Trey Lance is more than just a highly touted football player. Lance is a damn Bison.
A North Dakota State Bison, to be precise. Trey Lance played only one full season, totaling less than 20 games, at quarterback for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse.
The QB put up numbers: two FCS National Championships, one interception (yes, the entire time), and zero reasons for an NFL team to say no.
No NFL team knows what to say about Lance just yet, though there are some murmurs. So before the draft reveals where exactly this guy will go, let's get to know Trey Lance and his family-first family, first.
Who is Trey Lance?
Trey Lance was born on May 9, 2000, on the same day that Marc Anthony married Miss Universe.
Lance played both sides of the ball at Marshall High School. His size and strength had college recruiters thinking Lance could play college ball as a running back or linebacker.
Though Lance regularly blew opponents out of the water at QB, it was not enough to attract the attention of FBS powerhouses like Alabama. Instead, Lance caught a scholarship to Alabama-of-the-FCS North Dakota State University. Despite receiving a late offer from Boise State, Lance took his talents to Fargo and its thunderous Fargodome.
The former part-time defensive back soon found himself on the bench as a redshirt freshman behind NFL-bound Easton Stick. Stick showed Lance how to crush Nattys and then handed over the Herd.
Lance flexed a strong arm in 2019, scoring 28 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Lance won the Jerry Rice Award, Walter Payton Award, and his second National Championship as a freshman after redshirting. "2020 is going to be great!" said Lance and everyone around him.
We all know how that goes. Due to the pandemic, Lance only played one game against Central Arkansas before declaring for the NFL Draft. He played well in his one game but also threw his first college interception. NFL head coaches have since been tempted but cautious.
Despite his small sample size, NFL teams see big potential when they look at Lance. Part of what they like about him is where he comes from.
Who Are Trey Lance's Parents?
RELATED: Justin Fields' Parents Helped Mold a Football Superstar
When Trey entered the FCS with the Bison, he had a good starting field position. His father Carlton played FCS ball as a cornerback for Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). Carlton now resides in their Hall of Honor.
He used to be known as Carlton Lance, but in 2021, he's better known as Trey Lance's father. He doesn't seem to mind the moniker.
Carlton and his wife Angie Lance were college sweethearts at SMSU. They stuck together as Carlton went from college football to the Canadian Football League to the short-lived World League and finally to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Carlton left his NFL dreams in San Francisco.
Angie learned the ropes of a life devoted to football. Her experience rendered her invaluable to Trey's understanding of the game and even his college selection process. Between her sons' busy football schedules, Angie works for home delivery company Schwan's. I doubt she's one of the drivers.
Though the Lance family found success outside of football, Trey has kept the dream of a Lance in the NFL alive. And he might not be the only one.
Does Trey Lance Have Any Siblings?
Trey isn't the only Lance who knows how to score a touchdown.
While Trey gets the attention of NFL teams, his younger brother Bryce Lance is making waves as a wideout at Marshall High School.
Bryce Lance's Midas touch for touchdowns has scored him a verbal commitment to his older brother's soon-to-be alma mater. It looks like there will continue to be a Lance at NDSU for years to come.
Where's Trey Lance going next?
The new Lance Arm-Strong's future looks bright.
When he leaves the NCAA for the 2021 NFL draft, he'll be following in the footsteps of former NDSU quarterback Carson Wentz. Say what you will about Wentz, but the man has a Super Bowl ring. And rings silence doubters.
After only playing in one game in 2020 due to the pandemic, North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance is projected to go in the first round on most draft boards. His draft competition all played ball with FBS big boys, like Justin Fields at Ohio State or Trevor Lawrence at Clemson.
The Lone Bison doesn't seem to mind.
Wherever he ends up, one thing is for sure: with a tight-knit family standing behind him, Trey Lance is poised to win games, Super Bowls, and beyond.
