As Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season kicks off this week, North Dakota State continues to set the standard as the top FCS program for producing NFL talent.
An all-time high of 15 former Bison football players will begin the season on NFL rosters – 12 on active rosters and three on practice squads. That total is by far the most among all Division I FCS schools.
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Billy Turner is the veteran of the crew, as he enters his ninth professional season. Recent draft picks
Christian Watson (Green Bay) and
Cordell Volson (Cincinnati) and undrafted free agents
Brayden Thomas (Los Angeles Rams) and
Josh Babicz (Carolina) are the new additions to NDSU's professional ranks this year.
Several Bison changed teams during the offseason, including Carson Wentz's move from the Indianapolis Colts to the Washington Commanders, Joe Haeg signing with Cleveland, Chris Board shifting to Detroit, and Turner moving from Green Bay to Denver.
Bison Nation can track former NDSU student-athletes in the professional ranks in all sports and join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #ProBison.
Billy Turner
Team: Denver Broncos (#57)
NFL Season: 9th
Carson Wentz
Team: Washington Commanders (#11)
NFL Season: 7th
Joe Haeg
Team: Cleveland Browns (#59)
NFL Season: 7th
Chris Board
Team: Detroit Lions (#49)
NFL Season: 5th
Easton Stick
Team: Los Angeles Chargers (#2)
NFL Season: 4th
Ben Ellefson
Team: Minnesota Vikings (#82)
NFL Season: 3rd
Derrek Tuszka
Team: Tennessee Titans (#59)
NFL Season: 3rd
Trey Lance
Team: San Francisco 49ers (#5)
NFL Season: 2nd
Dillon Radunz
Team: Tennessee Titans (#75)
NFL Season: 2nd
Jabril Cox
Team: Dallas Cowboys (#14)
NFL Season: 2nd
Christian Watson
Team: Green Bay Packers (#9)
NFL Season: 1st
Cordell Volson
Team: Cincinnati Bengals (#67)
NFL Season: 1st
Darrius Shepherd
Team: Denver Broncos practice squad (#19)
NFL Season: 4th
Brayden Thomas
Team: Los Angeles Rams practice squad (#98)
NFL Season: 1st
Josh Babicz
Team: Carolina Panthers practice squad (#87)
NFL Season: 1st
Free Agent: Zack Johnson
This Week's Games
Thursday, Sept. 8
- Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (Thomas), 7:20 pm CT on NBC
Sunday, Sept. 11
- Cleveland Browns (Haeg) at Carolina Panthers (Babicz), Noon CT on CBS
- San Francisco 49ers (Lance) at Chicago Bears, Noon CT on Fox
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Volson), Noon CT on CBS
- Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions (Board), Noon CT on Fox
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders (Wentz), Noon CT on Fox
- New York Giants at Tennessee Titans (Tuszka, Radunz), 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox
- Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (Stick), 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
- Green Bay Packers (Watson) at Minnesota Vikings (Ellefson), 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (Cox), 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
Monday, Sept. 12
- Denver Broncos (Turner, Shepherd) at Seattle Seahawks, 7:15 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN
