The list of highly regarded Rob Ash recruits continued filing out of Bozeman as Tavon Dodd announced he is leaving the Bobcat football program on Monday morning. Dodd, an explosive 5-foot-8, 180-pounder from Houston, announced his departure from the program via Instagram:
“I would like to thank Montana State, Jeff Choate and the community here in Bozeman, MT for the opportunity given to play football and attend school. As of now, I will no longer be apart of the organization. My time here has brought me great joy and god has other plans for me and I’m extremely excited for the chance to look into another university to further my career and education. #GoCats forever FTG.”
Dodd also posted on Twitter “Brought tears to my eyes explaining to my mom my situation right now…” as well as “The story of tavon dodd still being written.”
Dodd came to Montana State from inner city Houston. He was the district offensive player of the year and MVP after rushing for more than 1,100 yards at John H. Reagan High.
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Tavon Dodd
After an off-season filled with tragedy (click above), Dodd challenged for time in Montana State’s running backs rotation during the 2015 season. He ended up earning only 15 carries playing behind Chad Newell, Gunnar Brekke and Nick LaSane. He rushed for 77 yards as a redshirt freshman.
During the off-season, Ash and most of his coaching staff were fired after a 5-6 season in 2015. Jeff Choate and a largely new staff took over at MSU with a brand new vision. Dodd moved to cornerback during spring drills in 2016 and showed flashes of his aggressive style translating to the defensive side of the ball.
In 2016, Dodd had a hard time cracking the rotation as Tre’Von Strong, Bryce Alley and Chris Harris all took their turns at the boundary cornerback position opposite senior John Walker during MSU’s 4-7 season. But Dodd showed potential, especially covering punts. He appeared in all 11 games and made 12 tackles, most of them on special teams.
Dodd signed as one of 23 recruits in Montana State’s highly touted but largely disappointing 2014 recruiting class. The class included three transfers — cornerback Bryson Keeton, running back Anthony Knight and defensive lineman WaWa Leota — along with 20 prep products. Of those 20 signed from the high school ranks, 11 remain with the Bobcats as the class enters its fourth year in the program in 2017.
Dodd, safety DeMonte King, offensive lineman Joey Marinello, defensive lineman Garrett Marino, linebacker Toti Moeakiola, center Austin Oldenburger, defensive end Eric Prevost, punter Matt Stewart and kicker Trevin Thompson all did not make it more than two years in the program. Prevost and Leota never even made it to campus while King, Marino and Knight were all dismissed before finishing their eligibility.
Montana State running back Tavon Dodd goes against classmate Tre’von Strong two years ago. Both are no longer Bobcats
Ash and his staff signed 31 players the following year, including eight transfers. Wide receiver Brandon Brown, safety Des Carter, defensive end Jessie Clark and linebacker Zach Stern all finished at Montana State after transferring but produced lackluster results. Defensive end Shiloh LaBoy has battled injuries for two years and will be a senior in 2017. Defensive tackle Joe Naotala left the program for personal reasons after less than a year and linebacker Marcus Tappan was dismissed from the program following a DUI arrest his first year in Bozeman. Bryson McCabe has been the most successful of the group, starting 15 games, including all last season as he earned second-team All-Big Sky honors at strong safety.
Among the 23 prep recruits signed in 2015, defensive end Keegan Bray, safety Sidney Holmes, quarterback Jordan Hoy, linebacker B.J. Ojo, offensive lineman Kash Perry, linebacker Sam Plucker, defensive end Chris Robinson, defensive end Byron Rollins, defensive back Tre’Von Strong and offensive lineman Bryan Wilkes are all no longer with the program. Tight end Robert Evans signed with MSU but never made it to Bozeman.
With the graduation of 14 seniors plus the departure of Dodd, Strong, Holmes, junior wide receiver Jayshawn Gates, sophomore fullback Dylan Stenseth, sophomore linebacker Blake Sylvester, sophomore defensive tackle Garrett Gregg, the medical retirement of senior-to-be linebacker Blake Braun and the uncertain status of suspended junior kicker Luke Daly, Choate’s roster could challenge the 34 new faces he brought to fall camp last year this upcoming August.
Montana State has received 21 verbal commitments from players expected to sign with MSU on National Signing Day February 1.
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
