Tag: North Dakota State

North Dakota State forward to transfer to Nebraska

The Huskers receive their first portal commitment this offseason.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball team has received their first commitment via the transfer portal this offseason. North Dakota State forward has told On3 Sports that he has committed to Nebraska.

In his three-year career at NDSU, he’s appeared in 85 games, starting in 59 of them. Averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during that span.

Last season, he averaged 12.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-10 junior is a major portal addition as forward Rienk Mast has yet to announce if he will return to Lincoln for another season.

Morgan now adds depth to a team that currently has six open scholarship spots that need to be filled. Expect the Cornhuskers to remain active in the portal.

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Chargers re-signing QB Easton Stick

The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Chargers are re-signing quarterback Easton Stick, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

Stick, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, had served as the backup with zero experience as a starter until this past season when Justin Herbert was sidelined with a finger injury.

Stick went on to start the final four games and finished with 1,129 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 144 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.

With a new regime, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they addressed the backup quarterback spot with another veteran. But given Stick’s athleticism paired with Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense, the pairing made sense.

Additionally, the Chargers brought back Shane Day to be the team’s quarterbacks coach. He previously worked with Stick in 2021 and 2022.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-round post-NFL Combine predictions for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are retooling and we’ve unveiled are fourth Eagles Wire 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and after the scouting combine

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is a wrap, and the results could significantly impact what happens when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around at the end of next month.

Like every team in the league, the Philadelphia Eagles closely watched this week’s action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as they lock in their draft board.

Philadelphia currently set to have six selections in this year’s draft, and are also projected to receive four compensatory selections, which would give them ten altogether.

Here’s an updated look at how all seven rounds could turn out for the Eagles via the PFF Mock Draft simulator.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert undergoing season-ending surgery

Justin Herbert’s 2023 season is over.

Justin Herbert’s 2023 season is over.

Herbert will have surgery to repair the broken index finger on his right hand and will be placed on injured reserve, which will keep him out for the rest of the year.

Herbert suffered the injury in the Week 14 loss to the Broncos after taking a hit from defensive tackle Zach Allen.

Herbert finishes this season with 3,314 yards, a 65.1 completion percentage and 20 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions. Additionally, he had 228 yards and three scores on 52 carries.

Easton Stick will now take over as the Chargers’ starting quarterback. Stick replaced Herbert after he got hurt and went on to throw for 179 yards on 13 of 24 passing.

This will mark Stick’s first NFL career start. A fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State in the 2019 NFL draft, Stick is the winningest quarterback in FCS history with a 49-3 record.

Stick finished as the school career record holder for passing yards (8,693), passing touchdowns (88), total offense yards (11,216) and touchdowns (129). He’s also the Missouri Valley’s career leader for rushing yards (2,523) and rushing touchdowns (41) by a quarterback.

Chargers’ Easton Stick blossoming into reliable backup quarterback

The Chargers should feel good with Easton Stick as their backup quarterback.

The Chargers saw something in Easton Stick to be the primary backup to Justin Herbert, leading to them re-signing him this spring. This past Saturday, in the victory over the Rams, it was all on display.

Stick got the start under center while Herbert and most of the starters were sidelined and pieced together the best performance of his career.

While known for his athletic ability, Stick’s accurate arm is what stood out in his showing. He made a handful of beautiful throws, including his lone touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston right before halftime.

Before that scoring play, Stick put together a masterful two-minute drill. He guided the offense 75 yards down the field on ten plays to give the Bolts’ their first touchdown of the game.

Along the way, Stick looked composed in the pocket, even in the face of pressure, and delivered darts. He kept the drive alive with a third-down scramble in the red zone.

“I thought his two-minute drive was phenomenal,” Kellen Moore said. “Picking and choosing when to use his legs, made good decisions with the ball, aggressive when he needs to be and then take some completions. I just loved the way he operated the whole thing.”

Stick finished 14-of-21 passing for 109 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushes for 12 yards.

After being the No. 3 quarterback on the roster the past few seasons, Stick has shown this summer that he is more than capable of being reliable in a backup role.

Alabama MBB officially adds NDSU transfer Grant Nelson to the roster

Grant Nelson officially joins Alabama MBB program

Nate Oats and the Alabama basketball program have had a busy off-season to this point in the summer. From losing all three assistant coaches to head coaching opportunities to the departures of Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney, Charles Bediako, Jaden Bradley, Amari Burnett and even Javon Quinerly the Crimson Tide will look quite different in 2023-2024.

Fortunately, the Tide hit an absolute home run in the transfer portal by landing North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson. It had been speculated for a few weeks that Nelson was headed to Tuscaloosa, but now all Alabama fans can breathe a sigh of relief as it is finally official. Nelson went through the NBA draft process but ultimately decided to return to college and wanted an opportunity to showcase his talents on the big stage in college basketball.

Nelson is a 6’11 senior who will likely fill in the power forward position that Noah Clowney was awesome in. As a junior with the Bison, Nelson averaged 17.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG and 2.1 APG. Nelson is a massive addition to the Tide, especially offensively and he will have a chance to play himself into a future first-round draft pick.

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The Mountain West Should Invite North Dakota State To The Conference

Examining possible additions to the Mountain West Conference.

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The Mountain West Should Invite North Dakota State To The Conference

The Conference Will Likely Need To Add Another School

Contact/Follow @michaelbraydaly & @MWCwire

Could North Dakota State Be Added In The Future?

With the recent news of San Diego State reportedly looking at resigning from the Mountain West in June 2024, the conference will need to find a suitable replacement for the Aztecs.

If San Diego State leaves, the Mountain West will need to fill the void of losing a strong basketball and football program. One potential option for the Mountain West could be adding a dominant FCS school for football with a strong track record in basketball. North Dakota State would be a terrific option to join a Group of Five football conference and a competitive mid-major basketball conference.

Regardless of who eventually joins the Mountain West, it will be difficult to fully replace a mainstay like San Diego State. North Dakota State would be able to fit the conference’s geographic landscape. Not only would North Dakota State’s location work for both sides, but the program’s dominant football team would seamlessly elevate to the Mountain West.

In the FCS, North Dakota State has captured nine national football championships since 2011. In 2022, North Dakota State came up short of winning its 10th national championship, but the Bison reached the national championship game against South Dakota State.

North Dakota State is a football powerhouse in the FCS and would be able to transition to the Mountain West Conference in football. The school also has direct ties to the Mountain West. Craig Bohl, who is currently Wyoming’s head coach, was previously North Dakota State’s head coach from 2003 to 2013. It would set up an interesting storyline to have North Dakota State potentially face its former head coach.

San Diego State ‘Intends To Resign From Mountain West,’ Per Reports

The Bison would be able to bring NFL Draft prospects to the conference. Currently, there are 17 former North Dakota State players in the NFL. The Mountain West would benefit from a school that generates solid professional players. Former North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch was one of 10 FCS players drafted in 2023. Mauch was also the first FCS player selected in this year’s NFL Draft.

Football would be the biggest selling point for North Dakota State to join the Mountain West Conference, but the school would be a willing competitor in men’s basketball. As a Summit League member, North Dakota State reached the NCAA Tournament four times in program history.

In order for North Dakota State to join a Group of Five football conference and a high-end mid-major basketball conference, they will need to receive a formal invitation to join the conference. The Mountain West could decide to add a notable brand in the FCS like North Dakota State to its conference. Other schools like South Dakota State and Sacramento State could also be potential options for the Mountain West. However, it will be difficult to select any other FCS school over North Dakota State.

If the Mountain West has any doubts about adding an FCS school to the conference, look no further than James Madison’s success in football in the Sun Belt Conference in 2022. James Madison finished with an 8-3 record in its first season as an FBS program.

North Dakota State would be able to adjust to a competitive FBS conference. It will be up to the Mountain West to extend the invite to North Dakota State.

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No. 1 transfer portal PF scheduled to visit with Alabama MBB

Grant Nelson, the top player in the NCAA transfer portal plans to visit with Nate Oats and the Tide!

Yesterday, North Dakota State’s power forward Grant Nelson withdrew his name from the NBA draft. However, he did enter the transfer portal at the beginning of May and will continue to look at his transfer options ahead of the 2023-2024 season.

Nelson is the top-ranked player in the portal and has no shortage of suitors. He was a first-team All-Summit selection this past season while averaging 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.

With the loss of Charles Bediako, Nelson would be the perfect player to fill in that missing role for the Crimson Tide. He already spent three years with the Bison, so he is entering the fourth year of eligibility and at 6’11, Nelson could play either the four or five as Alabama does lack front-court depth.

Fortunately, for Alabama fans, Nelson already plans to meet with Nate Oats and visit Alabama. The actual visit date has yet to be determined. Once a recruit gets onto campus and sees the freedom they will have in a Nate Oats system, it is hard to turn down the Tide.

Hank South of 247Sports first reported the news Nelson planning a visit to Tuscaloosa.

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North Dakota State DB Destin Talbert invited to Bears, Saints rookie minicamps

North Dakota State defensive back Destin Talbert invited to Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints rookie minicamps:

The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler reports that North Dakota State defensive back Destin Talbert has received invitations to two different NFL rookie minicamps, with both the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. This would be occurring on a tryout basis, so he may have a tough decision to make depending on when they’re scheduled. Rookie minicamps are staggered to avoid scheduling conflicts but they can still happen.

Talbert mainly lined up out wide at cornerback for the Bison, but he moved around the secondary and could have some versatility on the back end. He didn’t miss many tackles and he was only penalized once on nearly 2,200 career defensive snaps at NDSU. He’ll need to put those skills on full display to earn a contract offer from either of these two teams.

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2023 NFL draft grades: Buccaneers pick OL Cody Mauch at No. 48 overall

2023 NFL draft grades: Buccaneers pick North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch at No. 48 overall, via @DillySanders

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invest in offensive line help for Baker Mayfield with their selection of North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch in the second round.

Mauch is what you want out of a mauling lineman in terms of play style and personality, but maybe not with his size. He has shorter arms and smaller hands than you would want out of a tackle, but he’s still a good player. He may be moved inside to guard where his lack of length won’t be as big a problem.

The Buccaneers need a right tackle and Mauch was a good play at North Dakota State, but he still needs to learn the nuances of the position. Luckily, he has time during the rebuild. He’s a mauler and aggressive blocker, but has a ways to go before he’ll be ready at the next level.

Grade: C+

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