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Bryce Lance looks to make waves in the draft process.
Wide receiver draft prospect Bryce Lance has been catching passes from either a future or current NFL quarterback for most of his life.
The recent North Dakota State star grew up playing catch with his older brother, Trey Lance, a former NDSU quarterback and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback. The younger Lance told USA Today on Friday about how Trey Lance’s influence has impacted him.
“Caught from my brother growing up all the time, so that’s kinda how that happened,” Bryce Lance said during the scouting combine. “I was tagging along with him and would end up catching from him in the backyard any chance we got.”
The older Lance came to NDSU as freshman backup during the 2018 season and saw playing time during an unbeaten season. Lance then took over as the starter in 2019 and led the Bison to a 16-0 record, and the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the No. 3 pick in 2021.
Though Lance has been a backup for most of his career, Bryce Lance has been able to glean valuable advice on the draft process. In addition, Bryce Lance is also catching passes again from Trey Lance to get ready for the pro day on March 19, the younger Lance told USA Today.
“The main thing my brother told me was to be myself, honestly,” Bryce Lance said. “He knows I’m a hard worker. He knows I do the right things, be at the right spot where I’m supposed to be. Really just this whole process is about being yourself, working hard and doing everything you can to make it.”
Ex-Bison QB Breaks Down Bryce Lance’s Skills
At NDSU, Lance caught 127 passes for 2,139 yards and 25 touchdowns plus 121 yards rushing for two touchdowns.
That said, recent NDSU quarterbacks told USA Today about what made Lance a dangerous wideout for the Bison, and one already plays in the NFL. Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Cam Miller, who played for NDSU from 2020 to 2024, noted Lance’s ball skills and speed.
“He has the ability to carry defenses down the field. He high points well, he tracks the ball so well over either shoulder,” Miller told USA Today. “And then he uses that speed to pull away from the defenders.”
Bryce Lance’s Speed ‘Unmatched’
Recent Bison quarterback Cole Payton, who is also in the combine on Saturday, called Lance’s speed “unmatched” when he talked with USA Today. Payton had one season as the starter in 2025, and that propelled him to gain scouts’ attention for this year’s draft.
“Bryce’s speed — it’s unmatched, the way he can move his body and get around defenders is so special,” Payton said. “Really, I’m just throwing it up to Bryce, and I know he’ll be there because of how fast and athletic he is.”
Lance actually stretched the field more with Payton than Miller. Last season, Lance averaged a career-high 21.2 yards per receptions after just 14 yards per catch the year before.
Lance’s father, Carlton, also played in the professional ranks but with the CFL after a collegiate career at Division II Southwest Minnesota State.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis
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