Kyle Finch could see his future during his visit to Montana State. It excited the Beaverhead County High senior so much, he elected to spent his college days as a Bobcat.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defensive end from Dillon visited Montana State two weeks ago before spending the final recruiting weekend for 2016 in Missoula checking out the University of Montana. Finch held a partial scholarship offer from Montana State and a preferred walk-on offer from UM. He said his visits were “pretty similar” and that he enjoyed them both. But he said he felt more at home in Bozeman. Finch gave his verbal commitment to Montana State on Sunday. He will sign with MSU on National Signing Day Wednesday and receive a partial scholarship.
[restrict paid=”true”]“I felt most at home in Bozeman and of course, the education in Bozeman was a better fit so that was a huge factor in my decision,” Finch said. “I thought the education was a huge deal, a great fit for me with the engineering program they have there. I’m really excited about that. And I’m really excited about the football program. I felt very welcome there. I really enjoyed being around the players, being around the coaches and I really felt like I could play there. I felt at home.”
Finch will choose to study either mechanical or civil engineering during his time at Montana State. He also held a partial scholarship offer from Montana as well as offers from Carroll College, Montana Tech and local Montana Western.
“There’s a big need for engineers right now in the work force and it’s a good paying jobs,” Finch said. “Things they do have always interested me: solving problems and building things, designing things. I’ve always been interested in that. And with all the new technology, it just keeps growing.”
The rangy, athletic Finch will play defensive end at Montana State but has played standing up for most of the last two seasons for the Beavers. Finch earned all-conference honors as a junior on Dillon’s 2014 state title team playing primarily with his hand on the ground. As a senior, he moved to standup outside linebacker and thrived, piling up 99 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles. Dillon lost to Whitefish in the Class A state title game.
“I prefer defensive end just because I feel more natural out of a three-point stance when I’m up on the line trying to take on blockers in a small space,” Finch said.
Finch continues the pipeline from Dillon to the Division I level. MSU junior Monte Folsom, his redshirt freshman younger brother Ben Folsom and junior offensive lineman Caleb Gillis are all former Beavers who play for the Bobcats.
“The coaches in Dillon are second to none as far as high school goes,” Finch said. “The Dillon program is something you can’t beat it with the community support. It’s amazing. The community really cares about football and they support us with how much they care. The coaches have really prepared me well. We run a very disciplined defense, which I think will stack up nicely with a college program. You have your own assignment and if you do that, the job will get done. Some high schools, they just say go find the ball. That’s not how it’s done in Dillon.”
Under legendary head coach Terry Thomas, Dillon won five state titles and played for seven between 2000 until 2012. When Thomas stepped down following a loss in the 2012 state title, some wondered what would happen to one of Montana’s most tradition-laden programs. The Beavers didn’t miss a beat.
With Rick Nordahl, Thomas’ longtime defensive coordinator, at the head coaching helm, Dillon won state titles in 2013 and 2014 before falling 17-13 to Whitefish in this year’s state title game. Dillon has won seven total state titles in the last 16 seasons.
“Things are pretty much done the same,” Finch said. “There is still a great tradition of winning and doing the right thing on and off the field. That’s the biggest thing that helps us succeed: to not only be good football players but great people. That plays into off-season work and throughout the season we are dedicated and concentrated. That’s what carries our team to championships. We have great tradition, great coaches and the kids really buy in.”
Gillis hosted Finch on his visit. Finch said he felt an instant connection with his future teammates. The educational opportunities are what he craves and the opportunity to play at the Division I level is a dream come true, Finch said.
“I’m really honored to have an offer from Montana State and an opportunity to play football at this level,” Finch said. “I know there are a lot of guys who would love to be in my spot so I plan to make the most of it and take every opportunity and take advantage of it along the way.”
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