The Nebraska Cornhuskers looking to improve recruiting and move up the Big Ten ladder has just become more challenging.
That’s because of the recently-announced move by North Dakota State to the FBS and Mountain West Conference. NDSU plucked many recruits from Nebraska during a dominant run of 10 national championships in the FCS from 2011 to 2025.
Past recruits from Nebraska who have played for the Bison most notably have included 2025 quarterback Cole Payton and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick, who played for the Bison from 2014 to 2018. Miami Hurricanes running back CharMar Brown, a Nebraska native, played for the Bison in 2024 before he transferred.
Currently, NDSU has six players from Nebraska: wide receiver Jackson Williams, tight end Caden Ward, cornerback E.J. Davis, and defensive linemen Alijah Wayne, Thomas Roberts, and Victor Isele. Those numbers could increase as NDSU has the championship pedigree with eyes on the College Football Playoff right away.
NDSU has a 9-5 record against the FBS since 2006, and the Bison were looking at a game with Nebraska during the COVID years in 2020. The Cornhuskers didn’t take the opportunity against a Bison team that featured 2021 No. 3 pick and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance.
Why NDSU Could Pluck More Talent From Nebraska
NDSU moving up to a Group of Six conference is a legitimate threat to a Big Ten team such as Nebraska because of the brand the Bison have built.
“I think we’ve always talked in terms of recruiting to a Group of Six level,” Bison head coach Tim Polasek said during Monday’s press conference.
The Bison have hosted College GameDay three times and appeared as the road team another time when rival South Dakota State hosted the show. NDSU has a relatively new $54 million football complex, and the Bison play indoors at the 19,000-seat Fargodome, which produces decibel levels over 100 when packed.
Besides the facilities and notoriety, NDSU has developed 55 NFL players overall and 47 draft picks. There’s currently 18 former Bison on NFL rosters and practice squads.
The current list includes Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Cody Mauch, Dallas Cowboys fullback Hunter Luepke, and Seattle Seahawks offensive linemen Jalen Sundell and Grey Zabel. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz notably went No. 2 in the 2016 draft to the Philadelphia Eagles before injuries curtailed his career.
The Bison expect to only grow in recruiting, and that could include more talent from Nebraska. NDSU’s move to the Mountain West comes with expectations that the Bison will compete at a high level right away.
“I think where our skill levels are at, the improvements of that over the last four, five years, is better than it would have been 10 years ago in the skill area,” Polasek said. “So you just have to continue to recruit the best people you can.”
Nebraska Has Work To Do on the Recruiting Trail in General
It’s not just a new kid on the block coming for talent; Nebraska has work to do in general after ranking No. 78 nationally and last in the Big Ten for 247 Sports’ rankings. Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule hasn’t hid from the issue.
“… my hope is that everyone ends up in the right place,” Rhule told reporters in December. “I’d rather guys go somewhere and be happy than be unhappy but be in state.”
“I wouldn’t say we didn’t recruit them,” Rhule added. “… it didn’t go all the way to the end.”
Nebraska Receives Bad News Amid FBS Addition