North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance (26) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

PITTSBURGH — Marshall graduate Bryce Lance was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 136th overall pick of the NFL Draft on Saturday. His selection in the fourth round marks the third time in the last five years that a Marshall High School alum was drafted to the NFL.

A 2021 Marshall graduate, Lance spent the last five seasons at North Dakota State University.

Lance redshirted in 2021 and received limited playing time his freshman and sophomore years, but he ran with the opportunity once he got it his junior season. He set a program record with 17 receiving touchdowns, and his 1,071 yards ranked third in single-season history for NDSU. He also logged 107 yards and a touchdown in the Bison’s national championship game victory over Montana State.

Most recently, Lance bested his previous career high by going for 1,079 yards in his senior year, becoming the first Bison with multiple 1,000-yard seasons. He was named an FCS All-American and finished 12th in voting for the Walter Payton Award for the FCS Offensive Player of the Year.

Bryce is the second member of the Lance family to get drafted after his older brother Trey was selected as a quarterback by the San Francisco 49ers with the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft. Trey is slated to enter his sixth NFL season this year, and his second with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bryce Lance’s selection also marks the second year in a row that a Marshall player was selected on the third day of the draft after defensive end Yahya Black was selected in the fifth round last season. He’s also the fourth player to sign an NFL contract in the last five years after Blaise Andries was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins, though he was waived before the season.

Lance was the Independent’s 2020 Football Player of the Year.

The New Orleans Saints finished with a 6-11 record last season. He’ll be catching passes from Tyler Shough, last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up, and will join a roster that includes All-Pro Chris Olave and 2026 eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson.