Best NFL players born in North Dakota
Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to North Dakota.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in North Dakota. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in North Dakota have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#22. Dick Hanson (T) (tie)
- City: Hillsboro
- Years played: 1971-1971
- Games played: 3
- Weighted career value: 1
#22. Jack Patera (OLB) (tie)
- City: Bismarck
- Years played: 1955-1961
- Games played: 61
- Weighted career value: 1
#22. Jake Kubas () (tie)
- City: Dickinson
- Years played: 2024-2024
- Games played: 5
- Weighted career value: 1
#22. Randy Hedberg (QB) (tie)
- City: Parshall
- Years played: 1977-1977
- Games played: 7
- Weighted career value: 1
#19. Brooks Bollinger (QB) (tie)
- City: Grand Forks
- Years played: 2004-2008
- Games played: 21
- Weighted career value: 6
#19. Rich Baska (LB) (tie)
- City: Bismarck
- Years played: 1976-1977
- Games played: 18
- Weighted career value: 6
#19. Steve Myhra (G) (tie)
- City: Wahpeton
- Years played: 1957-1961
- Games played: 62
- Weighted career value: 6
#18. Dick Degen (LB)
- City: Jamestown
- Years played: 1965-1966
- Games played: 22
- Weighted career value: 7
#17. Gregory Wojcik (DT)
- City: Jamestown
- Years played: 1971-1975
- Games played: 33
- Weighted career value: 8
#16. Brent Qvale (T)
- City: Williston
- Years played: 2015-2020
- Games played: 77
- Weighted career value: 11
#15. Mark Slater (C)
- City: Crosby
- Years played: 1978-1983
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 13
#14. Jim Kleinsasser (TE)
- City: Carrington
- Years played: 1999-2011 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 181
- Weighted career value: 14
#12. Cody Mauch (G) (tie)
- City: Hankinson
- Years played: 2023-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 34
- Weighted career value: 15
#12. Doug Beaudoin (DB) (tie)
- City: Dickinson
- Years played: 1976-1981 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 59
- Weighted career value: 15
#11. Jeff Severson (DB)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 1972-1979
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 16
#9. Bill Swain (LLB) (tie)
- City: Dickinson
- Years played: 1963-1969
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 21
#9. Lynn Hoyem (G) (tie)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 1962-1967
- Games played: 84
- Weighted career value: 21
#8. Cordell Volson (T)
- City: Balfour
- Years played: 2022-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 50
- Weighted career value: 22
#7. Connor McGovern (C)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 2017-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 109
- Weighted career value: 29
#6. Ronnie Bradford (DB)
- City: Minot
- Years played: 1993-2002 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 133
- Weighted career value: 30
#5. Dave Logan (WR)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 1976-1984 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 119
- Weighted career value: 37
#4. Pete Retzlaff (E)
- City: Ellendale
- Years played: 1956-1966 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 59
#3. Andy Heck (T)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 1989-2000 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 185
- Weighted career value: 60
#2. Phil Hansen (DE)
- City: Ellendale
- Years played: 1991-2001 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Weighted career value: 65
#1. Gary Larsen (DT)
- City: Fargo
- Years played: 1964-1974 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 149
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 72
