Dalton Daum ended up a Bobcat after all.
The Butte High product helped lead the Bulldogs to their first Class AA state title in a generation as a prep sophomore. On the track, he swept the 100 meters and the 200 meters as a junior and a senior, garnering football and track interest from around Montana.
During the winter of his senior year, Daum verbally committed to Montana State. He stated that MSU’s up-tempo spread offense combined with the Bobcats’ full scholarship offer were the deciding factors in Daum choosing MSU over the Montana Grizzlies.
“I just want to thank the Bobcats for being the only school who believed in me enough to offer me a full scholarship,” Daum said in an interview in 2014.
“I think the ‘Cats’ offense is a way better fit for me. I mean, they are putting up over 40 points per game. They run a spread offense, which I feel like my speed would fit in well, the type of player I would fit in well.”
A few months later, Mick Delaney stepped down as Montana’s head coach, taking his pro-style offense with him. New head coach Bob Stitt took over and brought an “Air Raid” style offense similar to the one employed at Butte High under Aerie Grey. Stitt offered a full ride and Daum, a self-proclaimed Griz fan growing up, flipped before National Signing Day, ultimately signing with Montana.
Following a redshirt season plagued by injuries in 2015, Daum left the Grizzly program before spring drills. Rumors swirled that he might land at Montana State.
On Thursday, MSU confirmed Daum’s transfer to the Bobcat football team in a press release. Daum will be one of eight transfers during first-year head coach Jeff Choate’s first fall camp, which opens in Bozeman on Saturday morning. It is unknown what sort of aid Montana State will give Daum.
Daum started three seasons at wide receiver for Butte, piling up 196 passes for 2,997 yards and 32 touchdowns. In 2013, he set school records with 76 catches, 1,217 yards and 16 touchdowns. In a 58-41 loss to Kalispell Glacier as a junior, Daum set a state record with 20 catches and just missed another state mark with 286 yards receiving.
In track, Daum ran as fast at 10.66 seconds in the 100 and 21.53 in the 200 meters.
Daum did not return messages requesting comment for this story. Montana State issued no comment. Daum will have to sit out during the 2016 season per NCAA rules. He will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2017.
