FARGO – Former North Dakota State fullback Tyler Jangula died Sunday.
Jangula “passed away peacefully” at his home in Williston, N.D., according to an obituary posted on the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home website. He was 28 years old.
“Heartbreaking,” said Bison offensive coordinator Tim Polasek. “The Bison family feels for his family. He’s a passionate guy who had a humungous heart. … I don’t think that list is going to be short of who is hurting tonight.”
Jangula was a standout multiple-sport athlete at Williston High School who played for the Bison from 2004-2008. Polasek learned of the news early Sunday afternoon after receiving a phone call from Jangula’s sister, Rheanda, a former NDSU track athlete.
“A beautiful family, and his mom and dad were very involved,” Polasek said.
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Many former Bison players took to social media grieve the loss and share their respects.
Former NDSU quarterback Steve Walker (2003-2007) remembers Jangula being a genuine person who would do anything to help a friend.
“He was one of the toughest guys on the football field,” said Walker, who now lives in Plymouth, Minn. “He had the size and strength and the speed and the toughness.”
At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Jangula was physical and athletic. Polasek said Jangula set the mold for fullbacks that followed at NDSU.
“Still to this day on my teaching film, there are clips of Tyler Jangula,” said Polasek, who coached running backs and fullbacks for a couple years while Jangula was still in the program. “He was a very physical, prideful kid and a North Dakota kid. That pretty much sums him up. … We are starting to get back to the point where we were as good as Tyler Jangula at fullback.”
