Bison Showcase Talent at NDSU Pro Day
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JALEN SUNDELL AND JAKE KUBAS HIGHLIGHT FIVE TOTAL BISON PARTICIPANTS.
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–The North Dakota State Bison football team held their annual pro day Tuesday morning. Five Bison players participated for 18 NFL scouts and 2 CFL scouts.
The Five Bison players included Running Back TaMerik Williams, Cornerback Jayden Price, Wide Receiver Zach Mathis and Offensive lineman Jake Kubas and Jalen Sundell.
The NFL hopefuls participated in all the standard pro day drills including the 40-yard dash, shuttle drill and L-drill. The group finished off with individual position drills.
For Kubas and Sundell, they understand the Bison are now known for producing versatile NFL-lineman talent. Each of the last three drafts have seen a Bison lineman get their named called, with Cody Mauch most recently in the second round last year.
The two say they are embracing the expectations and are grateful for the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“The scouts talk about it all the time,” said Sundell on the Bison Offensive Lineman reputation. “So, I cannot say enough about the guys who have come before us and done it first. It just set a high standard and high reputation. That only helps me and Jake, for sure, and for the guys to come.”
Sundell and Kubas participated in O-Line drills with an Offensive Line coach from the New York Giants to showcase their skills to the scouts. Kubas, who unlike Sundell did not attend the NFL Combine, says the pro day Tuesday was great.
“I think anytime you can get in front of an assistant O-Line coach, an O-line coach, an area scout or whatever it may be, and work out in front of them… I think it’s valuable. Especially being an FCS school. Jalen went to the combine, myself, I did not. So, it is big anytime I can get in front of somebody in an NFL organization to work out.
In addition to the 20 total scouts in attendance, A few alumni including 2022 4th round pick Cordell Volson and 2014 3rd round pick Billy Turner showed their support. Sundell and Kubas say their presence meant a lot and they have been training with Turner down in the Twin Cities.
“It was awesome to see familiar faces,” said Sundell. “Cordell was that guy [in years past] in the front of the room that you look up to and you want to be him. And Billy has been training with us. He has been in the [Twin] Cities with us. I’ve gotten to know him a little bit better. It was great and really comforting to have those faces around.”
“It has been really cool,” said Kubas. “It is cool to have another Bison around, another guy who has a lot of experience in the NFL, I think [Billy] is going on year 11. Just a lot of great insights and how to be a successful offensive lineman at the next level.”
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to take place April 25-27. The Bison have had a player drafted in every draft for the past 5 years.
