Montana State Provides Fit in Multiple Ways For Ty Okada
9/2/2020 9:49:00 AM | General, Student Services, Student-Athletes
The business finance major from Minnesota has made an impact for the Bobcat football program since his arrival to Bozeman
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State football fans first saw Ty Okada make an impact for the program as a special teams contributor in 2018. He emerged in a larger role for the Bobcats as a sophomore in 2019, providing talent to an MSU secondary as a nickel back and even starting in two games at the end of the season.
The former walk-on hopes to be an even greater asset to the Bobcats when the time comes to get back on the field.
Okada's journey to Montana State initially started with academics before football. A native of Woodbury, Minnesota, Okada earned all-district honors for East Ridge High School as a senior quarterback in 2016. With his tape featuring his play on the offensive side of the ball, Okada was prepared when it came to reaching out to the Bobcat coaching staff. He also understood his future in the sport would most likely be on defense and that he wanted to play at the highest level possible.
"I actually had applied for Montana State before I even knew I was going to come out here to play football," Okada said. "I knew I wanted to try to play football, so I sent my film to (now cornerbacks) coach Kyle Risinger and (then defensive coordinator) Ty (Gregorak). I just said, 'hey the campus looks beautiful, the new business building (Jake Jabs Hall) looked phenomenal.' So that kind of played into why I came out here.
"Once they saw my film, they liked it and gave me an opportunity as a walk-on."
Since redshirting in 2017, Okada's time on the field for Montana State has increased.
Okada pointed to opportunities provided to him in early season games that were out of reach and in the 2018 FCS playoffs as a freshman helped with his confidence. As he caught up to the speed of the Division I game, a background as a quarterback helped him understand what an opposing passer is thinking depending on a situation like down and distance.
His awareness of those things and his ability to make open field tackles as a defensive back make him an effective performer for the Bobcat defense. His improvement also was rewarded by the Montana State staff.
"It means the world (to be put on scholarship)," Okada said. "It means the coaches saw the work that you put in and they believe in you as a player and as a person that they're willing to put you on… When you come here as a walk-on you have to prove yourself even more so than the scholarship kid because that's who they've invested in. Being put on scholarship is an incredible feeling, it felt like the hard work I put in is paying off."
As he's continued to work on his trade on the field, Okada has continued to put a focus on his efforts off of it.
Okada most recently made the Montana State University Dean's List as a business finance major. One of the influencing factors of his decision to apply to MSU at one time, Okada noted that the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship has been a big deal for his learning experience. Okada said the ability to have a schedule with morning practices has helped with staying on course academically.
"I'm a very structured person, so as an athlete, your schedule is planned out for you," Okada said. "You know during this time of the day you've got a two-hour block, you have to study during that time. For me, that makes it a lot easier because I know I can't procrastinate. The structure we have has helped me tremendously."
Okada is currently completing an internship at looking to become a financial advisor. He said he's open to anything business related as a future career as well as possibly coaching. With two years of eligibility left, Okada has time to make a decision on what avenue he professionally to take. For now, he's looking to help maintain the standard that's been set within the program.
"The team and the culture that we've built, I just looking forward to continuing that," Okada said. "The guys that came before us have done a great job of paving the way. As an older guy on this team, I just want to continue that leadership and that growth of the culture of this team."
As Montana State Athletics strives to develop the best and brightest student-athletes, support for the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund is crucial now more than ever. Donating to the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund ensures that 350-plus Bobcat student-athletes continue to receive the resources needed to succeed on and off the field of competition.
For more information about the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund, visit MSUBobcatClub.com or contact members of the Bobcat Club staff.
The former walk-on hopes to be an even greater asset to the Bobcats when the time comes to get back on the field.
Okada's journey to Montana State initially started with academics before football. A native of Woodbury, Minnesota, Okada earned all-district honors for East Ridge High School as a senior quarterback in 2016. With his tape featuring his play on the offensive side of the ball, Okada was prepared when it came to reaching out to the Bobcat coaching staff. He also understood his future in the sport would most likely be on defense and that he wanted to play at the highest level possible.
"I actually had applied for Montana State before I even knew I was going to come out here to play football," Okada said. "I knew I wanted to try to play football, so I sent my film to (now cornerbacks) coach Kyle Risinger and (then defensive coordinator) Ty (Gregorak). I just said, 'hey the campus looks beautiful, the new business building (Jake Jabs Hall) looked phenomenal.' So that kind of played into why I came out here.
"Once they saw my film, they liked it and gave me an opportunity as a walk-on."
Since redshirting in 2017, Okada's time on the field for Montana State has increased.
Okada pointed to opportunities provided to him in early season games that were out of reach and in the 2018 FCS playoffs as a freshman helped with his confidence. As he caught up to the speed of the Division I game, a background as a quarterback helped him understand what an opposing passer is thinking depending on a situation like down and distance.
His awareness of those things and his ability to make open field tackles as a defensive back make him an effective performer for the Bobcat defense. His improvement also was rewarded by the Montana State staff.
"It means the world (to be put on scholarship)," Okada said. "It means the coaches saw the work that you put in and they believe in you as a player and as a person that they're willing to put you on… When you come here as a walk-on you have to prove yourself even more so than the scholarship kid because that's who they've invested in. Being put on scholarship is an incredible feeling, it felt like the hard work I put in is paying off."
As he's continued to work on his trade on the field, Okada has continued to put a focus on his efforts off of it.
Okada most recently made the Montana State University Dean's List as a business finance major. One of the influencing factors of his decision to apply to MSU at one time, Okada noted that the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship has been a big deal for his learning experience. Okada said the ability to have a schedule with morning practices has helped with staying on course academically.
"I'm a very structured person, so as an athlete, your schedule is planned out for you," Okada said. "You know during this time of the day you've got a two-hour block, you have to study during that time. For me, that makes it a lot easier because I know I can't procrastinate. The structure we have has helped me tremendously."
Okada is currently completing an internship at looking to become a financial advisor. He said he's open to anything business related as a future career as well as possibly coaching. With two years of eligibility left, Okada has time to make a decision on what avenue he professionally to take. For now, he's looking to help maintain the standard that's been set within the program.
"The team and the culture that we've built, I just looking forward to continuing that," Okada said. "The guys that came before us have done a great job of paving the way. As an older guy on this team, I just want to continue that leadership and that growth of the culture of this team."
As Montana State Athletics strives to develop the best and brightest student-athletes, support for the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund is crucial now more than ever. Donating to the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund ensures that 350-plus Bobcat student-athletes continue to receive the resources needed to succeed on and off the field of competition.
For more information about the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund, visit MSUBobcatClub.com or contact members of the Bobcat Club staff.
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