North Dakota State is set to play its next college football season in the spring of 2021, but a top-level FCS demonstration game this fall will see Trey Lance, one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. NFL 2021, to work. with his Bison teammates before deciding between the spring season and the draft preparation process.
The state of North Dakota will play center Arkansas on Oct. 3 in Fargo, North Dakota, the school announced on Monday, adding dates 2023 and 2025 to the deal between enemies of the FCS.
While the Southland Conference, like the Missouri Valley Conference, has postponed all conference competitions for the fall, it allows its member schools “to participate in limited fall competitions.” For central Arkansas, that includes a season opener against Austin Peay in Montgomery, Ala. On Aug. 29, road games against UAB, Arkansas State and the Louisiana, as well as home deals with the state of Missouri and eastern Kentucky.
For the state of North Dakota, which previously announced that it would not be playing football in the fall of 2020, that means a single home game with limited ticket availability and a chance for the football world to come together. connect and watch the three-time FCS national champions play with their star quarterback, Lance, under center. Lance has not declared his intentions for the spring or the 2021 NFL Draft, but pundits have chosen him heavily as a first-round pick in the debate with Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields for the best quarterback in the class.
CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards is high on Lance, but notes he’s not the only NDSU player worth watching when this game kicks off.
Lance is ranked third-best quarterback prospect and No. 7 overall in CBS Sports’ Top 100, which was announced on Monday. The Minnesota native is a dynamic mix of foot speed and arm strength. He does a great job of planting, driving the ball, and throwing with touchdown when the pressure allows. There are issues with the slaps on the line of scrimmage as well as the placement of the ball. The quarterback has to work on his progressions and not always go on his first read, which often leads to dangerous throws. When under pressure, he does a great job keeping his eyes on the pitch.
At the end of the day, there is a strip season on the young player. Teams had been eager to see him add to his portfolio this fall and witness his development, but a showcase against Central Arkansas gives teams at least one more chance to see him live. There will be a lot of pressure for him to play in this game.
Along with Lance, left tackle Dillon Radunz is seen as a potential first-round pick. On the CBS Sports Top 100 big board, Radunz was ranked No. 32 overall. North Dakota state right tackle Cordell Volson and Arkansas center cornerback Robert Rochell are a few other potential draft picks to be aware of in this game.
Lance led North Dakota State to a national championship in 2019, extending the Bison’s FCS title streak to three in a row and eight in nine seasons.
