Nathan Dick, the Billings Senior quarterback who on Monday was named Montana’s Gatorade Player of the Year, became the 17th member of the Montana Grizzlies’ 2017 recruiting class late Tuesday night, ending an intrastate battle for his commitment.
Dick confirmed to Skyline Sports Tuesday night that he was headed west to Missoula to play for the Griz. The first indication that Dick would join Montana came from Braydon Deming, a Billings West product who committed to Montana along with his twin brother Bryson in July and tweeted his congratulations to Dick, adding, “it’s almost like we planned it.”
Dick is the ninth Montana player to commit to the Grizzlies this year and the 12th Gatorade state player of the year of to join Montana all told.
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The late announcement was the fourth commitment Montana gained since Saturday night when Arizona Western defensive end Chris Favoroso tweeted that he was transferring to Montana. One day later, Payton Stoner, an offensive tackle from San Diego’s Mt. Carmel High committed and on Monday Diablo Valley College (California) defensive end Dylan Gilfoy confirmed he was also going to transfer to Montana.
Dick has been a sensation at quarterback for Senior, losing just two games during the final two of his three years as a starter. As a junior, Dick led the Broncs to the Class AA championship game before falling to Bozeman. This season, Dick helped lead a roster loaded with college talent to an undefeated season and the school’s first state championship in 37 years.
He threw for 2,639 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for 1,222 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning his second consecutive Class AA Offensive Player of the Year award and the first Gatorade honor by a Bronc in the 32 years the awarded has been handed out.
“He’s one of the most dynamic kids I’ve seen, and he’s a tremendous competitor day in and day out,” said Butte coach Arie Grey in the news release that announced Dick as Montana’s Gatorade recipient.
Dick, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 185 pounds according to his Hudl.com profile, is not certain where he’ll play when he steps on the field for Montana. Asked about where he was recruited to play, he responded, “whatever will get me on the field.”
While the specifics are still unclear, Senior head coach Chris Murdock said Wednesday he believes Dick, who squats more than 500 pounds, could play quarterback in college.
“I think he has a chance to be a real dynamic quarterback at the next level,” Murdock said before adding, “I think that’s the kind of guy you want with the football in his hands and there is no better way to get it in his hands as much as possible than make him the quarterback. … He’s really a dual-threat quarterback. There is not a throw he can’t make.”
Murdock compared Dick to former Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson, who was listed at 6-foot-1, but was believed to be much shorter; and Dave Dickenson, who became the program’s most dynamic and successful quarterback despite standing just 5-foot-11.
While height may limit Dick’s chances of playing quarterback for Montana, Murdock raved about his former quarterback’s competitiveness and intangibles and promised that all the work Dick put in throughout his time at Senior sharpened the mechanics coaches look for in a signal caller.
“He’s really smooth,” Murdock said. “I think he’s as smooth as I’ve ever seen. I mean, fundamentally he’s really good as a quarterback. He throws the football like you should.”
Montana coaches are prohibited from commenting on recruits until after they sign their National Letter of Intent. Dick, Stoner and the rest of the Montana’s prep commits can do so on Feb. 1. Eligible to do so by their mid-year transfer status, Favoroso, Gilfoy and Blinn College (Texas) quarterback Caleb Hill, who committed to Montana on Nov. 6, all signed their scholarship papers Wednesday.
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