North Dakota State’s first FBS era recruit made it official this week, and he used a two-word phrase to describe the program’s rise from afar.
“The move from the FCS to FBS was a power move for the Bison,” defensive back recruit Robenson Duclona told the Fargo Forum’s Dom Izzo this week. “I feel like that’s going to give us the recognition we deserve!”
Duclona plays at Bishop Verot High in Fort Myers, Florida, and he previously had offers from Liberty, Florida International, and Toledo. He announced his commitment via X on Tuesday.
“NDSU is a winning program that has sent people to the NFL,” Duclona told Izzo. “After speaking with Coach [Tim] Polasek, [defensive coordinator] Grant Olson, and [wide receivers coach] Steve Crutchley throughout this whole process, I feel like NDSU can develop me.”
Duclona plans to enroll early in December to get ready for the 2027 season. The Bison already had one commitment for the 2027 class in running back Austyn Wittek of New Richmond, Wisconsin, which came on Jan. 25 before the FBS announcement. Wittek was also offered by North Dakota.
Duclona is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, and he had 57 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble in 12 games last season. Bishop Verot went 5-7 overall in 2025.
Florida Pipeline Continues For Bison
NDSU fared well during the FCS years in picking talent from Florida, and Duclona could be the latest to succeed in coming from Florida to Fargo.
Izzo noted that Fort Myers is a new spot, and that most of the other previous recruits have come from the Tampa area. That includes Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, who played at NDSU from 2017 to 2021. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back and former NDSU standout Josh Hayes is also from the area.
“The amount of people that have gone or are still at NDSU and thriving made me more confident in my decision,” Duclona said. “If they can go from Florida to Fargo, so can I.”
Other former Bison from Florida include running backs Bruce Anderson and Jalen Bussey, and defensive back Tre Dempsey.
Meet the Bison’s Surprise Recruiting Class
NDSU’s 2026 recruiting class likely didn’t know they were joining an soon-to-be FBS program.
What was only a possibility when recruited by the Bison is now a reality. The 2026 recruiting class will get ready for FBS football instead of adding to the FCS dynasty of 10 championships in 15 years.
NDSU added 29 players in the recruiting class, and four will play in spring ball as early enrollees. That includes two skill players: running back Braylon Toliver from Eire, Colorado, and tight end Caden Ward from Lincoln, Nebraska. Offensive linemen Earl Brown from Pillager, Minnesota, and Tucker Thienenman from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, will also play in the spring.
Quarterbacks in the recruiting class include Hank Nelson of Meridian, Idaho, and Q Barnslater of Burnsville, Minnesota, who is listed as a cornerback for the Bison class at this time. NDSU also has nine players in spring ball from the transfer portal, which includes three Power Four transfers. That’s Kansas offensive lineman Kene Anene, Kansas State defensive end Truman Griffith, and Minnesota punter Caleb McGrath.
North Dakota State’s First FBS Recruit Sends Message Amid Commitment