Wide receiver Bryce Lance of North Dakota State demonstrated exceptional athleticism during on-field workouts and performance testing on Saturday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. As one of only five former FCS players invited this year, Lance’s efforts drew significant attention from scouts and analysts alike, underscoring his rising profile ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ranked as the top FCS prospect by FCS Football Central, Lance has built a sterling college resume highlighted by consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns and a 2024 season featuring a program-record 17 receiving touchdowns. Expectations place him as the first FCS wide receiver to be drafted in 2026, potentially joining former Bison Christian Watson as the most recent NDSU receiver selected in the NFL Draft.
Detailed Combine Results Highlight Lance’s Explosiveness and Speed
At the combine, Bryce Lance clocked an impressive 4.34-second 40-yard dash, the fifth-fastest time among all wide receivers, underscoring his elite speed. His 20-yard shuttle sprinted in 4.15 seconds was second only to Wisconsin’s Vinny Anthony, revealing exceptional quickness and agility in short-area movements.
Lance’s vertical leap of 41.5 inches and broad jump distance of 11 feet 1 inch ranked him within the top four wide receivers in each category, showcasing explosive lower-body power. Beyond raw physical numbers, Lance’s on-field drills demonstrated impressive smoothness in route running and spatial awareness, emphasizing his ability to create separation and make plays in traffic.
An estimated athleticism score of 99 placed Lance at the very top among wide receivers at this year’s combine. Furthermore, his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.98 out of 10 ranks seventh out of 3,844 wide receivers tested in combines dating back to 1987, an elite mark that forecasts his potential for success at the professional level.
Comprehensive Measurements and Drill Rankings
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 204 pounds, Lance exhibits an ideal frame for an NFL receiver, paired with a 32 1/8-inch arm length and hand size of 9 1/4 inches. His combine results include a 10-yard split time of 1.49 seconds (tied for second fastest), a 3-cone drill time of 7.00 seconds (tied for fifth), and no bench press attempts recorded.
These measurable attributes reflect both his size and dynamic athletic ability, with industry experts noting his combination of speed, burst, and power as rare among prospects. Lance’s 21.2 yards per catch average in the 2025 season further reinforces his deep-threat capability.
Social Media Reactions and Expert Evaluations of Lance’s Performance
The football community responded swiftly via social media, highlighting Lance’s standout drills and physical capabilities. Industry observers and analysts praised his speed and explosiveness as key factors that elevate him into early top 100 draft projections.
Bryce Lance is a WR prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.98 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 7 out of 3844 WR from 1987 to 2026.Pending bench and agilities, splits projected.— RAS.football (@MathBomb)
Absolutely see the 4.34 speed w/ Bryce Lance (why he’s in my top-100).Vert: 41.5″Broad: 11’1″6-3, 204, 32 1/8, 9 1/4″Explosive long speed (1.49 10-yard split!). 21.2 yds/catch in 2025. — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler)
Bryce Lance, WR, NDSU posted a 97.5 in the @AtoZSportsNFL at the #NFLCombine prior to agility testing. Explosive!- 96th% Speed Score- 98th% Burst Score- Solid size at 6’3″+ and 204 lbs — Travis May (@FF_TravisM)
Other FCS Players Participating in the 2026 NFL Combine
Alongside Bryce Lance, the 2026 NFL Combine featured a select group of former FCS athletes showcasing their talents against their peers from larger programs. The participants included wide receiver Jalen Walthall from Incarnate Word, defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor from Southeastern Louisiana, cornerback Charles Demmings of Stephen F. Austin, and quarterback Cole Payton also representing North Dakota State.
Timeline of Key Combine Events Leading to Lance’s Day
The combine schedule was spread across several days, beginning with defensive linemen, specialists, and linebackers on Thursday, February 26, followed by defensive backs and tight ends on Friday. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, including Bryce Lance, performed on Saturday, February 28, with offensive linemen concluding the event on Sunday.
What Lance’s Combine Success Means for His Draft Outlook
Bryce Lance’s dominant showing at the NFL Scouting Combine significantly boosts his stock as one of the draft’s premier wide receiver prospects, especially among FCS players. His rare blend of size, speed, and explosiveness places him in strong position to be selected early among wide receivers entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
If drafted, Lance will follow in the footsteps of other successful North Dakota State players like Christian Watson, evidencing the program’s continued ability to develop NFL-ready talent. His performance underscores the growing recognition of FCS athletes and could inspire greater scouting focus on smaller-school prospects as the draft approaches.
Trey Lance's brother WR Bryce Lance runs a 4.34u
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xyl4IHd0QY— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
Bryce Lance is a WR prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.98 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 7 out of 3844 WR from 1987 to 2026.
Pending bench and agilities, splits projected.https://t.co/qQaWvYQuav pic.twitter.com/JCojUogZfS
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 1, 2026
North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance | 2026 Combine Results:
🦬 40 Yard Dash: 4.34 (5th)
🦬 10 Yard Split: 1.49 (2nd)
🦬 Vertical Jump: 41.50” (4th)
🦬 Broad Jump: 11’1” (3rd)@NDSUfootball pic.twitter.com/WAYf2Tck3g— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 28, 2026
Bryce Lance Gauntletpic.twitter.com/vgwos9GgMI
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) February 28, 2026
Bryce Lance end zone fade pic.twitter.com/HAaHWlbsQG
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 1, 2026
2026 NFL Combine Measurements: Bryce Lance (WR, North Dakota State)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 204
Arm Length: 32 1/8"
Hand Size: 9 1/4" pic.twitter.com/9GwqSxQZUU— Zach McKinnell (@zachmckinnell) February 28, 2026
Absolutely see the 4.34 speed w/ Bryce Lance (why he's in my top-100).
Vert: 41.5"
Broad: 11'1"
6-3, 204, 32 1/8, 9 1/4"Explosive long speed (1.49 10-yard split!). 21.2 yds/catch in 2025. pic.twitter.com/oTjMT2dew2
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 28, 2026
Bryce Lance, WR, NDSU posted a 97.5 in the @AtoZSportsNFL at the #NFLCombine prior to agility testing. Explosive!
– 96th% Speed Score
– 98th% Burst Score
– Solid size at 6'3"+ and 204 lbs pic.twitter.com/j4yB7Y1mEa— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) February 28, 2026
