Michael Veldman likes familiarity.

 

He’s familiar with running a state-championship offense from behind center. He’s familiar with being the scoring leader on his basketball team. And he’s familiar with success. 

 

And he’ll bring that familiarity to the campus of NDSU next fall.

 

Veldman recently nixed his verbal commitment to attend Western Illinois in favor of attending North Dakota State University.

 

It all came down to familiarity.

 

“I chose NDSU over Western Illinois because I am more familiar with the town and the program because I grew up going to the games there,” said Michael.

 

His familiarity begins with his mother being a NDSU graduate as well as two older brothers, Matt and Ryan. Sister Laura is currently a student/athlete there as well.

 

Matt went on to star as a tight end at NDSU and eventually played for a couple NFL teams including the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Michael will be a walk-on with the Bison football team and will redshirt his first year. He hopes to qualify for a scholarship later while he focuses on a marketing major.

 

Despite his unwritten commitment to Western Illinois and his subsequent change of mind, Veldman has been assured there are no hard feelings from the school and coaching staff at WIU.

 

“Western was very understanding of my decision,” said Michael. “At the end of the day, I picked the school where I felt more comfortable playing football and going to school at.”

 

NDSU (16-0) and Western Illinois (5-7) are in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. NDSU just won its fourth straight FCS national championship.

 

Another familiarity for Veldman will be stepping into another successful football program, just like Becker’s.

 

“I really liked the coaching staff at NDSU,” he said. “They are all great guys and are just as determined as the players to win.”

 

Veldman, 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, led Becker to the Class 4A championship in November. He was a top 10 Mr. Football finalist and the St. Cloud Times' player of the year. He completed 61 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,544 yards and 34 touchdowns with five interceptions.