NDSU QB Trey Lance jumping to 2021 NFL Draft a no-brainer

Trey Lance made the easiest decision of his life

We have our second quarterback to officially declare for the 2020 season, following in Jamie Newman’s footsteps. After playing in his showcase against Central Arkansas, North Dakota State quarterback and Redshirt Sophomore Trey Lance is off to the 2021 NFL Draft after just one season under his belt.

Expected to be a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft this coming April, this was one of the easiest decisions Lance will ever have to make. Even if he has a slow start to his career, or even does not find a fit right away, asking a 20 year old to turn down millions in guaranteed money is one of the most boneheaded ideas to pursue.

Looking at Lance’s time at NDSU

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Lance, after redshirting during the final year of now Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Easton Stick, saw his only season as a starting quarterback at the college level in 2019. On the season, Lance completed right about 67 percent of his passes, throwing for nearly 2,900 yards and 28 touchdowns. He did not throw an interception on the season for the Bison.

Additionally, Lance rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season in 2019, winning the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. In his showcase game this weekend, Lance completed 50 percent of his passes for about 150 yards and two touchdowns, throwing the only interception of his career. He rushed for another 143 yards and two touchdowns on the day as well.

Outlook for Trey Lance in 2021 NFL Draft

As it currently stands, Lance sits as the third quarterback on this writer’s board, behind only Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (the prized jewel of the 2021 NFL Draft) and Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Barring a letdown season from Fields, it seems as though these three are solidified at the top of the draft.

Once a Bison, Always a Bison. pic.twitter.com/UI2Y2rd4Xn
— Trey Lance (@treylance09) October 6, 2020

It seems Lance has a ceiling as the second overall pick in the draft should a team like him more than Fields, and it is highly unlikely he will fall out of the top-10 of this April’s affair. With the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days as the only other way to prove to NFL scouts and general managers that he is their guy for the future. As it stands now, however, the Redshirt Sophomore is making the jump to the pros.