Edward Vander had too much patience the first time around but he still ended up a Montana State Bobcat after all.
The freshman at Saddleback Community College had a scholarship offer from Montana State in January of 2016 as a senior at Paramount (California) High. The former JSerra (San Capistrano, California) standout ripped apart the Trinity League as a prep junior, sparking interest from Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Hawaii.
Vander waited for an FBS offer but one never came. Montana State pulled Vander’s offer late in the recruiting process. Vander did not sign with a Division I school in February despite being a full qualifier.
Instead, the shifty and fast 6-foot-1, 210-pound running back went to Saddleback and stood out in his lone year in California’s top junior college league. He rushed for 1,074 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall, earning the Bobcats’ interest once again. Vander ironed out his transcripts and earned his eligibility. He will sign with Montana State and join the Bobcat football team as a mid-year transfer in January.
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“At first, I didn’t end up going to Montana State because my high school coach kept telling me that bigger schools were going to offer me so I never committed,” Vander said in an interview the third week of November. “Montana State ended up pulling the offer and no one else ended up offering me. I had to go to junior college and I told Montana State if they offered me again, I would be a Bobcat.
“I was mainly disappointed I didn’t end up signing. Looking back on it, I should’ve signed with Montana State. I had to go through this last year because of it but now I’m going there and I’m happy.”
Vander played at Paramount, his local high school — his family moved back to Lakewood before his 2015 senior season — for his freshman and sophomore seasons. As a sophomore in 2013, Vander played seven games for Paramount’s varsity, notching 44 tackles and three interceptions.
In 2014, Vander’s family moved so he could attend JSerra Catholic, a private school recognized as one of the 50 best Catholic high schools in the country. Athletically, the school sports a $40 million complex that occupies 29 acres adjacent to the academic campus.
The football team competes in the Trinity League with fellow California powerhouse high schools Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita, Servite and St. John Bosco.
During his first and only season at JSerra, Vander’s stock rose significantly as he helped the Lions to a 10-2 record. He rushed for 1,388 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was the team’s offensive MVP and a first-team All-Trinity selection.
Vander decided he wanted to play his senior year in his hometown so he and his family moved back so he could attend Paramount. As a senior, he averaged 10.1 yards per carry but received only 42 carries.
“Our line play was a little shaky at times so to free him up, we moved him out to receiver,” Paramount head coach Michael Fletcher told Scout.com last year. “The one game he played running back full time, he had 252 yards and five touchdowns and he’s going to be a very good back in college.
Vander ended up rushing for 425 yards and six touchdowns. He caught 28 passes for 675 yards and five more touchdowns. He also averaged 42 yards on six kick returns, including an 88-yard return for a touchdown.
“He has great size, patience and vision,” Fletcher told Scout. “He has great lower body strength and the burst to take it the distance from anywhere on the field. He has great hands as well and his versatility makes him a complete three-down back. He’s a great kid too and was a pleasure to coach. He reminds me a lot of Demario Richard at (Arizona State) and Devontae Booker from Utah in terms of his size and running style.”
Montana State running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Michael Pitre used to coach at Santa Margarita (2008) and Servite (2009-11). His Trinity League connections run deep. Vander is friends with Mater Dei cornerback Jalen Cole and St. John Bosco cornerback Tyrel Thomas, both MSU commits who will sign in February of 2017. Montana State also has a verbal commitment from Orange Lutheran defensive lineman Travis Yates.
“Coach Pitre made sure our relationship was always tight,” Vander said. “I really like how he always kept talking to me the last couple years and letting me know I was still a guy they want up there.
“I like the way they kept talking to me the last couple of years, showing how much they really cared and wanted to get me up there and get everything started. A few of my friends are committed up there and that helps too.”
Vander gave his commitment to Pitre and MSU head coach Jeff Choate on October 12 but did not announce it publicly until about a month later. He needed his online class to clear the NCAA to ensure he was a full qualifier. He didn’t want to post something on social media before he was a guaranteed qualifier. Through the process, Choate kept in constant contact with Vander.
“He messages me about three or four times a week letting me know what’s going on with the program, what they do with the kids and all that to help them succeed,” Vander said. “He lets me know he cares every day.”
The smooth, versatile running back will have four years to play three at Montana State. He joins an MSU running back group that loses Chad Newell, a 2,000-yard rusher who scored 32 touchdowns in his career, and Gunnar Brekke, a skilled running back with big play ability. Vander will battle Nick LaSane, Noah James, Logan Jones and Anthony Pegues for carries at MSU.
“(Montana State) have four returning down linemen,” Vander said. “I have good vision and I like to read things. Since they are returning most of their line, I think I will fit in pretty good.”
Montana State’s offensive line loses first-team All-Big Sky left guard J.P. Flynn but returns junior left tackle Dylan Mahoney, sophomore center Alex Neale, junior Monte Folsom and redshirt freshman Mitch Brott. Vander said he expects to come to Montana State and compete for a starting spot right away.
“It feels so good,” Vander said. “I’m ready to prove everybody wrong starting in Bozeman.”
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