2026 Spring Football Roster
Roster

Jersey Number 95
Zach Vanderpool
- Position:
- Defensive Tackle
- Height:
- 6-5
- Weight:
- 275
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Byron, Minn.
- High School:
- Byron HS
* 2025 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America Team
* 2025 Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America Second Team
* 2025 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
* 2024 MVFC Honor Roll
2025 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in 12 games at defensive tackle, missing one due to injury...Selected to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-America team, the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America second team, and the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team...Collected 18 tackles on the season, along with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks...Made a career-high four tackles at Tennessee State, also forcing his first career fumble...Had career highs of 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks against Northern Iowa...Recovered his first career fumble against Youngstown State with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter, sealing a 38-30 Bison win.
2024 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as a redshirt in the Bison program...Did not participate in any games...Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL: 2024 graduate of Byron High School...Two-year starter for coach Ben Halder...Team captain his senior year...Played defensive end, left tackle and long snapper...Two-time all-district...District Defensive Lineman of the Year...Had 41 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and three sacks his final season...Part of a unit that limited opponents to 9.5 points and 198.5 yards per game while advancing to the state semifinals...Also competes in basketball and track and field.
PERSONAL: Majoring in exercise science...Son of Brian and Heather Vanderpool...Has two sisters, Sacia and Ella...Sacia Vanderpool spent three seasons in the women's basketball program at Wisconsin before transferring to NDSU in 2024-25.
* 2025 Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America Second Team
* 2025 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
* 2024 MVFC Honor Roll
2025 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in 12 games at defensive tackle, missing one due to injury...Selected to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-America team, the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America second team, and the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team...Collected 18 tackles on the season, along with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks...Made a career-high four tackles at Tennessee State, also forcing his first career fumble...Had career highs of 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks against Northern Iowa...Recovered his first career fumble against Youngstown State with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter, sealing a 38-30 Bison win.
2024 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as a redshirt in the Bison program...Did not participate in any games...Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL: 2024 graduate of Byron High School...Two-year starter for coach Ben Halder...Team captain his senior year...Played defensive end, left tackle and long snapper...Two-time all-district...District Defensive Lineman of the Year...Had 41 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and three sacks his final season...Part of a unit that limited opponents to 9.5 points and 198.5 yards per game while advancing to the state semifinals...Also competes in basketball and track and field.
PERSONAL: Majoring in exercise science...Son of Brian and Heather Vanderpool...Has two sisters, Sacia and Ella...Sacia Vanderpool spent three seasons in the women's basketball program at Wisconsin before transferring to NDSU in 2024-25.
NDSU Football Mountain West Press Conference - February 9, 2026
Monday, February 09
The Bison Football Show - December 7, 2025
Monday, December 08
NDSU Football Postgame Press Conference - December 6, 2025 (FCS Playoffs 2nd Round)
Saturday, December 06
NDSU Football Press Conference - December 2, 2025
Tuesday, December 02

























































































































