Photo by: Garrett Becker
T-DAY: Bobcat Star Troy Andersen's NFL Future is About to Become Clear
4/29/2022 2:25:00 PM | Football
As Friday's second and third rounds drew nearer, a range of emotions engulfed Bobcat Athletics
BOZEMAN, Montana – For anyone connected to the Montana State football program, April 29 brought a unique feeling. Excitement tinged with anxiety, and for some a bit of sadness knowing that Troy Andersen would officially join an NFL organization either tonight or tomorrow. His days as a Bobcat came to an end after the FCS National Championship game in Frisco, Texas, on January 8, but he still had never represented teams other than Beaverhead County High or the Montana State Bobcats.
Until Friday.
As the big moment neared, here are some thoughts shared by a few people close to the Bobcat program...
DESMOND HOWARD, 1991 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER AND ANALYST FOR ESPN COLLEGE GAME DAY: "The more I study Troy Andersen the more I realize he's a hidden gem. Troy has a unique skill set for a player of his size, along with an incredible work ethic and very high IQ. I can't wait to watch him thrive at the next level."
NICOLE ANDERSEN, TROY'S MOM: "It was a crazy busy day here, but such a good one. Troy had had a lot of nerves, so this was a welcome surprise. He is just so happy tonight, (we're) really proud and excited for him."
BOBCAT FAN AND SEASON TICKETHOLDER KRIS ATTEBERRY: "It will be weird not starting every game knowing you have the best player and thus anything is possible."
BOBCAT HEAD COACH BRENT VIGEN: "Tonight is Troy's night, and I'm excited for him to realize this next step. When you go through this process you check off the Senior Bowl, and the (NFL) Combine, and Pro Day off your list, but you get to a certain point where all that's left is to wait. As many teams are in play for him it's hard to know where he'll be drafted, but we're all anxious to see where he goes. I know one thing, whatever team is fortunate enough to get Troy will have a lot of new fans in Montana."
BOBCAT LINEBACKERS COACH BOBBY DALY: "I'm more excited than nervous for Troy. At this point we all know he's going to get an opportunity, but where? What team? Is it a good team, or one with a lot of work to do? He's been through both those phases here at Montana State, from being in the middle of the pack to the top of the pack, so I don't think he'll encounter anything he hasn't seen. Whatever team gets him is getting a blue-collar player and a tremendous human being. This is something he's worked toward for a long time, and I'm excited for him."
MONTANA STATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS LEON COSTELLO: "Well, I've been sitting in my office with the television on because it's cool just to hear his name and see our logo. It's awesome to hear about his journey, because we lived it with him. I'm proud of him like I'm proud of all our student-athletes, and it's a great feeling to support them all and then celebrate when they reach the mountain top, so to speak.
"When we left the house this morning our kids were so excited. We talked about the process last night, and then talked this morning about how this will probably be the night he's drafted and we learn what his new team will be."
FORMER MONTANA STATE COACH JEFF CHOATE, WHO RECRUITED TROY ANDERSEN TO BOZEMAN: "I always knew from the time I first saw the kid what kind of talent he had. Whether he was going to cultivate that talent into an opportunity to get drafted and play in the NFL is unknown, but I recognized his talent. He's persevered through so much - injuries, position changes, a coaching change - and it speaks to Troy's character more than his talent that he's earned this opportunity.
"I talked to Troy (Thursday morning) and we talked about what a zoo the next 72 hours would be for him. Then I reminded him when I went to watch him in Dillon and I talked to his mom and she said, "I don't know if Troy's ready for all of that, maybe he'll just stay in town and go to Western. And I told her, I will not let that happen. (laughs)
"I'm really proud of him, but it's not about the football stuff at all. He really had to step out of his comfort zone last year and emerge as a leader for that team. The Bobcats had a lot of success, and a lot of that is credit to the team's leadership. Coach Vigen did a great job letting those guys be who they were and letting them play, and of course Troy was a huge part of that. Troy had to grow up a lot last year, and he did. I'm proud, and I'm really excited to see what's next for him."
Until Friday.
As the big moment neared, here are some thoughts shared by a few people close to the Bobcat program...
DESMOND HOWARD, 1991 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER AND ANALYST FOR ESPN COLLEGE GAME DAY: "The more I study Troy Andersen the more I realize he's a hidden gem. Troy has a unique skill set for a player of his size, along with an incredible work ethic and very high IQ. I can't wait to watch him thrive at the next level."
NICOLE ANDERSEN, TROY'S MOM: "It was a crazy busy day here, but such a good one. Troy had had a lot of nerves, so this was a welcome surprise. He is just so happy tonight, (we're) really proud and excited for him."
BOBCAT FAN AND SEASON TICKETHOLDER KRIS ATTEBERRY: "It will be weird not starting every game knowing you have the best player and thus anything is possible."
BOBCAT HEAD COACH BRENT VIGEN: "Tonight is Troy's night, and I'm excited for him to realize this next step. When you go through this process you check off the Senior Bowl, and the (NFL) Combine, and Pro Day off your list, but you get to a certain point where all that's left is to wait. As many teams are in play for him it's hard to know where he'll be drafted, but we're all anxious to see where he goes. I know one thing, whatever team is fortunate enough to get Troy will have a lot of new fans in Montana."
BOBCAT LINEBACKERS COACH BOBBY DALY: "I'm more excited than nervous for Troy. At this point we all know he's going to get an opportunity, but where? What team? Is it a good team, or one with a lot of work to do? He's been through both those phases here at Montana State, from being in the middle of the pack to the top of the pack, so I don't think he'll encounter anything he hasn't seen. Whatever team gets him is getting a blue-collar player and a tremendous human being. This is something he's worked toward for a long time, and I'm excited for him."
MONTANA STATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS LEON COSTELLO: "Well, I've been sitting in my office with the television on because it's cool just to hear his name and see our logo. It's awesome to hear about his journey, because we lived it with him. I'm proud of him like I'm proud of all our student-athletes, and it's a great feeling to support them all and then celebrate when they reach the mountain top, so to speak.
"When we left the house this morning our kids were so excited. We talked about the process last night, and then talked this morning about how this will probably be the night he's drafted and we learn what his new team will be."
FORMER MONTANA STATE COACH JEFF CHOATE, WHO RECRUITED TROY ANDERSEN TO BOZEMAN: "I always knew from the time I first saw the kid what kind of talent he had. Whether he was going to cultivate that talent into an opportunity to get drafted and play in the NFL is unknown, but I recognized his talent. He's persevered through so much - injuries, position changes, a coaching change - and it speaks to Troy's character more than his talent that he's earned this opportunity.
"I talked to Troy (Thursday morning) and we talked about what a zoo the next 72 hours would be for him. Then I reminded him when I went to watch him in Dillon and I talked to his mom and she said, "I don't know if Troy's ready for all of that, maybe he'll just stay in town and go to Western. And I told her, I will not let that happen. (laughs)
"I'm really proud of him, but it's not about the football stuff at all. He really had to step out of his comfort zone last year and emerge as a leader for that team. The Bobcats had a lot of success, and a lot of that is credit to the team's leadership. Coach Vigen did a great job letting those guys be who they were and letting them play, and of course Troy was a huge part of that. Troy had to grow up a lot last year, and he did. I'm proud, and I'm really excited to see what's next for him."
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