With National Signing Day less than two weeks away, the Montana State Bobcats will make a final push with two weekends of official visits for remaining prospect both committed and uncommitted.
The MSU coaching staff have secured verbal commitments from 20 prospects, including three mid-year transfers — defensive end Stephen Omorogbe (Air Force Prep), running back Jake Roper (Boise State), cornerback Darren Gardenhire (Washington) — expected to sign on February 1. Edward Vander, a highly touted 3-star running back from JSerra Catholic High in California who spent last season at Saddleback Community College, initially committed and signed with MSU. But a source confirmed Vander will not join the Bobcats until after the spring semester.
Last weekend, MSU’s first for official visits, the Bobcats brought eight players, all verbally committed to Bozeman. This weekend, nine more prospects will come to the Montana State campus, including six who have pledged to MSU’s coaches and three uncommitted players.
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This weekend, the following committed players will visit Montana State: Kalispell Glacier defensive lineman Jaxen Hashley, Glacier athlete Tadan Gilman, Mater Dei (California) cornerback Jalen Cole, St. John Boscoe Prep (California) defensive back Tyrel Thomas, Eastside Catholic (Seattle) offensive lineman Brody McKnight and Billings Central wide receiver Peyton Hanser.
Montana State will also host uncommitted prospects defensive end Kyle Rygg, quarterback James Campbell and running back Tyrel Burgess as the Bobcats try to open up two new recruiting territories.
Rygg is from Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon, the alma mater of MSU senior wide receiver Mitch Herbert. Herbert and senior defensive tackle Fou Palataivao (Medford) are the only Oregon products on the roster.
Campbell is from Palatka High School in Palatka, Florida. Burgess is a senior at Ridge Community High in Davenport, Florida. Montana State has not had a player from the Sunshine State a group of Florida natives, including standout linebacker Clive Lowe (Coral Springs), helped the Bobcats to their first playoff win in a generation in Mike Kramer’s final season in 2006.
Montana State head coach Jeff Choate spent the 2013 season on Will Muschamp’s staff at Florida. Montana State offensive line coach Brian Armstrong spent two years as the head coach as the head coach Lake Gibson High (2000-01) and two more years as the head coach at Kathleen High (2005-06), both in in Lakeland Florida, before becoming the offensive coordinator at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
Rygg is a 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end from one of Oregon’s top prep programs. The two-star recruit also holds offers from Idaho, Northern Arizona and Portland State. He has received serious interest from Eastern Washington and holds a preferred walk-on offer from Oregon. As a senior, he notched 69 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He also registered 25 quarterback hurries and forced two fumbles. Rygg’s film: http://www.hudl.com/profile/3284592/kyle-rygg
Campbell is a 6-2, 178-pound right-hander with a smooth, gliding running style, a raw throwing motion but a strong arm. According to Scout.com, Campbell has received interest from Georgia Tech, Air Force, Navy, Georgia Southern, Wofford and Jacksonville. Only Jacksonville has offered. All the aforementioned schools run the triple option. Campbell’s film: http://www.hudl.com/profile/5320415/james-campbell
Burgess is 5-9, 164-pound tailback with blazing speed. His Hudl profile claims he runs 4.32 seconds in the short shuttle. Stats are not available from Burgess’s senior year. Burgess’s film: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7586233/57bfd212eae10c5d44c6396b
Montana State’s first recruiting weekend included visits from quarterbacks Tucker Rovig and Callahan O’Reilly, wide receiver Lance McCutcheon, offensive linemen Zach Redd, Connor Wood and Sean Hatten, linebacker Chad Kanow and safety Keaton Anderson.
Dillon athlete Troy Andersen and Orange County Lutheran defensive lineman Travis Yates made their official visits to Montana State earlier in 2016.
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Click on each prospect’s name for a story on their commitment to Montana State. Photos attributed. All Rights Reserved.
