Trey Lance's College Career Breakdown: An In-Depth Look at the Rise of the Promising NFL Quarterback

By Jason Bolton August 14, 2024 00:33

Photo by Andy Clayton-King/Associated Press

Trey Lance is a name that has been weighty with potential in the NFL for years, long before he became a top-three pick of the San Francisco 49ers. He had the most accomplished path from high school star to college national champion on a fabulous run at North Dakota State University (NDSU), and plenty of excitement around his style of play has some scouts wondering. This article examines the stages of Lance's football career from an early age to his success in college and what prospects he has at the professional level with the NFL.

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Early Life and High School Career

Trey Lance was born in Marshall, Minnesota, on May 9, 2000. Raised in a sports-oriented home, he was introduced to athletics at an early age. Trey has seen glimpses of his father's time playing cornerback at Southwest Minnesota State University and a short stint in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

High School Achievements

He played as a quarterback at Marshall Senior High School, gaining recognition as one of the top prospects. He was lauded in high school for his athleticism as a dual-threat playmaker on the air and on the ground. During his senior campaign, he guided a 12-1 squad with over 1500 passing yards and, unofficially, more than a thousand rushing yards. He collected numerous recognitions for his impressive play, including being named Minnesota Player of the Year and a finalist for Mr. Football in Minnesota.

While Lance was successful, he, too, obviously wasn't immune to some hardships in the recruiting process. Not an offer from a Power Five school, as tends to be the case in college football. In the end, he chose to commit to North Dakota State University, which had a strong history of developing high-quality quarterbacks and just happened to produce championships at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level recently.

College Career: North Dakota State University

The decision to attend NDSU

Going to North Dakota State is one of the best decisions that Lance made for his football life. They were a dominant force in FCS football, producing national champions.

Performance and Statistics

Lance redshirted his freshman year in 2018, giving him useful time to develop and learn the system. The redshirt sophomore debuted as the starting QB in 2019 and made an immediate impact. He capped his freshman season by becoming the first frosh to win the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award, presented annually to college football's most outstanding offensive player at its championship level.

He put up ridiculous numbers during the 2019 season.

Passing Yards: 2,786
Touchdowns: 28
Interceptions: 0 (NCAA record for most attempts without one)
Rushing Yards: 1,100
Rushing Touchdowns: 14

Lance posted the highest passer rating in FCS (180.6) as an efficient playmaker under pressure. He was a dual-threat, meaning he could hurt you with his arm or on the ground.

Progression and Accolades

You could see Lance grow as a player throughout the season. He greatly improved in all facets of decision-making, accuracy, and overall understanding of the offense. He was unique in his ability to diagnose what defenses would do and change at the line.

Lance also earned the following accolades besides winning the Walter Payton Award.

Jerry Rice Award (2019)
MVFC Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
First-Team All-MVFC (2019)

Projected Draft Range & Possible Teams

One of the top quarterback prospects heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance was coming off an impressive college career. His unique combination and 24-year-old upside made him a prized piece. The 49ers were selected as the third overall pick, a trade-up that made some sense for a team lacking a franchise quarterback on its roster.

Conclusion and Future Projections

Potential Impact on the NFL

The road is clear for Lance in the NFL, but it will bring equally as much opportunity and responsibility. Lance's athleticism and dual-threat ability should serve him well in a league that has become friendlier to quarterbacks who can make things happen with their feet. He could develop into a dynamic playmaker if he can improve his mechanics and decision-making.

Challenges Ahead

However, the move to the NFL is not without its challenges. The game is notably quicker, and the diversity of NFL defenses will subject him to adaptability. In addition, he will have to develop chemistry with his receivers and learn how to operate a pro-level system.

Predictions for Success

Moving forward, several analysts hope Lance could be an NFL superstar. Now playing for Dallas, if he can manifest fantastic play and raise his game to another level, the Cowboys could make a deep run in the playoffs sooner than later.