Bryce Lance - Rising Star On The Gridiron
There's a name that has started to truly shine on the college football scene, and it belongs to Bryce Lance. After what could be called a quiet start to his college career, something truly remarkable happened in 2024. He went from catching just one pass in his entire time on the field before this year to becoming the top receiver for the North Dakota State Bison. It’s a story of patience meeting opportunity, and it’s one that has caught the attention of many who follow the game, you know, the kind of story that just feels good to hear.
This young man, Bryce Lance, is a wide receiver, a player whose job involves catching the football and moving it down the field for his team. He plays for the North Dakota State Bison, a team with a strong history in college football. He also comes from a family with a deep connection to the sport, which, in some respects, adds another layer to his own journey. His older brother, Trey Lance, was picked very early in an NFL draft, and their father, Carlton Lance, played professional football too, in different leagues.
As a matter of fact, the Lance name is quite well-known around North Dakota State. Even though Trey moved on to the professional ranks a few years ago, the family's presence in Fargo, where the team plays, is still very much felt. Bryce recently shared on social media that he plans to return for his senior season, which means fans will get to see more of his exciting play. It’s clear that his time on the field is just beginning to unfold in a big way, and people are quite keen to see what comes next for him.
Table of Contents
- The Story of Bryce Lance
- Who is Bryce Lance- A Quick Look?
- What Makes Bryce Lance a Standout Player?
- How Did Bryce Lance's 2024 Season Unfold?
- What's the Family Connection with Bryce Lance?
- Does the Lance Name Carry Weight for Bryce Lance?
- What's Next for Bryce Lance?
- A Look at Bryce Lance's Game Day Focus
The Story of Bryce Lance
Bryce Lance's path in college football has, in a way, been a testament to perseverance and waiting for the right moment. He plays as a wide receiver for the North Dakota State Bison, a team that has a history of doing very well in their division. A wide receiver's job on the football field involves running routes, getting open, and catching passes thrown by the quarterback. It's a role that needs speed, quickness, and good hands, and it seems Bryce has been putting those skills to good use lately. For a while, his contributions on the field were, shall we say, a little more behind the scenes, but that has changed quite dramatically.
Before the 2024 season, Bryce had caught just one pass in his college career, a single reception for seven yards during the 2023 season. That's a pretty modest start for someone playing such a key position. However, something clicked, and he truly came alive in 2024. He became the team's main pass catcher, a role that involves being the player the quarterback looks for most often when throwing the ball. This sudden shift in his performance is quite something to think about, considering how little action he saw before. It shows that sometimes, a player just needs the chance to show what they can do, and then they can really take off, which is actually what happened here.
The change was, to be honest, quite significant. Going from one catch to being the leading receiver for a team like NDSU means he took a huge step forward. It suggests a lot of hard work behind the scenes, perhaps in practice or just in getting comfortable with the team's strategies. This kind of progression is often what makes sports stories so interesting, watching someone develop and reach new heights. It’s a good reminder that not every player starts out in the spotlight; sometimes, they build their way up, and Bryce's story is a clear example of that kind of climb, which is pretty cool.
Who is Bryce Lance- A Quick Look?
Bryce Lance is a college football player, a wide receiver for the North Dakota State Bison. He is also a redshirt junior, which means he has been with the team for a few years, including one where he likely didn't play much but still learned and practiced. He wears the number 5 jersey for the Bison, and you might notice him on the field because, well, he shares a strong resemblance to his older brother. The two brothers, in fact, look quite alike in team photos, which is kind of interesting to see.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bryce Lance |
| Team | North Dakota State Bison |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| Jersey Number | 5 |
| Current Status | Redshirt Junior (running it back for senior season) |
| Family Connection | Brother of Trey Lance; Son of Carlton Lance |
| Birth Year (Brother) | Trey Lance born in 2000 |
He is three years younger than his brother, Trey, who was born in the year 2000. This age difference means they likely grew up playing football together, or at least around the same time, which could have helped shape Bryce's own abilities. The fact that he's a redshirt junior indicates a period of growth and development within the college system, a time where players often get stronger and learn more about the game without using up a year of eligibility. This period can be very important for a player's long-term success, allowing them to mature physically and mentally before taking on a bigger role, which is, you know, a pretty common path for many college athletes.
What Makes Bryce Lance a Standout Player?
When you look at what makes Bryce Lance a player who really stands out, his performance in the 2024 season is a big part of it. After a 2023 season where he only had that single catch for seven yards, his sudden rise to become NDSU's top pass catcher is a clear sign of his capabilities. It takes a lot of skill and a good deal of determination to go from a player with minimal involvement to one who is central to the team's offensive plans. This kind of jump in performance suggests that he put in a lot of hard work and was ready when his chance came, which is, like, a really important quality in sports.
One particular game that showed just what Bryce could do was the championship match against Montana State. In that very important game, he really showed what he was made of. He caught seven passes for a total of 109 yards and scored a touchdown. This kind of performance in a championship setting, when the stakes are at their highest, really highlights a player's ability to perform under pressure. It's one thing to have a good game in the regular season, but to do it when a title is on the line, that's something else entirely. It shows a level of composure and talent that is quite impressive, honestly.
His ability to gain over 100 yards receiving in such a crucial contest, along with scoring, means he was a key part of his team's success in that moment. It suggests he has a good feel for the game, knows how to find open space, and has the hands to make the catches when they count most. This kind of impact is what makes a wide receiver truly valuable to a team, especially in those big moments. So, while his earlier stats might have been modest, his 2024 season, particularly that championship game, painted a very different picture of his abilities, and it's a picture that many people are now paying attention to, too.
How Did Bryce Lance's 2024 Season Unfold?
The 2024 season for Bryce Lance was, in simple terms, a breakout year. As we know, before this season, his career statistics were quite modest, with just one catch for a few yards. But when the 2024 season started, he truly burst onto the scene. He became the leading receiver for the North Dakota State Bison, which means he was the player who caught the most passes for his team. This sudden and significant increase in his role and production was quite a shift from what came before, and it made a lot of people take notice, you know, because it was such a big change.
This kind of sudden rise often happens when a player has been working hard in the background, perhaps learning the team's playbook better or improving their physical abilities, and then gets the chance to show what they've learned. For Bryce, that opportunity clearly arrived in 2024. He was not just catching passes; he was making plays that moved the ball down the field and helped his team score. Being the leading receiver means he was a primary target for his quarterback, indicating a strong trust and connection between them on the field, which is actually pretty important for an offense to work well.
The highlight of his 2024 season, and a clear example of his newfound impact, came in the championship game. Against Montana State, Bryce put on a display of skill, catching seven passes for a total of 109 yards and also scoring a touchdown. This performance in a high-stakes game is a very strong indicator of his ability to perform when it truly matters. It shows he has the knack for making important plays in crucial moments, which is a sign of a truly valuable player. So, his 2024 season wasn't just about getting more playing time; it was about stepping up and making a real difference for his team, which is, like, the whole point of playing.
What's the Family Connection with Bryce Lance?
The name Lance carries a bit of weight in the world of football, especially when it comes to the North Dakota State program. Bryce Lance is part of a football family, which means the sport runs in his blood, so to speak. His older brother is Trey Lance, who was a very high pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Trey was the third player chosen overall by the San Francisco 49ers, which is a really big deal in professional football. This connection means that Bryce grew up with a brother who was also very talented and went on to play at the highest level, which could be a source of inspiration or, you know, a bit of friendly competition.
Their father, Carlton Lance, also played professional football, having been a player in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the World League of American Football (WLAF). So, the family's history with the game goes back quite a ways, spanning different leagues and different eras. This kind of background often means that there's a deep understanding of the game passed down through the family, perhaps advice on how to approach practices, games, or even just the mental side of being an athlete. It's not every day you see multiple generations of professional football players in one family, which is quite unique.
Bryce himself is three years younger than Trey, who was born in 2000. This age difference means they might have had different experiences growing up, but they share that common bond of football. Trey is currently a backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, so both brothers are still actively involved in the sport at high levels. The fact that the Lance name is already "etched in history" at North Dakota State, even with Trey having moved on, shows the lasting impact of their family on that particular team. It's a pretty special thing to have such a strong family legacy in a sport, and Bryce is now adding his own chapter to that story, which is, you know, pretty cool to witness.
Does the Lance Name Carry Weight for Bryce Lance?
The Lance name, without a doubt, carries a certain weight, especially for anyone connected to North Dakota State football. Trey Lance's legacy, as a former number three overall NFL draft pick, means that the family name is already quite well-known and respected in Fargo. For Bryce Lance, this means he plays with a name that people recognize and associate with high-level football. This can be both a good thing and, you know, maybe a little bit of a challenge. On one hand, it brings a certain level of attention and respect. On the other hand, it might create certain expectations, or people might tend to compare him to his brother.
Despite Trey being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers over three years ago, the "Lance legacy" isn't finished at North Dakota State. Bryce is actively continuing that story. He wears the same number 5 jersey that his brother wore, and as we've noted, they look quite similar in team photos. This visual resemblance, combined with the shared last name and the same college team, means that comparisons are probably pretty common. However, Bryce is clearly making his own mark, as shown by his breakthrough 2024 season. He's not just "Trey's brother"; he's Bryce Lance, a standout receiver in his own right, which is actually a really important distinction for any athlete.
The fact that he's "running it back" for his senior season, as he announced on social media, further solidifies his individual path. He's choosing to stay and continue building his own story at NDSU, adding more chapters to the family's football history there. This decision shows a commitment to his team and his own development, separate from his brother's path. So, while the Lance name definitely opens doors and sparks interest, Bryce is proving that he's capable of filling those shoes and, perhaps, even creating his own distinct legacy. It’s a good example of how family connections can be a starting point, but individual effort is what truly shapes a person’s journey, which is, like, a pretty universal truth.
What's Next for Bryce Lance?
For Bryce Lance, the immediate future involves his senior season at North Dakota State. He made the announcement on social media that he would be "running it back," which in football terms means he's returning to play another year with the team. This decision is pretty significant, especially after his big 2024 season. It means he's choosing to continue developing his skills and contributing to the Bison, rather than, say, trying to move on to the next level or enter a different phase of his life. This kind of commitment to his college team is often appreciated by fans and coaches alike, you know, because it shows loyalty and a desire to finish strong.
His return for his senior year comes at an interesting time for the North Dakota State team. After the 2023 season, the team saw a number of players leave, some graduating and others moving on through the transfer portal. This included their top two pass catchers from that year. This situation likely means that Bryce will continue to be a very central part of the team's offensive strategy. With key players departing, his role as the leading receiver becomes even more important. He'll be looked upon to provide leadership and consistent play, especially as new players step into bigger roles around him. It’s a chance for him to really cement his place as a leader on the field, which is a pretty big responsibility.
Looking ahead, his senior season will be a chance to build on the momentum he gained in 2024. Every game will be an opportunity to show consistency and further refine his skills as a wide receiver. For players in college football, a strong senior season can greatly influence their future prospects, whether that's in professional football or in other paths. So, his decision to return means he's aiming to make this upcoming year his most impactful yet, and fans will be watching to see how he performs. It’s, in a way, a chance for him to write the next chapter of his story, and that's something many people are quite excited about, too.
A Look at Bryce Lance's Game Day Focus
When it comes to game day, especially for a big event like a championship, a player's mindset is incredibly important. Bryce Lance's approach to these moments offers a glimpse into what makes him effective. Before kickoff against Montana State in the NCAA FCS Championship game, held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, he was clearly focused. This kind of focus before a major game suggests a player who is mentally prepared and ready to perform under pressure. It's a sign of someone who takes their role seriously and understands the importance of the moment, which is actually a pretty common trait among top athletes.
During that championship game, Bryce not only performed well, but he also showed a natural instinct for the game. There's a moment captured where he signals for a first down after making a big catch against Montana State. This action, signaling for a first down, is a confident gesture, showing that he knows he's moved the ball far enough for his team to get a new set of downs. It reflects his awareness on the field and his confidence in his own play. These small actions often reveal a lot about a player's presence and understanding of the game's flow, which is, like, a really cool part of watching football.
Bryce himself has shared a bit about his mental state when the ball is coming his way. He says, “honestly not much goes through my mind when i know the ball is coming to me so i’m just kind of like in that flow state when the ball is in the air.” This idea of a "flow state" is fascinating. It suggests a complete immersion in the moment, where he's reacting instinctively rather than overthinking. It's a place where athletes often perform at their very best, letting their training and natural talent take over. This kind of clear-headed approach, especially in the heat of a game, is a valuable asset for any player, and it clearly helped the Bison, as they won the national championship, too.
This article has explored the journey of Bryce Lance, a wide receiver for the North Dakota State Bison. We looked at his quiet beginnings in college football, his remarkable breakout season in 2024 where he became the team's leading receiver, and his standout performance in the championship game against Montana State. We also discussed his family's strong football background, including his brother Trey Lance and father Carlton Lance, and how the Lance name continues to be a part of NDSU history. Finally, we touched upon his decision to return for his senior season and his focused mindset on game day.
Bryce Lance (@_brycelance) • Instagram photos and videos
Bryce Lance (@_brycelance) • Instagram photos and videos
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