2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State University
When Trey Lance decides to take his talents to the NFL, he will likely be one of the first quarterbacks off the board. The redshirt sophomore signal caller from Marshall, Minnesotta has already piled up a mountain of awards in his short career as a Bison.
Last season as redshirt freshman, Lance started all 16 games guiding the Bisons to a 16-0 finish, the first of its kind in college football since 1894. Along the way he became the first freshman to win the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the FCS. Lance led the FCS with a school record 180.6 pass efficiency rating, ranked second in yards per pass attempt(9.71) and fifth in completing percentage(66.9).
QB University of the FCS?
1. Quick/Easy throwing motion
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 27, 2020
2. Deep accuracy
3. Play-action comfort
Those are the three traits that immediately jump off of the screen about North Dakota State QB Trey Lance (6-3, 224, R-So.) pic.twitter.com/WVVHUwMpbt
On the way to a perfect season, Lance set a NCAA all-divisions record for most passing attempts in a complete season(287) without an interception. Yes, you read that right, no interceptions all year for Lance. The dual-threat quarterback completed 192 passes last year for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also ran for 1100 yards and 14 touchdowns capping off a jaw dropping season.
The kid just wins!
However, he isn’t the first quarterback coming out of Fargo, North Dakota with NFL caliber talent. As a true freshman lance backed up Easton Stick who was drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Chargers. Before Stick’s time there was Carson Wentz, the 2015 graduate drafted by the Eagles with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Now, it’s Lance’s time to shine as he looks to become the third consecutive Bison quarterback drafted. With the NFL Draft just under a year away, top draft analysts have the dual threat quarterback as a Top-10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Should he declare?
RSFreshman QB Trey Lance…
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 26, 2020
28 passing touchdowns
0 interceptions
66.9% comp
1100 yards rushing
14 rushing touchdowns pic.twitter.com/46Sty1HAHb
Just watch the man on tape it’s insane what he can do. The 6-foot-3, 221 pound quarterback is legit. When the pocket collapses he is able to use his speed to his advantage. It’s hard to tell that last season he was a redshirt freshman. He is poised in the pocket and doesn’t force throws that shouldn’t be made, something that is not easy for young signal callers. He reminds me of Lamar Jackson coming out of college, and to be honest he might even be better than Jackson.
Scouting Notes:
Only nine quarterbacks have been drafted this past decade from a small school, and two of them came from North Dakota State. Both Carson Wentz and Easton Stick were both drafted, and I expect Lance to be next. Lance has poise, he is mature beyong his age, and the kid is a gamer. Trey Lance is a proven winner and he knows how to distribute the ball all over the field. Lance will be in the NFL, if he decides to declare early I cannot knock him. – Damond Talbot, Owner, NFL Draft Diamonds
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com