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North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance was one of the most exciting prospects in the build-up to the 2020 NCAA season. The starry-eyed youngster burst onto the big stage with some dazzling displays in 2019. Lance threw for 2,786 yards with 28 passing TDs with no interceptions.

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The Minnesota-born youngster further rushed for 1,100 yards with 14 rushing TDs. He bagged the Walter Payton and Jerry Rice award that year, beating the likes of Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.

He was expected to elevate his game to a whole new level in 2020. But COVD-19 played spoilsport. Lance, along with several top college football prospects such as Ja’Marr Chase and Penei Sewell, opted to sit out the 2020 season.

He played just 1 game last year, throwing for 149 yards with 2 passing TDs. But still, Lance remains a potential 1st-round option for the teams in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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North Dakota State’s Trey Lance- A hidden gem in the 2021 NFL Draft

In a parallel universe, Trey Lance would be right up there with Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Tigers), Zach Wilson (BYU Cougars), Mac Jones (Alabama Crimson Tide), and Justin Fields (Ohio State) in contention for a Top-5 draft selection. But after the events of 2019, that may not be the case.

Lance remains one of the more ‘unknown’ quarterbacks from this year’s draft class. Prior to signing with North Dakota State University, he was not offered a scholarship by a single Top-5 college, which is why he was determined to prove a point to his naysayers.

Lance was redshirted for the 2018 season but played in 2 games where he recorded 2 rushing TDs. He was promoted to starter a year later.

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He finished the season with 287 pass attempts for 28 touchdowns and no interceptions. In doing so, he set the NCAA record for most passing attempts in a season without an interception.

There is no doubt that Lance would have set a few more records if he opted to play in 2020. Regardless, he remains an interesting option for teams within the Top-10 draft space. Lawrence is expected to join Jacksonville Jaguars while Wilson is tipped to sign for the New York Jets at #2 overall.

Justin Fields should go to San Francisco 49ers at #3. With Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions also looking for a young quarterback, Lance could be the 4th QB to be selected this summer.

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One way or another, he is being labeled as the next big dual-threat quarterback to set foot in the NFL, already earning comparisons with Cam Newton.

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