BOBCATS 125: Clay Bignell
6/14/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
A linchpin linebacker, Clay Bignell's steady play helped the Bobcats rise to a top-level defense in the middle of Rob Ash's tenure at MSU
Leading to the 2022 season, the 125th anniversary of Montana State's first football team, we will look at 125 of the greatest Bobcats. You can find details here and a directory here.
Clay Bignell, LB, 2008-11
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2009 and 2011
A CLOSER LOOK: Clayn Bignell brought nothing but honor to perhaps the most famous surname in Bobcat football history. A three-year starting linebacker for teams that improved each season, Bignell served as the linchpin of a rising defense in 2009 and 2010 and a transition from the core of veterans on those teams to the amazing units of 2011 and 2012 that featured a new crop of stars. If there was foreshadowing to a fine coaching career that would follow (Bignell has worked as a defensive analyst at Northwestern, Notre Dame, East Carolina and Vanderbilt and now is the safeties coach and defensive pass game coordinator at Eastern Illinois), it may have been his presence as a veteran and team captain in 2011. Bignell logged 201 tackles in his career, picking off five passes and 18 tackles for loss.
FROM TEAMMATE, BOBCAT ALL-AMERICA AND CURRENT CAROLINA PANTHERS ASSISTANT COACH JODY OWENS: "When I think of Clay the first thing that comes to mind is the ultimate leader! He did a great job of connecting with his teammates and getting those around him to be at their best. He made it clear every day what the standard was and is for Montana State's defense. Love that guy!"
Clay Bignell, LB, 2008-11
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2009 and 2011
A CLOSER LOOK: Clayn Bignell brought nothing but honor to perhaps the most famous surname in Bobcat football history. A three-year starting linebacker for teams that improved each season, Bignell served as the linchpin of a rising defense in 2009 and 2010 and a transition from the core of veterans on those teams to the amazing units of 2011 and 2012 that featured a new crop of stars. If there was foreshadowing to a fine coaching career that would follow (Bignell has worked as a defensive analyst at Northwestern, Notre Dame, East Carolina and Vanderbilt and now is the safeties coach and defensive pass game coordinator at Eastern Illinois), it may have been his presence as a veteran and team captain in 2011. Bignell logged 201 tackles in his career, picking off five passes and 18 tackles for loss.
FROM TEAMMATE, BOBCAT ALL-AMERICA AND CURRENT CAROLINA PANTHERS ASSISTANT COACH JODY OWENS: "When I think of Clay the first thing that comes to mind is the ultimate leader! He did a great job of connecting with his teammates and getting those around him to be at their best. He made it clear every day what the standard was and is for Montana State's defense. Love that guy!"
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