North Dakota State University football continues to have a strong presence in the professional football world, with several former Bisons players making an impact on the front line and within the team.
The last two NDSU football players selected in the NFL Draft, Cody Mauck and Cordell Bolson, both hold starting roles.
Mauk was selected 48th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a rookie last season and started all 19 playoff games for the Buccaneers leading up to the NFC Divisional Round.
“It's a learning process. It takes some time to settle in. When you start out as a rookie, you're kind of thrown into the fire. Just getting better every game. That's all you can really hope for, good play on top of good play, take a leap next year and just keep improving,” Mauch said.
Meanwhile, Bolson is in his third year of pro football and is looking to become even more of a leader as a key piece of the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line.
“I'm looking to establish myself as a veteran and help the younger guys out in any way I can. Center Ted Karras has been the captain of our offensive line for the last few years and he's really pushing me to come out of my shell and be more of a leader. I'm looking forward to the challenge,” Bolson said.
On the defensive line, former Bisons guard Spencer Waygue spent his rookie season on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad before being acquired by the Green Bay Packers on waivers and bulking up and playing more on the inside in his second year.
“The 49ers are a great organization and very well run. I couldn't have asked for a better team to be on in my first year, especially opening the season with us going to the Super Bowl and learning the speed of the game at that level, the little details that sometimes get overlooked in college and new tricks. So I'm really blessed to be a part of this team,” Wage said.
The two-time FCS All-American is just grateful to be another former Bisons player who got a chance to play on Sunday.
“When I got to NDSU, the goal I had in mind was to be one of the guys from NDSU that goes to the NFL. That's what I've always wanted to happen. Now coming back and having the freshmen coming in now look at me and say, 'Oh, I still know that guy,' it's cool because he's still playing after he leaves this place,” Wage said.
Mauk, Bolson, Waeghe and the rest of the NFL roster are scheduled to begin training camp near the end of July.
