For Jacob Hadley, the familiarity of Bozeman won out over the chance to play in Bob Stitt’s Air Raid offense.
Hadley, a 6-foot-6 wide receiver from Billings Central, visited Missoula to check out Stitt and the University of Montana football program two weeks ago before coming to Bozeman to visit Montana State last weekend. Stitt, Montana’s second-year head coach, employs an offense filled with an array of passes. Jeff Choate, Montana State’s new head coach, has not made much of an indication what sort of offensive scheme the Bobcats will employ in his first season. But Hadley chose the Bobcats nonetheless.
[restrict paid=”true”]Hadley verbally committed to Montana State before leaving Bozeman on Sunday. He will sign with MSU on National Signing Day on Wednesday. Hadley will receive a partial scholarship from the Bobcats.
“That would’ve been a lot of fun to go there and play in all that but you see all these receivers Montana is bringing in…that offense they run is an awesome thing for receivers, you see that and want to go but I didn’t feel like it was the place for me,” Hadley said.
“I really love Coach Choate. Just hearing that guy talk, even if it’s not about football related stuff, he gets you fired up. He really got me excited to be a part of the Bobcat football family. His attitude and focus toward where he wants this program to be just got me so pumped up. I was really excited by him and what he said.”
Hadley spent the weekend on his official visit with several familiar faces. His sister, Baylee, is an MSU student and the girlfriend of Bobcat sophomore tight end Wilson Brott. Hadley said he felt at home during his visit to Montana State.
“It was awesome. I loved the town,” Hadley said. “I’d been up there quite a bit because my sister goes to school up there. But this was good because it was the first time I really got a feel for the campus and all the facilities and stuff. I loved it. It was great to get up there and I can’t wait to go back.
“It’s nice to know that I have people up there that support me.”
Over the last two seasons as the main receiver in Billings Central’s run-heavy offense, Hadley caught 58 passes for 1,074 yards and 13 touchdowns. He caught 11 touchdown passes in earning first-team Class A all-state honors for the 7-3 Rams. Haldey received an offer from Montana as well as several Frontier Conference schools.
Although the lanky, athletic receiver has possessed noticeable talent during his final two varsity seasons, he said interest from Montana State was only sparing from Rob Ash and his staff before Choate took over in December.
“Before they made the coaching chance, the ‘Cats didn’t really talk to me a whole lot,” Hadley said. “Coach Marshall, the old defensive coordinator, would keep in touch, message me every once in awhile. Once they made the coaching change, they started really getting in contact with me a lot more, showed me interest. Then Coach Choate and Coach (Kane) Ioane came up to the school a month ago. I just love those two guys. They are great guys, great coaches. Listening to Coach Choate, I don’t know how you wouldn’t want to go play for that guy.”
Hadley, who plans to major in business, is the third wide receiver to commit to Montana State this recruiting seasons. Great Falls C.M. Russell High receiver Karl Tucker II and El Dorado Hills, California product Kevin Kassis are also expected to sign with MSU on Wednesday.
Billings Central has played for seven Class A state championships since 2007, winning titles in 2007 and 2012 under the direction of longtime coach Jim Stanton. The Rams have consistently produced Division I talent, including current Washington State linebacker Dylan Hanser, MSU kicker Luke Daly and current Montana wide receiver Holden Ryan.
“The program Coach Stanton has built here over the last decade and a half is tremendous,” Hadley said. “He’s one of those guys like Coach Choate where if he asks something of you, you go do it for him. You strive to do more for him. He is the best mentor I’ve ever had. He really got me to fall in love with the game of football and every aspect of the game.”
Hadley’s senior football season ended in the state semifinals with a two-point loss to eventual state runner-up Dillon. The jumping jack is now in the midst of his final high school basketball season. Making a decision for what his future holds is a relief and a blessing, he said.
“I’m really excited for next year and the years to come after that,” Hadley said. “After I made my decision, it felt like the weight was lifted off my shoulders and I can kind of enjoy the rest of high school while it still lasts and then focus on getting ready for football. I’m really excited about it and looking forward to it.”
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