BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State landed 18 high school players and one transfer on Wednesday, the first day incoming players are able to make their commitment to a college program official.
Rohan Jones arrives at Montana State from the University of Maine, where the tight end caught 22 passes as a sophomore this fall. The native Canadian joins eight Montanans and five players from Washington, along with three from Texas and one each from Idaho and Wyoming.
“We are extremely excited to add these 19 student-athletes to the Bobcat football program,” Vigen said. “We set out to add talented, hard-working, competitive young men who identify with our core values and look forward to the opportunity to be developed here at Montana State.”
Vigen welcomes three Bobcat legacies to the program. Dane Steel joins his brother Brock, a current team member, while older brother Coy also played for the Cats. Dillon’s Kee Christiansen’s Bobcat ties run deep. His father Matt played football for the Cats, while his sister Kylie starred on the MSU track and field squad. Josh Woodberry’s father Mike played football at MSU, as well.
“This group will add to the foundation that has been built here,” Vigen said, “and we can’t wait to get started with them in the near future.”
January Transfer
Name, Pos. (Ht, Wt, Cl, Hometown, School, HS)
Rohan Jones, TE (6-3, 235, Jr, Montreal, Quebec, Maine, Collège André-Grasset)
December High School Additions
Name, Pos. (Ht, Wt, Cl, Hometown, School, HS)
Ryan Bowles, LB (6-2/210/Fr/Woodinville, WA, Woodinville HS)
Seth Brock, DE (6-3/211/Fr/Eagle, ID, Eagle HS)
Kee Christiansen, WR (6-0/170/Fr/Dillon, MT, Beaverhead HS)
Mason Dethman, LB (6-4/210/Fr/Brockton, MT, Froid-Medicine Lake HS)
Aiden Kaplan, OL (6-2/285/Fr/Montgomery, TX, Lake Creek HS)
Unterrio Latin-Henley, RB (5-11/195/Fr/Tacoma, WA, Washington HS)
Rocky Lencioni, TE (6-3/210/Fr/Bozeman, MT, Bozeman HS)
Jhase McMillan, DB (5-9/160/Fr/Fulshear, TX, Katy Thompkins HS)
Ryan Nansel, DB (6-0/170/Fr/Bozeman, MT, Gallatin HS)
Dalton Noble, OL (6-4/250/Fr/Clancy, MT, Jefferson County HS)
Brendan Ross, DB (5-10/183/Fr/Rockwall, TX, Rockwall HS)
Dane Steel, WR (5-10/175/Fr/Sheridan, WY, Sheridan HS)
AJ Tanupo, DT (6-2/295/Fr/Tacoma, WA, Eastside Catholic HS)
Luvens Valcin, TE (6-1/218/Fr/Auburn, WA, Auburn HS)
Hudson Weins, DT (6-3/260/Fr/Bozeman, MT, Bozeman HS)
Josh Woodberry, LB (5-11/205/Fr/Bozeman, MT, Gallatin HS)
Jabez Woods, WR (5-11/180/Fr/Spanaway, WA, Graham-Kapowsin HS)
Braden Zimmer, OL (6-6/225/Fr/Billings, MT, West HS)
JANUARY TRANSFER
Rohan Jones, TE
6-3, 235, Jr, Montreal, Quebec (Maine/Collège André-Grasset)
Player Notes: Transfers from Maine, where he caught 22 passes for 240 yards with five touchdowns as a sophomore in 2023… his long catch of the season was a 33-yarder at Campbell… also logged a 30-yard rush against UAlbany… six catches for 22 yards and a touchdown in 2022, when he also carried four times for five yards. From MSU Tight Ends Coach Tyler Walker: “Rohan Jones is a versatile dude out of Maine. He’s big, explosive, he’ll do a lot of the things we ask our tight ends to do. He has good ball skills, good change of direction, can do things in the run game as well as the pass game. He’s going to help us, and he should help us right away.”
DECEMBER HIGH SCHOOL
Ryan Bowles, LB
6-2, 210, Fr, Woodinville, WA (Woodinville)
Player Notes: Earned first team all-conference honors at linebacker and tight end as a senior, and at linebacker as a junior… 114 tackles, three sacks, six tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception as a junior. From MSU Linebackers Coach Bobby Daly: “As I was evaluating prospects this spring Ryan really caught my eye for how well he tackles and how well he tackles in space. That’s a big requirement for the (linebacker) position these days, and that’s something he does at a very high level. I’ve been developing our relationship since March and April and typically those aren’t guys you end getting because they end up elsewhere, but we got him out to Junior Day and got him to camp, and that was extremely valuable. He’s a guy who is physically ready to play the position already. He’s extremely strong, he’s very fast, he looks the part. We’ll see how fast we can get him up to speed, but he’s a guy that can be productive and I think productive early in his career.”
Seth Brock, DE
6-3, 211, Fr, Eagle, ID (Eagle)
Player Notes: Earned SIC Player of the Year and 1st Team All-State honors as a senior… captain and team MVP in 2023, logging 31.5 career sacks… first team all-conference and junior of the year in 2022, honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore… placed twice at the state wrestling tournament. From MSU Defensive Line Coach Shawn Howe: “Seth is a dynamic football player, very athletic, has the ability to bend edge, change direction, fiercely competitive. The thing we really fell in love with is how hard this kid plays, he plays extremely hard and he’s an explosive athlete. He’s a multi-sport athlete and we really like his mindset.”
Kee Christiansen, WR
6-0, 170, Fr, Dillon, MT (Beaverhead)
Player Notes: Earned Western A Offensive MVP and All-State honors at quarterback and punter in 2023… engineered Beaverhead’s 2023 state title.. threw three touchdown passes and picked one off in his team’s semifinal victory… his father Matt played football for the Cats, and his sister Kylie threw for the MSU track and field squad. From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “We’re excited with the playmaking ability that Kee brings. Playing quarterback in high school gave him the opportunity to see it from a different perspective, and typically somebody that plays that position and is transitioning to a spot where you can use your athleticism and also that knowledge base he’s built up makes it exciting. He’s a kid that plays physical and really, really hard, so transitioning that to the receivers room is a good fit. ”
Mason Dethman, LB
6-4, 210, Fr, Brockton, MT (Froid-Medicine Lake)
Player Notes: Threw for 1,020 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding 980 rushing yards and 15 scores with 217 receiving yards and six touchdowns… 106 tackles, three sacks, and seven interceptions… returned six picks for a touchdown… recorded 33 tackles in 2022, according to MaxPreps, with two sacks and a pass breakup… also recovered a fumble… ran 11.4 in the 100m. From MSU Linebackers Coach Bobby Daly: “Mason Dethman has been a dominant six-man football player in the state of Montana since he was a freshman. He has two state titles and has played for three state championships. He’s a proven winner with an abundance of skills. He’s done everything on the football field, from catching passes to throwing the football to running the football, he’s played linebacker, he’s played safety, he’s got great length and great speed and we’re excited to indoctrinate him to 11-man football. He has a very high ceiling and is a hard worker who comes from a great family, and I have no doubt that he’ll maximize what he can be.”
Aiden Kaplan, OL
6-2, 285, Fr, Montgomery, TX (Lake Creek)
Player Notes: A two-time 1st Team All-District selection who earned 1st Team All-County and Honorable Mention All-State honors as a senior… all-region in track and field and powerlifting. From MSU Offensive Line Coach Al Johnson: “I’m excited to have Aiden join the Donjoy Mafia family. He brings a lot of experience playing in a really good division down in Texas. He’s a player I’m very excited to see develop.”
Unterrio Latin-Henley, RB
5-11, 195, Fr, Tacoma, Washington (Washington HS)
Player Notes: Played quarterback, running back and receiver at Washington High, earning 1st Team All-League honors as Athlete… he was a 1st Team All-League choice at running back in 2022 and at receiver in 2021. From MSU Running Backs Coach Sam Mix: “Unterrio has unbelievable contact balance and quick twitch, and has the ability to do a lot of things out of the backfield. He catches the ball well, is good in the return game, plays good defense. He has a high football IQ and high motor. He’s one of the better football players I’ve seen out of the state of Washington.”
Rocky Lencioni, TE
6-3, 210, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman)
Player Notes: Earned Class AA All-State and all-conference honors at safety and receiver… caught 60 passes for 970 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, picking off three passes, helping lead Bozeman High to the 2023 Class AA State Championship. From MSU Tight Ends Coach Tyler Walker: “Another Bozeman kid, Rocky is long, athletic, has good ball skills, does good things in the pass game to utilize his strengths. He comes from a great high school program so he brings that into this room, and he’ll be an asset.”
Jhase McMillan, DB
5-9, 160, Fr, Fulshear, TX (Katy Tompkins)
Player Notes: Named a 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Finalist by the Touchdown Club of Houston for a season in which he intercepted nine passes, returning one for a touchdown, blocked four placekicks and a punt, and scored five touchdowns rushing, three receiving, and one each on a pick-six and a blocked punt return… he was 2023 District Special Teams Player of the Year and was Honorable Mention All-State… 200m District Champion in 2022 (21.3) and is a three-time regional qualifier in the 200m, triple jump, long jump, and the 4×100 and 4×400 relays. From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Bryan Shepherd: “Jhase is an explosive player who does a good job making plays on the ball in the air. He’s a dynamic player and also a good returner and I’m excited to have him as part of the back end here. He’s a great addition to our room.”
Ryan Nansel, DB
6-0, 170, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Gallatin)
Player Notes: Class AA All-State and all-conference choice for Gallatin High as a senior… logged 31 solo tackles in 2023 with two interceptions, nine pass breakups and a strip-sack… finished second in the AA State Long Jump as a junior (21-7). From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Bryan Shepherd: “Ryan is a guy who has great potential. His ceiling is so high, this is just the beginning for him. He has good speed, really good athleticism, and he’s a tough kid who’s a very hard worker. I’m looking forward to working with Ryan, and he’s another Bozeman kid with great pride in being a Bobcat.”
Dalton Noble, OL
6-4, 250, Fr, Clancy, MT (Jefferson County)
Player Notes: Earned Class B All-State and all-conference honors as an offensive lineman in Southern B, and all-conference honors on the defensive line… was an all-conference choice in 2022, and is a two-time basketball all-league selection… a 2023 state shot put champion and an all-state honoree in the discus for a three-time championship team. From MSU Offensive Line Coach Al Johnson: “It’s been great to get to know Dalton since I got here, really, in January as I was getting to know the ‘24 Class and the top linemen in Montana. Being able to build a relationship with him and his family and watch him have a great senior year, and have him join us and be able to work with him, has been exciting. I look forward to working with him and see how he can help Montana State continue to have dominant offensive linemen.”
Brendan Ross, DB
5-10, 183, Fr, Rockwall, TX (Rockwall)
Player Notes: Earned all-district honors at safety, recording 82 total tackles with three interceptions, eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles… has best marks of 10.7 in the 100m and 21.65 in the 200m. From MSU Defensive Backs Coach Bryan Shepherd: “Brendan is a long, athletic, fast, physical player who will be playing safety for us. He’s a smart football player and hard worker, and he adds more speed. He’ll really be a great addition to our room and I’m excited to work with him.”
Dane Steel, WR
5-10, 175, Fr, Sheridan, WY (Sheridan)
Player Notes: Earned Wyoming Class 4A Player of the Year honors on both offense and defense in 2023 as the Broncs claimed their third consecutive state title… caught 44 passes for 970 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 368 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground… returned six punts and one kickoff for scores, as well… 35 tackles and six interceptions as a senior… scored 31 touchdowns in 2023… joins his brother Brock with the Cats, and older brother Coy was a standout receiver at MSU, as well. From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “Dane is a playmaker when you look back at his season, everything he was able to accomplish as a receiver, a wildcat quarterback, a return guy, the physicality he plays with on defense. He’s another kid that wrestles, gives good effort, and has a really good knowledge base, a high football IQ. He makes a ton of plays. He konws how to make people miss in space, he knows how to attack the ball, how to set up routes. We’re excited to have another Steel in the program because we know the level of consistency we’ll get from him.”
AJ Tanupo, DT
6-2, 295, Fr, Tacoma, WA (Eastside Catholic)
Player Notes: The Class 3A Metro Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2023, when he also earned 1st Team All-League honors as a defensive lineman… logged 56 tackles, 10.5 for a loss with one sack, and forced and recovered one fumble in 2023… earned 1st Team All-League honors on the offensive and defensive lines as a junior in 2022… named 1st Team All-Area on both lines by the Seattle Times as a sophomore. From MSU Nicolas Jean-Baptiste: “AJ is a very physical kid, a high-effort kid who plays with physicality. He has a rugby background and you can see that the way he plays. He’s one of those kids you have to pull off the field, he’s not going to himself off the field, and that’s one thing about him I like a lot.”
Luvens Valcin, TE
6-1, 218, Fr, Auburn, WA (Auburn)
Player Notes: Earned 2023 NPSL 3A Player of the Year honors, along with 1st Team All-NPSL honors at receiver and defensive line and all-area honors as a defensive lineman… caught 56 passes for a school-record 853 yards as a senior, with 11 touchdowns… also carried 40 times for 303 yards and four scores, with 62 total tackles, eight for a loss, and 7.5 sacks… was the 2022 NPSL 3A Offensive Back of the Year, garnering 1st Team All-League and All-Area honors at receiver… a basketball standout as well, averages nearly 10 points a game and played on his school’s 3A state title team in 2022. From MSU Tight Ends Coach Tyler Walker: “Luvens is very, very similar to Rohan. He’s explosive, has good ball skills, is a good athlete and is good with the ball in his hands. He is right in line with the other tight ends we have in this room, he can catch the ball, run with the ball, very versatile, can do a lot of different things. He is going to help us and I look forward to getting him into the room.”
Hudson Weins, DT
6-3, 260, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman)
Player Notes: The Class AA Defensive MVP in 2023, helping lead the Bozeman Hawks to the state championship… earned first team all-state honors twice on offensive line, defensive line, and in wrestling… as a junior and senior combined for 100 tackles, 33 for a loss, with 11 sacks and 50 quarterback hurries. From MSU Defensive Line Coach Nicolas Jean-Baptiste: “With Hudson, you can really see his wrestling background. He’s a home-grown product and we’ve had a lot of success with Bozeman guys. He does really good work with his hands, he’s strong in the upper body and he has some twitch to him, and he has a knack for getting to the ball.”
Josh Woodberry, LB
5-11, 205, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Gallatin)
Player Notes: Two-time Eastern AA All-State choice at linebacker… also earned all-state honors at fullback… all-conference twice as a linebacker, once at fullback, and two-time Academic All-State selection.. Gallatin High’s Defensive Player of the year as a junior and senior, and 2023 finalist for Gatorade Montana Player of the Year and AA Prep Football Player of the Year honors… 115 tackles as a senior, including seven for a loss and two sacks… one interception, which he returned for a TD, with nine hurries, three forced fumbles, and two pass breakups… his father Mike played football for the Cats. From MSU Linebackers Coach Bobby Daly: “Josh is a tackling machine who gobbles up ball carriers and does a really good job inside the box of reading his keys and making fast decisions. He’s extremely productive at the point of contact, and I’m really excited to add him to this group. With his father (Mike) having played here, this one really means a lot to him and his family. Having legacy guys is how we’ve built this program, it’s how I got my opportunity, so there’s a close bond there with Josh because of our similarities. We’re excited to get him in-house because he’s one of those guys excited he’s one of those guys who will do everything he can to get on the the football field.”
Jabez Woods, WR
5-11, 180, Fr, Spanaway, WA (Graham-Kapowsin)
Player Notes: Earned 1st Team All-SPSL and All-Area honors at receiver in 2023, and was 1st Team All-State, All-Area and All-SPSL receiver in 2022… in his varsity career he caught 192 passes for 2,594 yards and 26 touchdowns… carried 14 times for 78 yards and one touchdown… returned 19 kickoffs for 496 yards (26.1 yards per return) and 13 punts for 141 yards (10.8)… averaged 136 all-purpose yards a game as a senior, 105 as a junior. From MSU Receivers Coach Justin Udy: “Jabez is an electric player. He played in a very competitive environment over in western Washington, some of the best football on the West Coast, and was a highlight reel all season. A lot of his production is manufacturing touches and getting him opportunities in space. He’s another guy who, because of the level of competition he’s played at from a young age, he’s developed a unique way of setting people up on routes but also being able to create explosives by making people miss. And he’s tough.”
Braden Zimmer, OL
6-6, 225, Fr, Billings, MT (West)
Player Notes: Earned Eastern AA All-State honors as a senior… also an all-conference selection… also plays basketball and baseball. From MSU Offensive Line Coach Al Johnson: “Braden had a great senior year, and getting to see him and watch his games and see him continue to progress and get better throughout his high school career, including this senior season, makes me excited to get him on campus. He has a very high ceiling, and I looking forward to working with him and watch him develop, and I believe he’ll do great things in the future.”
