North Dakota State Bison Eye Expanded FBS Recruiting Reach

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After leaving the FCS Division I Missouri Valley Football Conference to join the FBS Mountain West Conference last month, the North Dakota State Bison football program is poised to take advantage of expanded recruiting opportunities across a broader geographic footprint.

Why it matters

The move to the FBS level provides the Bison with access to more high-profile recruits and talent pools beyond their traditional regional rivals, potentially giving them a competitive edge as they look to establish themselves as a force in the Mountain West.

The details

As an FCS program, North Dakota State had to constantly battle with neighboring Missouri Valley Football Conference schools for the same pool of regional recruits. But with the transition to the FBS Mountain West, the Bison now have the chance to recruit from a much wider territory and attract talent from across the western United States.

• North Dakota State left the FCS Division I Missouri Valley Football Conference last month.
• The Bison officially joined the FBS Mountain West Conference in April 2026.

What’s next

The Bison will look to capitalize on their expanded recruiting reach by targeting top high school talent across the western United States in the coming recruiting cycles.