Brent Vigen and Tommy Mellott
Photo by: Dean Hendrickson
Tommy Mellott, Brody Grebe Lead Montana State's Big Sky Conference Honorees
11/27/2024 10:03:00 AM | Football
MSU lands offensive and defensive players of the year, freshman of the year, and coach of the year honors
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State achieved unprecedented success on the football field during the 2024 regular season, and the awards season has begun in similar fashion for the Bobcats on Wednesday.
After the first 12-0 regular season in Big Sky history the Bobcats captured four of the league's five individual awards. Quarterback Tommy Mellott was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, end Brody Grebe landed Defensive Player of the Year honors, and running back Adam Jones took home Freshman of the Year honors. In addition, head coach Brent Vigen was named Coach of the Year.
Mellott becomes only the third different Bobcat to land offensive player of the year honors, joining DeNarius McGhee (who won it twice), and Kelly Bradley. Grebe is the ninth defensive player to win Big Sky player of the year kudos at MSU, and Jones is Montana State's third top freshman. Vigen is the fourth Bobcat to win multiple league awards as the top coach, joining Mike Kramer, Sonny Holland and Jim Sweeney.
MSU landed a league-high nine players on the Big Sky's first team. Offensive linemen Marcus Wehr and Conner Moore, running back Scottre Humphrey and fullback Rohan Jones landed on the first team, along with Mellott. Taco Dowler was named the league's top punt returner, while linebacker McCade O'Reilly and safety Rylan Ortt joined Grebe on the top defensive list.
In all, the Big Sky honored 17 Bobcats. The full list is below…
2024 BIG SKY FOOTBALL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year: Tommy Mellott, Montana State
Defensive Player of the Year: Brody Grebe, Montana State
Newcomer of the Year: Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
Freshman of the Year: Adam Jones, Montana State
Coach of the Year: Brent Vigen, Montana State
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Tommy Mellott (MSU)
Offensive Line: Marcus Wehr* (MSU), Conner Moore (MSU), Jackson Slater* (SAC), Brandon Casey (UM), Wyatt Hansen (EWU), Ayden Knapik (UI)
Running Back: Scottre Humphrey (MSU), Lan Larison* (UCD)
Fullback: Rohan Jones (MSU)
Receiver: Efton Chism III (EWU), Jeff Weimer (ISU), Christian Fredericksen (ISU)
Tight End: Bryzai White (NAU), Winston Williams (UCD)
All-Purpose: Michael Wortham (EWU)
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Brody Grebe* (MSU), Keyshawn James-Newby (UI), Elijah Ponder (CP), Dallas Afalava (UI), Zach Kennedy (UCD)
Linebacker: McCade O'Reilly (MSU), David Meyer (UCD), Jaxton Eck (UI), Tommy Ellis (NAU), Will Leota (SAC)
Defensive Back: Rylan Ortt (MSU), Rex Connors* (UCD), Alex McLaughlin* (NAU), Tommy McCormick (UI), Andrew Marshall (UI), Kavir Bains (UCD)
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
Kick Returner: Junior Bergen (UM)
Punt Returner: Taco Dowler (MSU)
Kicker: Gabe Panikowski (ISU)
Punter: Hunter Green (UNC)
Special Teams: Dwayne McDougle (UI)
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Miles Hastings (UCD)
Running Back: Damon Bankston (WSU), Eli Gillman (UM)
Fullback: Austin York (EWU)
Receiver: Jacob Sharp (WSU), Jared Gipson (SAC), Keelan White (UM), Jordan Dwyer (UI)
Tight End: Mike Martinez (UI), Tanner Beaman (PSU)
Offensive Line: Titan Fleischmann (MSU), Cole Sain (MSU), Jonny Bottorff (NAU), Stryker Rashid (ISU), Eli Simonson (UCD), Gavin Ortega (WSU)
All-Purpose: Dante Chachere (PSU)
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Paul Brott (MSU), Kemari Munier-Bailey (WSU), Hayden Harris (UM), Matt Brown (EWU), Evan Bearden (UCD)
Linebacker: Danny Uluilakepa (MSU), Riley Wilson (UM), Peyton Wing (PSU), Porter Connors (UCD), Ryan Tirrell (UM)
Defensive Backs: Andrew Powdrell (MSU), DJ VanHook (NAU), Zach Lewis (NAU), Trevin Gradney (UM), Mason Rivera (CP), Derek Ganter Jr. (EWU)
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
Punter: Brendan Hall (MSU)
Kick Returner: Michael Wortham (EWU)
Punt Returner: Junior Bergen
Kicker: Hunter Ridley (UCD)
Special Teams: TJ Rausch (UM)
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE (at least 3 votes)
Quarterback: Dante Chachere (PSU)
Running Back: Adam Jones (MSU), Elijah Tau-Tolliver (SAC)
Receiver: Giancarlo Woods (CP), Mark Hamper (UI), Junior Bergen (UM)
Tight End: Jett Carpenter (EWU)
Offensive Line: Nate Azzopardi (UI), Jack Seelye (EWU), Billy Lutui (PSU), Ernest Nava (UCD), Luke Dahlgren (EWU), Journey Grimsrud (UM), Richard Estrella (PSU)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE (at least 3 votes)
Defensive Line: Kenneth Eiden IV (MSU), Micah Carreon (NAU), Princeton Toki (UCD), Ethan Rodriguez (CP), Malakai Williams (UI), Brayden Wilson (WSU)
Linebacker: Garrett Beck (WSU), Isiah King (UI), Ammon Allen (NAU), Zach Johnson (UI)
Defensive Back: Jaxon Lee (UM), Tyreese Shakir (PSU), DaJean Wells (EWU), Cam Chapa (UNC)
HONORABLE MENTION SPECIALISTS (at least 3 votes)
Kick Returner: Andrew Marshall (UI)
Punt Returner: Isaiah Eastman (NAU)
Kicker: Zach Schreiner (SAC), Mathias Uribe (PSU)
Punter: Ben D'Aquila (NAU)
Special Teams: Jeremy Justice (CP), Sean Farfan (NAU)
MSU BIG SKY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: 2024 - Tommy Mellott, sr.; 2012 – DeNarius McGhee, jr.; 2010 – DeNarius McGhee, fr.; 1984 – Kelly Bradley, so.
MSU BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Brody Grebe, sr.; 2021 – Troy Andersen, sr.; 2013 – Brad Daly, sr.; 2012 – Jody Owens, sr.; 2009 – Dane Fletcher, sr; 2004 – Roger Cooper, sr.; 2003 – Kane Ioane, sr.; 1990 – Corey Widmer, jr.; 1984 – Mark Fellows, sr.
MSU BIG SKY FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Adam Jones; 2017 – Troy Andersen; 2016 – Chris Murray
MSU BIG SKY COACH OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Brent Vigen, 2022 – Brent Vigen, 2010 – Rob Ash, 2005 – Mike Kramer, 2002 – Mike Kramer, 1984 – Dave Arnold, 1979 – Sonny Lubick, 1976 – Sonny Holland, 1972 – Sonny Holland, 1968 – Tom Parac, 1967 – Jim Sweeney, 1966 – Jim Sweeney, 1964 – Jim Sweeney
#GoCatsGo
After the first 12-0 regular season in Big Sky history the Bobcats captured four of the league's five individual awards. Quarterback Tommy Mellott was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, end Brody Grebe landed Defensive Player of the Year honors, and running back Adam Jones took home Freshman of the Year honors. In addition, head coach Brent Vigen was named Coach of the Year.
Mellott becomes only the third different Bobcat to land offensive player of the year honors, joining DeNarius McGhee (who won it twice), and Kelly Bradley. Grebe is the ninth defensive player to win Big Sky player of the year kudos at MSU, and Jones is Montana State's third top freshman. Vigen is the fourth Bobcat to win multiple league awards as the top coach, joining Mike Kramer, Sonny Holland and Jim Sweeney.
MSU landed a league-high nine players on the Big Sky's first team. Offensive linemen Marcus Wehr and Conner Moore, running back Scottre Humphrey and fullback Rohan Jones landed on the first team, along with Mellott. Taco Dowler was named the league's top punt returner, while linebacker McCade O'Reilly and safety Rylan Ortt joined Grebe on the top defensive list.
In all, the Big Sky honored 17 Bobcats. The full list is below…
2024 BIG SKY FOOTBALL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year: Tommy Mellott, Montana State
Defensive Player of the Year: Brody Grebe, Montana State
Newcomer of the Year: Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
Freshman of the Year: Adam Jones, Montana State
Coach of the Year: Brent Vigen, Montana State
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Tommy Mellott (MSU)
Offensive Line: Marcus Wehr* (MSU), Conner Moore (MSU), Jackson Slater* (SAC), Brandon Casey (UM), Wyatt Hansen (EWU), Ayden Knapik (UI)
Running Back: Scottre Humphrey (MSU), Lan Larison* (UCD)
Fullback: Rohan Jones (MSU)
Receiver: Efton Chism III (EWU), Jeff Weimer (ISU), Christian Fredericksen (ISU)
Tight End: Bryzai White (NAU), Winston Williams (UCD)
All-Purpose: Michael Wortham (EWU)
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Brody Grebe* (MSU), Keyshawn James-Newby (UI), Elijah Ponder (CP), Dallas Afalava (UI), Zach Kennedy (UCD)
Linebacker: McCade O'Reilly (MSU), David Meyer (UCD), Jaxton Eck (UI), Tommy Ellis (NAU), Will Leota (SAC)
Defensive Back: Rylan Ortt (MSU), Rex Connors* (UCD), Alex McLaughlin* (NAU), Tommy McCormick (UI), Andrew Marshall (UI), Kavir Bains (UCD)
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
Kick Returner: Junior Bergen (UM)
Punt Returner: Taco Dowler (MSU)
Kicker: Gabe Panikowski (ISU)
Punter: Hunter Green (UNC)
Special Teams: Dwayne McDougle (UI)
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Miles Hastings (UCD)
Running Back: Damon Bankston (WSU), Eli Gillman (UM)
Fullback: Austin York (EWU)
Receiver: Jacob Sharp (WSU), Jared Gipson (SAC), Keelan White (UM), Jordan Dwyer (UI)
Tight End: Mike Martinez (UI), Tanner Beaman (PSU)
Offensive Line: Titan Fleischmann (MSU), Cole Sain (MSU), Jonny Bottorff (NAU), Stryker Rashid (ISU), Eli Simonson (UCD), Gavin Ortega (WSU)
All-Purpose: Dante Chachere (PSU)
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Paul Brott (MSU), Kemari Munier-Bailey (WSU), Hayden Harris (UM), Matt Brown (EWU), Evan Bearden (UCD)
Linebacker: Danny Uluilakepa (MSU), Riley Wilson (UM), Peyton Wing (PSU), Porter Connors (UCD), Ryan Tirrell (UM)
Defensive Backs: Andrew Powdrell (MSU), DJ VanHook (NAU), Zach Lewis (NAU), Trevin Gradney (UM), Mason Rivera (CP), Derek Ganter Jr. (EWU)
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
Punter: Brendan Hall (MSU)
Kick Returner: Michael Wortham (EWU)
Punt Returner: Junior Bergen
Kicker: Hunter Ridley (UCD)
Special Teams: TJ Rausch (UM)
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE (at least 3 votes)
Quarterback: Dante Chachere (PSU)
Running Back: Adam Jones (MSU), Elijah Tau-Tolliver (SAC)
Receiver: Giancarlo Woods (CP), Mark Hamper (UI), Junior Bergen (UM)
Tight End: Jett Carpenter (EWU)
Offensive Line: Nate Azzopardi (UI), Jack Seelye (EWU), Billy Lutui (PSU), Ernest Nava (UCD), Luke Dahlgren (EWU), Journey Grimsrud (UM), Richard Estrella (PSU)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE (at least 3 votes)
Defensive Line: Kenneth Eiden IV (MSU), Micah Carreon (NAU), Princeton Toki (UCD), Ethan Rodriguez (CP), Malakai Williams (UI), Brayden Wilson (WSU)
Linebacker: Garrett Beck (WSU), Isiah King (UI), Ammon Allen (NAU), Zach Johnson (UI)
Defensive Back: Jaxon Lee (UM), Tyreese Shakir (PSU), DaJean Wells (EWU), Cam Chapa (UNC)
HONORABLE MENTION SPECIALISTS (at least 3 votes)
Kick Returner: Andrew Marshall (UI)
Punt Returner: Isaiah Eastman (NAU)
Kicker: Zach Schreiner (SAC), Mathias Uribe (PSU)
Punter: Ben D'Aquila (NAU)
Special Teams: Jeremy Justice (CP), Sean Farfan (NAU)
MSU BIG SKY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: 2024 - Tommy Mellott, sr.; 2012 – DeNarius McGhee, jr.; 2010 – DeNarius McGhee, fr.; 1984 – Kelly Bradley, so.
MSU BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Brody Grebe, sr.; 2021 – Troy Andersen, sr.; 2013 – Brad Daly, sr.; 2012 – Jody Owens, sr.; 2009 – Dane Fletcher, sr; 2004 – Roger Cooper, sr.; 2003 – Kane Ioane, sr.; 1990 – Corey Widmer, jr.; 1984 – Mark Fellows, sr.
MSU BIG SKY FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Adam Jones; 2017 – Troy Andersen; 2016 – Chris Murray
MSU BIG SKY COACH OF THE YEAR: 2024 – Brent Vigen, 2022 – Brent Vigen, 2010 – Rob Ash, 2005 – Mike Kramer, 2002 – Mike Kramer, 1984 – Dave Arnold, 1979 – Sonny Lubick, 1976 – Sonny Holland, 1972 – Sonny Holland, 1968 – Tom Parac, 1967 – Jim Sweeney, 1966 – Jim Sweeney, 1964 – Jim Sweeney
#GoCatsGo
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