FARGO — Beau Johnson knew full well what he was stepping into this season. Five of the last six left tackles at North Dakota State were drafted into the NFL, with the last being a first-round pick.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore delivered in his first year starting, earning a Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team selection earlier this week. He’s the first Bison to do that in his first year a starter since Joe Haeg in 2014.

“I kept on telling myself I was here for a reason,” Johnson said. “This is where I wanted to be. I would be lying to you if I thought the first year stepping into a starting role that I would be able to accomplish something like this.”

Johnson started all 12 games at left tackle this season, part of an offensive line that had two other all-league selections in Griff

See Full Page