College Football: After winning a national title

Fargo, North Dakota – Nathaniel Staehling is a national champion.

Although he probably didn't imagine it.

The former Brainerd Warrior and the current Bison Middle Linebacker of the North Dakota State University celebrated in the field after NDSU's 35:32 victory against Montana State in the NCAA FCS championship game on January 6th in Frisco, Texas. It was the 10th national title of the bison since 2010.

However, Staehling played on September 28th – the fifth game of the season on September 28th – during the bison of the bison due to a shoulder injury.

Instead of being in shoulder pads, Staehling wore an NDSU polo on the edge in the FCS playoffs.

“I looked a little more like a coach than a player,” he said.

Nevertheless, Staehling still enjoyed winning a national championship.

“It is difficult to get hurt,” said Staehling. “You have to go on and go forward. I have decided to dominate the role of rehab and dominate the role of a team -mate and do what I could support my teammates. I won many new perspectives because I was injured. Everyone has a role in this program and I love my teammates, and I was exactly with myself.

Staehling ended his third season with The Bison as a redshirt in the second year. He performed in the first five games and recorded four duels, a duel for loss and a fiddling recovery.

His best game was against Illinois State when he collected three duels before lying off with an injury.

Staehling also shared the field with the Heisman Trophy winner last season, Travis Hunter when the bison played in Colorado to open the season on August 29th. NDSU lost 31-26 against the Buffaloes.

“That was certainly cool,” said Staehling about the playing of Colorado. “But you know it's a faceless opponent and we are there to play our football brand and give it our best shot. It was a fun game. “

Staehling completed the Brainerd High School in 2022. He started in the second year with quarterback and younger years before he changed his senior season back and switched to security.

As a senior, Staehling was awarded all-star all-star together with all-outcaps. It ran for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns on 118 Carries. He recorded 62 duels, two duels for losses, two interceptions, two blocked kicks, three forced fiddling and three pass separations.

In December of his last year, he signed his declaration of intent to play football on NDSU.

“NDSU is a development program,” said Staehling. “In the past few years it was about growing and developing myself. It is a breed for maturity to have better words. “

Staehling had to adjust to a new position when he arrived on campus. He did not play a mid -line backer in the high school. He was based on his experience as a quarterback to help his transition.

“You could say that the middle linebacker is the quarterback of the defense,” said Staehling. “It is my job to ensure that I call the defense and bring everyone onto the market. I have to bring the playcall for everyone. Being a quarterback helped my transition a little because I have done all of this before. It is still a much higher level and a faster pace. “

Staehling called his shoulder injury rehab “cruel”. His rehab consisted of intentional exercises so that he can fully recover.

“It's not easy,” said Staehling. “You can't overthrow a shoulder injury. We have an incredible training staff and my trainer Trisha (Shannon) helped me with my shoulder with thick and thin. I had a great support system around me. “

Staehling still has a relationship with Brainerd head coach Jason Freed. Staehling Quarterbacked Freeds first season as Warrior head coach in the shortened 2020 season.

“Coach Freed and I have remained a little in touch in recent years,” said Staehling. “Brainerd Football was a large part of my life and I would not thank the coaches and my teammates yet.

“Friday night lights are different. High school football was a great time and I loved the experience. These friendships and relationships will take forever. I like to look at the Brainerd football again. “

He will come up with availability in the next season at two years. He plans to stay with NDSU, whereby his main focus becomes healthy. He studies finance and wants to start his own business. He doesn't see himself as a coach when his football career ends.

“I don't like to worry about my future,” said Staehling. “I like to concentrate on the present and do everything to make sure that what I do now is the best for the future.”

If the next two seasons run as planned, he hopes to make an NFL squad.

“It was always a dream of mine as a child,” he said. “So I will do everything in my power to get there.”

Conrad Engstrom can be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. Follow Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.