FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State left tackle Joe Haeg was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 30, and half of the Bison senior class had secured NFL opportunities by the end of the evening.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Haeg with the 155th overall pick, giving NDSU multiple draft picks for the eighth time in program history and the first time since 2002.  He was the third NDSU player drafted by the Colts, joining running back Bruce Airheart (1965) and center Rob Hunt (2005).

So honored to finally be able to say I'm an Indianapolis Colt! Now the real work begins! @Colts pic.twitter.com/5u7vXjMJGi

— Joe Haeg (@JoeHaeg59) April 30, 2016

Seven of NDSU's 14 seniors from the 2015 national championship team had NFL invites by the end of the night as rookie free agents.  Fullback/tight end Andrew Bonnet signed with the Carolina Panthers and cornerback CJ Smith was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he will join Bison quarterback and No. 2 overall draft pick Carson Wentz.

Excited for the opportunity to prove I belong. Got a Huge chip on my shoulder. #FlyEaglesFly

— Cj Smith (@Cjsmith_6) April 30, 2016

Excited that @Cjsmith_6 will remain my teammate & join me as an Eagle. Congrats and lets make Bison Nation proud! #FlyEaglesFly #BisonPride

— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) May 1, 2016

Three other Bison players received invites to three-day rookie mini camps, which run May 6-9.  Tight end Luke Albers will go to the Arizona Cardinals mini camp, right guard Jeremy Kelly will go to the Atlanta Falcons, and punter/kicker Ben LeCompte will visit the Chicago Bears.

See ya in a week @AZCardinals #MiniCamp

— Lucas Albers (@Albers_88) May 1, 2016

See ya in a week @AtlantaFalcons #Minicamp

— Jeremy Kelly (@54Jkelly) May 1, 2016

Bear Down baby! Extremely grateful to have the opportunity to prove myself in the Windy City! ????

— BBLIV (@lecomptey19) May 1, 2016