Bison spring football wrap: Jake Landry adjusts to a new shade of green and players that made a statement

WDAY-TV did a collection of interviews on players and coaches over the last month that you can find here.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JAKE LANDRY

Landry inherits one of the toughest and enviable jobs in FCS football. Landry was hired as offensive coordinator in early February after spending one week at the University of North Dakota.

Landry spent most of his time this past month getting to know the players he’s going to coach and get them adjusted to who he is.

“I'm a big relationship guy. Just getting to know them as people to know how they tick, when we get out here, and we're coaching each other hard as a group that they feel comfortable with who I am.” Landry said.

Landry will not only coordinate the offense but also be responsible for coaching the running backs. The former Grand Forks Central and UND quarterback has embraced trading in one shade of green for another.

“I think it's just a matter of taking advantage of what teams are going to give to us, and how do we get our playmakers the football. I think it is going to be the biggest key no matter who that is, how that shakes out, I think our guys are going to determine what personnel are going to be on the field.”

SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JAKE ROCK

Offensive line was one of the main focuses for Polasek throughout spring practice.

Sixth year senior Jake Rock believes he could earn a starting spot.

The 6-foot-7, 315 pound tackle already has a leg up on the competition.

He has two career starts, both of them playoff games. Rock says he's been trying to catch the eye of the new coaching staff.

“First impressions are a huge thing. I've just tried to attack everyday to build up more confidence with maybe a couple of new things that have gone in and nothing is given everything is earned. And I know that a six year guy and a freshman have the exact same shot of being a starter. I’m gunning for that role and that's my goal right now.” Rock said.

Rock started the 2021 spring playoff opener against Eastern Washington and the 2023 playoff game against Drake. He and fellow sixth year lineman Hunter Poncius are angling to earn starting spots on an offensive line that has to replace three starters for the upcoming season.

SENIOR LINEBACKER MARCUS GULLEY

The linebacker group remains mostly intact heading into this fall. NDSU lost just one player, Julian Wlodarczyk to graduation.

West Fargo native and senior Marcus Gulley is aiming for an even bigger role this year.

Gulley enters his second year with the Bison after transferring in from Minnesota State Moorhead last year.

He was mainly used on special teams in 2023, but is eager for a bigger role, and maybe a breakout season, this fall.

“Everything's a lot better. The adjustment last year was a little tough. Obviously, coming into school at this time of the year, everything's a lot smoother. I feel like I'm adapted to everything. And I'm not just getting thrown into everything, just knowing all the calls, knowing the defense, knowing how my teammates.

Everything's just way faster and I just feel like now it's like how I was when I was at MSUM when I knew all the plays, I could just play fast and just do what I do.” Gulley said.

Gulley finished off the spring in style with an interception of Cam Miller that he returned for a touchdown. Along with sophomore Nathaniel Staehling, Gulley had a tremendous spring camp.

SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER MEKHI COLLINS

Wide receiver is always a position that earns plenty of attention, and that’s a spot where there are jobs to be won.

Sophomore Mekhi Collins is hoping to fill that role.

The 6-foot-4, 215 pound native of Mankato has had to bide his time behind Zach Mathis and Jake Lippe, but they're both graduated now.

Collins only has one college catch, but had offers from Kansas State and Iowa State out of high school. Collins enter his third year in the program and believes he's ready for his turn.

“I felt more comfortable towards the middle of the season and the end of the season with the playbook and playing comfortably.

But now coming out for spring ball, this is just another another book read.

I feel like I'm just so comfortable and everything that I do and I think that once I go out there and when I'm playing comfortable nobody can stop me.”

Collins had a mixed bag during the final practice with a couple of costly drops, but made some highlight reel catches as well.

He and Bryce Lance are two receivers to watch that could have breakout campaigns in 2024.