Bison gear up for 2026 leadership shift
The North Dakota State Bison football program enters the 2026 season facing the task of replacing a trio of contributors who accounted for the bulk of rushing, receiving and tackling production a year ago. With many of the successors still gathering experience, head coach Tim Polasek has highlighted the need for seasoned leaders who can bridge the gap between the established culture and the incoming talent.
Polasek points to a core group of roughly thirty players who have absorbed the program’s traditions and are now being called upon to mentor younger teammates. The coaching staff has assembled a leadership council that includes several sophomores, aiming to foster confidence and continuity as the roster reshapes.
Among those stepping into larger roles is Victor Isele, a junior defensive end who has logged only fifteen career games but is now in his fourth year and recently married. Isele says the stability of his personal life has helped him shed earlier pressure and now he feels comfortable making defensive calls on the field.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Gavin Sell is viewed as a rising star after a limited three‑game showing last season. Sell’s trajectory is being closely watched, and his experience is expected to bolster the Bison’s front seven as the team leans on his playmaking ability.
Peder Haugo, who has navigated two position changes — from running back to linebacker and back again — enters the fall healthy after a injury‑marred year ago. His versatility and accumulated snaps give the staff reason to expect a stronger contribution in 2026.
Sophomore running back Myles Mitchell, who redshirted to preserve eligibility and scored his first career touchdown in 2025, is slated to assume a more prominent role behind veteran DJ Scott. The departure of Barika Kpeenu, who exhausted his eligibility, opens a pathway for Mitchell to increase his snap count, and his offseason work with the veteran has already shown signs of added explosiveness.
Donovan Woolen, a former standout referenced by Sell as a model for overcoming adversity, continues to serve as an inspirational figure for the younger cohort, illustrating how perseverance can translate into on‑field impact.