Daniel Devine will pair up with his older brother Damian in Fargo in the fall of 2026.
FARGO — The strong brotherly bond within North Dakota State football has once again benefited the program in recruiting.
On Sunday, April 20, Holy Angels (MN) defensive end Daniel Devine announced his commitment to the Bison, making him the fifth recruit in the 2026 class.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 pounds, Devine is the younger sibling of Damian, who signed with NDSU in February for the 2025 class.
“My brother being in Fargo significantly influenced my decision,” Daniel shared. “I want to seize the chance to continue playing alongside Damian.”
1000% COMMITTED‼️‼️@CoachTimNDSU @CoachGrantOlson @CoachLJ38 @AHA_Football pic.twitter.com/MklFkLiDNm
— Daniel Devine (@danieldevine_7) April 21, 2025
Daniel received scholarship offers from four schools: NDSU, South Dakota State, Kent State, and Cornell. The Bison extended their offer to him on January 25, and he visited Fargo on a game day last November. His recruitment started to gain momentum, especially after SDSU made an offer last week. Power Five schools like Minnesota, Kansas State, and Northwestern showed interest in Devine throughout the winter, with the Gophers inviting him to their Junior Day.
“An important factor for me is playing in a place where the fans and community are truly engaged,” Devine explained. “My first visit to NDSU was on a game day in the fall, and I loved the experience. I came back for a junior day and saw spring practice, which showcased the intensity and passion with which NDSU operates.”
NDSU’s defensive coordinator, Grant Olson, has spent a lot of time connecting with the Devine family; he attended a Holy Angels basketball game in January, shortly before Damian made his commitment. Initially, Damian had committed to Villanova but switched to the Bison right before the late signing period opened in February.
Thank you @CoachGrantOlson for coming and watching me and @danieldevine_7 get the win tonight!@AHABoysBball @NDSUfootball pic.twitter.com/fdT95Z5hJ4
— 3⭐️ Damian Devine (@damianndevine) January 29, 2025
“What convinced me to choose NDSU was the people, the coaches, and the tradition,” Devine stated. “NDSU has a strong history of success, and I have built great relationships with the coaching staff. The community and culture at NDSU make it a place I truly want to be part of.”
Devine is slightly taller than his older brother, having experienced a growth spurt before his junior season. He climbed the recruiting rankings in Minnesota after growing an inch and gaining 20 pounds. In 2024, he recorded 40 tackles, including 13 for a loss. Additionally, he notched two fumble recoveries and had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown against Minneapolis Roosevelt.
Holy Angels competes in Class 4A in Minnesota; last year, the Stars won Section 5 and advanced to the state tournament, where they were defeated by Benilde-St. Margaret’s. They ended the 2024 season with a 7-4 record.
The Devine brothers will continue the tradition of brother pairings at NDSU, joining past combinations like the Volsons, Mostaerts, Hofstedts, Zabels, and Lances. Currently, there are three sets of siblings on the 2025 roster: RaJa and Najee Nelson, Nate and Brett Tastad, and Barika and Barry Kpeenu.
Daniel Devine is the second recruit for the 2026 class from Minnesota, alongside Earl Brown from Pillager. He is also the second defensive line prospect, joining Wisconsin’s Zach Hellendrung.
With Devine’s commitment, NDSU is making progress toward building its 2026 recruiting class, which is nearly one-third complete. The Bison have only 14 seniors this year, along with two departures to the transfer portal: Enock Sibomana and Kody Huisman. It remains to be seen how NDSU will allocate its available scholarship funds, whether through the transfer portal or new recruits.
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