BOZEMAN, Montana – Change is always difficult, and a handful of Bobcats challenged themselves with a major transition this summer by transferring to Montana State.
Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen said early returns are positive for all four — defensive end David Alston from Nebraska, receiver Cam Gardner from Utah, defensive tackle Blake Hehl from Tarleton State, and safety Tre Webb from San Jose State.
“Each of the four of them is going to add to our depth and the competition throughout the fall, and certainly they’ll be on the game field,” Vigen said.
In particular, the two new skill-position players have taken advantage of the limits on contact during the first two practices. Gardner has flashed with his speed and good hands, Webb with his savvy and leadership in the secondary.
Gardner, a sophomore, played in all five of Utah’s games in 2020, including two on offense. He saw action in seven games in 2019.
His presence since the spring has been a positive, Vigen said.
“Cam really was with us the whole time so I think he’s been able to integrate into the team,” MSU’s first-year head coach said. “He’s really shown the whole package, good speed, good hands, and we’ve been able to play him at all three (receiver) positions. He’s versatile.”
Vigen said that Webb not only brings experience as a three-year starter at San Jose State, but as an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention performer on SJSU’s 2020 Mountain West title team he has traveled the path of an ascending program.
“Tre’s got so much experience on the game field I don’t think this is a huge transition for him,” Vigen said.
As the Bobcats transition to a base defense utilizing a fifth back, Webb’s presence buttresses the team’s versatility. With a defensive backfield that includes versatile returners Ty Okada (safety and nickel) and Tyrel Thomas (a corner who is likely to start at the nickel position), Vigen said Webb will likely help at strong safety.
“He’s played strong safety so I think that would be (his position), but the beauty for us is the experienced guys, Tyrel and Ty, have a bunch of position flexibility,” Vigen said. “That allows Coach (Freddie) Banks and Coach (Kyle) Risinger to look at (different ways of using) that group.
“We want to be eight deep, but we can play the best five. We’re not hamstrung to say, ‘These five fit the positions best but they’re not the best five.’ I think we have the ability to do that, in particular because of Ty and Tyrel.”
Webb and Oregon State transfer Jeffrey Manning join Okada to form an experienced, athletic, dynamic safety group.
Press release by Bill Lamberty, Montana State sports information.
