Bobcat senior JP Flynn
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
JP Flynn, Having Fun Again, Heads to Park City to Represent Bobcats
7/15/2016 8:23:00 AM | Football
Bobcat senior guard expected to land on All-Big Sky Preseason Team
A funny thing happened to JP Flynn on the way to his senior season.
"Fun," says the gregarious Flynn, his trademark smile punctuating body language that puts his words in bold face and italics. The Bettendorf, Iowa, product isn't the least bit interested in hiding how much he's enjoyed his final summer as a Bobcat guard. "It's been a lot of fun, the most fun I've had. The PRPs (player-run practices) are hard, but we're having fun and getting a lot done."
Flynn serves as Montana State's representative at the Big Sky Kickoff in Park City, Utah, this weekend. He joins players from each league school - including stars such as Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp, the reigning Big Sky and FCS Offensive Player of the Year - and conference coaches in meeting media members that cover the league. Players conduct media interviews Monday morning, along with participating in photo shoots with ROOT Sports and other activities. Flynn's interview on Big Sky TV will be streamed on the Big Sky Conference web site (www.bigskyconf.com) at 9:36 am Monday.
While Flynn's job description hasn't changed much during his four years on the Bobcat varsity - he took over as a starting guard early in his freshman year - his role has. So has his style.
"He's always been a fun-loving goofball type," MSU Strength Coach Alex Willcox said, "but where he used to be forcing things a little bit now it's very free-flowing and natural. The (summer) workouts have been great, and JP's doing a very good job."
Flynn has been a consistently excellent performer throughout his career - he earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors as a freshman - but he played more of a supporting role the last two years. Flynn lined up with tackle John Weidenaar and center Joel Horn every game as a sophomore and junior, with veterans Kyle Godecke and Alex Eekhoff also helping anchor the line.
This year, though, Flynn is the lone full-time returning offensive line starter. Caleb Gillis, Dylan Mahoney and Monte Folsom all lend experience to the offensive front, but first-year head coach Jeff Choate is quick to cite Flynn's leadership.
"JP is a complete leader," Choate said. "He's a strong, positive presence in the classroom and on the field."
Willcox also characterizes Flynn as a versatile leader. "He's a really good mix of being a caring leader, letting his teammates know that he cares about them as people, and being able to get on guys and hold them accountable when the need is there."
For Flynn, though, this summer has mostly been fun. "The energy has been incredible," says the animated Flynn. "Almost the entire team is here, and each position group has its own penalties for missing (a session). But it's been so great that no on wants to miss."
That level of energy and enjoyment has brought Flynn full circle. "It's funny because you spend your entire career looking forward, looking ahead, and now that I'm a senior it's been so fun to be in the moment that I feel like a freshman again."
"Fun," says the gregarious Flynn, his trademark smile punctuating body language that puts his words in bold face and italics. The Bettendorf, Iowa, product isn't the least bit interested in hiding how much he's enjoyed his final summer as a Bobcat guard. "It's been a lot of fun, the most fun I've had. The PRPs (player-run practices) are hard, but we're having fun and getting a lot done."
Flynn serves as Montana State's representative at the Big Sky Kickoff in Park City, Utah, this weekend. He joins players from each league school - including stars such as Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp, the reigning Big Sky and FCS Offensive Player of the Year - and conference coaches in meeting media members that cover the league. Players conduct media interviews Monday morning, along with participating in photo shoots with ROOT Sports and other activities. Flynn's interview on Big Sky TV will be streamed on the Big Sky Conference web site (www.bigskyconf.com) at 9:36 am Monday.
While Flynn's job description hasn't changed much during his four years on the Bobcat varsity - he took over as a starting guard early in his freshman year - his role has. So has his style.
"He's always been a fun-loving goofball type," MSU Strength Coach Alex Willcox said, "but where he used to be forcing things a little bit now it's very free-flowing and natural. The (summer) workouts have been great, and JP's doing a very good job."
Flynn has been a consistently excellent performer throughout his career - he earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors as a freshman - but he played more of a supporting role the last two years. Flynn lined up with tackle John Weidenaar and center Joel Horn every game as a sophomore and junior, with veterans Kyle Godecke and Alex Eekhoff also helping anchor the line.
This year, though, Flynn is the lone full-time returning offensive line starter. Caleb Gillis, Dylan Mahoney and Monte Folsom all lend experience to the offensive front, but first-year head coach Jeff Choate is quick to cite Flynn's leadership.
"JP is a complete leader," Choate said. "He's a strong, positive presence in the classroom and on the field."
Willcox also characterizes Flynn as a versatile leader. "He's a really good mix of being a caring leader, letting his teammates know that he cares about them as people, and being able to get on guys and hold them accountable when the need is there."
For Flynn, though, this summer has mostly been fun. "The energy has been incredible," says the animated Flynn. "Almost the entire team is here, and each position group has its own penalties for missing (a session). But it's been so great that no on wants to miss."
That level of energy and enjoyment has brought Flynn full circle. "It's funny because you spend your entire career looking forward, looking ahead, and now that I'm a senior it's been so fun to be in the moment that I feel like a freshman again."
Players Mentioned
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