Bison football commit Devine compares NDSU game-day experience to Lambeau

FARGO — Brookfield Central (Wis.) High School senior Cam Devine made a game-day visit to a North Dakota State football game last season.

He liked the vibe.

“It felt like a Packer game almost at Lambeau, so many people tailgating, and then you go in and the stands are packed,” Devine said. “Everyone cares about their squad, that’s just pretty awesome to me.”

That’s one of the reasons Devine recently verbally committed to NDSU. He also felt a connection to the Bison coaching staff.

“I really liked the coaching staff there, that was a huge reason,” Devine said. “I feel really close with all the coaches there. It just seemed like the best fit coaching-wise.”

(NOTE: Cam Devine interview starts at 1:00:50)

Devine has played multiple positions during his high school career with the Lancers, including fullback, multiple receiver spots, outside linebacker, safety and running back. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Devine has primarily settled in at running back this season. He’s also played a few snaps at defensive end.

“It feels like it’s a big weight lifted off my shoulders,” Devine said of his commitment. “It was a really big relief. I knew at the start I wanted to commit a little earlier. I didn’t want to wait until the end of the season. That was kind of like my timeline.”

Devine said he's likely to play tight end or H-back for the Bison. NDSU runs an offense that regularly uses both those positions.

“I really like catching the ball and making plays," Devine said. “I think I can just get in the program and then we go from there, get in the weight room and stuff like that and see how everything turns out."

Devine made his game-day visit to the Fargodome last October when the Bison played Missouri State at Gate City Bank Field. He didn’t get a chance to see much of campus during that trip.

Since there is currently an NCAA dead period for recruiting due to COVID-19, Devine decided on his own to visit the NDSU campus with his father earlier this October.

“It was just a beautiful fall day and the leaves were turning,” Devine said. “I’m a big outdoors guy. I was walking around campus and I really decided this is where I think I want to be.”

The Bison, the three-time defending NCAA Division I FCS champions, played one game this fall due to COVID-19, with the remainder of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule moved to the spring. NDSU has won eight of the past nine FCS national titles.

“You can’t look away from the fact of the success of the program,” Devine said. “You know you're going to become a better football player and a better person when you’re in that program. That was another big part of it.”