NDSU tackle Haeg might follow Wentz to NFL

Carson Wentz was one of the first people Joe Haeg met and befriended after walking on at North Dakota State five years ago.

"We were both skinny kids about 6-5," said Haeg, a Brainerd High School graduate. "I was about 235. Carson was like 218, so he was skinnier."

Now, Wentz is a 6-5, 237-pound quarterback who many believe will be selected by the Los Angeles Rams No. 1 overall when the NFL draft begins on Thursday night. As for Haeg, well, he's 6-6, 305 pounds and believed to be the latest offensive lineman below the FBC level to be chosen in the top 100 picks in the NFL draft. At least one has been selected that high every year since 2010.

"I played two years with Billy Turner and he went in the third round to Miami [in 2014]," Haeg said. "I've talked to just about every team through a scout or a coach or someone in the front office. People are telling me anywhere from second to fourth round. We'll see."

Haeg started his first 29 collegiate games at right tackle. When Turner, the Bison's left tackle, went to the NFL, Haeg moved to left tackle, where he started 31 games, protecting Wentz's blind side on the field and sitting with him duck blinds off the field.

"Hunting is Carson's big thing," Haeg said. "During rifle season, he shot a pretty big deer. I don't know how big, but big enough to make the Bismarck news."

Like Wentz at Bismarck Century High, Haeg wasn't a big deal coming out of Brainerd. He was mostly recruited by Division II schools and thought he was on his way to North Dakota.

Haeg changed gears and walked on at NDSU.

"It was kind of a no-brainer for me," Haeg said. "It's a great program and obviously has had a lot of success."

Ya think? The Bison have won five consecutive national championships.

Haeg's strengths are his frame, which can hold more weight, and his feet, which appear quick enough to make the transition to the NFL. His question marks are his strength and, obviously, the level of competition he faced in college.

"I think the winning program that Carson and I come from is very important for teams looking at us," Haeg said. "It's not only the thought of how many wins and championships we have, but the process of what we had to go through to get there. The strong work ethic and the whole mental attitude that's needed to win is something that's going to stick with us forever both on the football field and off it as well.

Haeg said he isn't sure what line position he will end up playing at the next level. Some teams have mentioned both tackle spots, while others have said guard.

Haeg said he's talked to Vikings representatives during the draft preparation process.