From the Fall 2026 issue of Bison Illustrated.
Photo by Gavin Fernholz, Dynamic Studios.
Q: You moved from a rotational role in 2024 to becoming an All-American in 2025. What technical improvement was most responsible for that jump?
Keenan Wilson: Probably just taking advantage of the opportunities that arose. Once I got into that starting role, I knew I had to do something with it.
It was just trusting God and trusting my teammates that I’m going to do my job and they’re going to do theirs. Then, the plays arise.
Q: You finished with 37 tackles, which is significant production for an interior defensive lineman. What allows you to remain involved in plays even after the ball starts moving away from you?
Wilson: I think it’s just my effort. I run to the ball as much as I can.
Whoever has the ball, if the whistle hasn’t blown, you’re going down. That’s just how it is. That’s how I play.
Q: As opponents devote more double teams and protection attention to you, how do you determine whether you’re still affecting the game even when you don’t make the tackle?
Wilson: When my teammates are doing their jobs and making plays. It makes me happy to see them succeed. That’s how I know.
Q: You’ve been at NDSU for three years, and now you’re entering some uncharted territory with the move to the Mountain West. What differences do you expect from Mountain West offensive linemen in terms of size, hand usage, recovery ability, and depth?
Wilson: Probably just different schemes and stuff. Not so much the size. There are some pretty big guys in the FCS.
I’m not afraid of going against anybody. I don’t care how big you are. I think it’ll be more about the schemes and really locking into the details.
Q: Are there any particular opponents you’re looking forward to seeing this year?
Wilson: Probably UNLV, just because they’re the top dog. They’re known as one of the top dogs in the Mountain West.
Those are the games where you’ve really got to lock into your details and find a way to come out on top.
Q: When preparing for a game like UNLV, what are some of the things you want to hone in on the most?
Wilson: Probably looking at the offensive line’s stances, their eyes, and things like that. You’re trying to find those little details that can give you an edge in the game and give you a little advantage in knowing what’s coming next.
Q: Are you going to break out any new sack celebrations this year?
Wilson: We’ll see. The crowd will have to see.
We’ve just got to do our job. Like I said, the sacks will come my way.
Q: With the move to the Mountain West, what can NDSU fans expect from this team and from you specifically?
Wilson: Just playmaking.
Fans spend all week working their butts off just to buy a ticket and get up in the stands. It doesn’t matter where they’re sitting—they come to watch us play.
So it’s my job to get them on their feet and give them an exciting game to watch.
Career Highlights
- 2026 Preseason All-Mountain West.
- 2026 HERO Sports G6 Preseason All-America Third Team.
- 2025 FCS Football Central All-America Second Team.
- 2025 Phil Steele FCS All-America Third Team.
- 2025 Associated Press FCS All-America honorable mention.
- 2025 All-MVFC First Team.
- 2024 MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award.
- 2023 MVFC Honor Roll.
- Member of NDSU’s 2024 FCS national championship team.
