Takhari Carr
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
CATS IN CAMP DAY #9: Young Cornerbacks Working on Communication
8/8/2026 8:09:00 PM | Football
Former Bobcat impacting O-line as assistant coach
After a year unlike any other in Montana State football history, the Bobcats prepare for the 2026 season beginning with the first preseason practice on July 30 and culminating with the season opener at Utah Tech on August 29.
THE STRAIGHT SKINNY: Smoke enveloped the Gallatin Valley on Saturday, moving the Bobcats into the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center. The team's indoor facility proved a positive setting for a two hour, 15 minute full-pad practice that featured a handful of live segments.
GETTING UP TO SPEED: Much has been made of Montana State's youthful cornerbacks, particularly in contrast with a safety room that returns all three starters from 2025. Among the team's corners, only senior Takhari Carr enters 2026 with starting experience.
MSU coach Brent Vigen said one factor stands out above all others in using that as an advantage. "For those younger guys, I think the biggest thing they need to do is listen, honestly."
But Vigen said the situation highlights one key element in defensive secondary play that is often overlooked. "I will say that we've got to communicate on the back end. You have to find your voice in speaking to the younger side of that group, whether it is Korey (Boyd), a Tim (Thomas II), whoever it might be, you know, being willing to communicate, both vocally, but then listening, is such a key piece to where they need to be right now. We don't need them to do anything more than they are capable of, but they definitely have to have a presence."
ADDING AIGBEDION: Former Bobcat offensive linemen, who finished his playing career at Baylor the past two seasons, joined the Bobcat coaching staff this summer. "Omar had two really good years here," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen, "and that provided an opportunity for him to go to back to Texas and play at Baylor, and he had two really good years there."
Vigen said that as assistant to the offensive line coaches (Matt Smith and assistant OL coach Jesse Moser) Aigbedion has shown an aptitude for coaching. "When (professional playing opportunities) didn't come about he was a little bit behind the eight ball as far as seeking out a coaching opportunity. I know there was nothing at Baylor available, and he reached out probably back in May. I really appreciated Omar and his efforts and how much he grew in his time with us, and you could tell he was serious about wanting to get into coaching. And he's been great."
ONE QUICK QUOTE: "We leave it up to Sarah (Bowman, MSU's head athletic trainer for football) and her staff. But it's great not to have to beg and plead (to allow for practice). Whether it's smoke or rain or snow or whatever, it's great to have this facility."
-MSU coach Brent Vigen on moving Saturday's practice into the team's indoor practice building
COMING UP: After taking Sunday off, Montana State returns practice on Monday at 9:25 am on the grass practice fields on Lincoln Street. The team will be in half-pads.
While the most important practice of camp is "Monday, because (it's the next one) so it's the most important day," the week just ahead lays out as pivotal because it culminates with the program's only true scrimmage of preseason camp, Vigen said. "Next week's a little bit more like a game week, I suppose, because we are building to a scrimmage. I think getting a feel for a game day, a game week build, and valuing each day (as) the most important day. Next week is more of that than maybe this week was, and we're going to be right in the middle of a long fall camp, so show up ready to go every day with the right mindset and get after it."
#GoCatsGo
THE STRAIGHT SKINNY: Smoke enveloped the Gallatin Valley on Saturday, moving the Bobcats into the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center. The team's indoor facility proved a positive setting for a two hour, 15 minute full-pad practice that featured a handful of live segments.
GETTING UP TO SPEED: Much has been made of Montana State's youthful cornerbacks, particularly in contrast with a safety room that returns all three starters from 2025. Among the team's corners, only senior Takhari Carr enters 2026 with starting experience.
MSU coach Brent Vigen said one factor stands out above all others in using that as an advantage. "For those younger guys, I think the biggest thing they need to do is listen, honestly."
But Vigen said the situation highlights one key element in defensive secondary play that is often overlooked. "I will say that we've got to communicate on the back end. You have to find your voice in speaking to the younger side of that group, whether it is Korey (Boyd), a Tim (Thomas II), whoever it might be, you know, being willing to communicate, both vocally, but then listening, is such a key piece to where they need to be right now. We don't need them to do anything more than they are capable of, but they definitely have to have a presence."
ADDING AIGBEDION: Former Bobcat offensive linemen, who finished his playing career at Baylor the past two seasons, joined the Bobcat coaching staff this summer. "Omar had two really good years here," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen, "and that provided an opportunity for him to go to back to Texas and play at Baylor, and he had two really good years there."
Vigen said that as assistant to the offensive line coaches (Matt Smith and assistant OL coach Jesse Moser) Aigbedion has shown an aptitude for coaching. "When (professional playing opportunities) didn't come about he was a little bit behind the eight ball as far as seeking out a coaching opportunity. I know there was nothing at Baylor available, and he reached out probably back in May. I really appreciated Omar and his efforts and how much he grew in his time with us, and you could tell he was serious about wanting to get into coaching. And he's been great."
ONE QUICK QUOTE: "We leave it up to Sarah (Bowman, MSU's head athletic trainer for football) and her staff. But it's great not to have to beg and plead (to allow for practice). Whether it's smoke or rain or snow or whatever, it's great to have this facility."
-MSU coach Brent Vigen on moving Saturday's practice into the team's indoor practice building
COMING UP: After taking Sunday off, Montana State returns practice on Monday at 9:25 am on the grass practice fields on Lincoln Street. The team will be in half-pads.
While the most important practice of camp is "Monday, because (it's the next one) so it's the most important day," the week just ahead lays out as pivotal because it culminates with the program's only true scrimmage of preseason camp, Vigen said. "Next week's a little bit more like a game week, I suppose, because we are building to a scrimmage. I think getting a feel for a game day, a game week build, and valuing each day (as) the most important day. Next week is more of that than maybe this week was, and we're going to be right in the middle of a long fall camp, so show up ready to go every day with the right mindset and get after it."
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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