Wilson Brott
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Wilson Brott Welcomes Move Back to Tight End
8/10/2017 4:52:00 PM | Football
Third position change in four seasons brings Billings product back to comfort zone
Wilson Brott's football career has come to feel a little like an amusement park ride to him.
To Montana State coach Jeff Choate, it is more reminiscent of a utility tool. "He's bounced around for us," Choate said, "been a little bit of a Swiss Army knife."
Brott came to Montana State as a 6-6 quarterback from Billings West, but the plan was to redshirt while moving to tight end. That included a mandate to gain some weight. "When I came in I was 215, 220," he said, and he worked diligently to maintain his speed and agility while gaining enough weight to adapt to the physical play demanded of a tight end.
After a couple of seasons there, he move three feet toward the football, shoring up a position of need at offensive tackle. Those initial seasons in the Bobcat program showed the older of Montana State's two Brott brothers – Mitch is a second-year starting tackle as a sophomore - that he knew very little about a good chunk of offensive football.
"I played quarterback in high school, so when I first came here I really had no idea what was going on with the blocking," Brott said. "Working with Coach (Brian) Armstrong and Coach (Joshua) Taufalele I definitely gained a better understanding of the blocking, all the footwork, all the fits, everything."
So when Armstrong and Choate approached him about sliding back out one body width, Wilson Brott didn't hesitate. "I thought it was a great opportunity," he said. "I was second string left tackle, and I thought I could hopefully come in and work with the tight ends. I think it's been going pretty well, I enjoy working with all the tight ends and I think the offense is going along pretty well."
It seems to be a matter of fate that he would end up working with Armstrong again. "I watched him play quarterback in high school," said Armstrong, who coached both Brotts as MSU's offensive line coach a season ago and before that was head coach at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. When he took over offensive coordinator duties this season, Armstrong took over Bobcat tight ends.
Choate said that Brott's experiences suit him to slide into a role as "our in-line tight end. He's a true Y, a guy that can help us out when we want to set the edge in power, in stretch. He played quarterback in high school so he's a good athlete. I do believe now that the offense has evolved and we've found a spot for him, he can find some productivity for us and help the run game be more efficient."
While Armstrong isn't sure Wilson Brott's lengthy position resume is an advantage on the field, he appreciates the attitude he brings to the tight end room. "He doesn't take himself too seriously," Armstrong said. "Things roll off his back pretty easy, he's a great kid. I'm excited that he's got a role, and I think he's going to embrace that and excel at it."
Like his series of position changes, Brott's weight continues to "fluctuate quite a bit," he said with a smile. Up to nearly 285 pounds after spring drills, he has dipped down to what for him is a more natural weight. "Working construction all summer and working out with the team I lost another 15 or 20 pounds. You've got to do what you've got to do."
One of the things Brott can do that pleases Armstrong is crucial at the tight end position. "Wilson runs pretty well for a big guy and has got some sticky fingers," he said. "He can catch the football. I didn't know if he could when he moved back (to tight end) because I'd only seen him as an offensive lineman."
Regardless of what the team's depth chart says any given week, Armstrong is pleased to have a player that fills the role assigned to Wilson Brott. "I think he's embraced it and it's an important role. I'm excited for him."
To Montana State coach Jeff Choate, it is more reminiscent of a utility tool. "He's bounced around for us," Choate said, "been a little bit of a Swiss Army knife."
Brott came to Montana State as a 6-6 quarterback from Billings West, but the plan was to redshirt while moving to tight end. That included a mandate to gain some weight. "When I came in I was 215, 220," he said, and he worked diligently to maintain his speed and agility while gaining enough weight to adapt to the physical play demanded of a tight end.
After a couple of seasons there, he move three feet toward the football, shoring up a position of need at offensive tackle. Those initial seasons in the Bobcat program showed the older of Montana State's two Brott brothers – Mitch is a second-year starting tackle as a sophomore - that he knew very little about a good chunk of offensive football.
"I played quarterback in high school, so when I first came here I really had no idea what was going on with the blocking," Brott said. "Working with Coach (Brian) Armstrong and Coach (Joshua) Taufalele I definitely gained a better understanding of the blocking, all the footwork, all the fits, everything."
So when Armstrong and Choate approached him about sliding back out one body width, Wilson Brott didn't hesitate. "I thought it was a great opportunity," he said. "I was second string left tackle, and I thought I could hopefully come in and work with the tight ends. I think it's been going pretty well, I enjoy working with all the tight ends and I think the offense is going along pretty well."
It seems to be a matter of fate that he would end up working with Armstrong again. "I watched him play quarterback in high school," said Armstrong, who coached both Brotts as MSU's offensive line coach a season ago and before that was head coach at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. When he took over offensive coordinator duties this season, Armstrong took over Bobcat tight ends.
Choate said that Brott's experiences suit him to slide into a role as "our in-line tight end. He's a true Y, a guy that can help us out when we want to set the edge in power, in stretch. He played quarterback in high school so he's a good athlete. I do believe now that the offense has evolved and we've found a spot for him, he can find some productivity for us and help the run game be more efficient."
While Armstrong isn't sure Wilson Brott's lengthy position resume is an advantage on the field, he appreciates the attitude he brings to the tight end room. "He doesn't take himself too seriously," Armstrong said. "Things roll off his back pretty easy, he's a great kid. I'm excited that he's got a role, and I think he's going to embrace that and excel at it."
Like his series of position changes, Brott's weight continues to "fluctuate quite a bit," he said with a smile. Up to nearly 285 pounds after spring drills, he has dipped down to what for him is a more natural weight. "Working construction all summer and working out with the team I lost another 15 or 20 pounds. You've got to do what you've got to do."
One of the things Brott can do that pleases Armstrong is crucial at the tight end position. "Wilson runs pretty well for a big guy and has got some sticky fingers," he said. "He can catch the football. I didn't know if he could when he moved back (to tight end) because I'd only seen him as an offensive lineman."
Regardless of what the team's depth chart says any given week, Armstrong is pleased to have a player that fills the role assigned to Wilson Brott. "I think he's embraced it and it's an important role. I'm excited for him."
Players Mentioned
TE
/ 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
