Raiders, 6, 215)
*-spent post-grad season at LSU
Pre-FCS Era
1939 – Ernie Wheeler, DB (Pittsburgh Pirates, Round 5, 32)
1947 – Jerry Mulready, RB (Pittsburgh Steelers, 17, 169)
1948 – Clarence “Clink” McGeary, DT (Green Bay Packers, 30, 281)
1965 – Bruce Airheart, RB (Baltimore Colts, 13, 182)
1968 – Ken Rota, RB (Green Bay Packers, 17, 461)
1969 – Bruce Nelson, OT (Green Bay Packers, 10, 246)
1969 – Mike Berdis, DT (Miami Dolphins, 11, 271)
1970 – Tim Mjos, RB (Green Bay Packers, 8, 197)
1970 – Chuck Wald, WR (Atlanta Falcons, 14, 351)
1972 – Ralph Wirtz, WR (Chicago Bears, 8, 192)
1973 – Mike Evenson, C (New Orleans Saints, 15, 366)
1973 – Bob Erickson, OT (San Francisco 49ers, 17, 434)
1974 – Steve Nelson, LB (New England Patriots, 2, 34)
1974 – Mike Puestow, TE/FL (Cleveland Browns, 10, 238)
1974 – Sanford Qvale, DT (Buffalo Bills, 16, 406)
1975 – Bruce Reimer, RB (Pittsburgh Steelers, 9, 234)
1975 – Jerry Dahl, DE (San Diego Chargers, 12, 292)
1977 – Chuck Rodgers, CB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 11, 280)
1979 – Gordy Sprattler, RB (New York Jets, 9, 232)
1981 – Kevin Donnalley, CB (St. Louis Cardinals, 7, 171)
1984 – Dave Piepkorn, OG (Cleveland Browns, 5, 131)
1985 – Stacy Robinson, WR (New York Giants, 2, 46)
1987 – Chad Stark, RB (New York Giants, 12, 329)
1987 – Tyrone Braxton, CB (Denver Broncos, 12, 334)
1989 – Doug Lloyd, RB (Los Angeles Raiders, 6, 156)
1991 – Phil Hansen, DE (Buffalo Bills, 2, 54)
2002 – Lamar Gordon, RB (St. Louis Rams, 3, 84)
2002 – Pete Campion, OT (Carolina Panthers, 7, 213)
NDSU Athletics contributed information to this story.
Follow all of our FCS coverage onX,Facebook,Instagram and Bluesky.