Bobcats Land Large, Diverse 2015 Recruiting Class
2/4/2015 4:59:00 PM | Football
Big group of in-staters, transfers headline group
If variety is the spice of life, Montana State's 2015 football recruiting class carries some serious heat.
"I really like the variety in this class across the board," said ninth-year head football coach Rob Ash. "I like that we're adding 10 players from Montana, counting walk-ons. It's a priority for us to reload with Montanans every year. About two-thirds of this class is on the defensive side, but that's where we lost the most players. We got some really key spots filled in on offense, so that's good."
The 2015 class' most noticeable element is the transfers, an unusual signing day occurrence at MSU in recent years. With seven departing starters on defense, Ash said the reinforcements are welcome. "Defensively we took six transfers – two linemen, two linebackers, two DBs – so I like that balance," Ash said. "These are guys that can contend (for starting jobs) and play early. The other thing that I'm excited about is we lost five linebackers but we picked up six, so we filled our roster up there. Two of them are transfers, so they're not all in the same class."
A trio of new Bobcats are already current Bobcats, having transferred at the semester. Receiver Brandon Brown comes to MSU from Baylor, and reunites with former prep teammate and Bobcat quarterback Dakota Prukop. Ash calls Brown a "tough, savvy receiver with good speed" who can boost MSU's fortunes in the passing game. Safeties Desman Carter (Alabama-Birmingham and Nevada) and Bryson McCabe (South Dakota State via Iowa Western) each have Division I experience, and give the Cats depth and talent in the secondary.
The summer months will bring linebackers Zachary Stern, a former junior college track athlete who brings speed as an outside linebacker, and Cincinnati transfer Marcus Tappan, who Ash characterizes as a tough inside linebacker, to the Bobcat program. Similarly, defensive end Shiloh LaBoy and tackle Joe Naotala each shore up an area of the defensive front.
"The transfers aren't promised anything," Ash says. "They'll have to come and earn jobs. They have the talent to do that."
Among the group of high school newcomers, Ash is pleased with the balance and variety, geographically and positionally. "Coach Mac (Jason McEndoo) has done a good job finding players from the Midwest, and we think he has another one this year in Sam Plucker. We went a little heavier in California than Texas, but a lot of that is because most of the junior colleges we recruit are in California. As long as we don't go extinct in Texas we're fine, and we kept that pipeline going again this year. I like that we reloaded in the state of Montana, with players that range from the Class AA Defensive MVP all the way to a Class C Six-Man all-state player."
The Bobcats also pulled some family strings in this year's recruiting class. Missoula defensive end Byron Rollins' father Josh played at MSU under Cliff Hysell and Mike Kramer, Mitchell Brott comes joins his brother Wilson, a Bobcat tight end, and Marcus Ferriter's brother Sean is currently an MSU track and field star. "We have others that grew up as Bobcat fans, and it's always great to bring in kids who have always wanted to be a Bobcat," Ash said.
The element of this year's class that Ash appreciates the most, though, is its depth. "We wanted to build depth with this class, to bring in quality players to balance out classes and positions. That's why we divided up scholarships and end up announcing 30 today. We needed to replenish the depth and talent on our roster, and these guys help with that."
MID-YEAR TRANSFERS
Desman Carter, S
6-2, 205, Sr, Pomona, CA (UAB/Riverside CC/Nevada)
Player Notes: Transferred to MSU at the semester, and is presently enrolled and attending classes... played in all 12 games for UAB in 2014, logging 40 tackles, including two for loss, with a pass breakup and one defended... earned All-Sunkist League honors three times as a defensive back at Kaiser High in Fontana, Calif., playing on conference championship teams each season.
spent one season at Riverside City College, finishing 2013 with 39 tackles, including 2.5 for loss... scored on an 87-yard interception return, forced one fumble and recovered two, with two pass breakups while leading RCC to the Southern California Football Association title... spent the 2011 season at Nevada, leaving for Riverside after the season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "A UAB transfer, Des has one year of eligibility remaining and is already here on campus working out with the team. It looks like he's going to be an outstanding player, and he's really an excellent worker."
Brandon Brown, WR
6-0, 180, Jr, Austin, TX (Baylor/Vandegrift)
Player Notes: Played three seasons as a walk-on receiver at Baylor before transferring to MSU in January... a former prep teammate of Bobcat quarterback Dakota Prukop... played in four games in 2013, his only collegiate game action... caught 41 passes for 662 yards and three TDs as a junior at Vandegrift HS... caught 47 passes for 816 yards and five TDs as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Brandon was a high school teammate's of Dakota Prukop, he went to Baylor, and now he's rejoined Dakota here. He is a very quick, savvy, decisive route-runner, and a hard worker. He has good speed and is tenacious. I think he will be in a battler (for playing time) at receiver immediately."
Bryson McCabe, S
6-0, 200, So, Spirit Lake, IA (Iowa Western JC/South Dakota State/Spirit Lake)
Player Notes: Transferred to MSU at the semester, and is presently enrolled and attending classes... has three seasons of eligibility to use in three years... recorded 59 tackles, including 4.5 for loss with one sack, at Iowa Western in 2014... intercepted two passes and broke up one... redshirted at South Dakota State in 2013... an all-state choice at Spirit Lake High, where his team advanced to the Class 2A state title game his senior season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Bryson is already enrolled at MSU and working out with the team. He is a transfer from Iowa Western Community College. He's a tough, savvy competitor who will play safety for us."
AUGUST TRANSFERS
Shiloh LaBoy, DE
6-4, 250, So, Honolulu, HI (College of Redwoods/Scottsdale CC/Kalani)
Player Notes: Transfers to MSU from College of the Redwoods next summer... registered 4.5 sacks and 18 solo tackles at Redwoods, where he spent one season... transferred there from Scottsdale CC, where he redshirted in 2013... second team all-area as a senior at Kalani High School in Honolulu in 2012.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "A junior college transfer, Shiloh is a native of Hawai'i. He is a big-bodied, dynamic pass rusher who pursues well and plays all over the field."
Joe Naotala, DT
6-2, 275, Jr, Carlsbad, CA (Palomar JC/Army-Navy Academy)
Player Notes: Logged a solid sophomore season in 2014, registering 42 total tackles (27 solo), including 14.5 for a loss and three sacks... recovered one fumble and blocked two kicks.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Joe is a big, tough and disciplined inside lineman. He has a Bobcat connection, as he played for a former Bobcat coach, J.G. Aegerter, at Palomar."
Zach Stern, LB
6-2, 200, Jr, Tarzana, CA (Santa Monica CC/Taft)
Player Notes: A track star at Santa Monica, where he posted best marks of 21.7 in the 200 m and 48.6 in the 400 m... also played football at SMCC.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Zach is a versatile athlete, an outside linebacker and special teams candidate. He was a track athlete at the junior college level and he has great speed."
Marcus Tappan, LB
6-2, 235,
Player Notes: Brings veteran presence to the inside linebacker position... attended Glendale Junior College in 2013, and redshirted at Cincinnati in 2014... a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, which rated him as the second-best junior college inside linebacker nationally and a top-15 JC linebacker in California after the 2013 season, and Scout.com... helped Glendale City College to a 6-4 record, its best since 2007... 56 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss and three sakcs, with two pass breakups in his season at Glendale... picked off two passes, returning one for a TD, against Compton... scored four touchdowns as a senior at LaSalle HS... also logged 44 tackles, four sacks and two picks... finished with 16 carries for 55 yards and four scores, with 15 catches for 255 yards and five touchdowns.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Marcus is a big, rugged inside linebacker. He is transferring from the University of Cincinnati."
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Woody Brandom, TE
6-4, 225, Fr, Corona, CA (Santiago)
Player Notes: Earned All-CIF honors as a tight end and safety at Corona Santiago HS... caught 52 passes for 880 yards, 16.9 per catch... two-time first team all-league choice... voted Most Inspirational Shark by teammates.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Woody is a prototype, multi-talented tight end. He's a great blocker and is also a very dynamic pass-receiving threat."
Mitch Brott, OL
6-6, 270, Fr, Billings, MT (West)
Player Notes: First team all-conference and second team all-state... East-West Shrine Game choice... his brother Wilson redshirted at MSU as a tight end last fall.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Mitch is a local product, from Billings West, and he's a big, strong, powerful offensive lineman. We're always happy to bring the brother of current players into the program, and Mitch's brother Wilson is a promising young player for us."
Walker Cozzie, LB
6-1, 220, Fr, Helena, MT (Capital)
Player Notes: First team all-conference and all-state special teams player... first team all-conference and second team all-state linebacker... four-time academic all-state.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Walker Cozzie is a hard-hitting, instinctive inside linebacker. He's very tough and was also a productive special teams player."
Robert Evans, TE
6-5, 247, Fr, Victorville, CA (Silverado)
Player Notes: Earned First Team All-Conference and All-Area honors as a senior... 39 catches for 532 yards with seven touchdowns as a senior... 2014 NUC All-Star.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Robert is one of two tight ends in this class. He's a big-bodied athlete who we see as having great development in his future. He's a big target in the pass game and is a good blocker."
Marcus Ferriter, DE
6-4, 220, Fr, Butte, MT (Central)
Player Notes: First Team All-Class A for the Butte Central Maroons... older brother Sean is a thrower for the Bobcat Track and Field team... started 40 straight games for the Maroons.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Marcus is a rangy, physically tough and very determined defensive lineman. He comes from a Bobcat family, and he's a very good prospect."
Riley Griffiths, DL
6-3, 260, Fr, Issaquah, WA (Skyline)
Player Notes: Logged 83 tackles, with 13.5 for a loss and 9.5 sacks as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Riley Griffiths is a high motor, really tough and determined defensive lineman."
Chris Harris, CB
6-2, 190, Fr, Lake Elsinore, CA (Elsinore)
Player Notes: Earned All-CIF and 1st Team All-League honors as a senior... named his team's utility player of the year... a standout at defensive back, where he had nine interceptions, as well as receiver, at which he compiled 200 yards.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "We really like Chris' length. He's a long, lanky defensive back. He was injured during his high school season and is a possibility for a grayshirt year (to enroll in January, 2016) because of that injury."
Josh Hill, LB
6-0, 200, Fr, Kalispell, MT (Glacier)
Player Notes: Helped lead Glacier's 13-0 state championship team, earning Class AA Defensive MVP honors... first team all-state as a junior and senior, earning Great Falls Tribune Super State honors as a senior... Mon-Dak All-Star and East-West Shrine Game choice.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Josh was the Class AA defensive player of the year in Montana. He's a dynamic, playmaking linebacker."
Sidney Holmes III, S
5-11, 190, Fr, Silsbee, TX (Beaumont Central)
Player Notes: Earned first team all-district honors for a team that won the 5A District 22 championship... 78 tackles, four for loss, as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Versatility is really what comes to mind about Sidney. He's a very fast skill-position player, and we're going to put him on defense."
Jordan Hoy, QB
6-1, 187, Fr, Rockwall, TX (Rockwall-Heath)
Player Notes: Earned team MVP honors as a senior... All-District 12 5A honors... Dallas News Player of the Week honors in two consecutive weeks during the playoffs... 1,400 pass yards and 13 touchdown passes as a senior, with 1,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdown runs, as well.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Jordan Hoy is a dual-threat quarterback. He has a great arm, and is a very good runner. He is a perfect fit for Tim Cramsey's offense."
Brayden Konkol, S
6-1, 205, Fr, Belgrade, MT (Belgrade)
Player Notes: A versatile athlete who starred at defensive back and as a dual-threat quarterback... 2014 Great Falls Tribune Super State safety, registering 135 tackles, including 20 for loss, with four sacks, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries... Central A Offensive MVP with 2,361 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing for 2,184 yards and 22 touchdowns.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Another highly versatile athlete, I really see him having a great future for us as a safety."
Jake McFetridge, OT
6-6, 295, Fr, Huntington Beach, CA (Huntington Beach)
Player Notes: Huntington Beach's offensive lineman of the year as a senior... #21 on Best Committed List in Orange County... lettered twice each in baseball and football, and posted highest GPA on his football squad.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Jake is a big offensive tackle who just recently committed to football after focusing on baseball through his sophomore year in high school. He has very good feet, and is a good blocker."
B.J. Ojo, LB
6-2, 225, Fr, Manvel, TX (Manvel)
Player Notes: A first team all-district selection as a junior and senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "B.J. is a big and athletic linebacker with excellent speed and instincts."
Kash Perry, OL
6-6, 310, Fr, Utica, MT (Denton-Stanford-Geyser)
Player Notes: Played six-man Class C football... slated to graduate first in his class... team captain with one catch for a 35-yard touchdown as a senior... all-conference and all-state basketball player as a junior... National Honor Society.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Kash is a huge lineman with outstanding potential. He comes from the six-man football ranks in Montana."
Sam Plucker, LB
6-2, 230, Fr, Appleton, WI (Kimberly)
Player Notes: Starter on Kimberly's 2013 and '14 state championship teams, enjoying a 44-0-1 record during his career... logged 190 tackles as a prep star, including 30 for a loss, with nine sacks and two interceptions... first team all-conference and all-area.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Sam was one of the earliest commits in this class. He is a highly-decorated middle linebacker for a state championship team in Wisconsin."
Chris Robinson, DL
6-2, 250, Fr, Pasadena, CA (LaSalle)
Player Notes: Earned first team all-league and all-area honors as a senior last fall.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Chris Robinson is a defensive lineman from California who has an outstanding frame, with lots of room to develop. He has excellent quickness for his size."
Byron Rollins, DE
6-3, 230, Fr, Missoula, MT (Sentinel)
Player Notes: First team all-conferece and all-state selection... chosen for the Montana East-West Shrine Game... an excellent student, with a 4.0 GPA.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Byron is a legacy Bobcat. His father, Josh, played here. He is a tough, gritty, technically sound defensive end."
Keon Stephens, WR
6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Cucamunga, CA (Etiwanda)
Player Notes: First team all-league receiver... caught 39 passes for 701 yards, averaging 100 yards a game and 18 yards a catch... first team all-area and all-county, as well.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Another very versatile skill-position player, who is a receiver and also a return man. He plays both the inside and outside receiver positions extremely well."
Tre'von Strong, DB
6-1, 190, Fr, Billings, MT (Skyview)
Player Notes: A three-sport athlete at Skyview, starring in football, basketball and track... earned second-team all-state and first team all-conference honors at safety... also an honorable mention all-state receiver.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Tre'von is a tall, athletic skill position player from Billings Skyview. He has the ability to play many different positions, but we're going to play him at corner."
Cameron Sutton, WR
6-5, 190, Fr, Norco, CA (Norco)
Player Notes: Earned 2nd Team All Big 8 honors, racking up 36 catches for 752 yards and nine touchdowns... MVP of Cali-Classic All-Star Game after his senior season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Cam is a super tall, rangy, athletic wide receiver. He was the MVP of a recent all-star game down in California."
Bryan Wilkes, OT
6-3, 252, Fr, Great Falls, MT (CM Russell)
Player Notes: A first team all-state lineman at Great Falls CM Russell High School.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Bryan is a very versatile lineman. He has a chance to develop quickly."
"I really like the variety in this class across the board," said ninth-year head football coach Rob Ash. "I like that we're adding 10 players from Montana, counting walk-ons. It's a priority for us to reload with Montanans every year. About two-thirds of this class is on the defensive side, but that's where we lost the most players. We got some really key spots filled in on offense, so that's good."
The 2015 class' most noticeable element is the transfers, an unusual signing day occurrence at MSU in recent years. With seven departing starters on defense, Ash said the reinforcements are welcome. "Defensively we took six transfers – two linemen, two linebackers, two DBs – so I like that balance," Ash said. "These are guys that can contend (for starting jobs) and play early. The other thing that I'm excited about is we lost five linebackers but we picked up six, so we filled our roster up there. Two of them are transfers, so they're not all in the same class."
A trio of new Bobcats are already current Bobcats, having transferred at the semester. Receiver Brandon Brown comes to MSU from Baylor, and reunites with former prep teammate and Bobcat quarterback Dakota Prukop. Ash calls Brown a "tough, savvy receiver with good speed" who can boost MSU's fortunes in the passing game. Safeties Desman Carter (Alabama-Birmingham and Nevada) and Bryson McCabe (South Dakota State via Iowa Western) each have Division I experience, and give the Cats depth and talent in the secondary.
The summer months will bring linebackers Zachary Stern, a former junior college track athlete who brings speed as an outside linebacker, and Cincinnati transfer Marcus Tappan, who Ash characterizes as a tough inside linebacker, to the Bobcat program. Similarly, defensive end Shiloh LaBoy and tackle Joe Naotala each shore up an area of the defensive front.
"The transfers aren't promised anything," Ash says. "They'll have to come and earn jobs. They have the talent to do that."
Among the group of high school newcomers, Ash is pleased with the balance and variety, geographically and positionally. "Coach Mac (Jason McEndoo) has done a good job finding players from the Midwest, and we think he has another one this year in Sam Plucker. We went a little heavier in California than Texas, but a lot of that is because most of the junior colleges we recruit are in California. As long as we don't go extinct in Texas we're fine, and we kept that pipeline going again this year. I like that we reloaded in the state of Montana, with players that range from the Class AA Defensive MVP all the way to a Class C Six-Man all-state player."
The Bobcats also pulled some family strings in this year's recruiting class. Missoula defensive end Byron Rollins' father Josh played at MSU under Cliff Hysell and Mike Kramer, Mitchell Brott comes joins his brother Wilson, a Bobcat tight end, and Marcus Ferriter's brother Sean is currently an MSU track and field star. "We have others that grew up as Bobcat fans, and it's always great to bring in kids who have always wanted to be a Bobcat," Ash said.
The element of this year's class that Ash appreciates the most, though, is its depth. "We wanted to build depth with this class, to bring in quality players to balance out classes and positions. That's why we divided up scholarships and end up announcing 30 today. We needed to replenish the depth and talent on our roster, and these guys help with that."
MID-YEAR TRANSFERS
Desman Carter, S
6-2, 205, Sr, Pomona, CA (UAB/Riverside CC/Nevada)
Player Notes: Transferred to MSU at the semester, and is presently enrolled and attending classes... played in all 12 games for UAB in 2014, logging 40 tackles, including two for loss, with a pass breakup and one defended... earned All-Sunkist League honors three times as a defensive back at Kaiser High in Fontana, Calif., playing on conference championship teams each season.
spent one season at Riverside City College, finishing 2013 with 39 tackles, including 2.5 for loss... scored on an 87-yard interception return, forced one fumble and recovered two, with two pass breakups while leading RCC to the Southern California Football Association title... spent the 2011 season at Nevada, leaving for Riverside after the season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "A UAB transfer, Des has one year of eligibility remaining and is already here on campus working out with the team. It looks like he's going to be an outstanding player, and he's really an excellent worker."
Brandon Brown, WR
6-0, 180, Jr, Austin, TX (Baylor/Vandegrift)
Player Notes: Played three seasons as a walk-on receiver at Baylor before transferring to MSU in January... a former prep teammate of Bobcat quarterback Dakota Prukop... played in four games in 2013, his only collegiate game action... caught 41 passes for 662 yards and three TDs as a junior at Vandegrift HS... caught 47 passes for 816 yards and five TDs as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Brandon was a high school teammate's of Dakota Prukop, he went to Baylor, and now he's rejoined Dakota here. He is a very quick, savvy, decisive route-runner, and a hard worker. He has good speed and is tenacious. I think he will be in a battler (for playing time) at receiver immediately."
Bryson McCabe, S
6-0, 200, So, Spirit Lake, IA (Iowa Western JC/South Dakota State/Spirit Lake)
Player Notes: Transferred to MSU at the semester, and is presently enrolled and attending classes... has three seasons of eligibility to use in three years... recorded 59 tackles, including 4.5 for loss with one sack, at Iowa Western in 2014... intercepted two passes and broke up one... redshirted at South Dakota State in 2013... an all-state choice at Spirit Lake High, where his team advanced to the Class 2A state title game his senior season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Bryson is already enrolled at MSU and working out with the team. He is a transfer from Iowa Western Community College. He's a tough, savvy competitor who will play safety for us."
AUGUST TRANSFERS
Shiloh LaBoy, DE
6-4, 250, So, Honolulu, HI (College of Redwoods/Scottsdale CC/Kalani)
Player Notes: Transfers to MSU from College of the Redwoods next summer... registered 4.5 sacks and 18 solo tackles at Redwoods, where he spent one season... transferred there from Scottsdale CC, where he redshirted in 2013... second team all-area as a senior at Kalani High School in Honolulu in 2012.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "A junior college transfer, Shiloh is a native of Hawai'i. He is a big-bodied, dynamic pass rusher who pursues well and plays all over the field."
Joe Naotala, DT
6-2, 275, Jr, Carlsbad, CA (Palomar JC/Army-Navy Academy)
Player Notes: Logged a solid sophomore season in 2014, registering 42 total tackles (27 solo), including 14.5 for a loss and three sacks... recovered one fumble and blocked two kicks.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Joe is a big, tough and disciplined inside lineman. He has a Bobcat connection, as he played for a former Bobcat coach, J.G. Aegerter, at Palomar."
Zach Stern, LB
6-2, 200, Jr, Tarzana, CA (Santa Monica CC/Taft)
Player Notes: A track star at Santa Monica, where he posted best marks of 21.7 in the 200 m and 48.6 in the 400 m... also played football at SMCC.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Zach is a versatile athlete, an outside linebacker and special teams candidate. He was a track athlete at the junior college level and he has great speed."
Marcus Tappan, LB
6-2, 235,
Player Notes: Brings veteran presence to the inside linebacker position... attended Glendale Junior College in 2013, and redshirted at Cincinnati in 2014... a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, which rated him as the second-best junior college inside linebacker nationally and a top-15 JC linebacker in California after the 2013 season, and Scout.com... helped Glendale City College to a 6-4 record, its best since 2007... 56 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss and three sakcs, with two pass breakups in his season at Glendale... picked off two passes, returning one for a TD, against Compton... scored four touchdowns as a senior at LaSalle HS... also logged 44 tackles, four sacks and two picks... finished with 16 carries for 55 yards and four scores, with 15 catches for 255 yards and five touchdowns.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Marcus is a big, rugged inside linebacker. He is transferring from the University of Cincinnati."
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Woody Brandom, TE
6-4, 225, Fr, Corona, CA (Santiago)
Player Notes: Earned All-CIF honors as a tight end and safety at Corona Santiago HS... caught 52 passes for 880 yards, 16.9 per catch... two-time first team all-league choice... voted Most Inspirational Shark by teammates.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Woody is a prototype, multi-talented tight end. He's a great blocker and is also a very dynamic pass-receiving threat."
Mitch Brott, OL
6-6, 270, Fr, Billings, MT (West)
Player Notes: First team all-conference and second team all-state... East-West Shrine Game choice... his brother Wilson redshirted at MSU as a tight end last fall.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Mitch is a local product, from Billings West, and he's a big, strong, powerful offensive lineman. We're always happy to bring the brother of current players into the program, and Mitch's brother Wilson is a promising young player for us."
Walker Cozzie, LB
6-1, 220, Fr, Helena, MT (Capital)
Player Notes: First team all-conference and all-state special teams player... first team all-conference and second team all-state linebacker... four-time academic all-state.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Walker Cozzie is a hard-hitting, instinctive inside linebacker. He's very tough and was also a productive special teams player."
Robert Evans, TE
6-5, 247, Fr, Victorville, CA (Silverado)
Player Notes: Earned First Team All-Conference and All-Area honors as a senior... 39 catches for 532 yards with seven touchdowns as a senior... 2014 NUC All-Star.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Robert is one of two tight ends in this class. He's a big-bodied athlete who we see as having great development in his future. He's a big target in the pass game and is a good blocker."
Marcus Ferriter, DE
6-4, 220, Fr, Butte, MT (Central)
Player Notes: First Team All-Class A for the Butte Central Maroons... older brother Sean is a thrower for the Bobcat Track and Field team... started 40 straight games for the Maroons.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Marcus is a rangy, physically tough and very determined defensive lineman. He comes from a Bobcat family, and he's a very good prospect."
Riley Griffiths, DL
6-3, 260, Fr, Issaquah, WA (Skyline)
Player Notes: Logged 83 tackles, with 13.5 for a loss and 9.5 sacks as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Riley Griffiths is a high motor, really tough and determined defensive lineman."
Chris Harris, CB
6-2, 190, Fr, Lake Elsinore, CA (Elsinore)
Player Notes: Earned All-CIF and 1st Team All-League honors as a senior... named his team's utility player of the year... a standout at defensive back, where he had nine interceptions, as well as receiver, at which he compiled 200 yards.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "We really like Chris' length. He's a long, lanky defensive back. He was injured during his high school season and is a possibility for a grayshirt year (to enroll in January, 2016) because of that injury."
Josh Hill, LB
6-0, 200, Fr, Kalispell, MT (Glacier)
Player Notes: Helped lead Glacier's 13-0 state championship team, earning Class AA Defensive MVP honors... first team all-state as a junior and senior, earning Great Falls Tribune Super State honors as a senior... Mon-Dak All-Star and East-West Shrine Game choice.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Josh was the Class AA defensive player of the year in Montana. He's a dynamic, playmaking linebacker."
Sidney Holmes III, S
5-11, 190, Fr, Silsbee, TX (Beaumont Central)
Player Notes: Earned first team all-district honors for a team that won the 5A District 22 championship... 78 tackles, four for loss, as a senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Versatility is really what comes to mind about Sidney. He's a very fast skill-position player, and we're going to put him on defense."
Jordan Hoy, QB
6-1, 187, Fr, Rockwall, TX (Rockwall-Heath)
Player Notes: Earned team MVP honors as a senior... All-District 12 5A honors... Dallas News Player of the Week honors in two consecutive weeks during the playoffs... 1,400 pass yards and 13 touchdown passes as a senior, with 1,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdown runs, as well.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Jordan Hoy is a dual-threat quarterback. He has a great arm, and is a very good runner. He is a perfect fit for Tim Cramsey's offense."
Brayden Konkol, S
6-1, 205, Fr, Belgrade, MT (Belgrade)
Player Notes: A versatile athlete who starred at defensive back and as a dual-threat quarterback... 2014 Great Falls Tribune Super State safety, registering 135 tackles, including 20 for loss, with four sacks, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries... Central A Offensive MVP with 2,361 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing for 2,184 yards and 22 touchdowns.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Another highly versatile athlete, I really see him having a great future for us as a safety."
Jake McFetridge, OT
6-6, 295, Fr, Huntington Beach, CA (Huntington Beach)
Player Notes: Huntington Beach's offensive lineman of the year as a senior... #21 on Best Committed List in Orange County... lettered twice each in baseball and football, and posted highest GPA on his football squad.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Jake is a big offensive tackle who just recently committed to football after focusing on baseball through his sophomore year in high school. He has very good feet, and is a good blocker."
B.J. Ojo, LB
6-2, 225, Fr, Manvel, TX (Manvel)
Player Notes: A first team all-district selection as a junior and senior.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "B.J. is a big and athletic linebacker with excellent speed and instincts."
Kash Perry, OL
6-6, 310, Fr, Utica, MT (Denton-Stanford-Geyser)
Player Notes: Played six-man Class C football... slated to graduate first in his class... team captain with one catch for a 35-yard touchdown as a senior... all-conference and all-state basketball player as a junior... National Honor Society.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Kash is a huge lineman with outstanding potential. He comes from the six-man football ranks in Montana."
Sam Plucker, LB
6-2, 230, Fr, Appleton, WI (Kimberly)
Player Notes: Starter on Kimberly's 2013 and '14 state championship teams, enjoying a 44-0-1 record during his career... logged 190 tackles as a prep star, including 30 for a loss, with nine sacks and two interceptions... first team all-conference and all-area.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Sam was one of the earliest commits in this class. He is a highly-decorated middle linebacker for a state championship team in Wisconsin."
Chris Robinson, DL
6-2, 250, Fr, Pasadena, CA (LaSalle)
Player Notes: Earned first team all-league and all-area honors as a senior last fall.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Chris Robinson is a defensive lineman from California who has an outstanding frame, with lots of room to develop. He has excellent quickness for his size."
Byron Rollins, DE
6-3, 230, Fr, Missoula, MT (Sentinel)
Player Notes: First team all-conferece and all-state selection... chosen for the Montana East-West Shrine Game... an excellent student, with a 4.0 GPA.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Byron is a legacy Bobcat. His father, Josh, played here. He is a tough, gritty, technically sound defensive end."
Keon Stephens, WR
6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Cucamunga, CA (Etiwanda)
Player Notes: First team all-league receiver... caught 39 passes for 701 yards, averaging 100 yards a game and 18 yards a catch... first team all-area and all-county, as well.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Another very versatile skill-position player, who is a receiver and also a return man. He plays both the inside and outside receiver positions extremely well."
Tre'von Strong, DB
6-1, 190, Fr, Billings, MT (Skyview)
Player Notes: A three-sport athlete at Skyview, starring in football, basketball and track... earned second-team all-state and first team all-conference honors at safety... also an honorable mention all-state receiver.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Tre'von is a tall, athletic skill position player from Billings Skyview. He has the ability to play many different positions, but we're going to play him at corner."
Cameron Sutton, WR
6-5, 190, Fr, Norco, CA (Norco)
Player Notes: Earned 2nd Team All Big 8 honors, racking up 36 catches for 752 yards and nine touchdowns... MVP of Cali-Classic All-Star Game after his senior season.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Cam is a super tall, rangy, athletic wide receiver. He was the MVP of a recent all-star game down in California."
Bryan Wilkes, OT
6-3, 252, Fr, Great Falls, MT (CM Russell)
Player Notes: A first team all-state lineman at Great Falls CM Russell High School.
From MSU Coach Rob Ash: "Bryan is a very versatile lineman. He has a chance to develop quickly."
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballLeon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
