Lance Rucker returns in 2026 as one of the most disruptive FCS defensive players. And if his jump from 2024 to 2025 is any indication, he’s in store for an elite season.
He showed glimpses of greatness in his first two seasons at North Dakota.
The two-star recruit from Omaha played 12 games as a true freshman in 2023, totaling 12 tackles and three tackles for loss. Rucker hit the starting lineup in 2024, tallying 37 stops and two sacks. Last season was then a breakout year for the 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end.
Rucker racked up 64 tackles, 15 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and two blocked kicks.
Some of his best performances came against top competition, including two sacks at Montana, two sacks at South Dakota, and three sacks in a first-round playoff win at Tennessee Tech.
Rucker’s overall PFF grade ranked No. 13 among FCS edge defenders, along with the No. 12 pass-rush grade.
He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference First Team while earning All-American honors from outlets like Stats Perform, FCS Football Central, and the Associated Press.
UND finished 8-6 last season in Eric Schmidt’s first season as head coach, advancing to the second round before losing at No. 4 seed Tarleton State.
The Fighting Hawks saw their scoring defense vastly improve from 30.92 points per game in 2024 to 19.86. A key component to that improvement was a standout defensive end duo. Rucker’s play was complemented by Kaden Vig, who totaled 36 tackles, six TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and four QB hurries.
With the return of Rucker and Vig in 2026, UND’s defense eyes another strong season and a deeper playoff push.
