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Home > Bison Media Zone > Bison Media Zone on WDAY Xtra: Dan Larson on the NDSU offensive line
Podcast: Bison Media Zone
Episode:

Bison Media Zone on WDAY Xtra: Dan Larson on the NDSU offensive line
Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2024-04-10 21:12:38
Description: North Dakota State has had an offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft each of the three years and potentially could have a fourth in a couple of weeks.

That level of talent means that is extra attention that comes to that position group and its coach, Dan Larson. The Bison offensive line has some decisions to make over the coming months with three starters graduating, left tackle Jalen Sundell, right guard Jake Kubas and center Brandon Westberg.



The Bison received some welcome news in late December when senior Grey Zabel announced he was going to return to NDSU and turn down significant NIL money to transfer. Zabel started the final ten games of 2023 at right tackle. He will be joined by Ada's Mason Miller, who also is a fifth-year senior that has started 26 career games.



When asked where Zabel could play in 2024, Larson was cagey with his response.




"Somewhere in the starting five. One of the two tackle spots, he's done almost exclusive left tackle thru spring ball, he's done some reps at right tackle."



That experience will be huge for a group that beyond those two players has two career starts, each belonging to sixth-year player Jake Rock. Rock and fellow sixth-year lineman Hunter Poncius are in the mix to fill those open spots, according to Larson.



Larson also has his eyes on some young players that could make an immediate impact. Redshirt freshmen Beau Johnson, Jack Liwienski and Griffin Empey all have earned rave reviews during spring football.




"Beau Johnson is a kid that has continued to get better, it's down blocking, love the physicality. Jack has a lot of athletic flexibility, can be a center or guard, we may not know anything until we start fall camp with him.



Griffin Empey and Nate Schneckloth those guys have been getting better, have a mentality that they want to be really good at football. Austin Schultz is another I've been really encouraged by as well."



Larson understands that somehow during the season a player is going to start his first career game on the Bison offensive line.




"We have talented younger players, can they handle critical third down situations? One of the big things is communication. Two young players next to one another, but they don't want to talk over the other one, do they need an upperclassman in between them?" said Larson.



Bison Media Zone airs each Wednesday at 10:30 on WDAY Xtra.

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