Emmit Bohle’s big and broad shoulders are representing Selby, South Dakota in Tempe, Arizona.

A former nine-man and NCAA Division II football player, Bohle has landed at Arizona State University where he’s a starting offensive lineman. While he is surrounded by blue-chip recruits, Bohle took an unconventional path to Division I football. 

His journey started as a 235-pound tight end for Herreid/Selby Area, followed by a position change at Northern State University and an all-conference campaign for the Wolves in 2021.

Bohle entered the transfer portal after last season and picked Arizona State over mostly FCS programs. Bohle, a towering 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman, was recently inserted into the starting lineup to continue his unlikely journey to Division I football.

“I pretty much wasn’t supposed to be here,” Bohle said. “A lot of these other guys are supposed to be here. They are supposed to be this good, but I feel like I pretty much earned my way here. I worked my way up from nine-man football to now Power Five football.”

Bohle was an all-stater for Herreid/Selby Area, but only received scholarship offers from Northern State and Southwest Minnesota State University, another NCAA Division II program. He picked Northern State because of its proximity to Selby (80 miles), his relationship with the coaching staff and a more than $40 million on-campus sports complex was being built. 

Selby native Emmit Bohle is a starting offensive lineman for Division I Arizona State. (Arizona State Athletics Photo)

That’s where Bohle, who played defensive end and tight end in high school, began his transformation to offensive lineman. In his redshirt season in 2018, Bohle got practice reps at tight end and continued to bulk up. 

In 2019, he weighed around 275 pounds and was moved to the offensive line, where he started all 11 games. He credits NSU offensive line coach John Roy for his development and transition to tackle, but it didn’t come without some struggles. 

“The transition was tough,” Bohle said. “Offensive line is a lot about technique. So you have to learn all the techniques and all the little things. Every little thing matters at offensive line, whether it’s your feet, your hands, your punch — everything. It’s a lot more technique, a lot more technically sound position and you just have to be focused in and dialed in on every little thing you need to do on every play.”

After the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, Bohle started all 11 games for the Wolves in 2021 and was named to the all-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference second team. 

After the season, Bohle entered the transfer portal and did it with mixed feelings. 

“It’s obviously a big decision,” Bohle said. “I was really nervous to do it because I was leaving behind 100 guys I knew really well — 100 guys I loved playing with. I had a lot of really, really close friends on that team, a lot of brothers. That part of it was tough, but just the opportunity and idea of possibly playing at a Power Five school and playing football at one of the highest levels you can is obviously really intriguing and really something I wanted to go after.”

Selby native Emmit Bohle is a starting offensive lineman for Division I Arizona State. (Arizona State Athletics Photo)

FCS programs were his main suitors and Arizona State was his lone FBS scholarship offer. He picked Arizona State partly because of its Power Five status, but also his desire to learn from Sun Devils’ offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, a 35-year coaching veteran.  

“He’s had experience all over the United States coaching football,” Bohle said. “I figured that would be a really huge help to me, not only to come down here and play Power Five football, but to be able to play for a coach who really understands the game and loves the game.”

Bohle was originally going to graduate from Northern State in the spring, but opted to transfer immediately to Arizona State in order to compete in spring ball.

He began the season splitting reps at left tackle and injuries moved him to right tackle. He’s played in all seven games and has started the past two games at right tackle. 

While he’s comfortable and willing to play either position, Bohle said there’s not a lot of room for error facing Pac-12 Conference defenders. 

“You have to always be at your best and that’s something else that drives me too is the fact that I am playing against the best,” Bohle said. “So I have to be at my best and I have to be continually improving. I constantly have to be learning and getting better at my craft to go against people like this and to win these matchups and win games and help my team win.”

The Sun Devils (2-5) recently upset then-No. 21 Washington in Tempe. They also played at USC in front of 62,133 fans and at Oklahoma State before 54,949 fans.

It’s quite a change of scenery for Bohle, who grew up in a town of around 600 people in north central South Dakota. But it’s all part of fulfilling his goal of Division I football. 

“It’s a blast, honestly, seeing that many people packed into a stadium,” Bohle said. “The crowd noise and the energy that’s in the stadium is honestly an incredible experience.” 

Selby native Emmit Bohle is a starting offensive lineman for Division I Arizona State. (Arizona State Athletics Photo)

Up next, Arizona State will play at Colorado on Oct. 29 in another Pac-12 contest. It’s the closest Arizona State will play to South Dakota this season and Bohle will have family making the trip, while he’s got relatives in Colorado that will be there.  

Bohle, 22, is a redshirt senior and is on track to graduate with a degree in human performance and fitness. He plans to take advantage of his extra season due to COVID and will play next season, while getting his masters.  

Bohle will use the extra season to continue his development as the NFL remains his ultimate goal. Arizona State regularly has NFL scouts at practices and games, giving Bohle a golden opportunity to be seen by professional personnel. 

“That’s been the biggest goal I have had for I don’t even know how long,” Bohle said. “I have been dreaming of that day. Being able to get my name called on draft day is something I have been working for and dreaming for as long as I can remember.” 

A dream that started in Selby, South Dakota. 

“I am really proud to say I came from Selby and I have made it this far,” Bohle said. “It’s a huge accomplishment not only for me, but for everyone else there as well.”