Trey Lance Bio
Trey Aubrey Lance is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 9, 2000, in Marshall, Minnesota, he played college football at North Dakota State University, where he earned several accolades for his performance. Drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance faced challenges with injuries and limited playtime, leading to a trade to the Dallas Cowboys. After gaining experience, he signed with the Chargers in 2025, aiming to make a significant impact in his career.
Early Life and Background
Trey Lance was born in Marshall, Minnesota, where he was raised in a sports-oriented family. His father, Carlton Lance, played cornerback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League and the London Monarchs in the World League of American Football. Trey was introduced to football at a young age, initially playing running back before transitioning to quarterback in middle school. He attended Marshall Senior High School, where he quickly established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in Minnesota. Despite his talent, he faced challenges in the recruitment process, as many Power Five schools viewed him as a wide receiver or defensive back. Ultimately, he committed to North Dakota State University in December 2017, where he would begin to make his mark in college football.
Path to American Football
At North Dakota State, Trey Lance redshirted during the 2018 season but made an immediate impact when he played in two games, scoring two rushing touchdowns. In 2019, he was named the starting quarterback and led the Bison to the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game, where he was named the MVP after a 28-20 victory. That season, he completed 192 of 287 passes for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns, and no interceptions, setting an NCAA record for the most passing attempts in a season without an interception. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player and the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision. Lance was set to start again in 2020, but the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he opted out to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Trey Lance Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Trey Lance was selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted quarterback from an FCS school. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $34.1 million on July 28, 2021. Lance began his rookie season as the second-string quarterback behind Jimmy Garoppolo, making his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. He contributed to the team’s victory with a touchdown pass. Throughout the season, he had limited playing time but showed promise, particularly in a Week 17 game against the Houston Texans, where he threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first career win. Unfortunately, Lance’s 2022 season was cut short due to a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Breakthrough (2023-2024)
After recovering from his injury, Lance entered the 2023 training camp with uncertainty regarding his position on the team. He was named the third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. Despite limited playtime in the preseason, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on August 26, 2023, for a 2024 fourth-round pick. During his time with the Cowboys, Lance was primarily a backup and saw limited action in the regular season. He made his Cowboys debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing four of six passes for 21 yards. He started in the season finale against the Washington Commanders, where he threw for 244 yards.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Trey Lance has been recognized for his achievements, including being a two-time NCAA Division I champion and earning multiple awards during his college career. His transition to the NFL has been marked by challenges, but he continues to work towards establishing himself as a starting quarterback.
Trey Lance Award Nominations
Trey Lance has received numerous accolades throughout his career, particularly during his time at North Dakota State University. His notable awards include the Walter Payton Award and the Jerry Rice Award, both received in 2019, along with being named the NCAA Division I Championship Game MVP in 2020.
Trey Lance Awards Won
Trey Lance has won several prestigious awards during his college football career, including:
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I champion | 2 | 2018, 2019 |
| NCAA Division I Championship Game MVP | 1 | 2020 |
| Walter Payton Award | 1 | 2019 |
| Jerry Rice Award | 1 | 2019 |
| MVFC Offensive Player of the Year | 1 | 2019 |
| First-team All-MVFC | 1 | 2019 |
Trey Lance Family
Trey Lance was born to Carlton Lance, who played professional football, indicating a strong athletic background in his family. He has a younger brother, Bryce, who plays wide receiver at North Dakota State University.
Personal Life
Trey Lance is known for his strong Christian faith and was a leader of his local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter during high school. His commitment to his faith has been an essential part of his life and character.
