Helena OL Holden Sampson Commits!

[VimSince03]

This is for a 2019 recruit and I'm about 99.99% sure its Holden Sampson - OL from Helena High. He is my #1 offensive line prospect in the state for the 2019 Montana Recruiting class.
https://twitter.com/CoachChoate_MSU/status/1009471849581895680

https://twitter.com/CoachBJ_MSU/status/1009513934057963520

https://twitter.com/Coach_Taufalele/status/1009514323075522561

[TomCat88]

Checking with an HHS coach.

[TomCat88]

“Don’t know but it wouldn’t surprise me if he did,” he says.

[TomCat88]

Calls Holden a man-child and concurs with how Vim has him rated.

[VimSince03]

I'm really high on Holden. Another coaches kid. He's about 6'2-6'3, 250 lbs. and plays offensive line the right way. Outstanding feet, has a mean streak, has a college-level pass-pro set, hand-strike power/timing are solid, and he pulls with an attitude. The only negatives I see are common ones for high school lineman: plays too high and lunges at defenders from time to time. His most impressive attribute is his pass protection. Not many high school lineman understand the nuances of pass pro, especially as a tackle. But Holden has obviously put in the work. He gets set quickly after the snap, uses his hands first instead of his body, keeps his shoulders square so he doesn't give up inside leverage, doesn't cross his feet, and doesn't drop his head on impact. His first play in his junior highlight film, he goes against Alaric Greil from Capital (one of the best d-lineman in the state) and ends the pass rush immediately because of all the things listed in the prior sentence. As a run blocker, he shows plenty of attitude/strength and keeps his feet moving on impact but needs to drop his rear-end more to give himself better balance and push on the line.

Holden's family includes former MSU All-Big Sky/All-American center Shaun Sampson. Shaun had to take the walk-on route to the FCS level because of his size coming out of high school. If the Cats or Griz value everything I spoke about above, Holden should at least receive a partial. If he was 6'5" or 6'6", bigger schools would likely come knocking. He has all the tools to be a successful FCS guard, center, or right tackle.

Right now I see four solid lineman recruits for the 2019 class: Garrison Poetzl (Billings Senior), Holden Sampson (Helena High), Cody Wilkes (CMR), and Connor Paul (Billings West). The key difference with Holden is that he only plays on the offensive line while the other two are excellent defensive tackles. Doesn't make Holden a lesser recruit because obviously his focus has been on the offensive line because he has the best technique out of the three. Garrison is all aggression and power (it shows when he plays on the d-line) while Connor and Cody are brutes who translate to the interior of the line.

[RickRund]

Just curious Vim, where do you see the other three going?

[TomCat88]

This boom may not be for Sampson. I’ve got an “I don’t think so” and a “not yet” plus there’s not a #406 in the tweet. Then again there are some new tweeting rules by the NCAA, so maybe coaches can’t give hints like #406.

[lutecat]

It was killing me to not be able to get on the site to see this thread. All is good now.

[iaafan]

Isn’t #BeatTheSkyOwnTheSTATE also code for in-state?

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

This boom may not be for Sampson. I’ve got an “I don’t think so” and a “not yet” plus there’s not a #406 in the tweet. Then again there are some new tweeting rules by the NCAA, so maybe coaches can’t give hints like #406.

The oline coach said homegrown in a tweet. I’m hoping it’s sampson.

[VimSince03]

Its Sampson guys. But that is a new rule about tweeting area codes of recruits. Of course there are ways around it which is why its silly its a rule in the first place.

[Colter_Nuanez]

I'll be able to confirm the commitment sometime this afternoon or tomorrow. The prospect who has committed to Montana State wants to share the news with his twitter-less family and with the other coaches who are recruiting him before he posts on social media, announces publicly or lets me report it. Stay tuned.

[Rich K]

I'll be able to confirm the commitment sometime this afternoon or tomorrow. The prospect who has committed to Montana State wants to share the news with his twitter-less family and with the other coaches who are recruiting him before he posts on social media, announces publicly or lets me report it. Stay tuned.

Very considerate of the guy! I like him already.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

From the few Sampson family members I have met, they are good character people, especially Shaun. I run into him every now and then in Billings, although I bet many on here wouldn't even recognize him anymore since he has lost so much weight from his playing days.

[wbtfg]

Great to have another Sampson joining the squad.

[Cataholic]

The Sampson’s are really good people. Glad to see another join the Bobcat family! Holden is the real deal and will have an impact on the offensive line for years to come! Welcome aboard!

[Hawks86]

[arvcat2]

VS03, please edit your subject line. Thanks in advance.

[Hawks86]

[grizzh8r]

Better burn that maroon hoodie pronto. Wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea...