2022 Montana Recruits - Tier 1

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VimSince03
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2022 Montana Recruits - Tier 1

Post by VimSince03 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:01 pm

Tier 1 - "The Rare Ones"

Prospects in this tier:

- have shown the ability to be full-scholarship FBS football players out of high school
- will commonly receive multiple scholarship offers from both FBS and FCS schools
- will likely NOT redshirt if they sign with a FCS school and should make an immediate impact (at least in rotation)
- will likely redshirt if they sign with a FBS school but should push for playing time within two years (redshirt sophomore season)
- consistently demonstrate a mismatch on tape in athletic ability, size, smarts, and technique while on the field in high school
- commonly have the best production in the state at their given position
- players in this tier are "rare for the state of Montana" as only a handful of them come around each decade
- commonly have been selected All-State multiple years at their position(s) during high school
- have potential to be multi-year All-Americans at the FCS level with a good chance playing in the NFL

1.) Taco Dowler (Billings West) - 5'9", 175 lbs. - WR/CB
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Why is Taco "rare" for a Montana recruit?
- 2021 MT Gatorade Player of the Year for football
- Three-time All-State WR, two-time All-State CB, and two-time All-State KR/PR
- Amassed almost 4500 total yards (offense and special teams) during his career
- Over 2700 receiving yards during his career with 27 touchdowns
- Returned three kicks for touchdowns throughout his career along with two interceptions
- Upgrades a team's scoring potential any time he steps on the field whether its deep balls, handoffs, catch-and-runs, or returns
- His straight-line speed is above average but his quickness is elite as he's tough to corral in tight spaces (can make you miss in a phone booth)
- Needs to be accounted for pre-snap and post-snap
- Not just a slot receiver as he can win and be a threat on the outside or in the backfield as well
- Works all three levels of a defense and is a nightmare in the open field due to his agility, acceleration, and toughness
- Can adjust his route speed on a dime and displays keen awareness to find soft spots in zone coverage
- Dropped balls are rare and makes catches outside his frame
- Not afraid to put max effort and physicality in blocking
- Received double and even triple coverage (worked wonderfully for Sentinel in the 2021 title game) which proves how much defensive coordinators feared his abilities
- Abilities as a corner kind of go unnoticed but would not doubt that he could develop on defense at the next level if given the opportunity
- Posted a 22'5" long jump and 11.07 100M dash his junior track season
- Held a PWO offer from Kansas State prior to committing to MSU
Final Thought on Taco: In the end, Taco is a game-breaking talent who will immediately be one of the most dangerous players on MSU's roster in 2022.


2.) Zac Crews (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'5", 205 lbs. - ATH/DE/LB
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Why is Zac "rare" for a Montana recruit?
- 2021 AA Offensive MVP as a QB
- Three-time All-State DE, All-State TE as a junior, and All-State QB as a senior
- 13.5 sacks and 27.5 TFLs throughout his career with an 8.5 sack/14 TFL effort his junior year (keep in mind he did not play full defensive reps his senior season)
- 1771 passing yards, 869 rushing yards, a 20/3 TD/INT ratio, 11 rushing TDs, and a 68% completion rate his senior season
- A long and lean edge defender who can wreak havoc on opposing offenses as a pass-rusher and run defender
- Hard to block with explosive get-off quickness and great feel for winning with his hands
- Slips/slithers around pass protection and run blocking with relative ease by contorting his long frame
- Will use his length to his advantage upon contact by locking out offensive lineman early in reps
- Pad level is not a problem despite his size and its actually a strength of Zac's
- Despite his lean frame, he doesn't get washed out in the run game as much as one would assume due to his high motor and qualities stated above
- Long strider in the open field with explosive burst upon contact
- Plays through the echo of the whistle with incredible effort every play including a highlight from his junior season where he ran down a Billings West receiver 60 yards down the field after being in the backfield at the beginning of the play
- Arguably was the best dual-threat QB in the state his senior season...even better than Kaden Huot
- 2021 AA State Champion in the 110M Hurdles and Javelin
- 2021 3rd Place Finish in the 205 lb. weight class in AA wrestling (first year wrestling as well)
- Receiving significant interest from Boise State over the summer prior to committing to Montana last fall
Final Thought on Zac: If Zac ever gets a chance to play football, its scary to think what he could develop into once he actually starts adding weight on that lean frame.
Last edited by VimSince03 on Sun Feb 06, 2022 10:45 am, edited 6 times in total.


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catatac
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Re: 2022 Montana Recruits - Tier 1

Post by catatac » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:39 pm

Good stuff VIM! Does anyone have an update on Crews? Is he going to land with a team? If so, I assume that team won't be in Montana.


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VimSince03
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Re: 2022 Montana Recruits - Tier 1

Post by VimSince03 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:14 pm

catatac wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:39 pm
Good stuff VIM! Does anyone have an update on Crews? Is he going to land with a team? If so, I assume that team won't be in Montana.
Status is uncertain after the unfortunate debacle that happened on social media. However, he's a clear upper-level talent. A ball of clay that you can develop intocan All-American at multiple positions. In my opinion, he was the best QB in the state this year after starting as a TE/DE is junior year.


"There's two times of year for me: Football season, and waiting for football season."

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