Tommy Mellott
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcats Open Preseason Camp
8/4/2022 8:44:00 PM | Football
Quarterback Tommy Mellott leads a youthful offense
BOZEMAN, Montana – One year ago, Tommy Mellott's walk to the Bobcat Stadium playing surface was laced with the same uncertainty and anxiety faced by every college football player at the start of their first season. On Thursday, things were very different.
And very fun.
"It was a ton of fun, so much energy, a beautiful day, hardly a cloud in sight, no smoke so nothing to complain about there," Mellott said after Thursday's MSU's first practice of preseason camp. Both teams, offense and defense, competed their butts off. I thought we got a ton of good work. We'll get in the film room and improve from it and that's what day one of fall camp's all about."
A year ago Mellott took reps on special teams units during fall camp, and in fact was in on the opening kickoff of the 2021 season. On Thursday, he participated as MSU's starting quarterback and a preseason All-Big Sky and Walter Payton Watch List honoree.
"I like where that position's at with Tommy and Sean (Chambers)," said Montana State's second-year head coach Brent Vigen. "And I know Jordan Reed and Sean Austin are battling for that third (spot), too."
Mellott said things are more comfortable and familiar this year, and that MSU's practice system allows for rapid improvement. "Last year was obviously my first year experiencing fall camp. What we do here's extremely special. It's really difficult but it gets those younger guys opportunities as I'm an example, being a freshman (last year), not knowing anything but then being able to come back in one year and really understanding just about everything in the playbook and having it super detailed."
Vigen welcomed a dozen returning starters to camp on Thursday. Only five of those line up on offense, with only one full-time starter back in the offensive line (center Justus Perkins). Vigen isn't worried about the lack of returners.
"I think they understand that, while inexperienced, if they work together and grow together and push each other they can become the best version of an offensive line that we possibly can," Vigen said. "Today was their first opportunity to go after it for a couple hours in a long, long time, and they worked hard. We don't put pads on for a couple days but at least the tempo and energy were good."
Mellott said that MSU's system of getting reps from two units on the same side of the ball at once accelerates the team's progress. "What we do with the double-repping, we get so many reps out there. You only have so many days, so many practices, so many scrimmages before that first game, and I think we're making the most of it."
Montana State's work on Thursday, Mellott said, was basic. "Today, install one, it's pretty simple what we're doing out there. It's the core of our offense and we're not going to get away from it."
Vigen called it a good start. "You set the bar, then you hope you re-set it every day and keep climbing throughout August."
#GoCatsGo
And very fun.
"It was a ton of fun, so much energy, a beautiful day, hardly a cloud in sight, no smoke so nothing to complain about there," Mellott said after Thursday's MSU's first practice of preseason camp. Both teams, offense and defense, competed their butts off. I thought we got a ton of good work. We'll get in the film room and improve from it and that's what day one of fall camp's all about."
A year ago Mellott took reps on special teams units during fall camp, and in fact was in on the opening kickoff of the 2021 season. On Thursday, he participated as MSU's starting quarterback and a preseason All-Big Sky and Walter Payton Watch List honoree.
"I like where that position's at with Tommy and Sean (Chambers)," said Montana State's second-year head coach Brent Vigen. "And I know Jordan Reed and Sean Austin are battling for that third (spot), too."
Mellott said things are more comfortable and familiar this year, and that MSU's practice system allows for rapid improvement. "Last year was obviously my first year experiencing fall camp. What we do here's extremely special. It's really difficult but it gets those younger guys opportunities as I'm an example, being a freshman (last year), not knowing anything but then being able to come back in one year and really understanding just about everything in the playbook and having it super detailed."
Vigen welcomed a dozen returning starters to camp on Thursday. Only five of those line up on offense, with only one full-time starter back in the offensive line (center Justus Perkins). Vigen isn't worried about the lack of returners.
"I think they understand that, while inexperienced, if they work together and grow together and push each other they can become the best version of an offensive line that we possibly can," Vigen said. "Today was their first opportunity to go after it for a couple hours in a long, long time, and they worked hard. We don't put pads on for a couple days but at least the tempo and energy were good."
Mellott said that MSU's system of getting reps from two units on the same side of the ball at once accelerates the team's progress. "What we do with the double-repping, we get so many reps out there. You only have so many days, so many practices, so many scrimmages before that first game, and I think we're making the most of it."
Montana State's work on Thursday, Mellott said, was basic. "Today, install one, it's pretty simple what we're doing out there. It's the core of our offense and we're not going to get away from it."
Vigen called it a good start. "You set the bar, then you hope you re-set it every day and keep climbing throughout August."
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
