Offensive/Defensive Lines

[AFCAT]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

True, I guess I was thinking more that region. Why do they keep so many guys around?

Culture of winning. They've been winning for decades and not just in the FCS, Div 2 as well. Heck, the Pearl won two Natties for them and he was one of the worst coaches I've ever seen. It doesn't appear to matter who the head coach is there. They could put Mornhinweg in charge and he'd take them to the natty and win
Money in facilities, training, food, etc.
Full cost of attendance certainly helps.
NIL. Apparently, they have some decent money to spend.
And finally, they've made some sort of a deal with the Devil that we don't know about.

[BleedingBLue]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

Ya, someone posted on FB that NDSU only had 9 players from ND. Their pride isn't in representing their state but rather their program. I think there is something to that. I mean having rosters full of MT players is super great, and very important, but getting the out of state guys to buy in is key too, and something that the DSUs have done better. With guys like Julius, who respect and appreciate the culture of MSU football, sharing that publicly like he did, can only help. But we need to sell the program and success of the program rather than only "Montana". It's got to be a package deal. The Montana focus works well for the rivalry, but this program, and Vigen's, goal is making it to January and the NC, which will require program focus over state pride. That's what I'm seeing anyway.

I thought it was more than nine, more like 20ish, but I haven’t looked at their rosters in a while.

Ya, I didn't fact check that post. Perhaps that's all who start or are on the 1st team. I would imagine there's more at the backup level, but maybe not.

Just counted, 22. Most of them are young guys, Fr and So, and the older guys don't play from what I can tell.

[Monymony]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

True, I guess I was thinking more that region. Why do they keep so many guys around?

Culture of winning. They've been winning for decades and not just in the FCS, Div 2 as well. Heck, the Pearl won two Natties for them and he was one of the worst coaches I've ever seen. It doesn't appear to matter who the head coach is there. They could put Mornhinweg in charge and he'd take them to the natty and win
Money in facilities, training, food, etc.
Full cost of attendance certainly helps.
NIL. Apparently, they have some decent money to spend.
And finally, they've made some sort of a deal with the Devil that we don't know about.

Hard to imagine their ship sinking any time soon.

[AFCAT]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

True, I guess I was thinking more that region. Why do they keep so many guys around?

Culture of winning. They've been winning for decades and not just in the FCS, Div 2 as well. Heck, the Pearl won two Natties for them and he was one of the worst coaches I've ever seen. It doesn't appear to matter who the head coach is there. They could put Mornhinweg in charge and he'd take them to the natty and win
Money in facilities, training, food, etc.
Full cost of attendance certainly helps.
NIL. Apparently, they have some decent money to spend.
And finally, they've made some sort of a deal with the Devil that we don't know about.

Hard to imagine their ship sinking any time soon.

Nope, but I'll be the first in line to laugh my rear end off when it happens, because it will happen eventually. I may not be alive though, so who knows.

[coloradocat]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

Ya, someone posted on FB that NDSU only had 9 players from ND. Their pride isn't in representing their state but rather their program. I think there is something to that. I mean having rosters full of MT players is super great, and very important, but getting the out of state guys to buy in is key too, and something that the DSUs have done better. With guys like Julius, who respect and appreciate the culture of MSU football, sharing that publicly like he did, can only help. But we need to sell the program and success of the program rather than only "Montana". It's got to be a package deal. The Montana focus works well for the rivalry, but this program, and Vigen's, goal is making it to January and the NC, which will require program focus over state pride. That's what I'm seeing anyway.

I think we do a good job of getting out of state guys to buy in to the program. It's not like nobody ever transfers out of the DSUs. With the MT guys we just have an essential guarantee that once they're on campus they aren't leaving without exhausting their eligibility.

[nanacat]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

Ya, someone posted on FB that NDSU only had 9 players from ND. Their pride isn't in representing their state but rather their program. I think there is something to that. I mean having rosters full of MT players is super great, and very important, but getting the out of state guys to buy in is key too, and something that the DSUs have done better. With guys like Julius, who respect and appreciate the culture of MSU football, sharing that publicly like he did, can only help. But we need to sell the program and success of the program rather than only "Montana". It's got to be a package deal. The Montana focus works well for the rivalry, but this program, and Vigen's, goal is making it to January and the NC, which will require program focus over state pride. That's what I'm seeing anyway.

I think we do a good job of getting out of state guys to buy in to the program. It's not like nobody ever transfers out of the DSUs. With the MT guys we just have an essential guarantee that once they're on campus they aren't leaving without exhausting their eligibility.

Well ya, kinda. But it's the out of state guys leaving, or having left, and I think that selling the program and culture needs to become a larger focus over representing the state. There was a lot of press during playoffs about the in-state player's impact within the team. And it's HUGE for sure! But an out of state guy reads all that, and being a young guy, wonders, well, do I really matter? I'm not saying that happens, but it could. How do the DSUs get guys to stay in larger numbers than the Montana schools, who aren't from there? They sell the program, the success, the expectation of success. They also have financial resources that I'm sure are keeping guys there as well. At the end of the day the portal taketh and giveth, but I really don't feel it's always all about the money. Maybe I'm totally wrong.

[coloradocat]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

Ya, someone posted on FB that NDSU only had 9 players from ND. Their pride isn't in representing their state but rather their program. I think there is something to that. I mean having rosters full of MT players is super great, and very important, but getting the out of state guys to buy in is key too, and something that the DSUs have done better. With guys like Julius, who respect and appreciate the culture of MSU football, sharing that publicly like he did, can only help. But we need to sell the program and success of the program rather than only "Montana". It's got to be a package deal. The Montana focus works well for the rivalry, but this program, and Vigen's, goal is making it to January and the NC, which will require program focus over state pride. That's what I'm seeing anyway.

I think we do a good job of getting out of state guys to buy in to the program. It's not like nobody ever transfers out of the DSUs. With the MT guys we just have an essential guarantee that once they're on campus they aren't leaving without exhausting their eligibility.

Well ya, kinda. But it's the out of state guys leaving, or having left, and I think that selling the program and culture needs to become a larger focus over representing the state. There was a lot of press during playoffs about the in-state player's impact within the team. And it's HUGE for sure! But an out of state guy reads all that, and being a young guy, wonders, well, do I really matter? I'm not saying that happens, but it could. How do the DSUs get guys to stay in larger numbers than the Montana schools, who aren't from there? They sell the program, the success, the expectation of success. They also have financial resources that I'm sure are keeping guys there as well. At the end of the day the portal taketh and giveth, but I really don't feel it's always all about the money. Maybe I'm totally wrong.

I would say that the 2024 team was very unique. I doubt we've ever had a team close to this good where so many of the stars were from Montana. In general the staff does a good job of promoting the most impactful players. Pretty hard not to focus on the BSC OPOY, DPOY, FOY and an OL that will be drafted in May. I don't think another interview or a few more X posts on Scottre was going to keep him here. It sounds like the Collective tried to meet his number but it's hard to keep up with the Big 10. There's only so much you can do.

[nanacat]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

Ya, someone posted on FB that NDSU only had 9 players from ND. Their pride isn't in representing their state but rather their program. I think there is something to that. I mean having rosters full of MT players is super great, and very important, but getting the out of state guys to buy in is key too, and something that the DSUs have done better. With guys like Julius, who respect and appreciate the culture of MSU football, sharing that publicly like he did, can only help. But we need to sell the program and success of the program rather than only "Montana". It's got to be a package deal. The Montana focus works well for the rivalry, but this program, and Vigen's, goal is making it to January and the NC, which will require program focus over state pride. That's what I'm seeing anyway.

I think we do a good job of getting out of state guys to buy in to the program. It's not like nobody ever transfers out of the DSUs. With the MT guys we just have an essential guarantee that once they're on campus they aren't leaving without exhausting their eligibility.

Well ya, kinda. But it's the out of state guys leaving, or having left, and I think that selling the program and culture needs to become a larger focus over representing the state. There was a lot of press during playoffs about the in-state player's impact within the team. And it's HUGE for sure! But an out of state guy reads all that, and being a young guy, wonders, well, do I really matter? I'm not saying that happens, but it could. How do the DSUs get guys to stay in larger numbers than the Montana schools, who aren't from there? They sell the program, the success, the expectation of success. They also have financial resources that I'm sure are keeping guys there as well. At the end of the day the portal taketh and giveth, but I really don't feel it's always all about the money. Maybe I'm totally wrong.

I would say that the 2024 team was very unique. I doubt we've ever had a team close to this good where so many of the stars were from Montana. In general the staff does a good job of promoting the most impactful players. Pretty hard not to focus on the BSC OPOY, DPOY, FOY and an OL that will be drafted in May. I don't think another interview or a few more X posts on Scottre was going to keep him here. It sounds like the Collective tried to meet his number but it's hard to keep up with the Big 10. There's only so much you can do.

Yes, I suppose that's true. It was a very unique, and awesome year, for the in state players. I agree with you about Scottre for sure. He was leaving regardless.

[GoCats18]

Of any of the guys in the last three years that have left in the portal, have any of them been full season starters and had the same impact at the new program? Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, only the money is.

[nanacat]

Of any of the guys in the last three years that have left in the portal, have any of them been full season starters and had the same impact at the new program? Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, only the money is.

Great question! Was thinking about that during the playoff run, especially when it was certain the Cats were going to the Natty. The guys that transferred out last year could have been a part of that, and may have made the difference between a win and a loss. We'll never know.

[Monymony]

@AFCAT why do you think guys stuck around gor SDSU in 21?

[LilRockiesBobcat]

Of any of the guys in the last three years that have left in the portal, have any of them been full season starters and had the same impact at the new program? Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, only the money is.

Great question! Was thinking about that during the playoff run, especially when it was certain the Cats were going to the Natty. The guys that transferred out last year could have been a part of that, and may have made the difference between a win and a loss. We'll never know.

Watched Cal play not long ago. Both Rush Reimer and TJ Session were starting and played the entire game on the OL.

Omar was I think Honorable Mention All Conference in the Big 12 this past season.

Don't know much about how Jacob Kettels fared at Kennesaw State.

[AFCAT]

@AFCAT why do you think guys stuck around gor SDSU in 21?

You'd have to ask them. I'm sure there are a lot of reasons. I don't follow their team very closely or at all, really.

[Monymony]

@AFCAT why do you think guys stuck around gor SDSU in 21?

You'd have to ask them. I'm sure there are a lot of reasons. I don't follow their team very closely or at all, really.

For sure. Just seemed like thats one squad that stuck together during some tough losses.

[AFCAT]

@AFCAT why do you think guys stuck around gor SDSU in 21?

You'd have to ask them. I'm sure there are a lot of reasons. I don't follow their team very closely or at all, really.

For sure. Just seemed like thats one squad that stuck together during some tough losses.

I'm sure part of it was to win a championship, since SDSU got close previously. Once they won a single championship, they went for another, won it, and after the success, it appears they may have taken a step back. However, we'll only know for sure if SDSU has truly has taken a step back after next season.

[BelgradeBobcat]

We didn’t quite control the LOS the way I thought we would. I still think we need to get a bit better. The most frustrating thing is we need to find a way to keep big guys at our program. If we had Aigbedion, Valdez, etc. hard to not think we win, at least in the trenches. NDSU and SDSU have kept them around thanks to winning or having local kids. Seems like the Dakotas produce more big nasty kids than Montana imo. To finally get the big ring we need to find a way to keep some dudes around.

Not really, check the NDSU and SDSU rosters and see how many of their players actually come from those states, about half as many as on the Montana schools rosters. Part of those lower local kid roster numbers is because their states don't have large populations, but Montana State and um have more local talent on their rosters than the Dakota schools do. We also don't lose many local Montana players to bigger schools, it has been happening more and more lately, but it isn't a big issue. There is a reason why the Badlands bowl isn't played any more and that's because North Dakota players couldn't keep up with the Montana players.

True, I guess I was thinking more that region. Why do they keep so many guys around?

Culture of winning. They've been winning for decades and not just in the FCS, Div 2 as well. Heck, the Pearl won two Natties for them and he was one of the worst coaches I've ever seen. It doesn't appear to matter who the head coach is there. They could put Mornhinweg in charge and he'd take them to the natty and win
Money in facilities, training, food, etc.
Full cost of attendance certainly helps.
NIL. Apparently, they have some decent money to spend.
And finally, they've made some sort of a deal with the Devil that we don't know about.

Hard to imagine their ship sinking any time soon.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska each have one FBS school and no FCS scholarship schools (St. Thomas in Minneapolis is non-scholarship). I believe there's about 12 million people in those three states. NDSU and Fargo is the most cosmopolitan location for an FCS school in that region. Fargo is a big city with lots going on. NDSU has the fan support, money and facilities. Then you add Iowa and rural Illinois in that footprint means there are a lot of high school football players looking for a place to play. Add to that the German and Scandinavian ancestry of many people there (big boned kids) puts NDSU in the sweet spot. We need North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Northern Iowa to get better and take some of the kids NDSU is getting-but out of all those mentioned, NDSU and Fargo are pretty hard to beat. So yeah, they aren't going anywhere.

[GoCats18]

O-line needs a coach…..Jason McEndoo should’ve been the first phone call made. Get him back here and sign his kid as well.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

Of any of the guys in the last three years that have left in the portal, have any of them been full season starters and had the same impact at the new program? Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, only the money is.

Great question! Was thinking about that during the playoff run, especially when it was certain the Cats were going to the Natty. The guys that transferred out last year could have been a part of that, and may have made the difference between a win and a loss. We'll never know.

Watched Cal play not long ago. Both Rush Reimer and TJ Session were starting and played the entire game on the OL.

Omar was I think Honorable Mention All Conference in the Big 12 this past season.

Don't know much about how Jacob Kettels fared at Kennesaw State.

Kettles played 9 games and started 8, according to The Football Database