BOZEMAN — With the release of Montana State’s preliminary depth chart leading up to the Bobcats’ season opener Saturday at Washington State, a few striking changes had been made, at least to those who observed fall camp.
Josh Hill, Montana State’s starter at Will linebacker for all 11 games last season, is no listed as the starter at Mike linebacker. Brayden Konkol, MSU’s starting strong safety for the second half of a standout redshirt freshman year, is now listed as the starter at Will linebacker.
Senior Lukas McCarthy, MSU’s starting Mike for the duration of fall camp, is not listed on the depth chart anywhere.
“Lukas McCarthy had a non-football related injury and unfortunately it’s going to require surgery,” Montana State second-year head coach Jeff Choate said during his news conference on Monday. “Unfortunately, it’s going to require surgery. I believe it’s probably going to end his career.
“Per our university policy, I can’t comment on an individual’s specific medical condition but it’s very unfortunate. We will rally around and put the next guy up.”
“We found out about it on Saturday. He’s a guy who had some ability for us and had progressed himself into a good spot at that rotation at linebacker. But at the same token, time to move on.”
Montana State sophomore Keon Stephens is no longer on MSU’s roster
Sophomore wide receiver Keon Stephens, a starter for part of last season, was removed from the roster on Tuesday morning. Montana State offered no confirmation McCarthy’s injury and Stephens’ removal were related.
“It’s kind of like any other guys who have left the program: I don’t really comment on them,” Choate said during the Big Sky Conference coaches’ teleconference on Tuesday morning.
Montana State opens its 2017 season at No. 24 Washington State. Mike Leach’s famed ‘Air Raid’ offense led the Pac 12 in passing yards a year ago. The Cougars return Heisman Trophy candidate Luke Falk for his third year as the starter under center.
Because of Wazzu’s prolific passing offense, McCarthy, a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder, might have seen limited reps in the specific matchup, Choate said. Finding a way to get Konkol, senior captain strong safety Bryson McCabe and sophomore free safety JoJo Henderson on the field simultaneously is a priority.
“If you look at the depth chart, one of the things we’ve done is we’ve moved Brayden Konkol to a linebacker position,” Choate said. “That probably would’ve been the case this week regardless of the situation. It was something we were thinking about going with game plan-wise against Coach Leach’s Air Raid offense.”
“A lot of it might be game-plan specific. I don’t know if you will see this game in and game out moving forward…The depth we have at safety with JoJo’s emergence, McCabe and Khari, we felt this was a way to help us in terms of the specific nature of this game plan. But we also have to address the issue that we’ve lost a guy at that position.”
Konkol is a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Belgrade. He played Sam linebacker at times during fall camp and spring drills in Choate’s first year at the helm. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Hill has taken a good number of reps at Mike during the off-season as well. Choate said he and defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak consider MSU’s Mike and Will inside linebacker spots “interchangeable.”
MSU offensive lineman Jake McFetridge (67)
Other noticeable developments on MSU’s first depth chart included the solidification of sophomore Jake McFetridge and senior Caleb Gillis as MSU’s starting left and right guards, respectively. McFetridge earned the right to replace All-American J.P. Flynn while Gillis will fill in for fellow Dillon product Monte Folsom. The two held off redshirt freshmen Taylor Tuiasosopo and Lewis Kidd.
Those guards will be challenged right away by Washington State’s stout defensive line, a front that is led by All-American candidate Hercules Mata’afa.
“I know this: Caleb Gillis is upstairs in the offices preparing right now,” Choate said. “He cares a ton about this program and is a tremendously prideful young man. He will be ready to go. We aren’t going to put those guys in situations where they will have to block on guys for six minutes on guys by themselves. We will make sure we have a good plan, moving the chains and frustrating them.”
MSU’s running back depth lists junior Logan Jones, a walk-on from Kalispell Glacier, as the No. 1 ahead of true freshman Troy Andersen. True freshmen left guard Connor Wood, center Zach Redd and wide receiver Lance McCutcheon are also listed as No. 2s.
“Logan was a guy, I don’t think it was any mystery, that he was not in the favor of the coaching staff last summer and with some things academically,” Choate said. “I think it’s all about how he responded. I think he’s grown as a man. I think it’s going to benefit him far beyond football. As far as a success story right now, if he can continue on the path he’s on, he’s come a long way in the 18 months I’ve been around him.
MSU running back Logan Jones (28) celebrates a 11-yard touchdown vs Western Oregon
Defensively, Henderson is the starter at free safety in front of senior Khari Garcia. Senior Bryce Alley and sophomore Damien Washington held off junior Braelen Evans and true freshman Tyrel Thomas for the starting cornerback positions.
Senior Luke Daly has appeared to secure the starting kicking and punting jobs. Choate said MSU will likely redshirt Gabe Peppenger and Jered Padmos, both who played as true freshmen in 2016. Both will travel to WSU and dress for Montana State’s home opener against South Dakota State before a final decision is made.
Montana State at Washington State kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PST from Martin Stadium on Saturday night.
“There’s only been four occasions in the history of the FCS or the old I-AA and FBS opponents playing one another where an FCS opponent has beaten a ranked FBS opponent,” Choate said on the conference call. “What an unbelievable opportunity for our program.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
