Bison FCS All-Championship Team

[Flow 2-3-4-5]

With the Bison making their 5th consecutive FCS Championship Game, I was thinking how fortunate we have been the past 5 years and how many GREAT players have contributed to this unprecedented run. I thought it might be fun to come up with a Bison all star roster from the squads that have made it to Frisco (2011-2015 seasons).

Writing down players in each position, it struck me that there were some really tough choices - Jensen or Wentz? G. Olson or DeLuca? I suppose the make up of your team will depend on if you are considering the totality of their Bison careers or if you are picking the player you think would add the most value in a single game or season (Zach Vraa vs Warren Holloway for example)

Anyway, since we have 3 weeks to kill, I thought this might be a fun post for people to chime in on and also reflect on how truly fortunate we are to be witnessing this record breaking run of success. GO BISON!

QB
Brock Jensen

RB
John Crockett

OT
Billy Turner
Joe Haeg

C
Joe Lund

OG
Austin Richard
Tyler Gimmestad

TE
Matt Veldman

FB
Andrew Bonnet

WR
Warren Holloway
Zach Vraa

DEFENSE

DE
Kyle Emmanuel
Greg Menard

DT
Levon Perry
Brian Schaetz

NG
Ryan Drevlow

LB
Travis Beck
Nick DeLuca
Carlton Littlejohn

CB
Marcus Williams
CJ Smith

SS
Colton Heagle

FS
Christian Dudzik

Special Teams

P - Ben LeCompte
K - Adam Keller
LS - Michael Murphy
PR - Ryan Smith
KR - Bruce Anderson
ST - Bryan Shepherd

[bisonpride4ever]

The fact that we can actually debate this is amazing! What a special program.


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[KINGRANCH]

Urzandowski played his way onto the all championship team last year, without him we lose that game, and that's a fact!

[dewey]

FB Andrew Grothmann

Dewey

[89MTBISON]

Three words, Cole Jirik.

[Bison 4 Life]

Urzandowski played his way onto the all championship team last year, without him we lose that game, and that's a fact!

Much as I loved Warren Holloway, RJ won us that game last year.

[CAS4127]

Solid thread!

Who was MLB for our first NC again. Transfer, and that's likely why I don't remember name-->Chad Olson or something like that?


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[bisonpride4ever]

Solid thread!

Who was MLB for our first NC again. Transfer, and that's likely why I don't remember name-->Chad Olson or something like that?


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Chad Wilson


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[Flow 2-3-4-5]

Much as I loved Warren Holloway, RJ won us that game last year.

WR was one of the toughest positions for me to narrow down - Went with Vraa for longevity and overall contribution to the program and Holloway just for pure physical skill set the he displayed in the 2011 season. We have not had that same type of downfield threat since. Put Ryan Smith as PR but was a hell of a slot receiver and playmaker. I don't question Urzendowski being on anyone's list one bit - definitely an all-time clutch performer.

Jirik vs Greg Menard was another tough choice - but that's what this thread is all about. Fun to debate and get other points of view to occupy us until Frisco. All the back and forth smack and trolling with opposing fans gets old to me after awhile.

[Kermit]

Solid thread!

Who was MLB for our first NC again. Transfer, and that's likely why I don't remember name-->Chad Olson or something like that?


Sent from my iPhone.

Preston Evans was Mike. Chad Willson and some freshman wearing #52 outside. :)

[CAS4127]

Preston Evans was Mike. Chad Willson and some freshman wearing #52 outside. :)

We're there 2 pics by LB's that game?


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[Bison 4 Life]

WR was one of the toughest positions for me to narrow down - Went with Vraa for longevity and overall contribution to the program and Holloway just for pure physical skill set the he displayed in the 2011 season. We have not had same downfield threat since. Put Ryan Smith as PR but was a hell of a slot receiver and playmaker. I don't question Urzendowski being on anyone's list one bit - definitely an all-time clutch performer.

Jirik vs Greg Menard was another tough choice - but that's what this thread is all about. Fun to debate and get other points of view to occupy us until Frisco. All the back and forth smack and trolling with opposing fans gets old to me after awhile.

I've probably watched that final drive 100 times. I still can't believe how awesome that was.

[17>1]

Jensen
Crockett
Grothman
Lund
Richard
Johnson
Haeg
Turner
Vraa
Smith
Vaadeland

Jirik
Emmanuel
Schaetz
Gratzek
Beck
Olson
Thornton
Smith
Williams
Dudzik
Heagle

PR Smith
KR Williams
K Keller
P LeCompte
LS Murphy
ST Shepard

[CAS4127]

Jensen
Crockett
Grothman
Lund
Richard
Johnson
Haeg
Turner
Vraa
Smith
Vaadeland

Jirik
Emmanuel
Schaetz
Gratzek
Beck
Olson
Thornton
Smith
Williams
Dudzik
Heagle

PR Smith
KR Williams
K Keller
P LeCompte
LS Murphy
ST Shepard

I think we should have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team choice here (at a minimum). Thoughts? Way to many good players to pick from IMO.


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[1998braves64]

List is good but like others think Grothmann gets the nod over Bonnet. He never got motion penalties. Didn't get many passes or handoffs going his way not sure if that was just a result of Vigen/Bohl's playbook or if it was something coaches saw in practice that he wasn't a good option.
Sent from Win8 phone on a bullet train from Hillsboro.

[17>1]

I think we should have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team choice here (at a minimum). Thoughts? Way to many good players to pick from IMO.


Sent from my iPhone.

I think if we did that, I might not have gone with Esley for my first team. He made my top 3 because I feel like he was a Bison in every aspect of his game, and his commitment to the program. Might not have been the "best" LB'er we've seen in the last 8+ years but to sacrifice for the team by switching positions, and to be good enough to do so, really made him pretty special in my eyes. And what a great way for him to finish his career with a big pick.

[17>1]

List is good but like others think Grothmann gets the nod over Bonnet. He never got motion penalties. Didn't get many passes or handoffs going his way not sure if that was just a result of Vigen/Bohl's playbook or if it was something coaches saw in practice that he wasn't a good option.
Sent from Win8 phone on a bullet train from Hillsboro.

I along with many on this board probably have a soft spot in the heart for the ND kids that become Bison. Grothman was the quiet type that just loved to hit and be physical. Didn't need to have carries, didn't need to be in the spotlight (not saying any of them really feel like they need to be), and was a small town hard working kid that was proud to be a Bison. I also think when you're blocking for the likes of Ojuri and Crockett, you don't need to get any touches. I'm sure he was proud to be the guy opening holes all day long for them.

[Flow 2-3-4-5]

If someone wants to go with a 2 or 3 deep depth chart at each position there certainly are enough quality players to do so. I just didn't have enough time when I was putting up the initial post.

[dewey]

Jensen
Crockett
Grothman
Lund
Richard
Johnson
Haeg
Turner
Vraa
Smith
Vaadeland

Jirik
Emmanuel
Schaetz
Gratzek
Beck
Olson
Thornton
Smith
Williams
Dudzik
Heagle

PR Smith
KR Williams
K Keller
P LeCompte
LS Murphy
ST Shepard

Gratzek's last season was 2010.

Dewey

[17>1]

Gratzek's last season was 2010.

Dewey

Ah, FCS All-Championship team, got it. I interpreted it as all FCS team, my bad. I'd sub Perry in there then.

[2011BisonAlumni]

I would take a healthy Carson Wentz at his peak over Brock in his prime. Also, Ryan Smith would be starting at WR.

[Snowgoose]

I would take a healthy Carson Wentz at his peak over Brock in his prime. Also, Ryan Smith would be starting at WR.

Agreed.....

[Ndsu84]

Great thread! So many great athletes.

Wentz, Jensen, Stick...Wentz didn't get very many games but wow. Easton is awfully amazing and fun to watch to be a number 3!

Grothman really blew holes.

I loved the combo of Crockett and Ojuri but Bruce Anderson could be crazy good really soon.

Ryan Smith/RJ

Mr Billy Turner...showed K-State what's up

Deluca

Heagle, what was his game high tackles? 13? Seemed like every play.

Nobody ran away from Dudzik.

Emanuel

Marcus

Etc... Etc... Etc...

[BisonTru]

I think we should have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team choice here (at a minimum). Thoughts? Way to many good players to pick from IMO.


Sent from my iPhone.

This. Do at least a two-deep with the option to add a third at any position group if warranted.

[ndsubison1]

QB- Wentz
RB- Crockett
FB- Grothmann
C- Richard
G- Johnson & Gimmestad
T- Turner & Cornick
WR- Holloway & Vraa
TE- Veldman

Smith at Slot. Bonnett as utility. McNorton 3rd down back.

DE- Emanuel & Boyer
DT- Perry & Drevlow
LB- Littlejohn, Deluca, Beck
FS- Dudzik
SS- Heagle
CB- Williams & Smith

Nickel- Shepherd

[ndsubison1]

Chad Wilson


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Willson was OLB. Middle was Evans

[BisonTru]

Quarterback:
Carson Wentz
Brock Jenson

Running Back:
John Crockett
DJ McNorton

Full Back:
Andrew Grothmann
Andrew Bonnett

Wide Receiver:
Zach Vraa
Warren Holloway

Tight End:
Matt Veldman
Kevin Vaadeland

Left Tackle:
Billy Turner
Paul Cornick

Left Guard:
Zach Johnson
Austin Richard

Center:
Joe Lund
Jesse Hinz

Right Guard:
Tyler Gimmestad
Jeremy Kelly

Right Tackle:
Joe Haeg
Landon Lechler

Wide Receiver:
Ryan Smith
RJ Urzendowski

Defensive End:
Greg Menard
Coulter Boyer

Defensive Tackle:
Leevon Perry
Brian Schaetz

Nose Guard:
Nate Tanguay
Ryan Drevlow

Defensive End:
Kyle Emanuel
Cole Jirik

Will Linebacker:
Travis Beck
MJ Stumpf

Mike Linebacker:
Nick DeLuca
Grant Olson

Sam Linebacker:
Carlton Littlejohn
Easley Thorton

Cornerback:
Marcus Williams
Andre Martin Jr

Free Safety:
Christian Dudzik
Bryan Shephard

Strong Safety:
Colton Heagle
Tre Dempsey

Cornerback:
CJ Smith
Jordan Champion

Punter:
Ben LeCompte

Kicker:
Adam Keller

[ndsubison1]

Here's my Two Deep. I know some players have played multiple positions.

QB Wentz/Jensen
RB Crockett/McNorton
FB Grothmann/Bonnet
WR Holloway/Urzendowski
WR Vraa/Smith
TE Veldman/Vaadeland
C Colville/Lund
LG Richard/Gimmestad
RG Johnson/Hinz
LT Turner/Haeg
RT Cornick/Lechler

DE Emanuel/Jirik
DE Boyer/Menard
DT Drevlow/Tanguay
DT Perry/Schaetz
LB Littlejohn/Willson
LB Deluca/Olson
LB Beck/Stumpf
FS Dudzik/Dempsey
SS Heagle/Grimsley
CB Williams/Shepherd
CB Smith/Martin

[OatmealWicket92]

I think our O-line would be unstoppable. Holy Crap.

[runtheoption]

I would pick just about any TE we've had post-Veldman over Veldman. He's not even on my 3-deep for TE.

[Jay]

We're there 2 pics by LB's that game?


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John Pike had one.

[tony]

This would be harder if it was an All-FCS team.

It'd be interesting to see the NDSU All-FCS team play the NDSU All-D2 team (in this hypothetical universe, both teams would have the same S&C.)

[Bison"FANatic"]

Heagle, what was his game high tackles? 13? Seemed like every play.



9 solo six assists for 15 total against Georgia southern

He looked like he was everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. One of the best individual D performances I have witnessed.

[HandoEX]

QB- Jensen
RB- Crockett
FB- Grothmann
C- Lund
G- Johnson & Richard
T- Turner, Haeg
WR- Smith, Vraa
TE- Veldman

DE- Emanuel, Jirik
DT- Perry, Drevlow
LB- Littlejohn, Olson, Beck
FS- Dudzik
SS- Heagle
CB- Williams, Smith

[MNLonghorn10]

QB- Jensen
RB- Crockett
FB- Grothmann
C- Lund
G- Johnson & Richard
T- Turner, Haeg
WR- Smith, Vraa
TE- Veldman

DE- Emanuel, Jirik
DT- Perry, Drevlow
LB- Littlejohn, Olson, Beck
FS- Dudzik
SS- Heagle
CB- Williams, Smith
Why don't you just type the 2013 bison and save some time you jerk

[td577]

I would be tempted in the 3 weeks of preparation to work some 3-4 packages in there to get both DeLuca and Olson on the field at the same time.

[ByeSonBusiness]

Holloway > RJ.
Grothmann > Bonnet and its not even really close.

[thundarsdaddy]

Urzandowski played his way onto the all championship team last year, without him we lose that game, and that's a fact!

Totally agree!

[HandoEX]

Why don't you just type the 2013 bison and save some time you jerk

Veldman's last year was 2011. Who's the jerk now?

[thundarsdaddy]

IF...we could have a category for specialty plays, lets never forget Matt Voitlander!!

[MNLonghorn10]

Veldman's last year was 2011. Who's the jerk now?

Veldman was there for the 2013 championship...oh he was there alright

[ndsubison1]

QB- Jensen
RB- Crockett
FB- Grothmann
C- Lund
G- Johnson & Richard
T- Turner, Haeg
WR- Smith, Vraa
TE- Veldman

DE- Emanuel, Jirik
DT- Perry, Drevlow
LB- Littlejohn, Olson, Beck
FS- Dudzik
SS- Heagle
CB- Williams, Smith

So in other words the 2013 defense

[Flow 2-3-4-5]

Quarterback:
Carson Wentz
Brock Jenson

Running Back:
John Crockett
DJ McNorton

Full Back:
Andrew Grothmann
Andrew Bonnett

Wide Receiver:
Zach Vraa
Warren Holloway

Tight End:
Matt Veldman
Kevin Vaadeland

Left Tackle:
Billy Turner
Paul Cornick

Left Guard:
Zach Johnson
Austin Richard

Center:
Joe Lund
Jesse Hinz

Right Guard:
Tyler Gimmestad
Jeremy Kelly

Right Tackle:
Joe Haeg
Landon Lechler

Wide Receiver:
Ryan Smith
RJ Urzendowski

Defensive End:
Greg Menard
Coulter Boyer

Defensive Tackle:
Leevon Perry
Brian Schaetz

Nose Guard:
Nate Tanguay
Ryan Drevlow

Defensive End:
Kyle Emanuel
Cole Jirik

Will Linebacker:
Travis Beck
MJ Stumpf

Mike Linebacker:
Nick DeLuca
Grant Olson

Sam Linebacker:
Carlton Littlejohn
Easley Thorton

Cornerback:
Marcus Williams
Andre Martin Jr

Free Safety:
Christian Dudzik
Bryan Shephard

Strong Safety:
Colton Heagle
Tre Dempsey

Cornerback:
CJ Smith
Jordan Champion

Punter:
Ben LeCompte

Kicker:
Adam Keller

Give our coaching staff this 2 deep line up and I think we fare well in the FBS Playoff let alone the FCS playoff system!

[dewey]

Quarterback:
Carson Wentz
Brock Jenson

Running Back:
John Crockett
Sam Ojuri

Full Back:
Andrew Grothmann
Andrew Bonnett

Wide Receiver:
Zach Vraa
Warren Holloway

Tight End:
Kevin Vaadeland
Matt Veldman

Left Tackle:
Billy Turner
Joe Haeg

Left Guard:
Zach Johnson
Austin Richard

Center:
Joe Lund
Jesse Hinz

Right Guard:
Tyler Gimmestad
Jeremy Kelly

Right Tackle:
Paul Cornick
Landon Lechler

Wide Receiver:
Ryan Smith
RJ Urzendowski

Defensive End:
Cole Jirik
Coulter Boyer

Defensive Tackle:
Leevon Perry
Brian Schaetz

Nose Guard:
Nate Tanguay
Ryan Drevlow

Defensive End:
Kyle Emanuel
Greg Menard

Will Linebacker:
Travis Beck
MJ Stumpf

Mike Linebacker:
Grant Olson
Nick DeLuca

Sam Linebacker:
Carlton Littlejohn
Chad Wilson

Cornerback:
Marcus Williams
Andre Martin

Free Safety:
Christian Dudzik
Bryan Shephard

Strong Safety:
Colton Heagle
Tre Dempsey

Cornerback:
CJ Smith
Jordan Champion

Punter:
Ben LeCompte

Kicker:
Adam Keller

A lot of great players to choose from.

Dewey