North Dakota State Bison
74
74
OFF
74
DEF
Average
Matchup
Mountain West12-1 (2025)#117 Recruiting
Depth Chart· Updated Aug 17, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 2
    70
    Nathan HayesRS SR
    Starter
  2. 10
    55
    Trey DrakeRS JR
  3. 13
    55
    Zander SmithRS FR
RB
  1. 7
    78
    DJ ScottRS JR/TR
    Starter
  2. 5
    61
    Myles MitchellRS FR
  3. 32
    50
    Barry KpeenuRS SO/TR
WR-X
  1. 15
    76
    Mekhi CollinsRS SR
    Starter
  2. 84
    59
    Logan ConklinRS SO
  3. 82
    59
    SJ GreenRS FR
WR-Z
  1. 17
    67
    Isiah St. RomainRS SO
    Starter
  2. 21
    62
    Chris KielRS FR
  3. 86
    54
    Dylan VokalRS FR
WR-F
  1. 18
    75
    Jackson WilliamsJR
    Starter
  2. 83
    61
    Cade OstermanRS JR/TR
  3. 19
    50
    John GoresRS SR
TE
  1. 81
    76
    Reis KesselRS SO
    Starter
  2. 40
    56
    Kaden ZenzenRS SR
  3. 44
    56
    Luke KokatRS SR
LT
  1. 76
    76
    Ryan BabatzSO
    Starter
LG
  1. 71
    76
    Nate TastadRS SO
    Starter
  2. 66
    60
    Jack LiwienskiRS JR
C
  1. 62
    68
    Griffin EmpeyRS JR
    Starter
  2. 61
    62
    Gage SchmidtRS SO
RG
  1. 75
    68
    Josh MaginRS SR
    Starter
  2. 72
    60
    Nate SchnecklothRS JR
RT
  1. 55
    82
    Kene AneneRS SO/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 78
    62
    Noah StommesRS SO
2026 Schedule

0 games

Tap any game for the matchup breakdown — history, projection, and a simulated result.

Team Analysis
WHY #87 IN WS POWER

2025 SP+: N/A — not ranked

65%

Roster talent: N/A — not ranked

18%

Recruiting class: #117 national

16%

Returning production: N/A — not ranked

4%

Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank · not a betting line.

Portal

4 adds in two-deep · avg 72 OVR · top add: K. Anene (RT, 82, from Kansas)

Camp battles to watch3
Coach North Dakota StateTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

Updated Aug 17, 2026 · Data from public sources

Who starts for North Dakota State?

North Dakota State Bison starting lineup

Nathan Hayes is the projected starting quarterback for North Dakota State as of August 17, 2026. Trey Drake is listed second.

North Dakota State also projects DJ Scott at running back, Mekhi Collins at wide receiver and Reis Kessel at tight end.

The full North Dakota State Bison two-deep was last updated August 17, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

Nathan Hayes · QBDJ Scott · RBMekhi Collins · WR-XReis Kessel · TE

Common questions

Who is North Dakota State's starting quarterback?
Nathan Hayes is the projected starting quarterback for North Dakota State as of August 17, 2026. Trey Drake is listed second.
Who starts at running back for North Dakota State?
DJ Scott is the projected starter at running back for North Dakota State, with Myles Mitchell listed second.
Who starts at wide receiver for North Dakota State?
Mekhi Collins is the projected starter at wide receiver for North Dakota State, with Logan Conklin listed second.
Who starts at tight end for North Dakota State?
Reis Kessel is the projected starter at tight end for North Dakota State, with Kaden Zenzen listed second.
When was the North Dakota State Bison depth chart last updated?
The North Dakota State Bison depth chart on Who's Starting was last updated August 17, 2026. It refreshes daily through the season.
What was North Dakota State's record last season?
North Dakota State Bison finished 12-1 (8-0 in Mountain West play).