MSU's defensive line
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
CATS IN CAMP #2: Jeff Choate Pleased with Defensive Line
8/4/2017 4:49:00 PM | Football
Improved size, depth up front helps anchor a strong Bobcat defense in 2016
It's a cliché likely as old as football – it all starts up front.
But generally clichés are rooted in truth, and that leads Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate to a positive impression of the first two days of preseason camp for Montana State's defense.
"I think it all starts up front, and one of the things I can see is the depth and development physically of that group," he said. "They're bigger and stronger, but they're also more explosive and more experienced."
The names along Montana State's defensive front ring familiar. Six players return with starting experience, including 22-game starter Grant Collins at the Buck position, a hybrid between defensive end and outside linebacker. Zach Wright started throughout 2016 at tackle, and Tucker Yates has started parts of the last two seasons at the nose, although that time is interrupted by injury.
At end, Tyrone Fa'anono started in 2015 before an injury eliminated him last year. He's back, along with the two who replaced him, Derek Marks and Marcus Ferriter. And that doesn't factor in 2016 reserves Brandon Hayashi and Fou Polataivao, both tackles, or redshirts Chase Benson and Michael Jobman.
"You look at Tucker Yates, who has trimmed down but is actually more explosive than he was a year ago, and you look at Chase Benson, who's the guy everyone in the offensive line hates to go against because he's so hard to block," Choate said in toting the group's physical improvement. "He's gained almost 30 pounds since he came in here as a true freshman a year ago. Brandon Hayashi's maturity and growth, Fou's starting to come along. It's evident to me that those guys have done a good job taking ownership of their bodies and their work ethic. You throw into the mix a couple of young guys that might surprise you and that's a good mix."
SPECIAL TEAMS HELP: Luke May, who transferred to MSU this summer after a year in the Minnesota track and field program, is well-known as a former star quarterback at Whitefish High. But Choate sees a player whose toughness and versatility may allow him to contribute other than behind the center. "He's athletic, and he's tough," Choate said. "We have him doing some stuff on special teams because he's a good enough athlete. If he ends up traveling as a two quarterback or a two-and-a-half quarterback, however it plays out, he can do some things for us and help the team."
A JUST REWARD: Choate said Thursday that the Bobcat program awarded backup quarterback Brady McChesney scholarship money this summer. "My number one goal is to value the young men who value the things we value, and I think Brady does that. I want to make sure we show him that we appreciate what he brings to the table.
IT'S ACCURATE AND TRUSTY: Jeff Choate has referred to backup quarterback Brady McChesney as his "ol' seven iron," which the third-year sophomore from Kalispell takes as a compliment. "I think because a seven iron is trustworthy," said one of the most productive quarterbacks in Montana high school history.
A HAPPY HOMECOMING: "It's like a dream come true, to be honest," is how MSU quarterbacks coach DeNarius McGhee described the feeling of preparing for another season in the shadow of Bobcat Stadium. "I can't even imagine how it's going to feel being out there again."
PUSH IT REAL GOOD: Jeff Choate has emphasized his offense's ability to push the ball down the field in the pass game since the end of 2016, and that facet of the team's offense was on display Friday. Murray and Justin Paige connected on a long pass, and the team completed several other vertical routes. "It's a combination of our veteran quarterback working with our veteran receivers and some of those young (receivers) emerging. That's what fall camp's for. They're going to get a thousand reps and I think they'll continue to improve, and with the style of offense that we're going to have we're going to need some of those explosive passes down the field."
UP NEXT: Saturday's practice begins with a flex period at 10:45 am, and runs until around 1:15 pm.
But generally clichés are rooted in truth, and that leads Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate to a positive impression of the first two days of preseason camp for Montana State's defense.
"I think it all starts up front, and one of the things I can see is the depth and development physically of that group," he said. "They're bigger and stronger, but they're also more explosive and more experienced."
The names along Montana State's defensive front ring familiar. Six players return with starting experience, including 22-game starter Grant Collins at the Buck position, a hybrid between defensive end and outside linebacker. Zach Wright started throughout 2016 at tackle, and Tucker Yates has started parts of the last two seasons at the nose, although that time is interrupted by injury.
At end, Tyrone Fa'anono started in 2015 before an injury eliminated him last year. He's back, along with the two who replaced him, Derek Marks and Marcus Ferriter. And that doesn't factor in 2016 reserves Brandon Hayashi and Fou Polataivao, both tackles, or redshirts Chase Benson and Michael Jobman.
"You look at Tucker Yates, who has trimmed down but is actually more explosive than he was a year ago, and you look at Chase Benson, who's the guy everyone in the offensive line hates to go against because he's so hard to block," Choate said in toting the group's physical improvement. "He's gained almost 30 pounds since he came in here as a true freshman a year ago. Brandon Hayashi's maturity and growth, Fou's starting to come along. It's evident to me that those guys have done a good job taking ownership of their bodies and their work ethic. You throw into the mix a couple of young guys that might surprise you and that's a good mix."
SPECIAL TEAMS HELP: Luke May, who transferred to MSU this summer after a year in the Minnesota track and field program, is well-known as a former star quarterback at Whitefish High. But Choate sees a player whose toughness and versatility may allow him to contribute other than behind the center. "He's athletic, and he's tough," Choate said. "We have him doing some stuff on special teams because he's a good enough athlete. If he ends up traveling as a two quarterback or a two-and-a-half quarterback, however it plays out, he can do some things for us and help the team."
A JUST REWARD: Choate said Thursday that the Bobcat program awarded backup quarterback Brady McChesney scholarship money this summer. "My number one goal is to value the young men who value the things we value, and I think Brady does that. I want to make sure we show him that we appreciate what he brings to the table.
IT'S ACCURATE AND TRUSTY: Jeff Choate has referred to backup quarterback Brady McChesney as his "ol' seven iron," which the third-year sophomore from Kalispell takes as a compliment. "I think because a seven iron is trustworthy," said one of the most productive quarterbacks in Montana high school history.
A HAPPY HOMECOMING: "It's like a dream come true, to be honest," is how MSU quarterbacks coach DeNarius McGhee described the feeling of preparing for another season in the shadow of Bobcat Stadium. "I can't even imagine how it's going to feel being out there again."
PUSH IT REAL GOOD: Jeff Choate has emphasized his offense's ability to push the ball down the field in the pass game since the end of 2016, and that facet of the team's offense was on display Friday. Murray and Justin Paige connected on a long pass, and the team completed several other vertical routes. "It's a combination of our veteran quarterback working with our veteran receivers and some of those young (receivers) emerging. That's what fall camp's for. They're going to get a thousand reps and I think they'll continue to improve, and with the style of offense that we're going to have we're going to need some of those explosive passes down the field."
UP NEXT: Saturday's practice begins with a flex period at 10:45 am, and runs until around 1:15 pm.
Players Mentioned
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