If you call his phone at the end of April, chances are Dillon Radunz won’t answer. Unless, of course, you are an NFL General Manager.

In just one month’s time, Radunz is poised to be the first-ever former Becker Bulldog to be drafted by the NFL, something he has been preparing for over the last several years.

“It was after my redshirt sophomore season and my head coach at NDSU at the time sat down with me and said ‘if you want to, you can play in the NFL’ and ever since then I knew it was about my desire and ability to make it to that next level,” says Radunz, who starred for the Bulldogs as they won a pair of back-to-back state titles during his tenure.

After a stellar career as a three sport athlete at Becker, he went to NDSU and earned All American status, as well as a reputation for being an incredible blocker with impeccable form.  It’s also when his journey to the NFL really took hold as he developed the physical stature, size and athleticism that has caught the attention of scouts from across the league.

“He played six years in a row and never lost a game that he dressed for from Becker to NDSU,” says Dwight Lundeen, the Bulldogs’ head football coach.  “It’s the first time in my 50 years [of coaching] that NFL teams are calling me to get info on a player.”

Draft Prep

Radunz signed with an agent last October after he and NDSU played one fall football game and his life has been a flurry of preparation ever since.

He’s been working out with Joe Staley, who played on the offensive line for the San Francisco 49ers for 13 years, and learning what it will take to succeed at the highest level.

“It’s been great being able to dissect his knowledge of playing on the offensive line in the NFL,” says Radunz, who has also worked with former NFL coach Paul Alexander.  “I’ve been able to get a lot of wisdom from many different NFL veterans that has helped me get ready.”

After his college career was over, Radunz was invited to play in the Senior Bowl, a college showcase that allows the players to be instructed by some of the best coaching talent in the nation.  It didn’t take long for him to catch the attention of the officials at the Senior Bowl, as he was named Practice Player of the Week.

Videos of his blocking were rampant on the internet, as Radunz neutralized some of the best defensive linemen in college football.

“He also did very well at his Pro Day with 30 NFL teams watching,” added Lundeen.

All of this attention has led to the point where Radunz is in the discussion as a possible first round pick.

Prognostications

Radunz says that his agent keeps a close tab on possible draft order positions, but at this point it’s still somewhat unknown where he will be drafted.

“I’m in the discussion for the top three rounds,” says Radunz, who expects to be in the Becker area when the draft takes place.  “It’s wide open right now but it should narrow as we get closer to the draft and see where teams expect me to play.”

A left tackle in college, teams have also looked at him as a guard and he thinks he could also move to center if needed.

“I believe I’m one of, if not the most, versatile offensive linemen going into this draft,” says Radunz.  “It’s all just such an exciting process to think that I am going to be on an NFL team.”

Bulldog or Bison

Radunz credits both his high school experience, as well as his time at NDSU as formative years in helping him to achieve his goal of being in the NFL.

For Lundeen, Dillon’s success translates into a chance to help his current players be motivated to strive for excellence.

“He will be the first player drafted that played for the Bulldogs,” says Lundeen.  “Him getting drafted is encouraging to our present players to work hard and excel.”

One can easily imagine Radunz going in the top three rounds, becoming part of an NFL team and earning a starting spot in the next couple of years.

So what happens when he earns his first start on MNF (Monday Night Football), where each starter introduces himself on video - complete with identifying their high school or college program?

How exactly will Radunz introduce himself?  As a Bulldog or a Bison?

“That’s a great question . . . I’ve never thought about it before,” says Radunz, with a laugh.  “I love both programs and they each helped me to not lose a game in six years of football so I guess I’ll try to sneak both of them in there.”

One thing is for certain, area football fans will know he is a Bulldog.  The first one ever drafted by an NFL team.