NDSU

* 2024 Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-America Team
* 2024 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America Team
* 2024 Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America First Team
* 2023, 2024 MVFC Honor Roll

2024 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Member of the Stats Perform, FCS Football Central, and Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America teams...Started 11 games at left guard before finishing the year with three starts at right guard after a season-ending injury to starter Jake Rock...Missed the Murray State and Northern Iowa games with an injury...Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.

2023 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Did not participate in any games during his redshirt season with the Bison...Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated in 2023 from Stoughton High School...Four-year starter...Coached by Jason Becker...Team captain his senior year...Unanimous first team all-conference offensive lineman in 2023 and defensive lineman in 2022 and 2023...Earned all-region honors at both positions...Stoughton's team MVP on defense his senior year making 80 total tackles with 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and two recoveries, three blocked kicks and three blocked punts...Credited with 146 career tackles, 28 TFLs and seven sacks...Three-time wrestling section champion, region champion, and state finalist...Had more than 100 varsity wins and 100 pins...Two-time wrestling captain...Four-time letterwinner in track and field competing in the shot put and discus throw.

PERSONAL: Majoring in construction management...Son of Bob and Lyn Empey...Has two brothers, Brooks and Gatlin...Brooks is a member of the wrestling team at the University of Wisconsin.