FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State tight end Reis Kessel, left guard Nate Tastad and defensive tackle Zach Vanderpool were named to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-America Team announced Monday, Dec. 8, on SI.com.

Kessel made 15 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown in 13 games for the Bison, who finished 12-1 overall with a second round FCS playoff appearance and won the Missouri Valley Football Conference with an 8-0 league record.

Tastad started all 13 games at left guard for the top-ranked rushing offense in the MVFC, and Vanderpool made 18 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks while playing in 12 of 13 games.

All three players were previous named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team.

2025 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America Team

Offense
QB - Braden Atkinson (Mercer)
QB - Caden Pinnick (UC Davis)
RB - Xai'Shaun Edwards (Houston Christian)
RB - Tre Page III (Tarleton State)
RB - Mitchell Summers (Sacred Heart)
RB - Nick Herman (Drake)
RB - Chase Bingmon (Prairie View A&M)
WR - Tony Diaz (UTRGV)
WR - Brooks Davis (Montana)
WR - Ernest Campbell (Sacramento State)
WR - Evan James (Furman)
WR - Rico Bond (Lindenwood)
WR - Owen Sweeney (VMI)
WR - Rashawn Cunningham (Charleston Southern)
TE - Reis Kessel (North Dakota State)
TE - Jeter Purdy (Northern Arizona)
OL - Shane Willenbring (South Dakota State)
OL - Gavin Marks (Mercer)
OL - Braden Zimmer (Montana State)
OL - Sawyer Prementine (Mercyhurst)
OL - Isaac Cariveau (North Dakota)
OL - Braden Smith (Tarleton State)
OL - Nick Hughes (UTRGV)
OL - Nate Tastad (North Dakota State)
OL - Brady Pickett (The Citadel)
OL - Colin Amick (Montana)
OL - Brian Williams Jr. (Jackson State)
 
Defense
DL - Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth)
DL - Zach Vanderpool (North Dakota State)
DL - Kobe McInnis (Mercer)
DL - Ka'Von Chisolm (South Carolina State)
DL - Justin Kruger (William & Mary)
DL - Evan Aubrey (Southeastern Louisiana)
DL - Dallin Havea (Utah Tech)
LB - Montreze Smith Jr. (Austin Peay)
LB - Jaiden Haygood (UTRGV)
LB - Dexter Niekamp (Illinois State)
LB - Ramere Davis (Northern Arizona)
LB - Anthony Feltrinelli (Valparaiso)
LB - Beckham Dee (Lafayette)
DB - Drew Cofield (UC Davis)
DB - Darius Malcolm Jr. (Wofford)
DB - Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian)
DB - Carson Williams (Montana State)
DB - Chase Hatton (Marist)
DB - Grant Noland (North Dakota)
DB - Nick Yatsko (Indiana State)
DB - Anthony Hawkins (Villanova)
DB - Alijah Prosser (UTRGV)
DB - RJ Stewart (South Dakota)
DB - Caleb Ricks (Idaho)
 
Special Teams
K - Nicholas Romero (Wagner)
K - Noah Piper (Yale)
P - Bobby Engstler (Florida A&M)
P - Lachie Pozzobon (Stephen F. Austin)
KR - Ryan Ricketti (Valparaiso)
KR - Sidney Webb (Morehead State)
KR - LaDamian McDowell (Lamar)
PR - Braden Reed (Villanova)
PR - Darriel Harper (Presbyterian)
AP - Christopher Bennett Jr. (Lindenwood)
AP - Cru Newman (Portland State)