Tanner Bleskin
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCAT CALENDAR: Tanner Bleskin capped a brilliant career Academic All-America honors today in 2013
12/5/2020 1:00:00 PM | Football
The former multi-sport star from CMR was exemplary in everything he did at Montana State
A day-by-day look at Bobcat football history...
December 5
SPOTLIGHT: In the fall of 2009, whispers seeped out of the Montana State football program time and again about a trio of true freshmen redshirting that fall. Wait until you see these guys, the stories went. The varsity can't stop them.
Those rumors proved to be much more than idle talk in the spring and early fall of 2010. McGhee won the starting quarterback job, and Kirk impressed even as it became apparent that carries would probably be scarce in the presence of experienced backs. Much of what was seen from quarterback DeNarius McGhee and running back Cody Kirk buttressed the rumors. But, as had been the case throughout his career, Tanner Bleskin didn't generate a lot of talk. The former Great Falls CMR multi-sport star just put his head down and went to work.
As a redshirt freshman Bleskin caught 33 passes for 502 yards, both fourth-best on the team. He was a big part of the Bobcat offense. The next year he 30 passes for 417 yards, both second on the team, and the next two seasons he led the Bobcats in catches and receiving yards.
By any measure, Bleskin logged an amazing career at Montana State. The perception that he was a 'possession receiver' or a receiver McGhee could check-down to never matched the reality. Bleskin's speed was better than he ever received credit for, and he worked hard throughout his time at MSU to improve both straight-line speed and short-area quickness. His catch radius was impressive and his hands were sure, and he was constantly lauded for his ability and willingness to block.
Seven years after his career ended, Bleskin still holds Montana State's career receiving yards record (2,816) and catches (193). Neither has been remotely threatened. He was 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2012, Third Team in 2013.
In the classroom, though, Bleskin was even better than on the football field. He maintained a cumulative grade point average of nearly 4.0 throughout his time at MSU as a cell biology and neuroscience major.
Today in 2013, Bleskin earned the most prestigious academic honor in college sports when he was named CoSIDA Academic All-America.
THE BOBCATS ON TODAY'S DATE IN HISTORY
2013 - Tanner Bleskin earns Academic All-America honors
December 5
SPOTLIGHT: In the fall of 2009, whispers seeped out of the Montana State football program time and again about a trio of true freshmen redshirting that fall. Wait until you see these guys, the stories went. The varsity can't stop them.
Those rumors proved to be much more than idle talk in the spring and early fall of 2010. McGhee won the starting quarterback job, and Kirk impressed even as it became apparent that carries would probably be scarce in the presence of experienced backs. Much of what was seen from quarterback DeNarius McGhee and running back Cody Kirk buttressed the rumors. But, as had been the case throughout his career, Tanner Bleskin didn't generate a lot of talk. The former Great Falls CMR multi-sport star just put his head down and went to work.
As a redshirt freshman Bleskin caught 33 passes for 502 yards, both fourth-best on the team. He was a big part of the Bobcat offense. The next year he 30 passes for 417 yards, both second on the team, and the next two seasons he led the Bobcats in catches and receiving yards.
By any measure, Bleskin logged an amazing career at Montana State. The perception that he was a 'possession receiver' or a receiver McGhee could check-down to never matched the reality. Bleskin's speed was better than he ever received credit for, and he worked hard throughout his time at MSU to improve both straight-line speed and short-area quickness. His catch radius was impressive and his hands were sure, and he was constantly lauded for his ability and willingness to block.
Seven years after his career ended, Bleskin still holds Montana State's career receiving yards record (2,816) and catches (193). Neither has been remotely threatened. He was 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2012, Third Team in 2013.
In the classroom, though, Bleskin was even better than on the football field. He maintained a cumulative grade point average of nearly 4.0 throughout his time at MSU as a cell biology and neuroscience major.
Today in 2013, Bleskin earned the most prestigious academic honor in college sports when he was named CoSIDA Academic All-America.
THE BOBCATS ON TODAY'S DATE IN HISTORY
2013 - Tanner Bleskin earns Academic All-America honors
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