Starting 22

[Colter_Nuanez]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

What are your question marks for the defense?

I think the d-line should be solid but linebackers are fairly weak. Danny U, McCade, and Bullock are probably the top 3 but I’m not sure about behind them, I think I just miss Troy. I think the Bobcats defense needs to be very good if we want to win a National Championship.

If you or anyone is going to compare any MSU defenses to that of 2021, you will probably be let down. That was an elite defense that I may never see again in my lifetime.

It'll be interesting to see what the scheme is this year. My guess is Daly will change some things, but I honestly don't have a clue if that's the case. It just seems like MSU could've done better on defense than it has over the past three years. That includes '21 with Troy, Hardy, etc. Some teams throughout football (NFL, FBS, FCS, etc.) seem to be getting the most out their defensive players/scheme, while MSU does not.

The 2019 defense was better than the 2021 defense and the best defense of any Big Sky school we've ever covered. There was a 5-game stretch to close the season where that defense gave up three non-garbage time touchdowns and opponents averaged 9 non-garbage time first downs a game....When the Griz scored 14 in the 48-14 ass-whooping in Bozeman, that was actually the best offensive performance of the stretch run of the regular season by a Bobcat opponent

Bryce Sterk, Amandre Williams, Chase Benson, Jason Scrempos, Marcus Ferriter up front...Josh Hill, Nolan Askelson, sometimes Troy, an emerging Daniel Hardy, Callahan O'Reilly at LB....Brayden Konkol, Jaqhue Alleyne and JoJo Henderson the best safety trio since the Kane Ioane days....Munchie Filer, Tyrel Thomas, Jalen Cole, Gibson twins at corner...

Montana State has a few elite players on defense currently - namely Brody Grebe and Simeon Woodard — but who else from this Bobcat defense would start on the 2019 defense?

Is it safe to say the 19 defense and 21 (under Vigen) had “Choate aggression”? Seems like the defense now of days isn’t as nasty as I remember the Choate defense being very tough, physical, and angry. Would love to see more pressure and aggression.

To be fair, athletes like Sterk and Amandre Williams and probably Jahque Alleyne aren't coming to Montana State or the Big Sky or really the FCS anymore. Just wait until FBS teams start maximizing the removal of scholarship limits and start having 100+ guys on full rides...then those kind of transfer will almost never "drop down".

Konkol was a dog. That helped set the tone for a lot of the defense. And think about this...the 2019 team had two NFL draft picks on its roster....and the second-round pick (Andersen) was a spot defensive player....and the other (Hardy) was a backup until Troy got hurt.

[catscat]

Having watched both Bobby Daly and Jody Owens play, I believe they (and the rest of their supporting cast) will get the most out of this defense. I'm looking forward to a Gregorak to Ioane type turn around.

[VimSince03]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

I'll take a stab at it!

QB:
Tommy
Jordan Reed

RB:
Julius Davis
Humphrey / White

H-Back:
Rohan Jones

X:
Junior Alexander
Javonte King

Slot:
Taco Dowler
Jacob Trimble
?Jabez Woods?

Z:
Ty McCulloch
Aidan Garrigan

TE:
Ryan Lonergan
Hunter Provience

LT:
Connor Moore
Cedric Jefferson

LG:
JT Reed
Burke Mastel

C:
Justus Perkins
Zac Nyland

RG:
Cole Sain
Samora Ezekiel

RT:
Marcus Wehr
Titan Fleschmann
?Dylan Rollins?
----------------------------------
DE:
Brody Grebe
Hunter Parsons

DT:
Paul Brott / Zack Black
Alec Eckert

NT:
Blake Schmidt
Paul Brott / Zack Black

DE:
Kenneth Eiden
Zac Crews

LB:
McCade O'Reilly
Neil Daily

LB:
Danny U
Bryce Grebe / Cole Bullock / Ryan Bowles

N:
Caden Dowler
Miles Jackson

CB:
Jon Johnson
Takhari Carr / Kory Boyd / Jhase McMillian / Carson Williams

CB:
Simeon Woodard
Andrew Powdrell

FS:
Dru Polidore
Blake Stillwelll

SS:
Rylan Ortt
Tyson Pottenger

------------------
K:
Casey Kautzman / Brendan Hall

P:
Brendan Hall


-----------
Deep and experienced team - it should be a fun season.

Yeah this is the one.

[gtapp]

Will Eckert see time at DE?

[saintcat40]

@Colter_Nuanez
I am no football expert by any means, but our defense seemed like a completely different beast when Dru Polidore was healthy. Do you think he can be an elite defensive player for us?

[Monymony]

Will Eckert see time at DE?

I would be surprised if he played de, he is 270 and seems VERY strong based on videos in the weight room.

[gtapp]

Will Eckert see time at DE?

I would be surprised if he played de, he is 270 and seems VERY strong based on videos in the weight room.

I ask because I thought in his videos he played some DE at WSU.

[Helcat72]

I think they said Davis won't play until October, so Humphery will be the opening day starter at RB.

[bobcatbob]

I think they said Davis won't play until October, so Humphery will be the opening day starter at RB.

Keep an eye on Adam Jones. I think he will break out this season.

[catatac]

I think they said Davis won't play until October, so Humphery will be the opening day starter at RB.

What happened?

[luckyirishguy25]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

What are your question marks for the defense?

I think the d-line should be solid but linebackers are fairly weak. Danny U, McCade, and Bullock are probably the top 3 but I’m not sure about behind them, I think I just miss Troy. I think the Bobcats defense needs to be very good if we want to win a National Championship.

If you or anyone is going to compare any MSU defenses to that of 2021, you will probably be let down. That was an elite defense that I may never see again in my lifetime.

It'll be interesting to see what the scheme is this year. My guess is Daly will change some things, but I honestly don't have a clue if that's the case. It just seems like MSU could've done better on defense than it has over the past three years. That includes '21 with Troy, Hardy, etc. Some teams throughout football (NFL, FBS, FCS, etc.) seem to be getting the most out their defensive players/scheme, while MSU does not.

The 2019 defense was better than the 2021 defense and the best defense of any Big Sky school we've ever covered. There was a 5-game stretch to close the season where that defense gave up three non-garbage time touchdowns and opponents averaged 9 non-garbage time first downs a game....When the Griz scored 14 in the 48-14 ass-whooping in Bozeman, that was actually the best offensive performance of the stretch run of the regular season by a Bobcat opponent

Bryce Sterk, Amandre Williams, Chase Benson, Jason Scrempos, Marcus Ferriter up front...Josh Hill, Nolan Askelson, sometimes Troy, an emerging Daniel Hardy, Callahan O'Reilly at LB....Brayden Konkol, Jaqhue Alleyne and JoJo Henderson the best safety trio since the Kane Ioane days....Munchie Filer, Tyrel Thomas, Jalen Cole, Gibson twins at corner...

Montana State has a few elite players on defense currently - namely Brody Grebe and Simeon Woodard — but who else from this Bobcat defense would start on the 2019 defense?

Eiden. Crews has interesting potential, he probably wouldn't start but Chaote would have loved him.

[Helcat72]

I think they said Davis won't play until October, so Humphery will be the opening day starter at RB.

What happened?

I think he had some kind of surgery during spring ball. Vigen said he wouldn't be ready until mid season.

[Colter_Nuanez]

@Colter_Nuanez
I am no football expert by any means, but our defense seemed like a completely different beast when Dru Polidore was healthy. Do you think he can be an elite defensive player for us?

No question....in this scheme, the Nickel and the Free safety are both so essential. Teams that attacked the FS in the run fit - like the Griz attacked Jeffery Manning in the 2021 Cat-Griz game....have exploited the defense.

If you have a sure-tackling, good-to-great cover nickel like Ty Okada (tall task, he's an NFL guy for a reason), and you have a real true rangy center fielder FS in the current MSU defense who also can come up and hit, like Polidore, that is a huge part of the scheme being sound.

[Colter_Nuanez]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

What are your question marks for the defense?

I think the d-line should be solid but linebackers are fairly weak. Danny U, McCade, and Bullock are probably the top 3 but I’m not sure about behind them, I think I just miss Troy. I think the Bobcats defense needs to be very good if we want to win a National Championship.

If you or anyone is going to compare any MSU defenses to that of 2021, you will probably be let down. That was an elite defense that I may never see again in my lifetime.

It'll be interesting to see what the scheme is this year. My guess is Daly will change some things, but I honestly don't have a clue if that's the case. It just seems like MSU could've done better on defense than it has over the past three years. That includes '21 with Troy, Hardy, etc. Some teams throughout football (NFL, FBS, FCS, etc.) seem to be getting the most out their defensive players/scheme, while MSU does not.

The 2019 defense was better than the 2021 defense and the best defense of any Big Sky school we've ever covered. There was a 5-game stretch to close the season where that defense gave up three non-garbage time touchdowns and opponents averaged 9 non-garbage time first downs a game....When the Griz scored 14 in the 48-14 ass-whooping in Bozeman, that was actually the best offensive performance of the stretch run of the regular season by a Bobcat opponent

Bryce Sterk, Amandre Williams, Chase Benson, Jason Scrempos, Marcus Ferriter up front...Josh Hill, Nolan Askelson, sometimes Troy, an emerging Daniel Hardy, Callahan O'Reilly at LB....Brayden Konkol, Jaqhue Alleyne and JoJo Henderson the best safety trio since the Kane Ioane days....Munchie Filer, Tyrel Thomas, Jalen Cole, Gibson twins at corner...

Montana State has a few elite players on defense currently - namely Brody Grebe and Simeon Woodard — but who else from this Bobcat defense would start on the 2019 defense?

Eiden. Crews has interesting potential, he probably wouldn't start but Chaote would have loved him.

How could I forget those two....Eiden would play in basically any scheme. He's a workhorse, a dawg and has been ultra-productive every second of his football career since his sophomore year of high school. And he LOVES being a Bobcat, means the world to him.

Choate would have FOR SURE loved Zac Crews. He's such a stud. He is the best athlete I've covered at the high school level in the post-pandemic era. Obviously had giant speed bumps, most of which he built himself, but he is primed for a massive year. He's a top level athlete for the FCS.

[BroncoCat]

@Colter_Nuanez
I am no football expert by any means, but our defense seemed like a completely different beast when Dru Polidore was healthy. Do you think he can be an elite defensive player for us?

No question....in this scheme, the Nickel and the Free safety are both so essential. Teams that attacked the FS in the run fit - like the Griz attacked Jeffery Manning in the 2021 Cat-Griz game....have exploited the defense.

If you have a sure-tackling, good-to-great cover nickel like Ty Okada (tall task, he's an NFL guy for a reason), and you have a real true rangy center fielder FS in the current MSU defense who also can come up and hit, like Polidore, that is a huge part of the scheme being sound.

Manning started and played in 2022 demolition of the gris. Just for argument sake.

[Cataholic]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

What are your question marks for the defense?

I think the d-line should be solid but linebackers are fairly weak. Danny U, McCade, and Bullock are probably the top 3 but I’m not sure about behind them, I think I just miss Troy. I think the Bobcats defense needs to be very good if we want to win a National Championship.

If you or anyone is going to compare any MSU defenses to that of 2021, you will probably be let down. That was an elite defense that I may never see again in my lifetime.

It'll be interesting to see what the scheme is this year. My guess is Daly will change some things, but I honestly don't have a clue if that's the case. It just seems like MSU could've done better on defense than it has over the past three years. That includes '21 with Troy, Hardy, etc. Some teams throughout football (NFL, FBS, FCS, etc.) seem to be getting the most out their defensive players/scheme, while MSU does not.

The 2019 defense was better than the 2021 defense and the best defense of any Big Sky school we've ever covered. There was a 5-game stretch to close the season where that defense gave up three non-garbage time touchdowns and opponents averaged 9 non-garbage time first downs a game....When the Griz scored 14 in the 48-14 ass-whooping in Bozeman, that was actually the best offensive performance of the stretch run of the regular season by a Bobcat opponent

Bryce Sterk, Amandre Williams, Chase Benson, Jason Scrempos, Marcus Ferriter up front...Josh Hill, Nolan Askelson, sometimes Troy, an emerging Daniel Hardy, Callahan O'Reilly at LB....Brayden Konkol, Jaqhue Alleyne and JoJo Henderson the best safety trio since the Kane Ioane days....Munchie Filer, Tyrel Thomas, Jalen Cole, Gibson twins at corner...

Montana State has a few elite players on defense currently - namely Brody Grebe and Simeon Woodard — but who else from this Bobcat defense would start on the 2019 defense?

Is it safe to say the 19 defense and 21 (under Vigen) had “Choate aggression”? Seems like the defense now of days isn’t as nasty as I remember the Choate defense being very tough, physical, and angry. Would love to see more pressure and aggression.

To be fair, athletes like Sterk and Amandre Williams and probably Jahque Alleyne aren't coming to Montana State or the Big Sky or really the FCS anymore. Just wait until FBS teams start maximizing the removal of scholarship limits and start having 100+ guys on full rides...then those kind of transfer will almost never "drop down".

Konkol was a dog. That helped set the tone for a lot of the defense. And think about this...the 2019 team had two NFL draft picks on its roster....and the second-round pick (Andersen) was a spot defensive player....and the other (Hardy) was a backup until Troy got hurt.

And 2019 also had Ty Okada who contributed heavily toward the end of the season.

[TomCat88]

Personally, I think Polidore is the best (most impactful, at least) player on the defense. Seems like he has a nose for the game to go along with his physical makeup.

The best defensive game I saw MSU play in ages was at So. Dakota State. That carried the Weber State game, but things began to slowly unravel after that likely due to a combination of teams figuring MSU out and injuries. I think the start of 2023 is reason for optimism for MSU in 2024. If they can sustain that for a season, then they'll be in good shape. Last year I thought the depth was good but I'm not so sure if I was correct about that because the pass defense really dropped off late in the year vs some lackluster passing offenses. Could've just been a confidence thing or a scheme thing, I really have no idea but there was a clear drop off.

The 2019 defense was very good overall, but the pass defense wasn't great.

[catatac]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

I'll take a stab at it!

QB:
Tommy
Jordan Reed

RB:
Julius Davis
Humphrey / White

H-Back:
Rohan Jones

X:
Junior Alexander
Javonte King

Slot:
Taco Dowler
Jacob Trimble
?Jabez Woods?

Z:
Ty McCulloch
Aidan Garrigan

TE:
Ryan Lonergan
Hunter Provience

LT:
Connor Moore
Cedric Jefferson

LG:
JT Reed
Burke Mastel

C:
Justus Perkins
Zac Nyland

RG:
Cole Sain
Samora Ezekiel

RT:
Marcus Wehr
Titan Fleschmann
?Dylan Rollins?
----------------------------------
DE:
Brody Grebe
Hunter Parsons

DT:
Paul Brott / Zack Black
Alec Eckert

NT:
Blake Schmidt
Paul Brott / Zack Black

DE:
Kenneth Eiden
Zac Crews

LB:
McCade O'Reilly
Neil Daily

LB:
Danny U
Bryce Grebe / Cole Bullock / Ryan Bowles

N:
Caden Dowler
Miles Jackson

CB:
Jon Johnson
Takhari Carr / Kory Boyd / Jhase McMillian / Carson Williams

CB:
Simeon Woodard
Andrew Powdrell

FS:
Dru Polidore
Blake Stillwelll

SS:
Rylan Ortt
Tyson Pottenger

------------------
K:
Casey Kautzman / Brendan Hall

P:
Brendan Hall


-----------
Deep and experienced team - it should be a fun season.

Regarding LB... somebody said there was a concern there but man I don't see it. Maybe VIM or someone can weigh on here. I see Danny and McCade O damn solid and locking down starting positions. Although, I know we like to rotate in and I'd say Daily and Bullock are next in, but as you mention - there are others. Additional LBs currently on the roster are Ryan Bowles, Bryce Grebe, Cole Taylor, Ryan Krahe (Heard he started shining in spring camp), Zac Waible. Seems like plenty of players for two LB positions.

[Cataholic]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

I'll take a stab at it!

QB:
Tommy
Jordan Reed

RB:
Julius Davis
Humphrey / White

H-Back:
Rohan Jones

X:
Junior Alexander
Javonte King

Slot:
Taco Dowler
Jacob Trimble
?Jabez Woods?

Z:
Ty McCulloch
Aidan Garrigan

TE:
Ryan Lonergan
Hunter Provience

LT:
Connor Moore
Cedric Jefferson

LG:
JT Reed
Burke Mastel

C:
Justus Perkins
Zac Nyland

RG:
Cole Sain
Samora Ezekiel

RT:
Marcus Wehr
Titan Fleschmann
?Dylan Rollins?
----------------------------------
DE:
Brody Grebe
Hunter Parsons

DT:
Paul Brott / Zack Black
Alec Eckert

NT:
Blake Schmidt
Paul Brott / Zack Black

DE:
Kenneth Eiden
Zac Crews

LB:
McCade O'Reilly
Neil Daily

LB:
Danny U
Bryce Grebe / Cole Bullock / Ryan Bowles

N:
Caden Dowler
Miles Jackson

CB:
Jon Johnson
Takhari Carr / Kory Boyd / Jhase McMillian / Carson Williams

CB:
Simeon Woodard
Andrew Powdrell

FS:
Dru Polidore
Blake Stillwelll

SS:
Rylan Ortt
Tyson Pottenger

------------------
K:
Casey Kautzman / Brendan Hall

P:
Brendan Hall


-----------
Deep and experienced team - it should be a fun season.

Regarding LB... somebody said there was a concern there but man I don't see it. Maybe VIM or someone can weigh on here. I see Danny and McCade O damn solid and locking down starting positions. Although, I know we like to rotate in and I'd say Daily and Bullock are next in, but as you mention - there are others. Additional LBs currently on the roster are Ryan Bowles, Bryce Grebe, Cole Taylor, Ryan Krahe (Heard he started shining in spring camp), Zac Waible. Seems like plenty of players for two LB positions.

Agreed completely. Daily is still trying to get healthy, but we still have lots of talent at LB.

[luckyirishguy25]

Personally, I think Polidore is the best (most impactful, at least) player on the defense. Seems like he has a nose for the game to go along with his physical makeup.

The best defensive game I saw MSU play in ages was at So. Dakota State. That carried the Weber State game, but things began to slowly unravel after that likely due to a combination of teams figuring MSU out and injuries. I think the start of 2023 is reason for optimism for MSU in 2024. If they can sustain that for a season, then they'll be in good shape. Last year I thought the depth was good but I'm not so sure if I was correct about that because the pass defense really dropped off late in the year vs some lackluster passing offenses. Could've just been a confidence thing or a scheme thing, I really have no idea but there was a clear drop off.

The 2019 defense was very good overall, but the pass defense wasn't great.

I think the reason Polidore important and impactful on our defense is the drop-off of talent behind him. Caden played well until he got hurt, once Dru and Caden were both out.... ouch.

If there's any shoring up to be done to the defense, it's in the Secondary. I think we could use more depth at linebacker too