Former Bison offensive lineman Volson says his positional versatility is an 'asset' he can provide NFL teams

The 6-foot-6, 317-pound Volson also got practice reps at center during the 2021 spring season due to injuries and a smaller roster in case he needed to play that position.

That versatility is something that Volson thinks is attractive to NFL teams.

“That’s another asset that I can bring to a team,” said Volson, from Balfour, N.D. “When you’re able to play all five spots man, it’s going to be hard to get rid of you.”

Volson participated in NDSU’s annual football pro day earlier this week, improving on some of the testing numbers he posted at the NFL Combine in early March. He also did some position drills in front of representatives from 29 NFL teams.

“It’s always great when you have an opportunity to perform in front of the scouts,” Volson said.

In particular, Volson improved his vertical jump by seven inches from the Scouting Combine. He recorded a 32-inch vertical at pro day after a 25-inch performance in Indianapolis.

“I got a little more time to get warmed up and get prepared for it and I felt a little springy today I guess,” Volson said Thursday, March 24, after he worked out at the Dacotah Field Bubble.

Volson also improved his times in the three-cone drill and short shuttle during his pro day. His short shuttle time was 4.64 seconds, while his 3-cone was 7.65 seconds. At the Combine, he posted times of 4.93 and 8.31 in those respective testing events.

Volson ran the 40-yard dash in 5.27 seconds and did 25 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press at the Combine. He did neither of those at pro day.

Volson plans to continue to train in Fargo in the month leading up to the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 28-30 in Las Vegas. Volson, who also played in the East-West Shrine Bowl college all-star game, said he was relieved to have the majority of the testing behind him.

“I cannot wait to just put that stuff on the backburner and start to lift weights and start to punch bags again,” Volson said with a smile.

Volson said he’s met with all 32 NFL teams and many more than once during the pre-draft preparation. As far as where he’s projected to get drafted, Volson said it’s hard to say at this point.

“I’m going to be as surprised as anyone else,” Volson said of potential draft position. “I’m just looking forward to an opportunity to go out and compete and learn a job in the NFL.”

In mid-January, Dane Brugler, an NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic, projected Volson as a sixth- or seventh-round selection for a priority free agent. That was before Volson's East-West Shrine Bowl performance, the NFL Combine and his pro day.

Volson has spent most of his time training in the Twin Cities area since the Bison won the NCAA Division I FCS national championship in early January. He played in 65 games during his Bison career and was part of four national title teams in four seasons.

Former Bison offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, who now plays for the Tennessee Titans, was at NDSU’s pro day. Volson said he speaks regularly with Radunz and he’s been one of the many former Bison players he’s leaned on during the pre-draft process.

“He’s been a great asset, I think we have a ton of them here at NDSU.,” Volson said.

Volson said he’s also worked out with former Bison offensive lineman Zack Johnson and Billy Turner, along with tight end Ben Ellefson as he’s prepared for the NFL Draft. He added former Bison quarterback Easton Stick, wide receiver Darrius Shepherd and his older brother, Tanner Volson have also given him advice on preparing for the draft.

One West Sports Group and agent Jermiah Sirles, a former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman, represent Volson, who has done most of his pre-draft preparation at the Training Haus in the Twin Cities area.

Volson said he felt good about his pro day from his testing numbers to his performance in the positional drills.

“The position work, it solidified what I did at the Combine,” Volson said. “I’m going to stick around Fargo and get ready to play football now.”