North Dakota State assistant coach Randy Hedberg, something of a quarterback whisperer, made a recruiting pitch to Batavia’s Ryan Boe that came through loud and clear.
It’s hard not to be impressed.
Last season, the Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse was one of four college programs with three former quarterbacks active on NFL rosters in Carson Wentz at Washington, Easton Stick at San Diego and Trey Lance at San Francisco.
Wentz, who played previously at Philadelphia and Indianapolis, was released by the Commanders in February but is expected to be back in the league soon.
The others with three active NFL quarterbacks included BCS programs Oklahoma, Alabama and Missouri.
It’s just one factor that came into play when Boe, a senior preparing for his third season as Batavia’s starter, verbally committed in late June to a scholarship offer from the Bison.
“We’ve built a good connection,” Boe said. “I think (Hedberg) goes really in depth and knows what he’s talking about. You can ask him anything.”
Boe has thrown for 3,145 yards and 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions the past two seasons, leading the Bulldogs to the Class 7A second round his sophomore year and the championship game last season, losing to Mount Carmel both times.
Graduation losses for Batavia include defensive leaders in linebackers Tyler Jansey and Jack Sadowsky, set to begin college careers at Wisconsin and Iowa State, respectively.
“I think we’re being underestimated by people who are wondering how we’re going to replace those guys,” Boe said. “But we have a lot of people back and we keep reloading.”
Hedberg came to North Dakota State in 2014 after a six-year stint as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois, where he had an undrafted quarterback sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As the head coach at NCAA Division II St. Cloud State, Hedberg had one of his quarterbacks win back-to-back Harlon Hill awards as the player of the year.
The Bison, of course, have been a dominant force in FCS, winning nine of 11 national championships from 2011 to 2021 with Hedberg — whose job title now also includes associate head coach and passing game coordinator — having a hand in six of them.
Last season, North Dakota State lost the FCS championship game to Missouri Valley Conference rival South Dakota State.
“It was pretty cool seeing all the trophies and championship rings and stuff,” Boe said of visits he has made to Fargo with his parents in the past seven months.
In some respects, Boe said North Dakota State reminds him of home. With no professional teams in the state, the Bison are definitely front and center.
“It feels like Batavia,” Boe said. “Everyone and everything supports football.”
He had several Division II offers along with Colgate of the Patriot League and Penn of the Ivy League, but the Bison made a strong pitch.
“They do their due diligence,” said Sean Anderson, Batavia’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “Ryan is the only class of 2024 quarterback they have offered.”
It came after Hedberg and Bison head coach Matt Entz came to Batavia in the offseason to see Boe throw.
“NDSU was on him really hard, letting him know he was at the top of their list,” said Anderson, who played at Illinois.
Working with Anderson — breaking down last season’s game film and working to move to his second and third reads — has been a big help in Boe’s development.
“He’s basically mentored me every day for three years,” Boe said.
Batavia coach Dennis Piron can hardly wait.
“North Dakota State vetted Ryan very carefully,” Piron said. “With the transfer portal, there’s a lot of competition. They’re a heckuva program. They’re very selective and they can afford to be. It’s a great option for him.
“Ryan’s at a whole different level right now. He looks fantastic.”