DJ Scott will transfer to North Dakota State after spending the last two years at Kennesaw State.
FARGO – Following a weekend that saw North Dakota State football achieve multiple NFL Draft picks for the fourth time in five years, the Bison continued to be active in enhancing both the current and future rosters.
NDSU welcomed some much-needed depth to its running back position with the announcement from Kennesaw State transfer DJ Scott on Sunday, April 27, that he will be joining the Bison. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound sophomore from Oviedo, Florida, will have three years of eligibility left. Scott visited Fargo over the weekend for an official tour.
“I got connected with NDSU through Coach (Sam) Ojuri,” Scott explained. “He recruited me out of high school and ended up taking the running back coaching position at NDSU, so we already had a relationship.”
During his time with the Owls, Scott played in 13 games, accumulating 62 rushing yards and one touchdown. Kennesaw State finished the 2024 season with a 2-10 record in its inaugural year as an FBS program, competing in Conference USA. Before this, KSU was an FCS school from 2015 to 2023.
Scott attended the Green and Gold Showcase and was impressed with what he hopes will be his future home. “I liked seeing how the coaches and players connected,” Scott said. “The way the players and coaches interacted made it feel like a family. It really inspired me to be part of something special.”
COMMITTED!! @NDSUfootball pic.twitter.com/11etR8wbgr
— Daravis Scott jr (@daravis_s) April 27, 2025
Scott had a remarkable high school career, accumulating over 2,800 rushing yards at Oviedo High School, located about twenty minutes north of Orlando and approximately 30 minutes from Timber Creek High School, the alma mater of former Bison linebacker Chris Board. Oviedo competes in Class 6A in Florida, which is the state’s second-largest classification.
Coming out of high school, Scott received numerous Division I offers, including from South Dakota, Illinois State, Cincinnati, Wofford, Marshall, Charleston Southern, and Kennesaw State. He ultimately signed with Kennesaw State in February 2023.
NDSU has been on the lookout for a running back after Marty Brown departed for the transfer portal two weeks ago. With Scott’s commitment, he essentially fills Brown’s role in terms of eligibility, as both will have three years remaining. He joins a backfield that includes seniors Barika Kpeenu and Owen Johnson, sophomores Brady Wavrunek and Barry Kpeenu, and freshman Myles Mitchell. Additionally, the Bison will welcome another running back, freshman Charles Ross from Kansas City, later this summer.
“I would characterize my running style as physical, decisive, and downhill,” Scott shared. “I aim to get north and south quickly and finish my runs strongly. I also take pride in my vision and my ability to find the right lanes.”
Scott will arrive on campus in June to start summer workouts with the team. He is the first addition from the portal this spring. NDSU had added five players in February, but two—cornerback Jalon Peoples and defensive tackle Mason Wilson—have since left the team.
“I believe I will fit in well with the Bison running backs because they embody a tough, physical style of football that resonates with my approach,” Scott noted. “I’m excited about the chance to contribute in any way I can and help continue that tradition.”
BISON ADD TWO 2026 COMMITS
Head coach Tim Polasek emphasized his intention to intensify recruitment in the high school ranks after NDSU experienced several portal departures over the past two weeks, especially following the Green and Gold Showcase.
That effort appears to have borne fruit, as the Bison have secured two additional commitments for the Class of 2026. The latest additions are Q Barnslater, a cornerback and wide receiver from Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Jack Wilson, a linebacker from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Barnslater stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 165 pounds, contributing both as a wide receiver and defensive back at Apple Valley. He is anticipated to play cornerback at the collegiate level. Prior to choosing NDSU, Barnslater had an offer from Northern Iowa and received an official offer from the Bison on February 20. In his last season with the Eagles, he showcased his versatility by recording 41 catches for 414 yards and four touchdowns, along with 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception on defense.
“Too Small” let’s do it. #herd🤘🦬 @CoachTimNDSU @CoachGrantOlson @CoachWillJ1 @TheRealMarcWill @NDSUfootball @applevalleyFB @Veesonie4 @Raywatson21 pic.twitter.com/fXKGhSkNnd
— Q Barnslater 26’ ATH (@Qbarnslater2026) April 26, 2025
Barnslater previously played alongside current Bison defensive back Will Washington, who graduated from Apple Valley in 2024. Washington appeared in six games last season for the Bison as a backup. Barnslater is now the third commit from Minnesota for the 2026 class, joining Earl Brown from Pillager and Daniel Devine, a defensive end from Holy Angels.
Wilson is the second player from Mount Horeb to commit to NDSU in the past three months. Wide receiver Chris Kiel joined the Bison in February and will be entering the freshman class. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker announced his commitment on Friday, April 25.
“I play middle linebacker and I’m definitely more of a physical, downhill style player,” Wilson shared. “I enjoy getting involved and making plays. I believe I have a strong football IQ and I’m pretty smart on the field, always eager to get to the ball. My effort will never be in question.”
To wrap our show this morning, we had on @wilson_jack2 to tell us why he chose to commit to @NDSUfootball pic.twitter.com/53UEaZp4hQ
— Hot Mic with Dom Izzo (@HotMicWDAY) April 25, 2025
Wilson was in high demand, receiving six Division I offers, including one from Toledo in the Mid-American Conference. Other schools that offered him include Illinois State, Eastern Michigan, Cornell, and MSU Mankato. NDSU recently entered the mix, extending an offer on April 17.
“From the moment I arrived, I encountered some amazing coaches and had an excellent visit,” Wilson shared. “It just felt right for me; I loved the location and the facilities. It was the perfect fit. Chris (Kiel) assisted me throughout the recruiting process, sharing insights from his own experience.”
Wilson had an impressive junior season at Mount Horeb, which competes in Wisconsin’s third-largest class, finishing with an 11-1 record and reaching the state quarterfinals. He tallied 74 tackles, including 15.5 for a loss, along with 3.5 sacks. Wilson becomes the third player from Wisconsin to join the 2026 class, alongside Tucker Thieneman from Pewaukee and Zach Hellendrung from Boyceville.
“I initially planned to commit before my senior year, likely around July,” Wilson added. “The coaches didn’t pressure me at all; it just felt like the right place for me, and I can see myself playing there for the next four to five years.”
With these two new commitments, NDSU now has ten pledges for the 2026 class. Given their limited scholarship budget for that year, the Bison may add only six to seven more players to this class.
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