Jody Owens is one of the most talented, fearsome linebackers to come through the Big Sky Conference over the last decade. He’s fiery playing style helped him earn unanimous all-league honors and the 2012 Big Sky Defensive MVP.
Now he’s back in Bozeman coaching Montana State’s linebackers. He mentors the current Bobcats with the same attention to detail and gruffness that helped him as one of MSU’s most respected captains of the Rob Ash era. As when he was a player, the praise for his pupils is sparing but if you are worthy, Owens will acknowledge you.
When asked about Montana State redshirt freshman middle linebacker Grant Collins, Owens almost laughed out loud in praise.
“He has all the talent in the world,” Owens said following Wednesday’s practice. “From his natural ability to his physical gifts, he’s unreal. You can tell he wants it. He is always asking questions. He’s always getting me in the film room like, ‘Coach, let’s watch.’ Even when (the players) have the slightest amount of down time, he’s dragging me out of my meetings and trying to get extra film. He’s definitely on the right path to be something very special.”
Since earning Class AA first-team All-State honors as a junior at Bozeman High in 2012, Collins’ rise has been rapid. The summer following his junior year, he underwent shoulder surgery, costing him the chance to go to individual camps at schools around the Pac 12 and the potential scholarships that might’ve come with it.
In 2013, Collins was as dominant as any linebacker the Treasure State has seen. As a senior, he earned Class AA Defensive MVP honors by notching 142 tackles, 101 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles as Bozeman rolled to 13 straight largely uncontested wins.
The 6-foot-4 middle linebacker had offers from Montana State, Montana and Idaho. He also held a preferred walk-on invite to 11-time FBS national champion Southern Cal. He chose to stay in Bozeman.
“At first, I was kind of skeptical about staying in Bozeman,” Collins said the day he verbally committed. “I kind of wanted to get away from home and experience that, but after that official visit, I realized it can be a home away from home experience.”
That home away from home experience has been a largely quiet one, at least externally, during Collins’ first year at Montana State. The hulking linebacker is up to 230 pounds. He earned Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year honors last fall. In the spring, Collins started to make some noise.
With the graduation of Na’a Moeakiola and Rhett Young, MSU’s top two middle linebackers the last two seasons, Collins has been thrust into a starting role.
“I think he’s ready,” Ash said following Tuesday’s practice. “I think spring was a good learning curve for him. This camp will be really good for him. Now he just needs to see real bullets flying in games and I think he’ll be fine.”
Wearing the No. 41 made famous by 2013 Buck Buchanan Award winner Brad Daly, Collins has thrived thus far in Montana State’s revamped scheme. He’s a smooth, sideline-to-sideline linebacker with outstanding recognition skills and elite instincts that are apparent. He seems to have adjusted to the college game as quickly as any coach or teammate could’ve expected.
“The first thing that was so hard for me when I got to college was not playing in games,” Collins said. “I was so 
used to playing and then not playing was hard. You have to make the most out of it but now getting out here and getting to see the field a little more coming out, it’s exciting.
“There’s always a little pressure and nothing is set yet. I’m just out here working my butt off, giving it everything I can and trying to earn that spot.”
Collins is battling with junior Fletcher Collins, a Seattle Prep product of no relation. Fletcher has gotten a few first-team reps but watching Grant for even just one practice shows observers his vast potential. Kane Ioane, Montana State’s newly minted defensive coordinator, can see it too.
“Grant is a very confident individual, ultimately confident in his ability,” Ioane said. “You can see it. It shows up in his play. Guys respect that. Bottom line is that you earn respect by making plays on the field. He was able to do that in the spring and he’s carrying it over now in the fall. Every day, I’m hoping he continues to build on what he did the previous day and is never satisfied. I think he’s going to progress very nicely for us. His upside is tremendous.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
