While it’s become more commonplace in this part of Minnesota over the past decade, it’s still a nice feeling to turn on the TV on a Saturday and see athletes who grew up in southwest Minnesota competing at a national level.
Here’s a look at what some of the area’s former athletes are doing at the next level of the gridiron.
Bryce Lance, NDSU
I was at a North Dakota State football game and saw the number 5 on his jersey and nameplate. “Rance.” For those who followed Trey Lance’s journey from Marshall High School to North Dakota State University to the National Football League, the words bring back memories. But this time, No. 5 is catching touchdowns instead of throwing them. And, of course, it’s no longer Trey, but his younger brother, Bryce, who is playing for one of the top teams at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
After playing primarily on special teams the past two seasons, Brice emerged early in his junior season as a reliable starting wide receiver for quarterback Cam Miller and the No. 2-ranked Bisons.
“I think Bryce was probably ready to play two years ago.” “But like he said, he put in the work and waited his turn,” Miller said. “He really shone today and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s put in a lot of work this offseason, both before and after practice, so we knew coming into the game the results were going to come.”
The 6-foot-3, 204-pound receiver had seven receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s game against Tennessee State.
“Cam really put me in a great position today.” Bryce said. “It made my job a lot easier.”
“I knew he was going to play a great game.” Added Miller: “I told him that before the game and that’s what happened.”
During preseason fall training, coaches had high hopes for Brice as one of the top targets for a team that lost many playmakers during the offseason.
“That play where he made the first catch is what we need to look like. We’ve got to get out of the tackle and create explosive plays.” NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said. “I’m glad Bryce took advantage of the opportunity.”
Zach Durfee, Washington
Another kid from the area who has had to wait his turn in the spotlight is Dawson Boyd University graduate Zach Durfee, who is now the Big Ten Conference’s all-time leading EDGE rusher.
Durfee played one year at the University of Sioux Falls in 2022 before entering the transfer portal and ultimately enrolling at the University of Washington, but due to NCAA policies regarding his past transfers between schools, Durfee was ruled ineligible to sit out the entire 2023 season after Washington advanced all the way to the College Football Playoff national championship game before losing to Michigan.
Durfee returned to the lineup after becoming eligible this year and made his biggest impact yet in Saturday’s win over Eastern Michigan. The 6-foot-5, 256-pound senior contributed to the win, recording five tackles and 2.5 sacks.
“(Washington University defensive coordinator Steve) Belicek is calling a great defense, so honestly, we’re just doing our job.” Durfee said. “All 11 of our defensive players just have to do their jobs and trust his play and the game plan.”
Through two games, Durfee leads the Huskies in both sacks and tackles for loss and is third on the team in tackles with eight.
Durfee entered the game with a questionable mark on the injury report and UW coach Jedd Fisch noted he was limited in practice that week.
“He’s definitely improving through matches and getting more playing time.” Durfee added. “I still feel like I’m a little off and not as good as I’d like to be, but we’re a team that works hard here all week and continues to improve. I don’t think I’m in bad shape, but I’m not satisfied.”
Durfee and UW will not play Minnesota during the 2024 season, but will travel to Iowa City to face Iowa on Oct. 12.
Yahya Black, Iowa
Speaking of Iowa, former Marshall University player Yahya Black is a key piece of Iowa’s powerful defensive line. The 6-foot-5, 317-pound senior had a relatively quiet game in the season-opening win over Illinois State, recording just one tackle for a loss, but did record four tackles and an interception in a 20-19 loss to in-state rival Iowa State.
It was Black’s 16th career start, and he has had more playing time this season after several other defensive linemen in the rotation departed.
“It feels like we’re a young group again.” Black said during the offseason. “The change is already happening. We just need to make sure everyone is on the right page.”
People at the next level
By Tracy Milroy Balaton Tony Nelson is in his redshirt sophomore season with the Minnesota football team, and the 6-foot-6, 315-pound redshirt sophomore played in his first career match on Saturday against Rhode Island. Nelson is a two-sport athlete who starred for the Gophers’ outdoor track and field team in the spring, where he recorded a season-best shot put record of 17.33 meters (56 feet, 10 1/4 inches) at the Hurricane Invitational in Miami, Florida.
Marshall University’s Daylin Hassert is listed as the top backup at left guard on Iowa State’s offensive line, but the 6-foot-4, 315-pound sophomore has yet to play in a game during the 2024 season.
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