Basketball was NDSU offensive lineman’s first love until college football recruiters started to come calling at Ada-Borup
FARGO — Dawn Miller was positioned near one of the end zones in North Dakota State’s impressive indoor practice facility, the Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex, when someone remarked on the stature of the Bison offensive linemen preparing for NFL scouts.
“Those are large men,” was the exact phrase, referencing Dawn’s son Mason along with his teammates Grey Zabel and Hunter Poncius. Each of them stood taller than 6-foot-6 and weighed over 300 pounds during NDSU’s pro day on Thursday.
“They don’t look that big to me,” Dawn remarked.
This could be because she’s accustomed to being around Mason and the NDSU football players. It might also have something to do with her standing next to her husband and Mason’s dad, Paul.
“Yeah, they all seem small next to me,” Paul laughed.
That could very well be the case. At 54 years old, Paul is an enormous figure, towering at 6-9 and weighing over 300 pounds. Mason, by official measurements, is 6-6 and weighs 306 pounds.
“He was actually quite lean when he played basketball as a senior in high school, weighing around 225 or 230 pounds,” Dawn noted. “He looked nothing like he does now.”
“And he had a tough time gaining that weight,” Paul added. “He ate and ate but couldn’t put on any pounds. Must have a fast metabolism. That’s where this place came in; they really helped him add some weight.”
“This place” refers to NDSU, where Miller dedicated five years to playing on the offensive line, shifting between tackle and guard (and even taking turns at tight end early in his career) as needed. In his senior year in 2024, he played right tackle, anchoring a strong offensive line that included potential first-round draft pick Zabel at left tackle.
While Zabel has a chance of hearing his name called on the first day of the draft on April 24, that prospect is not as likely for Miller. His best bet is probably being selected late on the final day in the seventh round.
“He has draft-worthy attributes, I can say that about him,” said an NFL scout in attendance. “If he doesn’t get drafted, he’ll likely land a chance as a rookie free agent.”
Scouts from 29 NFL teams were present, primarily to evaluate Zabel and quarterback Cam Miller, who also has hopes of being drafted late. Additionally, players like linebacker Nick Kubitz and defensive tackle Eli Mostaert significantly improved their prospects during their workouts on Thursday, according to one source. Mason Miller’s name has been floating around as a potential prospect since NDSU claimed the Football Championship Subdivision national title in Frisco, Texas, earlier in January.
Miller participated in the College Gridiron Showcase shortly after the championship and has been training at Training Haus in a Twin Cities suburb since then. Following in the footsteps of other former NDSU offensive linemen who made it to the NFL, like Cody Mauch and Cordell Volson, Miller is likely to find his role on the interior of the offensive line.
“I actually took center snaps at CGS and I’ve been playing all over the place, emphasizing that ‘the best ability is availability,'” Miller explained. “If I’m able to play on the left side, right side, inside, or outside, I think that’s where I’d fit best. Nowadays, tackles all seem to have 35-inch arms, so a 33 1/2-inch reach might not cut it for outside positions.”
The fact that Miller has the chance to make it to the NFL is an inspiring story in itself. He was a standout basketball player and track and field thrower, as well as a versatile football player, at the small Ada-Borup High School in Minnesota, which is about 45 miles northeast of Fargo-Moorhead.
“I was focused on basketball until my junior year when NDSU recruited me for football, and my recruitment really took off. I was also in talks with Minnesota State Moorhead, Bemidji State, and Southwest Minnesota State for basketball — even NDSU. Kyan Brown, who used to be an assistant here, reached out to me,” Miller recalled. “I actually attended more basketball camps at NDSU than football camps.”
Miller’s talent on the basketball court was evident as he led the Cougars to the 2019 Class A semifinals in the state tournament, averaging 19.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots over three games in the Twin Cities.
Much of the credit for Miller’s recruitment goes to recently retired football assistant Randy Hedberg. He traveled to Hillsboro, N.D., to watch former Bison linebacker Oscar Benson play basketball, and Miller’s team, Ada-Borup, was the opponent. At that time, Miller was a tall, lanky sophomore with impressive athleticism and agility.
“NDSU was aware of Mason prior to that, but after that game, Randy called me and said, ‘We’re going to recruit him for football. Just wanted to give you a heads-up,’” said Miller’s high school football coach, Paul Tinjum. “What sets Mason apart is his athleticism. He’s quicker and more agile than most kids his size, and he’s very intelligent.”
Coaches from Wisconsin, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, North Dakota, and NDSU visited Ada to take a look at him. Some Ivy League schools also expressed interest.
“As the football interest grew, he decided to shift his focus away from basketball,” Paul Miller mentioned. “He’s always said, ‘It’s easier to add pounds than inches.'”
Mason appreciated the recruiting attention but had a notable disappointment.
“The Gophers never made him an offer, and I think that still bothers him,” Dawn said. “PJ Fleck told him he’d never be big enough for Division I football. While I believe he was always inclined to come to NDSU, he still wanted an offer from Minnesota. I’d say he’s proven he’s big enough now. And if he makes it to the NFL…”
That opportunity certainly exists, whether through the draft or as a free-agent signing.
“Everything is uncertain at the moment,” Miller said. “But being drafted in the seventh round would be amazing.”
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