Pro Day and Draft Prospects

[technoCat]

How many of you didn't think we had a chance after Troy was drafted? And we got beat bad in that Natty. But guess what. We were back last year and should have won had we called a better game offensively in the first half. We could beat that NDSU time 7 or 8 times out of 10. I firmly believe that.

Listen to Colter and Andrew H talk on ESPN Missoula. Colter would take our qb room any day over the griz. The sky is not falling. And it's a bigger sky than in Fargo north Dakota.

But we didn't beat them. And it took 3 years to get back. They are in the mix every year. They seem to always win the 3/10 matchup and that's the difference...

Wow. 3 big years. Outside of 2 programs right now, every other FCS school would absolutely love that. And you're right they do win the matchup but we were closer to winning last year. So next time we win. And then we win again.

Look, I get what you're saying but I don't think "well we could have won, we'll get them next time" is the mantra that's going to get us over the hump. And yes, 3 years is a long time. Could turn in to 37 in no time, ask the 84 team.

[MSU01]

And I’m not enough of a spoiled fan yet to just assume we have another Tommy, like we did after Troy left. Maybe we do. I’d love to keep producing top level NFL athletes from Montana every few years here, but that was an anomaly. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure. Bottom line, we had a special team with a special chance to win, and didn’t. I hope the next special team is around the corner, but it may be further than we’d all like.

Nobody is saying that MSU has another Tommy, because they never will. To me it's very easy to be optimistic about the future of the MSU program because we've seen how Coach Vigen is building the program and we've seen the results of that program building process pay off. The championship game last year was a huge opportunity that slipped away and I'm sure none of us will forget that disappointment for a long time, but at the same time the history of sports is full of teams that used that disappointment as motivation to be even better the next time. I fully expect MSU to be back in Frisco...er, Nashville within the next 2-3 years because I think the program has been built up to the level that we can expect them to be in contention for a top playoff seed every year even as the players and coaches change year to year. Maybe I'm wrong and MSU just missed its only chance to win a National Championship, but I don't think I am. Especially with how watered down the FCS division has become over the past decade or so.

[Cataholic]

How many of you didn't think we had a chance after Troy was drafted? And we got beat bad in that Natty. But guess what. We were back last year and should have won had we called a better game offensively in the first half. We could beat that NDSU time 7 or 8 times out of 10. I firmly believe that.

Listen to Colter and Andrew H talk on ESPN Missoula. Colter would take our qb room any day over the griz. The sky is not falling. And it's a bigger sky than in Fargo north Dakota.

But we didn't beat them. And it took 3 years to get back. They are in the mix every year. They seem to always win the 3/10 matchup and that's the difference...

Wow. 3 big years. Outside of 2 programs right now, every other FCS school would absolutely love that. And you're right they do win the matchup but we were closer to winning last year. So next time we win. And then we win again.

Look, I get what you're saying but I don't think "well we could have won, we'll get them next time" is the mantra that's going to get us over the hump. And yes, 3 years is a long time. Could turn in to 37 in no time, ask the 84 team.

SDSU playoff record the years preceding their first national championship is almost identical to our last four years.

[Cataholic]

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer about our chances against NDSU, but if they can keep their offensive lineman from transferring out, which is obviously the case, and they can recruit based on their NFL draft record from that position group, they are going to be hard to ever get past. They had an OL go in the first-round tonight. Incredible. Meanwhile, we get picked apart by the big money vendors at the drop of a hat. Beyond frustrating.

I think that’s a huge part of it. Until we have a comparable ability to retain, we will forever be fighting uphill.

NDSU just lost three guys to the spring portal. One was A freshman all American and the other was all conference. They are not immune to the portal.

[JoeCatsJoe]

And I’m not enough of a spoiled fan yet to just assume we have another Tommy, like we did after Troy left. Maybe we do. I’d love to keep producing top level NFL athletes from Montana every few years here, but that was an anomaly. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure. Bottom line, we had a special team with a special chance to win, and didn’t. I hope the next special team is around the corner, but it may be further than we’d all like.

I think what we’re going to find is that what we consider a special team is going to become more normal. It almost already has. The semifinals are more of an expectation than a dream, even if we haven’t noticed it yet, it’s true.

Tommy is/was great. He could be nearly impossible to replicate. But the strength of this team is the line play. Now the OL may take a step back, but will still be very good. The DL will be elite. We’re fast, physical, fundamental, and I don’t think recruiting has ever been better. Losing Tommy will hurt, more emotionally than on the field I think, but it’s not like this is the end of good teams or players. In fact, I think one could argue that a more effective passing game that’s an actual threat to defenses results in a better overall team. We’ll see. One thing I know for certain though…MSU isn’t going anywhere. They’ll be championship contenders every year.

I suppose I’m thinking less from an “are we going to be good?” perspective, and more of a “can we catch up with NDSU?” perspective. No doubt, we are final 4 or bust every year, because we have no excuse not to be. And hey, you’re probably right. That loss might not sting for as long as I think it might. But to say that special like last year is going to be the new normal is a bridge too far for me right now.

[JoeCatsJoe]

And I’m not enough of a spoiled fan yet to just assume we have another Tommy, like we did after Troy left. Maybe we do. I’d love to keep producing top level NFL athletes from Montana every few years here, but that was an anomaly. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure. Bottom line, we had a special team with a special chance to win, and didn’t. I hope the next special team is around the corner, but it may be further than we’d all like.

Nobody is saying that MSU has another Tommy, because they never will. To me it's very easy to be optimistic about the future of the MSU program because we've seen how Coach Vigen is building the program and we've seen the results of that program building process pay off. The championship game last year was a huge opportunity that slipped away and I'm sure none of us will forget that disappointment for a long time, but at the same time the history of sports is full of teams that used that disappointment as motivation to be even better the next time. I fully expect MSU to be back in Frisco...er, Nashville within the next 2-3 years because I think the program has been built up to the level that we can expect them to be in contention for a top playoff seed every year even as the players and coaches change year to year. Maybe I'm wrong and MSU just missed its only chance to win a National Championship, but I don't think I am. Especially with how watered down the FCS division has become over the past decade or so.

I’ll try and adopt your position moving forward. It has been nothing but upward trajectory for MSU, so you make a good case. Rare teams becoming more common is hard for me to totally buy at this point. But obviously, it’s within our capacity to get there.

[JoeCatsJoe]

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer about our chances against NDSU, but if they can keep their offensive lineman from transferring out, which is obviously the case, and they can recruit based on their NFL draft record from that position group, they are going to be hard to ever get past. They had an OL go in the first-round tonight. Incredible. Meanwhile, we get picked apart by the big money vendors at the drop of a hat. Beyond frustrating.

I think that’s a huge part of it. Until we have a comparable ability to retain, we will forever be fighting uphill.

NDSU just lost three guys to the spring portal. One was A freshman all American and the other was all conference. They are not immune to the portal.

I saw the RB, but I didn’t see anyone else. Thanks for the more updated information. In my humble opinion, what we lost this year still dwarfs losing what they seem to have lost. Just my opinion tho.

[Cataholic]

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer about our chances against NDSU, but if they can keep their offensive lineman from transferring out, which is obviously the case, and they can recruit based on their NFL draft record from that position group, they are going to be hard to ever get past. They had an OL go in the first-round tonight. Incredible. Meanwhile, we get picked apart by the big money vendors at the drop of a hat. Beyond frustrating.

I think that’s a huge part of it. Until we have a comparable ability to retain, we will forever be fighting uphill.

NDSU just lost three guys to the spring portal. One was A freshman all American and the other was all conference. They are not immune to the portal.

I saw the RB, but I didn’t see anyone else. Thanks for the more updated information. In my humble opinion, what we lost this year still dwarfs losing what they seem to have lost. Just my opinion tho.

You are probably right, but the Freshman RB was the national freshman of the year. The all conference player was DL and expected to be a big part of their future. They also lost a first team all American at safety in the early portal. My only point is that all teams are getting impacted by the portal - including NDSU. I really don’t think we are that far bar behind them, and we are clearly one of the top 4 FCS programs in the country. That puts us in a very enviable position. We are going to get plenty of the best dropdowns, like Lamson. We will also get some of the best high school prospects being overlooked by FBS programs that are focused on adding by the portal.

[TomCat88]

Just curious what the pro day numbers were for Cam Miller?

Thanks

Also, was a little surprised at Bergens pro day.

32" vertical
9'03' Broad
4.82 40
4.32 shuttle

He only measured 6007 (thats under 6'1") and RAS was 6.09 (not great)

These for a QB are not a death nail due to the position but when your a fringe prospect they most certainly don't help.

The guy is a complete mystery to me. How he could play so poorly at MSU in 2023, then play so well in the title game is still hard for me to grasp.

[BelligerentBobcat]

And I’m not enough of a spoiled fan yet to just assume we have another Tommy, like we did after Troy left. Maybe we do. I’d love to keep producing top level NFL athletes from Montana every few years here, but that was an anomaly. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure. Bottom line, we had a special team with a special chance to win, and didn’t. I hope the next special team is around the corner, but it may be further than we’d all like.

I think what we’re going to find is that what we consider a special team is going to become more normal. It almost already has. The semifinals are more of an expectation than a dream, even if we haven’t noticed it yet, it’s true.

Tommy is/was great. He could be nearly impossible to replicate. But the strength of this team is the line play. Now the OL may take a step back, but will still be very good. The DL will be elite. We’re fast, physical, fundamental, and I don’t think recruiting has ever been better. Losing Tommy will hurt, more emotionally than on the field I think, but it’s not like this is the end of good teams or players. In fact, I think one could argue that a more effective passing game that’s an actual threat to defenses results in a better overall team. We’ll see. One thing I know for certain though…MSU isn’t going anywhere. They’ll be championship contenders every year.

I suppose I’m thinking less from an “are we going to be good?” perspective, and more of a “can we catch up with NDSU?” perspective. No doubt, we are final 4 or bust every year, because we have no excuse not to be. And hey, you’re probably right. That loss might not sting for as long as I think it might. But to say that special like last year is going to be the new normal is a bridge too far for me right now.

I’m saying this while understanding that we just lost to them, but I’m not certain we’re in a “catch up” phase with them. We’re just as good as they are.

[JoeCatsJoe]

And I’m not enough of a spoiled fan yet to just assume we have another Tommy, like we did after Troy left. Maybe we do. I’d love to keep producing top level NFL athletes from Montana every few years here, but that was an anomaly. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure. Bottom line, we had a special team with a special chance to win, and didn’t. I hope the next special team is around the corner, but it may be further than we’d all like.

I think what we’re going to find is that what we consider a special team is going to become more normal. It almost already has. The semifinals are more of an expectation than a dream, even if we haven’t noticed it yet, it’s true.

Tommy is/was great. He could be nearly impossible to replicate. But the strength of this team is the line play. Now the OL may take a step back, but will still be very good. The DL will be elite. We’re fast, physical, fundamental, and I don’t think recruiting has ever been better. Losing Tommy will hurt, more emotionally than on the field I think, but it’s not like this is the end of good teams or players. In fact, I think one could argue that a more effective passing game that’s an actual threat to defenses results in a better overall team. We’ll see. One thing I know for certain though…MSU isn’t going anywhere. They’ll be championship contenders every year.

I suppose I’m thinking less from an “are we going to be good?” perspective, and more of a “can we catch up with NDSU?” perspective. No doubt, we are final 4 or bust every year, because we have no excuse not to be. And hey, you’re probably right. That loss might not sting for as long as I think it might. But to say that special like last year is going to be the new normal is a bridge too far for me right now.

I’m saying this while understanding that we just lost to them, but I’m not certain we’re in a “catch up” phase with them. We’re just as good as they are.

I’ll respectfully disagree there. I think we are behind them, first of all cuz we haven’t beaten them yet in a big stage. Hard in my mind to make the argument that you are as good as a team that beats you every single time. In fact, that’s an impossible case. However, clearly, we are nipping at their heels.

[JoeCatsJoe]

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer about our chances against NDSU, but if they can keep their offensive lineman from transferring out, which is obviously the case, and they can recruit based on their NFL draft record from that position group, they are going to be hard to ever get past. They had an OL go in the first-round tonight. Incredible. Meanwhile, we get picked apart by the big money vendors at the drop of a hat. Beyond frustrating.

I think that’s a huge part of it. Until we have a comparable ability to retain, we will forever be fighting uphill.

NDSU just lost three guys to the spring portal. One was A freshman all American and the other was all conference. They are not immune to the portal.

I saw the RB, but I didn’t see anyone else. Thanks for the more updated information. In my humble opinion, what we lost this year still dwarfs losing what they seem to have lost. Just my opinion tho.

You are probably right, but the Freshman RB was the national freshman of the year. The all conference player was DL and expected to be a big part of their future. They also lost a first team all American at safety in the early portal. My only point is that all teams are getting impacted by the portal - including NDSU. I really don’t think we are that far bar behind them, and we are clearly one of the top 4 FCS programs in the country. That puts us in a very enviable position. We are going to get plenty of the best dropdowns, like Lamson. We will also get some of the best high school prospects being overlooked by FBS programs that are focused on adding by the portal.

Maybe you’re right about us not being as far behind in the portal. No doubt, we are in a great position compared to most teams. But it does feel like, to me, they retain better than we do. That’s subjective, however.

[MSU01]

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer about our chances against NDSU, but if they can keep their offensive lineman from transferring out, which is obviously the case, and they can recruit based on their NFL draft record from that position group, they are going to be hard to ever get past. They had an OL go in the first-round tonight. Incredible. Meanwhile, we get picked apart by the big money vendors at the drop of a hat. Beyond frustrating.

I think that’s a huge part of it. Until we have a comparable ability to retain, we will forever be fighting uphill.

NDSU just lost three guys to the spring portal. One was A freshman all American and the other was all conference. They are not immune to the portal.

I saw the RB, but I didn’t see anyone else. Thanks for the more updated information. In my humble opinion, what we lost this year still dwarfs losing what they seem to have lost. Just my opinion tho.

You are probably right, but the Freshman RB was the national freshman of the year. The all conference player was DL and expected to be a big part of their future. They also lost a first team all American at safety in the early portal. My only point is that all teams are getting impacted by the portal - including NDSU. I really don’t think we are that far bar behind them, and we are clearly one of the top 4 FCS programs in the country. That puts us in a very enviable position. We are going to get plenty of the best dropdowns, like Lamson. We will also get some of the best high school prospects being overlooked by FBS programs that are focused on adding by the portal.

Maybe you’re right about us not being as far behind in the portal. No doubt, we are in a great position compared to most teams. But it does feel like, to me, they retain better than we do. That’s subjective, however.

That's not subjective, it's an objective fact that NDSU has been more successful at retaining its players than MSU or pretty much any other FCS team.

[catatac]

I don’t like being a Debbie Downer, but man we farted away an excellent chance to win a championship. That was definitely a more beatable NDSU championship team than some of their previous teams. And that was the most talented MSU team possibly ever. If we can’t win that one, that makes me a lot less optimistic that we can beat them in the future. I can’t help but have a foreboding feeling that in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years I’ll look back on this past season with a wistful shake of my head. I hope so much that’s not the case, but that felt like the chance to tug on Superman’s cape. NDSU’s momentum is far from slowing down, as shown by how much better, at least to my eyes, they kept their top players. That felt like the closest we will be in a long time. I’d absolutely love to be wrong. But that game will haunt me till we get over the hump, which might be awhile.

Yep, 100% how I feel. I don't mean to pile on with the "Debbie Downer" attitude but come Fall, I will see what the bets look like but I will probably put money down on NDSU and\or SDSU against the field to win it all again. Most likely NDSU, will win it all again.

I'll bet you $100 right now that SDSU doesn't make it to Nashville. Did you see how many of their team transferred out after the coach left?

I dunno, remember when they graduated THIRTY FOUR seniors, bunch of starters, and didn't skip a beat? No bet here though. They have built a kick ass PROGRAM, just like NDSU, and yes... so has MSU. I firmly believe the Cats will consistently go deep into the playoffs, and can make it to the title game regularly, I just think actually winning that game is the monstrous challenge that we haven't been able to do yet... for the several reasons mentioned in this thread. I'm an optimist though, and hopefully we make it to Nashville, and whichever DSU we play, and maybe their starting QB has to leave the game during the first possession.

[catgrad05]

I don’t like being a Debbie Downer, but man we farted away an excellent chance to win a championship. That was definitely a more beatable NDSU championship team than some of their previous teams. And that was the most talented MSU team possibly ever. If we can’t win that one, that makes me a lot less optimistic that we can beat them in the future. I can’t help but have a foreboding feeling that in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years I’ll look back on this past season with a wistful shake of my head. I hope so much that’s not the case, but that felt like the chance to tug on Superman’s cape. NDSU’s momentum is far from slowing down, as shown by how much better, at least to my eyes, they kept their top players. That felt like the closest we will be in a long time. I’d absolutely love to be wrong. But that game will haunt me till we get over the hump, which might be awhile.

Yep, 100% how I feel. I don't mean to pile on with the "Debbie Downer" attitude but come Fall, I will see what the bets look like but I will probably put money down on NDSU and\or SDSU against the field to win it all again. Most likely NDSU, will win it all again.

I'll bet you $100 right now that SDSU doesn't make it to Nashville. Did you see how many of their team transferred out after the coach left?

I dunno, remember when they graduated THIRTY FOUR seniors, bunch of starters, and didn't skip a beat? No bet here though. They have built a kick ass PROGRAM, just like NDSU, and yes... so has MSU. I firmly believe the Cats will consistently go deep into the playoffs, and can make it to the title game regularly, I just think actually winning that game is the monstrous challenge that we haven't been able to do yet... for the several reasons mentioned in this thread. I'm an optimist though, and hopefully we make it to Nashville, and whichever DSU we play, and maybe their starting QB has to leave the game during the first possession.

NDSU basically has home field advantage in Frisco. Getting them in Nashville would have been a win this past game. If we reload like some think we can. We will give them a hell of a game on a true neutral field

[CodyCat]

I don’t like being a Debbie Downer, but man we farted away an excellent chance to win a championship. That was definitely a more beatable NDSU championship team than some of their previous teams. And that was the most talented MSU team possibly ever. If we can’t win that one, that makes me a lot less optimistic that we can beat them in the future. I can’t help but have a foreboding feeling that in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years I’ll look back on this past season with a wistful shake of my head. I hope so much that’s not the case, but that felt like the chance to tug on Superman’s cape. NDSU’s momentum is far from slowing down, as shown by how much better, at least to my eyes, they kept their top players. That felt like the closest we will be in a long time. I’d absolutely love to be wrong. But that game will haunt me till we get over the hump, which might be awhile.

Yep, 100% how I feel. I don't mean to pile on with the "Debbie Downer" attitude but come Fall, I will see what the bets look like but I will probably put money down on NDSU and\or SDSU against the field to win it all again. Most likely NDSU, will win it all again.

I'll bet you $100 right now that SDSU doesn't make it to Nashville. Did you see how many of their team transferred out after the coach left?

I dunno, remember when they graduated THIRTY FOUR seniors, bunch of starters, and didn't skip a beat? No bet here though. They have built a kick ass PROGRAM, just like NDSU, and yes... so has MSU. I firmly believe the Cats will consistently go deep into the playoffs, and can make it to the title game regularly, I just think actually winning that game is the monstrous challenge that we haven't been able to do yet... for the several reasons mentioned in this thread. I'm an optimist though, and hopefully we make it to Nashville, and whichever DSU we play, and maybe their starting QB has to leave the game during the first possession.

NDSU basically has home field advantage in Frisco. Getting them in Nashville would have been a win this past game. If we reload like some think we can. We will give them a hell of a game on a true neutral field

It was nearly 70% Bobcat fans. We had the home field. As far as SDSU, I don’t think yall understand how much they were gutted. But, I think long term the coach they got will be better. So, it won’t take long.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

I don’t like being a Debbie Downer, but man we farted away an excellent chance to win a championship. That was definitely a more beatable NDSU championship team than some of their previous teams. And that was the most talented MSU team possibly ever. If we can’t win that one, that makes me a lot less optimistic that we can beat them in the future. I can’t help but have a foreboding feeling that in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years I’ll look back on this past season with a wistful shake of my head. I hope so much that’s not the case, but that felt like the chance to tug on Superman’s cape. NDSU’s momentum is far from slowing down, as shown by how much better, at least to my eyes, they kept their top players. That felt like the closest we will be in a long time. I’d absolutely love to be wrong. But that game will haunt me till we get over the hump, which might be awhile.

Yep, 100% how I feel. I don't mean to pile on with the "Debbie Downer" attitude but come Fall, I will see what the bets look like but I will probably put money down on NDSU and\or SDSU against the field to win it all again. Most likely NDSU, will win it all again.

I'll bet you $100 right now that SDSU doesn't make it to Nashville. Did you see how many of their team transferred out after the coach left?

I dunno, remember when they graduated THIRTY FOUR seniors, bunch of starters, and didn't skip a beat? No bet here though. They have built a kick ass PROGRAM, just like NDSU, and yes... so has MSU. I firmly believe the Cats will consistently go deep into the playoffs, and can make it to the title game regularly, I just think actually winning that game is the monstrous challenge that we haven't been able to do yet... for the several reasons mentioned in this thread. I'm an optimist though, and hopefully we make it to Nashville, and whichever DSU we play, and maybe their starting QB has to leave the game during the first possession.

NDSU basically has home field advantage in Frisco. Getting them in Nashville would have been a win this past game. If we reload like some think we can. We will give them a hell of a game on a true neutral field

It was nearly 70% Bobcat fans. We had the home field. As far as SDSU, I don’t think yall understand how much they were gutted. But, I think long term the coach they got will be better. So, it won’t take long.

Yeah we had the bigger fan base this last one. The first one, not so much. It’s always a blast seeing so many bobcat fans in Texas, makes a guy feel good.

[MSU01]

Could Tommy Mellott be drafted before Shedeur Sanders?

[kcatz]

Could Tommy Mellott be drafted before Shedeur Sanders?

That would be something....

Plus my boss is a huge Neon Deion fan and lives in Denver so he is now a Colorado fan

[coloradocat]

Could Tommy Mellott be drafted before Shedeur Sanders?

Looks like they'll both be selected on the same day at the very least.