Aaron Richards is the first to admit he’s still getting used to his new athletic identity.
“I’m not going to lie, I was definitely a Griz guy for awhile,” Richards said with a chuckle as he took a break from enjoying a beautiful July summer day on Flathead Lake. “When my brother (Jonathan Richards) was playing there, I was at every home game.
“And one of my best friend’s grandpas is (former University of Montana head football coach) Mick Delaney. It was a little tough switching over but I think it’s going to be good.”
Richards, a standout offensive and defensive linemen from Butte Central, will be the third from his family this decade to compete in the Big Sky Conference. Unlike his older brother, Jonathan, and his cousin, Aschan, Aaron Richards has given his verbal commitment to the Montana State Bobcats.
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“It was mostly just the coaches,” the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder said. “The coaches were really nice and I had great vibes with them.
“How they’ve been building, they were not very good when this staff first got there (4-7 in 2016) but they’ve been building and they are ranked pretty high this year (preseason No. 8 in the Athlon Sports poll). They have a good team and everyone believes in what they are doing down there.”
After finishing as the all-time leader in receptions in Butte Central history despite playing quarterback as a senior, Jonathan Richards played for the Grizzlies from 2011 until 2013. Aschan Richards, the first cousin of Jonathan and Aaron and also a Butte Central product, played tight end for UM from 2011 until 2014. Injuries ended their careers.
Those two were the first two Butte Central products to play for the Griz since Dan Orziotti in 1998. Now Aaron Richards will keep the Mining City’s presence on Montana State’s roster alive. The only Butte product currently on MSU’s roster is Butte Central alum Marcus Ferriter, a fifth-year senior defensive end.
“I’m definitely excited about representing for Butte,” Richards said. “I remember when my brother was with the Griz, they loved him. There’s just something about Butte guys. I don’t know why everybody likes us so much (laughs).”
Richards joked that his parents Cyndy and Toby Richards “were kind of mad because they already have all the Griz stuff and now they have to buy a bunch of Bobcat stuff.
“They weren’t very happy about that,” Richards said with a laugh. “But they are reall proud of me to get this opportunity. I’m excited.”
Richards has been a standout athlete since his freshman year at Butte Central. Richards is in line to earn a total of 12 varsity letters, four each in football, basketball and track and field. Last fall, he was a first-team all-conference selection on the offensive line. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in basketball. He placed fifth at the Class A state track and field championships in the discus and 14th in the shot put.
Earning 12 letters puts him in rare company in BC’s rich athletic history. But Jonathan and Aschan each did it before Aaron.
“It makes you competitive year around and basketball helps with my movement,” Richards said of playing three sports. “Track helps learning to spin with my footwork. I feel like I’m a better, well rounded athlete because of basketball and track.”
Richards said Montana State first started recruiting him in April. MSU special teams coordinator and director of high school relations B.J. Robertson served as Richards’ primary recruiter. Richards attended junior day and began to truly consider becoming a Bobcat. He said he has also talked quite a bit with MSU offensive line coach Brian Armstrong, although it remains to be seen if Richards plays offense or defense at Montana State.
“Coach Armstrong is awesome,” Richards said. “I love him. He talked a lot about how close everyone is on the offensive line and how all the offensive linemen are pretty good friends and I liked that.”
Growing up, Richards said Jonathan and Ferriter’s older brother, Sean, were good friends. Sean went on to have an All-Big Sky career as a thrower for the Bobcats. When Aaron Richards first started hearing from the MSU coaches, Marcus reached out to aid in the recruiting.
The Grizzlies did enter into the mix with a roster spot, but only after the Bobcats led the charge. Richards also talked with Rocky Mountain College, Carroll College and Montana Tech before choosing the Bobcats.
Ultimately, the style and identity that MSU head coach Jeff Choate has solidified amongst his team was a key factor in Richards selecting Montana State.
“What I really liked about it is how physical they like to play on the line,” Richards said. “That’s what we like to do at Butte Central, too. That’s how I want to play.”
Richards said he is leaning toward majoring in political science, but that remains undecided. For now, he is looking forward to concentrating on his senior year without wondering what life after high school may hold.
“It’s just nice to get it over with before the season starts,” Richards said. “It feels like there is a lot of pressure off. And I’m really excited about my decision.”
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