FARGO — The first official day on a football field in the new Division I FBS world begins Tuesday with North Dakota State’s first spring practice. In many ways, it’s going to look like the first day of spring ball in 2025.
The team still has the same head coach in Tim Polasek, the same offensive and defensive coordinators in Dan Larson and Grant Olson, and many of the same-looking players that comprised a 12-0 regular season in the FCS.
But there are differences that will be key to NDSU making a successful transition to the Mountain West Conference and a higher level of football. Without further ado, here are five burning questions for spring football:
Is Nathan Hayes ready to be ‘The Guy’?
We had the same wonderment last year at this time with Cole Payton at quarterback. He took that question and ripped it to pieces, fashioning one of the most productive QB seasons in Bison history and turning himself into an NFL draft pick next month. Payton was consistently one of the highest-rated statistical QBs in the country, FBS or FCS.
Now comes Nathan Hayes.
Like Payton, the senior will get the keys to be the starter for one year, making the most of his time as an understudy to Cam Miller and Payton. He’s got the size at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, he has the speed, he certainly has the arm strength and he has a new No. 2 jersey number.
He’s played in 18 games, mostly in a mop-up role, completing 37 of 63 passes (59%), for 585 yards and 7 touchdowns. He averaged 12.7 yards per carry on 14 attempts. But being “The Guy” in prime time is also different from finishing games.
The offensive line shuffle
The transfer portal hit the offensive line hard with left tackle Beau Johnson leaving for Vanderbilt and center Trent Fraley for Michigan State. The latter move has NDSU reshuffling junior right guard Griffin Empey to center, where at 6-3 and 300 pounds may very well be his best NFL shot.
Sophomore Ryan Babatz was groomed to take over at a tackle spot since the day they removed his redshirt last season. He’s 6-5, 315 and the strength to boot.
Sophomore Nate Tastad started all 13 games last season at left guard. At 6-5, he’s now around 300 pounds. The wild card could be Kansas transfer Kene Anene, who at 6-5 and 310 looks the part of a right tackle.
That would mean moving last year’s right tackle, Josh Mangin, to right guard. The 6-6, 300-pound senior may miss most of spring ball, if not all of it, with a leg injury, but he’s a veteran who started every game last season.
With the departure of key receivers, NDSU getting more out of its power running game next fall will be a key in the Mountain West and that starts with the offensive line. The formula up front that worked so well in the FCS will not change in the FBS.
North Dakota State’s Donovan Woolen (1) may play multiple spots at linebacker for the 2026 season.
David Samson / The Forum
The transfer portal started on Jan. 2. It ended Jan. 16. The Bison almost made it through without a massive defensive departure until middle linebacker and captain Nathaniel Staehling announced on the last portal day that he was leaving the team. He’s at the University of Michigan.
The news came as a surprise to the Bison coaching staff, who thought they had him locked up for his senior season. Now comes the other key news: Who will take his place?
The Bison brought in 6-1, 245-pound Keith Williams from Cornell, who certainly has the size. Redshirt freshman Gavin Sell at 6-2, 230 also has the size, with Sell playing two games last season to retain his year of eligibility.
Junior Oliver Lucht, 6-1, 223, has played in 13 career games and picked off a pass against Southern Illinois.
NDSU is experienced at the two outside linebacker positions starting with returning standout Donovan Woolen, who at 6-4, 220 may play multiple spots including the middle depending on situations. Sophomore Peder Haugo from Fargo North will get a strong look and there’s the talent but lack of experience of Alex Elliott, a Minnesota transfer who was injured last season. Sophomore Ray James Jr. has the promise, but has had difficulty staying healthy.
Bryce Lance ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February, with a 10-yard split being second fastest among all receivers. The Bison won’t have that kind of elite speed next fall, unless there is more action on the transfer front.
NDSU also saw RaJa Nelson and his 75 career games graduate along with Chris Harris, a team captain.
That would make for an ideal the-time-is-now scenario for junior Jackson Williams, who caught 17 passes but made his mark on kickoff and punt returns. Senior Mekhi Collins has the size at 6-4 and 215 pounds, but he also only has 23 receptions in three seasons.
Tight end Reis Kessel, who averaged an explosive 22.3 yards per catch with his 15 receptions as a freshman, could help the cause with more targets.
There is a lot of “could” with the potential of younger receivers. The next 15 practices this spring will be important for this group.
Perhaps a noticeable difference NDSU will find in the Mountain West and the FBS in general is an upgrade in receivers of opponents. The speed and athleticism is bound to be better, certainly with the top teams in the MWC.
That means the Bison secondary will be tested.
NDSU has veterans back at safety with Taylen Eady, Darius Givance, Jaylin Crumby and Will Steil. With the departures of starters Jaquise Alexander and Jailen Duffie to the portal, the question is cornerback.
Backups Najee Nelson and Antoine Booth Jr. have the most experience. Nelson, a junior, has battled injuries and played in 19 games. Booth Jr. transferred before last season from James Madison. The Bison brought in Division II transfers DJ Voltz from Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) and EJ Davis from Wayne State (Neb.), with both players among the fastest on the team in winter testing.
Senior Kegan Huber was mainly a special teams player his first three years. It will be a big spring for redshirt freshmen Kendrick Carter and Marion Moore.
Jeff Kolpack, the son of a reporter and an English teacher, and the brother of a reporter, worked at the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, where he’s covered North Dakota State athletics since 1995. He has covered all 10 of NDSU’s Division I FCS national football titles and has written four books: “Horns Up,” “North Dakota Tough,” “Covid Kids” and “They Caught Them Sleeping: How Dot Reinvented the Pretzel.” He is also the radio host of “The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack” April through August.