Montana State Signees

[GOKATS]

3- JC's, the rest HS. 11 in state, 14 out of state. Pending resolution of some APR issues which should be done by April/May, MSU could have three more schollies to offer.

JANUARY TRANSFERS
Matt Harris, LB
6-1, 230, Jr, Mission Viejo, CA -- Orange Coast JC/Edison
Player Notes: Orange Coast's Defensive Player of the Year last fall,
logging 47 tackles, including five for a loss and two sacks, with five
quarterback hurries... earned First Team all-conference honors as a
sophomore, second team kudos as a freshman... First Team All-CIF at
Edison High as a senior, when his 12-1 team lost in the CIF
semifinals... team was ranked second nationally his junior year.

Mark Iddins, QB
6-3, 205, Jr, Mukilteo, WA -- Santa Ana JC/Kamiak
Player Notes: All-Mission Conference QB who ranks as one of Rivals.com's
top JC signal callers... threw for 2,432 yards in 10 games last fall,
posting 17-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a .523 completion
percentage... all-conference and all-area choice as a senior at Kamiak
High, where he was his team's offensive player of the year and a
Scout.com Northwest Hot 100 choice... all-conference as a junior...


Anthony Patterson, OL
6-4, 300, Jr, Oakmont, CA -- Sierra JC/Oakmont
Player Notes: Helped lead his Sierra College team to a 9-2 record and
conference championship last fall... four-year varsity wrestler, where
he was Male Athlete of the winter season his senior year, at Oakmont...
team captain with academic honors that year.

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
James Andrews, DB
6-1, 180, Fr, Rockwall, TX -- Rockwall
Player Notes: Earned second team all-district honors as a cornerback,
snagging two interceptions... also a track standout.


Matt Bernard, OL
6-3, 297, Fr, Gig Harbor, WA -- Gig Harbor
Player Notes: A first-team 4A All-State selection who also earned
all-conference honors... Tacoma New Tribune First Team All-Area
selection... Blue Chip recruit by Seattle Times... listed as 61st-ranked
prospect in the Northwest.

Brian Bignell, DL
6-1, 205, Fr, Helena, MT -- Capital
Player Notes: An all-state and all-conference selection, also named
Great Falls Tribune Superstate choice... co-defensive MVP in Class AA...
chosen for the Montana Shrine and Mon-Dak all-star games... also a
basketball and track standout.

Jake Chilton, DB
6-0, 185, Fr, Billings, MT -- Billings Central
Player Notes: An all-state defensive back selection as a senior at Class
A State Champion Billings Central... also earned all-conference honors.

Zach Coleman, DB
5-10, 158, Fr, Cedar Hill, TX -- Bishop Dunne
Player Notes: Second team all-state among private schools and first team
all-district... registered 40 tackles with two interceptions and 11
passes broken up... also logged a pair of sacks... a basketball player
and sprinter on the Bishop Dunne track squad.

Reil Cornelius, WR
6-3, 180, Fr, Helena, MT -- Helena
Player Notes: Earned all-state honors at receiver and defensive back...
also an all-conference choice... caught 45 passes for 600 yards and nine
touchdowns last fall.

Jason Cunningham, K
6-1, 162, Fr, Amarillo, TX -- Tascosa
Player Notes: A second team all-district kicker... also a soccer
standout at Tascosa.
try, and has competed very well. He didn't get as
many opportunities to kick in high school, but he is talented and has
gained a lot of experience.

Turner Daines, OL
6-3, 265, Fr, Billings, MT -- Billings Central
Player Notes: Earned first team All-State Class A honors, as well as
all-conference honors on the offensive and defensive lines... a
four-time academic all-state choice who is also a wrestling standout.


Ryan Damberger, TE
6-1, 215, Fr, Bozeman, MT -- Bozeman
Player Notes: A first team all-conference tight end for Bozeman, who
also earned second team all-state honors... his father, Butch, is a
former Bobcat player and assistant coach.

Derek DeJong, DE
6-4, 215, Fr, Manhattan, MT -- Manhattan Christian
Player Notes: Earned all-state and all-conference honors playing both
lines for Manhattan High... logged 75 tackles and 10 sacks as a
defensive lineman, and earned a spot in the Montana Shrine Game.


Jimmy Ekumah, LB
5-11, 205, Fr, Arlington, TX -- Bowie
Player Notes: An explosive linebacker who earned second team
all-district honors at Arlington Bowie.


Ricky Evans, RB
6-0, 163, Fr, Grand Prairie, TX -- South Grand Prairie
Player Notes: Earned first team all-area as a return specialist...
gained 750 yards rushing as a senior, scoring 11 touchdowns... averaged
53 yards per kick return as a junior, and also competed in track and
field.


Steven Foster, TE
6-5, 240, Fr, Helena, MT -- Helena
Player Notes: An all-conference and all-state selection who earned Great
Falls Tribune SuperState selection... chosen for the Montana Shrine and
Mon-Dak all-star games.


Rick Haluszka, QB
6-2, 195, Fr, Harlem, MT -- Harlem
Player Notes: A first team all-state quarterback who also earned
all-conference honors at linebacker and second team all-conference
honors as a punter... a Great Falls Tribune SuperState choice who was
chosen for the Montana Shrine Game.

Heath Howard, DB
5-10, 180, Fr, Plentywood, MT -- Plentywood
Player Notes: An all-state and all-conference cornerback at Plentywood
High.


Clint Mentzel, OL
6-5, 272, Fr, Midlothian, TX -- Midlothian
Player Notes: An honorable mention all-district choice... also competes
in the shot put on the Midlothian track and field squad.


Jody Owens, LB
6-0, 196, Fr, Mesquite, TX -- Horn
Player Notes: A two-time all-district selection who was named his
district's sophomore of the year in 2005... served as a team captain
last fall.


C.J. Palmer, RB
6-0, 228, Fr, RB, Spring, TX -- Klein
Player Notes: Rushed for 1,600 yards last fall, scoring 16 touchdowns...
a first-team all-district selection.


Jared Rohrback, LB
6-1, 210, Sr, Great Falls, MT -- CM Russell
Player Notes: Earned Co-Defensive MVP honors in Class AA, snagging
all-conference, all-state, and Great Falls Tribune SuperState honors...
a two-time state champion wrestler... chosen for the East-West Shrine
and Mon-Dak all-star games.


Kevin Steiner, TE
6-5, 205, Fr, Shelby, MT -- Shelby
Player Notes: First team all-conference choice on offense and defense...
named Shelby's offensive player of the year last fall... a four-time
academic all-state choice in football and basketball... chosen for the
Montana Shrine Game.

Ben Tauanuu, OL
6-4, 290, Fr, Santa Ana, CA -- Mater Dei
Player Notes: Earned first team all-league and second team All-Orange
County honors... a three-year offensive line starter.


DeSean Thomas, WR
6-5, 245, Fr, Cleburne, TX -- Cleburne
Player Notes: Earned all-district honors at receiver and cornerback...
also an all-area choice who earned area Iron Man honors... caught 40
passes for 697 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior... also picked off
two passes.

[CrazyCat]

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- After a late start and a whirlwind fall, Montana State coach Rob Ash breathed a
sigh of relief Wednesday, announcing with enthusiasm his fi rst Bobcat recruiting class.
Ash and his MSU staff brought 21 new players into the fold on Wednesday, joining with three studentathletes
who transferred to MSU at the start of the current semester. “We’re very excited about this group of
kids,” Ash said. “We really only had half a recruiting cycle since we came here in June, and the fact that we
were able to put such a strong class together is a testimony to the coaching staff and also to this group of kids
for buying into our program and what we want to accomplish here.”
After addressing specifi c needs with quarterback Mark Iddins, linebacker Matt Harris and offensive
lineman Anthony Patterson during the December signing period (all three attend MSU presently, and will
participate in spring drills), the breadth of the recruiting effort spread considerably in January. Ash and his staff
assembled a class of 21 recruits comprised entirely of high school seniors from four western states that add
depth and ability at each position group.
Ash said this year’s recruits, taken as a class, strengthen the Bobcats across the board. “Counting
our junior college transfers, we addressed virtually all our needs with this group of kids,” he said. “That was
diffi cult without being able to follow the normal recruiting timetable. But the thing that really makes this class
satisfying is that these were highly sought-after kids, players that had lots of choices and were heavily recruited.
Most had multiple FCS offers, and we’re excited they made Montana State their top choice.”

http://www.msubobcats.com/upload/feature_pdf1.pdf

[griz37]

Whats up with all the Texas guys? How did that pipeline get established?

[catbob]

Whats up with all the Texas guys? How did that pipeline get established?

Why, thanks to the Griz of course. xthumbsupx

[CrazyCat]

Whats up with all the Texas guys? How did that pipeline get established?



"When Montana State University head football coach Rob Ash decided to dip his toe into the pool of Texas high school football talent, he had no idea he’d soon be the deep end."

"So what happened? Two words: Justin Gaines.
, a former All-Big Sky defensive back for the University of Montana who now helps to coach MSU’s secondary, used his passion, salesmanship and knowledge of the Lone Star State to bring the Texas 10 to Bozeman. It might seem an odd partnership n attempting to coax players from a hot, humid climate to a dry and snowy one n but not to Gaines."

“I’ve always known that kids would come from all over the country to play in Montana,” Gaines said. “People doubted that. But I think that, by far, this is the best state in America to play Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) football.”

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bobcats/football/

[CopperCat]

Whats up with all the Texas guys? How did that pipeline get established?

Jealous are we?

[SeattleGriz]

Jealous are we?


A little, but mostly glad Ash was able to get some good recruits. A good MSU team does nothing but help the Griz and the Big Sky.

[grizband]

A little, but mostly glad Ash was able to get some good recruits. A good MSU team does nothing but help the Griz and the Big Sky.
Exactly. The Cats winning in 2002 was the best thing to happen to our rivarly in years! The Big Sky needs more power teams, and I think the Cats are up to the challenge.

[putter]

Kevin Steiner, TE
6-5, 205, Fr, Shelby, MT -- Shelby
Player Notes: First team all-conference choice on offense and defense...
named Shelby's offensive player of the year last fall... a four-time
academic all-state choice in football and basketball... chosen for the
Montana Shrine Game

He is my neighbor. If Kevin hits the weights he will be a very good player as he is very athletic but needs to put on 30+ lbs.

[grizband]

Kevin Steiner, TE
6-5, 205, Fr, Shelby, MT -- Shelby
Player Notes: First team all-conference choice on offense and defense...
named Shelby's offensive player of the year last fall... a four-time
academic all-state choice in football and basketball... chosen for the
Montana Shrine Game

He is my neighbor. If Kevin hits the weights he will be a very good player as he is very athletic but needs to put on 30+ lbs.
What is the Shelby program like? 235 would be a good size for an athletic, receiving type TE.

[putter]

What is the Shelby program like? 235 would be a good size for an athletic, receiving type TE.

Shelby is class B (125 kids in high school). Kevin played TE and DE and has decent hands. His size alone is big for class B but I don't think he is as good as DeBruycker that is going to Montana. If Kevin does get up to 230+ I put him on par but not until then.

[GOKATS]

Shelby is class B (125 kids in high school). Kevin played TE and DE and has decent hands. His size alone is big for class B but I don't think he is as good as DeBruycker that is going to Montana. If Kevin does get up to 230+ I put him on par but not until then.

I agree, 6-5, 205 is great in HS, but he needs to be around 245-250 with that height to be a good TE in the BSC. Nice thing about a HS kid that size is depending on speed, etc, he could end up in a lot of positions depending on training and the weight room.

[grizband]

Shelby is class B (125 kids in high school). Kevin played TE and DE and has decent hands. His size alone is big for class B but I don't think he is as good as DeBruycker that is going to Montana. If Kevin does get up to 230+ I put him on par but not until then.
Does he have the speed and strength to end up as a DE or a LB?

[rancher griz]

Wow, is Shelby's enrollment that low. I remember there enrollment being 270 or higher just a few years ago. 125 is borderline class C. Actually, I think that is the cut off. I saw DeBruycker play down in Ennis. He was a monster. Looks like he could get to 250 or 260 fairly easily, very lengthy.

[grizband]

Wow, is Shelby's enrollment that low. I remember there enrollment being 270 or higher just a few years ago. 125 is borderline class C. Actually, I think that is the cut off. I saw DeBruycker play down in Ennis. He was a monster. Looks like he could get to 250 or 260 fairly easily, very lengthy.
Shelby's enrollment for 2007-2008 is 183. The smallest class "B" school (Valley Christian) is 106, while the largest class "C" is Rocky Boy at 147.

[rancher griz]

Where is Valley Christian? If it's private it can get around cutoffs, just like Butte Central does in A (I think they are around 180). Never heard of that school. Shelby's enrollment has really tanked.

BTW, Bobcat fans should be very excited about Reil Cornelius and Brain Bignell.

[SeattleGriz]

Where is Valley Christian? If it's private it can get around cutoffs, just like Butte Central does in A (I think they are around 180). Never heard of that school. Shelby's enrollment has really tanked.

BTW, Bobcat fans should be very excited about Reil Cornelius and Brain Bignell.

Valley Christian is a private school in Missoula.

Damn. We had 38 kids when I went to school in Power.

[griz37]

Jealous are we?

I might be if they turn out to be good players, which we won't know for a couple of years. I will run it by you next time I have a legit question.

[CatFan22]

Where is Valley Christian? If it's private it can get around cutoffs, just like Butte Central does in A (I think they are around 180). Never heard of that school. Shelby's enrollment has really tanked.

BTW, Bobcat fans should be very excited about Reil Cornelius and Brain Bignell.

I was very pleased to see that we signed Cornelius. That was a highlight of signing day for me. I would like for the Cats to sign more in-state talent on offense.

[putter]

Wow, is Shelby's enrollment that low. I remember there enrollment being 270 or higher just a few years ago. 125 is borderline class C. Actually, I think that is the cut off. I saw DeBruycker play down in Ennis. He was a monster. Looks like he could get to 250 or 260 fairly easily, very lengthy.


Sad thing is - Shelby has the most going for it when you compare it to Cut Bank, Conrad and Chester but when kids grow up most of them don't want to move bank and farm. Shelby has had a few younger couples move here with small children and the build-up in border security has helped but the Hi-Line is struggling.

Steiner has the frame to easily add 30+ lbs because there is not much there now but he could be a good one as he gets stronger.

[catbob]

Cats just picked up Darius Bell, a QB/LB from the Bay area. 6'1 221 or so, sounds like he had some offers from bigger schools to play LB, but he really wanted to play QB.

Here are some highlights:

Sophomore year:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4228724014677423096&q=darius+bell&total=11&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

More recent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBHPrnft2BM&feature=related

Sounds like the knock on him is that he isn't a great passer, but with Jim Svoboda and Jonathan Beasley on our staff, a couple years he could be starting for the blue and gold.

Only completed 53% of his passes, but for 25 TDs to 9 INTs and 2737 yards. Also ran for 714 yards and 7 TDs.

[GOKATS]

Cats just picked up Darius Bell, a QB/LB from the Bay area. 6'1 221 or so, sounds like he had some offers from bigger schools to play LB, but he really wanted to play QB.

Here are some highlights:

Sophomore year:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4228724014677423096&q=darius+bell&total=11&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

More recent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBHPrnft2BM&feature=related

Sounds like the knock on him is that he isn't a great passer, but with Jim Svoboda and Jonathan Beasley on our staff, a couple years he could be starting for the blue and gold.

Only completed 53% of his passes, but for 25 TDs to 9 INTs and 2737 yards. Also ran for 714 yards and 7 TDs.

Looks like a great athlete and sign for MSU- hope the QB slot works out for him, but he needs a little work- he'll definitely find a fit somewhere on the team.

[already123]

Whats up with all the Texas guys? How did that pipeline get established?

Im glad to see BSC schools recruiting the state of Texas. There is so much talent out there that gets overlooked that it is stupid for these schools NOT to recruit them. NAU figured it out when they got QB Lance Kriesien xthumbsupx ....however, I am disappointed that they havent made the trip back. Either way, it looks as if MSU has a solid recruiting class. xrotatehx

[montanafan]

You have two bob cats and two grizzlies in a car. Who is driving?


The Sheriff. :D :D

[Bobcat in NC]

You have two bob cats and two grizzlies in a car. Who is driving?


The Sheriff. :D :D

Booooooooooooooo!

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