The early signing period opened on Wednesday, making it the first opportunity for football teams across the country to add players in the Class of 2023. Verbal commitments have been pouring in throughout the summer and fall. Wednesday’s early signing day means those commits can now be made official. Here’s a list of all the signees for the Montana State Bobcats. More names will be added to this list as they’re announced by the team’s social media channels. Other offers are sourced from 247 Sports or recruit’s social media.
Montana State 2023 signees (in order of letter of intent submission)
Chance Wilson, quarterback, 6-3, 185, Rejoice Christian in Owasso, OK
Other offers: North Dakota State, New Mexico State, Tulsa, Murray State, Navy, Army
From MSU Quarterbacks Coach Taylor Housewright: “Chance is a tremendous athlete and leader. He and his family have been Bobcats from day one. Chance is highly motivated and cares about one thing and one thing only – winning.”
Andrew Powdrell, athlete, 6-0, The Woodlands, Texas
INTERVIEW: Upcoming
Other offers: Michigan State, Houston Baptist
As a defensive back last season, Powdrell had 63 tackles with 53 solo tackles and five tackles for loss. He had an interception, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries while also blocking tow field goals and taking a kick back for a touchdown.
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “He’s a great player out of Texas, a nickel
back, extremely fast, a track guy, 10.6 or 10.7 in the 100 meters. He’s played multiple positions in high school, some cornerback when they needed him to guard the opponent’s best wide receiver, they played him at safety when they needed him in the box, or they played him at linebacker. He’s just a really good athlete with a high football IQ. He’s a playmaker.”
Jacob Trimble, wide receiver, 6-0, 185, Fort Worth Christian High, Texas
Other offers: Stephen F. Austin, Butler, Stetson
The first-team all-state selection hauled in 73 catches for 1,178 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior.
From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “We are really excited to have Jacob joining us from the great state of Texas. He had a very successful high school career where he was able to showcase a number of skill sets. His short area quickness and ability to make people miss in space stood out right away. His precise route running and ball skill make him valuable in an offense where we ask guys to line up all over the field. He brings big play capability to our room and I am excited to get him on campus.”
Adam Jones, running back, 6-1, 185, Missoula Sentinel
Other offers: Montana, Columbia, Utah (baseball)
Jones was a three-year contributor for the Spartans, helping Sentinel to consecutive state championships in 2020 and 2021 plus a run to the semifinals last fall. Jones rolled up 1,713 all-purpose yards, including 1,029 rushing yards and 533 receiving yards while 18 touchdowns last fall.
From MSU Running Backs Coach Jimmy Beal: “Adam Jones is a pure athlete with the ability to do multiple things for our offense. offensive versatility in high school was significant and he brings a skill set that we desire at running back. He’s a true runner, and I’m excited about his ability to develop as a running back.”
Blake Stillwell, defensive back, 6-1, 195, New Mexico Military JC, Houston
Other offers: Tennessee State
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “Blake and I have history from a prior school. He redshirted at New Mexico Military Institute last year, but he is from a 6A high schools in Florida and is a multi-purpose, dual-sport athlete. He’s an elite basketball player, and has only played football for a couple of years so his growth potential and ceiling are tremendous. When you look at his high school and JUCO years he has unbelievable cornerback skills and athleticism, but he’ll be physical and hit you. His work ethic is tremendous and we look forward to having him here.”
JJ Dolan, defensive back, 6-0, 185, Missoula Sentinel
Other offers: Montana Western, Montana Tech, Carroll College
Dolan comes from a strong football lineage. His grandfather, Pat Dolan, played at Montana and then coached for the Grizzlies in the late 1960s before carving out a Hall of Fame career as the head coach at Billings Senior. JJ’s father, Nate Dolan, played for Montana in the early 1990s and was a senior wide receiver on UM’s 1995 national title team. JJ’s aunt played volleyball at MSU and his first cousin Riley Bergeson, who was a standout on Billings West’s Class AA runner-up squads in 2020 and 2021 is currently playing football at Navy.
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “JJ Dolan plays aggressive and plays fast, and he fits the mold of Bobcat Built. He’s a tough kid, fundamentally sound, and is an excellent playmaker. We’re always looking for playmakers.”
Colter Petre, wide receiver, 6-1, 168, Helena High
Other offers: Dickinson State, Carroll College, Montana Western
Petre was a two-way standout for Helena High as the Bengals advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class A playoffs. He was a second-team all-state selection at safety in 2022.
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “Colter is a great playmaker. He led the state
in interceptions (in 2021), and had a boatload of interceptions this year. He’s been a two-way player, playing defensive back and wide receiver, and we’re always looking for dual purpose type athletes that play defense and offense, and he’s one of the top players in the state. He defines what we’re looking for.”
Ty McCullouch, wide receiver, 6-1, 180, Colorado State transfer
Other offers: Ball State, James Madison, Wyoming, Eastern Michigan, UMass
He caught 37 passes for 639 yards and a touchdown in 14 total starts between 2021 and 2022 at Colorado State.
From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “We felt a strong connection to Ty right away. His older brother Andre played for Coach Armstrong at Rocky Mountain College and had a very successful career. Ty was familiar with the program and has a level of appreciation for the support that we get here at Montana State. He is exactly what we need when it comes to a guy who can stretch the field vertically. He has the ability to get over the top of the defense and plays a physical brand of football on the perimeter. When you talk to Ty you can get a sense for how competitive he is and his hunger for wanting to win. I believe he will add a level of leadership to our room and I’m excited to see his explosiveness on display in Bobcat Stadium next fall.”
Everett Carr, offensive line, 6-4, 275, Bozeman High
OTHER OFFERS: Montana, Carroll College, interest from Oregon State
The first-team all-state offensive lineman helped lead Bozeman High to the Class AA state championship this last fall.
From MSU Offensive Line Coach Brian Armstrong: “I really like Everett’s length and athletic abiity. We had him at multiple camps this summer and he really improved during that time. He is a multi-sport guy that will have position versatility, and had a very good senior season.”
Zac Nyland, offensive line, 6-4, 300, Meridian, Idaho (Owyhee High)
Other offers – Idaho, Navy, New Mexico Highlands, College of Idaho
Nyland was a first-team all-state selection last season and is ranked as a 3-star recruit.
From MSU Offensive Line Coach Brian Armstrong: “Zac has a good frame and size. He can really bend, and loves to play football. I think he can play all three interior spots, and I’m excited to get him here and work with him.”
INTERVIEW – Upcoming
Hunter Sharbono, defensive tackle, 6-2, 235, Fairview
Sharbono was a four-time first-team all-state selection in Class C 8-man for one of the most successful programs in the classification. He also earned letters in track and basketball. He was a starter for the Fairview team that won the Class C 8-man state title in 2019 when Sharbono was a freshman and helped lead the Warriors back to the semifinals of the Class C playoffs this season.
From MSU Defensive Line Coach Shawn Howe: “Hunter played a lot of different spots,
but is a really good football player. He is very explosive and has great playmaking ability. It will be nice to see him do just one thing. He’s done so much for his high school team, and when we he’s able to focus on one thing he could just explode.”
Cole Taylor, athlete, 6-3, 210, Great Falls C.M. Russell
Other offers – Montana, Montana Tech, Rocky Mountain College, Carroll College, MSU-Northern
Taylor was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-state selection his senior year at Great Falls CMR. He threw for 401 yards agianst Kalispell Glacier, setting CMR’s single-game record. He is projected as a linebacker at Montana State.
Linebackers Coach Bobby Daly: “Cole Taylor was a high school quarterback who really caught our eye at camp when we had the ability to watch him move around. He’s very long and runs extremely well. He hasn’t played linebacker but we’ve had very good luck (with players from) this state in particular with taking great high school athletes and turning them into linebackers. There’s a long list, most recently Callahan O’Reilly and Troy Andersen, and he fits that mold as far as length and athleticism, now we just need to get him up to speed in Xs and Os and what’s expected from him as a linebacker.”
Scottre Humphrey, running back, 5-11, 210, Rainier Beach (Seattle)
OTHER OFFERS – Portland State
Humphrey was a first-team all-metro selection in Seattle after rushing for 1,900 yards and piling up 450 receiving yards, totaling touchdowns. He had 3,700 yards from scrimmage and scored 51 total touchdowns over the last three seasons.
From MSU Running Backs Coach Jimmy Beal: “Scottre is a powerful, dynamic runner. His ability to break tackles is so impressive. His senior year he would break three or four tackles and finish long runs, so he’s going to be a dynamic runner and tackle-breaker who can also catch out of the backfield.”
Patrick Duchien, quarterback, 6-2, 205, Florence
Duchien led Florence-Carlton to two straight Class B state titles. He threw for 2,803 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. He threw for 2,612 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior. Duchien also rushed for 1,124 yards as a senior and 1,720 yards over the last two years all told.
OTHER OFFERS – Rocky Mountain College, Montana Tech, Montana Western, Carroll College, University of Mary
From MSU Quarterbacks Coach Taylor Housewright: “When you look at the quarterback position you start with three traits: toughness, intelligence, and winner. Patrick is all of these and then some. He will come in here and make this quarterback room and this team better from the first day he is on campus.”
Cedric Jefferson, offensive line, 6-5, 265, Chaparral (CA) High School
Jefferson was a second-team All-Big West upper division honoree as a senior. He only played two years of high school football.
Other offers – Weber State, Sac State, Portland State, Northern Arizona, Idaho State, Jackson State, Utah Tech, Adams State, Black Hills State, New Mexico State
From MSU Offensive Line Coach Brian Armstrong: “Cedric is a guy that really improved between his junior and senior seasons. He hasn’t played a lot of football, and he has tremendous upside. He has a great frame and athletic abiltiy, and is a very young senior. I am very excited about his potential.”
Luke Smith, tight end, 6-5, 215, Bozeman High
Smith was a first-team all-state selection as a senior and a second-team all-state pick as a junior.
Other offers – Montana, Rocky Mountain College, Montana Tech, Montana Western, Carroll College
From MSU Tight Ends Coach Tyler Walker: “Luke is more in the category of (current tight end Derryk) Snell. He’s a little slimmer and definitely has that athleticism. He catches the ball, runs well, has that stop-and-start and change of direction, but he can also put his hand on the ground and block in-line or on the perimeter. He’s a good get for us, and he’ll improve our tight ends room.”
Hunter Provience, tight end, 6-5, 230, Christian High (El Cajon, California)
The impressive tight end was the league player of the year after catching 44 passes for 664 yards and 10 touchdowns while also logging 27 tackles, three tackles for loss as a senior. He also caught 31 balls for 481 yardsa nd two more touchdowns as a junior. He was a Prep Pigskin Report 2022 All-51 Team selection.
From MSU Tight Ends Coach Tyler Walker: “Hunter is long and athletic, he moves well. He’s an elite athlete for his length. He can stretch the field and go get the ball, but he’s also a willing blocker attached to the line or on the edge. Hunter brings athleticism and competition to our offense.”
Javonte King, wide receiver, 6-4, 200, Blackfoot (Idaho) High
OTHER OFFERS – Idaho State, Tennessee Tech
King was a Idaho Class 4A first-team all-state selection last season after catching 71 passes for 1,168 yards and 91 touchdowns.
From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “Javonte has great size and length. His ability to go up and attack the ball in the air is what separates him from other guys we recruited. He shows the ability to have great body control when he plays and knows how to put the ball in the endzone. He had a very successful career and is a well rounded athlete at Blackfoot High School. We are excited to get him up to Bozeman and have him join our Bobcat family.”
Michael D’Amato, DB, 5-11, 205, Mission Viejo (Dove Canyon, CA)
Other offers – Southern Utah
D’Amato was a three-time All-South Coast League selection who as his team’s defensive player of the year after rolling up 102 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sakcs and two interceptions as a senior.
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “Mikey D’Amato is a very good football player from one
of the bigger, most competitive leagues in southern California. He came to our camp and did an unbelievable job in coverage and understanding the techniques we were asking of him in a short period of time. He’s tough as nails, he’s highly intelligent, has a very good football IQ, and is a playmaker who can play multiple positions. We need guys who are mentally and physically tough, and Mikey is that.”
Jonathan Luhmann, offensive line, 6-3, 275, Florence-Carlton – PWO
Luhmann was a key cog in Florence’s consecutive Class B state title runs and is one of three former Falcons to commit to the Bobcats over the last two years.
From MSU Offensive Line Coach Brian Armstrong: “Jonathan has a really good frame and growth potential. He can bend and has good athletic ability. He’s a two-time state champion at Florence-Carlton and we had him at (MSU summer football) camp. He is raw, but really improved at camp and throughout his senior year. He’s a very young senior.”
Talon Marsh, defensive end, 6-1, 241, Helena Capital
Marsh was a key cog and a record-setter as Helena Capital screamed to the Class AA state championship with an undefeated season. Marsh rolled up 23 sacks and 25 tackles for loss to earn Class AA Defensive MVP honors. He was the state champion as a heavyweight wrestler as a junior and finished his football career as Capital’s all-time leader in career sacks and single-season sacks.
From MSU Defensive Line Coach Shawn Howe: “Talon Marsh is one of these guys who you label as a flat out good football player. I love his explosiveness and his ability to make plays. He’s just a legitimately good football player.”
Taki Uluilakepa, defensive back, 6-0, 170, Timpview (Provo, Utah)
Logged 30 tackles as a senior at Timpview High, broke up 10 passes and intercepted one. He is the brother of Bobcat linebacker Danny Uluilakepa.
OTHER OFFERS – Utah Tech
From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Willie Mack Garza: “Taki is a very good athlete. We had him in camp this summer when he primarily played cornerback and he locked down some of the best wide receivers that we had. He’s long and rangy. It speaks volumes that he’s a very good basketball player, and he has a very high ceiling for growth since he’s only played football for a short time. He has very good ball skills and is tough like his brother Danny.”
Tom Carter, wide receiver, 6-0, 180, Helena Capital
OTHER OFFERS – Montana, Rocky Mountain College, Carroll College,
Carter was teh Class AA Offensive Player of the Year for the state champion Bruins. He was also a first-team all-state selection at running back after rushing for 1,262 yards and scoring 23 total touchdowns. He also logged 54 tackles and three interceptions. Carter, who’s father finished his football career at Montana State, is also the reigning Class AA state champion in the 200 meters and ran the fastest time in the 100 meters last season. His sisters Elena and Leigha compete in track at MSU.
From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “Tom bleeds blue and gold. He has grown up cheering for the Bobcats and adds elite speed and quickness to our room. He was a versatile player at Capital and was instrumental in helping them win a state championship. I was impressed with Tom this past summer at camp, he showed a level of toughness that we want to have here in our receiver room at Montana State. I can’t wait to work with Tom when he gets here.”
Dominic Solano, defensive line, 6-4, 225, Cactus High (Phoenix)
OTHER OFFERS – UTEP, Idaho State, Lake Forest College
Solano finished his senior year with an almost incomprehensible 27.5 sacks, which were among his equally mind boggling 48 tackles for loss and 103 total tackles as Cactus High played for the Arizona 5A state title. He logged four sacks in the state title game alone, earning Phoenix area defensive lineman of the year.
MSU Defensive Line Coach Shawn Howe: “Dom is a guy coming off of 27-and-a-half sacks this year. He is extremely explosive, extremely hard working, and is an electric pass rusher.
Brody Grebe, linebacker, 6-2, 192, Melstone
OTHER OFFERS – Carroll College, Montana Tech, Dickinson State
The younger brother of Montana State All-American defensive end Brody Grebe was an all-state selection for six-man semifinalist Custer-Hysham-Melstone and is also a standout in basketball and track.
MSU Linebackers Coach Bobby Daly: “Bryce is very different from his brother (Brody) in a lot of ways, but very similar as far as athletic ability. What we love about Bryce is not only what he does on the football field but he’s a three-sport athlete. He’s excellent in basketball, he’s excellent in track, and that’s what caught our eye as a junior, not only his ability on the football field but his ability to move on the basketball court and how fast he is as a track athlete. Coming from six man football he’s just scratching the surface as far as what he needs to know as far as 11 man football goes, but without a doubt he has the athletic ability to be a very good football player for us.”
