Justin Paige races away from Big Sky defenses
Photo by: Kevin Haines
Hard-Working Justin Paige Adds Big-Play Presence to Bobcat Pass Game
8/14/2015 5:17:00 PM | Football
Quiet Texan had a strong impact as a frosh, and looks for more of the same this year
If all you knew about Justin Paige is what you saw from him in a Montana State football uniform, you'd likely think his off-the-field persona reflects his on-the-field production – flashy and splashy, someone to keep an eye on at all times for fear something spectacular might be about to happen.
"You're seeing those touchdowns that he catches, you're seeing those deep posts over the middle for a 40-yard gain, you're seeing him create separation, you're seeing him block with great tenacity and violence out on the perimeter," Montana State receivers coach Cody Kempt said of what Paige offers a football team.
But if you think the trail of big plays and highlight-reel catches are going to lead you to an extravagant, brash person who enjoys the attention, you'd be wrong.
"Justin is reserved and quiet, both on and off the field," Bobcat coach Rob Ash says of his sophomore receiver who was an unknown quantity a year ago but is now among the Big Sky's top big-play threats. "But he is intensely competitive and driven underneath that exterior."
Paige caught 12 passes for 379 yards last season, with three of those plays ending in the end zone. His rate of 31.6 yards per catch was best on the team and among the highest in the nation. His yardage total was sixth-most by a Bobcat freshman in history.
Kempt said there is a simple reason for Paige's success. "Justin Paige is one of the hardest working people you'll ever come across."
That is true, Ash says, to the point of concern. "He works hard in practice, and then sticks around and runs extra," said the man who coached MSU's top two all-time leading receivers (Tanner Bleskin and Elvis Akpla). "Sometimes we are concerned that he's working too hard, that he'll wear down, but he seems to be extremely strong and he's capable of handling a tremendous workload."
Paige said his off-season work – he could be spotted nearly every day working alone on speed, strength and agility in Worthington Arena or the Bobcat Strength Center – has paid physical dividends. "My releases are better, I am catching better," he said of his improvement from the end of last season to this fall. "I got a little bit faster, and a little bit stronger."
More significant gains, the Katy, Tex., product said, are mental. "I have a better understanding of the offense, and I'm more comfortable in the offense," he said. "I have a better understanding of the defense, the coverages they play, the releases they use, all of that. Overall it's getting easier."
Paige arrived at MSU 12 months ago as a decorated high school cornerback in whom the Bobcats saw the potential for greatness as a pass-catcher. The conversion wasn't always easy – "At the beginning I wanted to play corner, but I'm glad I picked receiver," he said with a smile – but Kempt said that background is beneficial.
"Having the understanding of how a defensive back is trying to combat us and counter our releases as a receiver can be very helpful," he said. "Having that physicality, having played some defense in high school, can definitely help a receiver because we ask them to be extremely physical on the perimeter, especially in the run-blocking game."
Paige's path to Bozeman is a familiar one, as he is among 14 Texans on the MSU roster. He said the presence of those with a similar background helps initially, but that it doesn't matter much in the long run. "We can relate (to each other) and stuff, but it's all a family here," he said. "After a while you all gel together here, Californians and Montanans, no matter where you're from. We're all a family."
The sophomore said he feels himself improving nearly daily, and in agreeing his position coach sounds what could be considered an ominous warning for opponents. "It's a night-and-day difference from the moment he stepped on campus last August until now as far as improvement and skill development," Kempt said. "And it's only going to get better and better."
"You're seeing those touchdowns that he catches, you're seeing those deep posts over the middle for a 40-yard gain, you're seeing him create separation, you're seeing him block with great tenacity and violence out on the perimeter," Montana State receivers coach Cody Kempt said of what Paige offers a football team.
But if you think the trail of big plays and highlight-reel catches are going to lead you to an extravagant, brash person who enjoys the attention, you'd be wrong.
"Justin is reserved and quiet, both on and off the field," Bobcat coach Rob Ash says of his sophomore receiver who was an unknown quantity a year ago but is now among the Big Sky's top big-play threats. "But he is intensely competitive and driven underneath that exterior."
Paige caught 12 passes for 379 yards last season, with three of those plays ending in the end zone. His rate of 31.6 yards per catch was best on the team and among the highest in the nation. His yardage total was sixth-most by a Bobcat freshman in history.
Kempt said there is a simple reason for Paige's success. "Justin Paige is one of the hardest working people you'll ever come across."
That is true, Ash says, to the point of concern. "He works hard in practice, and then sticks around and runs extra," said the man who coached MSU's top two all-time leading receivers (Tanner Bleskin and Elvis Akpla). "Sometimes we are concerned that he's working too hard, that he'll wear down, but he seems to be extremely strong and he's capable of handling a tremendous workload."
Paige said his off-season work – he could be spotted nearly every day working alone on speed, strength and agility in Worthington Arena or the Bobcat Strength Center – has paid physical dividends. "My releases are better, I am catching better," he said of his improvement from the end of last season to this fall. "I got a little bit faster, and a little bit stronger."
More significant gains, the Katy, Tex., product said, are mental. "I have a better understanding of the offense, and I'm more comfortable in the offense," he said. "I have a better understanding of the defense, the coverages they play, the releases they use, all of that. Overall it's getting easier."
Paige arrived at MSU 12 months ago as a decorated high school cornerback in whom the Bobcats saw the potential for greatness as a pass-catcher. The conversion wasn't always easy – "At the beginning I wanted to play corner, but I'm glad I picked receiver," he said with a smile – but Kempt said that background is beneficial.
"Having the understanding of how a defensive back is trying to combat us and counter our releases as a receiver can be very helpful," he said. "Having that physicality, having played some defense in high school, can definitely help a receiver because we ask them to be extremely physical on the perimeter, especially in the run-blocking game."
Paige's path to Bozeman is a familiar one, as he is among 14 Texans on the MSU roster. He said the presence of those with a similar background helps initially, but that it doesn't matter much in the long run. "We can relate (to each other) and stuff, but it's all a family here," he said. "After a while you all gel together here, Californians and Montanans, no matter where you're from. We're all a family."
The sophomore said he feels himself improving nearly daily, and in agreeing his position coach sounds what could be considered an ominous warning for opponents. "It's a night-and-day difference from the moment he stepped on campus last August until now as far as improvement and skill development," Kempt said. "And it's only going to get better and better."
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