Bryce Lance continues family legacy at North Dakota State

The Lance name is forever etched in history at North Dakota State, but even though Trey was drafted No. 3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers over three years ago, the Lance legacy isn't done in Fargo. Wide receiver Bryce Lance is following his brother's footsteps with the Bison while still making his own path toward greatness.

A name holds weight

When your brother had arguably the greatest single season in FCS history, that's a lot to live up to, especially when you go to the same school as him. For Bryce Lance, it wasn't a case of getting to North Dakota State from his brother's coattails. In high school, Bryce was a star, setting school records at Marshall High School in Minnesota for receptions (68), receiving yards in a game (199), season (873) and career (1,766).

Football is in Bryce Lance's blood, and not only because of his brother. Bryce and Trey's father, Carlton Lance, played in the Canadian Football League. A dad who played professionally and a brother who was a top draft pick? That's a lofty household.

Bryce didn't shy away from the Lance name when he arrived at North Dakota State in 2021, the season after Trey departed for the NFL. Bryce even chose to wear the No. 5 jersey — just like the one his older brother starred in a season prior.

"You know, we're really close. So just kind of carrying on that five tradition here at NDSU was definitely cool," Bryce said.

A jersey number and a historically great brother can bring pressure on a kid fresh out of high school — as if joining the greatest dynasty in the past decade of FCS football wasn't enough. The pressure of being the new Lance in town was unavoidable for Bryce.

"[The pressure is] definitely something I had to battle earlier in my career, but I feel like my brothers here at NDSU, this coaching staff, they see me as me," Bryce said.

Waiting his turn

It would be a while before Bryce could prove himself as a wide receiver amidst navigating and getting a handle on any early-career pressure and expectations. Bryce entered college only 180 pounds, meaning a redshirt in year one. Luckily, Bryce could turn to his brother for advice on making the most of his redshirt year and ensuing years of playing primarily special teams because Trey also redshirted as a freshman.

"[It was] a huge blessing to have Trey and learn from all of his experiences and [to] be able to pick his brain whenever I can," Bryce said. "Watching him go through his short college career definitely was beneficial for me. We still talk every day. He still encourages me."

CAREER IN REVIEW: Everything you need to know about Trey Lance's college career

While learning from Trey's experiences, developing in practices and with limited game reps at wide receiver, Bryce also was on an offense filled with elite FCS talent. His wide receiver room saw Christian Watson get drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, with more teammates also advancing to the pros. It wasn't just Trey that Bryce could look up to.

"We've had some really special players throughout this program. The opportunities they had after college... It's definitely something I aspire to do," Bryce said. "But the way that these guys carry themselves and being able to watch that has been super beneficial to me. That's just something I try to recreate every day and try to be a leader as well."

Bryce might not have been a starter right away, but while he bided his time, he got valuable mental reps and lessons from those ahead of him.

FCS LEGEND COMPARISON: Trey Lance vs. Steve McNair | Trey Lance vs. Randy Moss

Bryce's moment

Bryce's chance to make a name for himself finally came at the start of the 2024 season. Top wide receivers from a season ago Zach Mathis and Eli Green departed, as did NDSU head coach Matt Entz, who left to become linebackers coach and assistant head coach for defense at Southern California. In came head coach Tim Polasek and offensive coordinator Jake Landry, who saw Bryce Lance as a returnee wideout with potential.

"They saw how I worked and what I did on the field and off the field. The belief they had in me meant the world honestly," Bryce said. "I'm super thankful for coach Landry and coach Polasek and all they've done for me so far."

Now weighing over 200 pounds, it was Bryce's time to shine. His first matchup was a potential top-three draft pick — like his brother was — Travis Hunter from Colorado. Lance caught his lone target for seven yards against the projected first-rounder, finishing with three catches for 32 yards.

Bryce Lance (Trey Lance's brother): 6-foot-3, 204 junior

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner)

The Bison faced Tennessee State next. That's where Bryce starred. He finished with seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns to earn player of the game honors. He became only the third wide receiver in North Dakota State's Division I history to put up such a stat line, joining Kole Heckendorf and Zach Vraa.

"It was special. [It was] kind of a weight off the shoulders to score a touchdown as a receiver here at NDSU," Bryce said. "I've had a lot of great players come through this program that I've got to watch and learn from. So it just felt good to get out there and do my job."

First career TD for Bryce Lance!

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

BISON: We picked the top-5 players all-time for North Dakota State football

Etching his own path

Bryce's breakout performance has brought him plenty of attention as he creates his own legacy at North Dakota State as more than just Trey's little brother. In 2024, with Trey multiple years removed from the program, Bryce is the Lance that matters in Fargo in the locker room, and the pressure is miniscule.

"There's not much mention of Trey, even though he's done some great, really good things here. I don't really feel any pressure to live up to that," Bryce said. "I'm on my own journey, on my own path, and everyone here emphasizes that. So it's been really helpful." 

🏆: A complete history of North Dakota State championships

In Bryce's journey, surpassing the standard of a top-three NFL draft pick and Walter Payton Award is lofty. However, Bryce can do something Trey didn't do — win multiple FCS titles as a contributing member.

Both brothers won titles during their redshirt seasons, and Trey's 2019 title is well-known. However, with the 2024 season currently and the 2025 season next year, Bryce can end his career with three fingers shining to Trey's two. That means bragging rights in the Lance household.

"I've got two more years... Two more rings is the goal," said Bryce. "So [I] definitely can hang that one over his head."