Elite talent: it’s among the most important parts of the equation when it comes to building a college football team. Developing talent: it’s often the route Football Championship Subdivision programs have to rely on to build national championship contenders.
Montana State had both on its run to the most recent FCS national title game. And many of the Bobcats’ top NFL prospects — many recruited by former head coach Jeff Choate and unleashed by current head coach Brent Vigen —
“We have plenty of guys to get eyes on and that’s the neat thing about it,” Vigen said following Saturday morning’s spring practice. “They aren’t just coming for one guy. They will get a chance to see nine guys over this past year’s team working out.”
In fact, 11 former Bobcats competed on Monday morning in front of scouts from 20 NFL teams. The primary draw is Troy Andersen, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound prospect with as diverse and unique a skill set as any to ever play in the nearly 60-year history of the Big Sky Conference.
Andersen set the NFL Draft pundit world on fire in February, running 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash and ripping off a vertical jump of 36.5 inches to go with a broad jump of 10-foot-8. On Monday, Andersen just did the short shuttle and the 3-cone drill, posting times that would have been among the best at the Combine, any position.
Monday, All-American defensive end Daniel Hardy, All-American defensive tackle Chase Benson, All-American offensive tackle Lewis Kidd and All-American wide receiver Lance McCutcheon along with all-league safety Tre Webb, all-league offensive lineman Taylor Tuiasosopo, all-league defensive end Amandre Williams and standout wide receiver Nate Stewart joined Andersen.
Kevin Kassis, an All-Big Sky receiver on MSU’s 2019 team, and Jahque Alleyne, an all-league safety that same year, also tested as did Montana Tech offensive lineman Hunter Spartz.
Andersen, a Dillon product who earned all-conference and All-American honors at running back, quarterback, outside linebacker and inside linebacker during his unforgettable Bobcat career, will almost certainly be drafted.
Hardy, a 6-foot-43, 240-pounder who is late to the game of football, blossomed into the premier edge rusher in the FCS during his first year playing defensive end. He piled up 16.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss, each top three totals in Montana State history. Once upon a time, Hardy was a 195-pounder with two years of high school and one year of junior college experience to his name.
“Two years ago, I did not expect to be where I am now but the coaching staff here past and present got me to believe in myself, understand what I was capable of and not only recognize the potential but also achieve and rise to that level of play,” Hardy said. “I had to believe I could be that type of player because potential isn’t anything if you don’t use it.”
Kidd, McCutcheon, Webb, and Kassis showed well on Monday as well. Below are the full results from Monday’s Pro Day, compiled and organized by Connor Tweet of Skyline Sports.
MONTANA STATE BOBCATS PRO DAY NUMBER
Daniel Hardy, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 240
Bench: 22
Vertical Jump: 40
Broad Jump: 10’ 7”
40 Yard Dash: 4.60
Short Shuttle, 3 Cone, Long Shuttle – NA
Hardy heavily impressed at MSU Pro Day. His vertical jump and broad jump were both the best among all participating MSU athletes, and his 4.60 40 yard dash would have been good for 12th among linebackers at the NFL Combine.
Troy Andersen, Linebacker
Short Shuttle: 3.99
3 Cone: 6.72
Lewis Kidd, Offensive Lineman
Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 311
Bench: 26
Vertical Jump: 28.5
Broad Jump: 8’ 10”
40 Yard Dash: 5.17
Lance McCutcheon, Wide Receiver
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 202
Bench: 19
Vertical Jump: 36.5
Broad Jump: 10’ 2”
40 Yard Dash: 4.59
Nate Stewart, Wide Receiver
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 200
Bench: 9
Vertical Jump: 32.5
Broad Jump: 9’ 5”
40 Yard Dash: 4.67
Taylor Tuiasosopo, Offensive Lineman
Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 300
Bench: 22
Vertical Jump: 27.5
Broad Jump: 8’ 6”
40 Yard Dash: 5.55
Tre Webb, Defensive Back
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 202
Bench: 17
Vertical Jump: 35.5
Broad Jump: 10’ 6”
40 Yard Dash: 4.56
Amandre Williams, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 232
Bench: 20
Vertical Jump: 28.5
Broad Jump: 8’ 10”
40 Yard Dash: 5.17
Chase Benson, defensive lineman and assistant strength coach at Arkansas State
Bench: 30
Benson’s 30 bench press reps was higher than any defensive lineman who tested on bench press at the NFL Combine.
Jahque Alleyne, Defensive Back
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 187
Bench: 16
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10’ 5”
40 Yard Dash: 4.76
Kevin Kassis, Wide Receiver
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 202
Bench: 23
Vertical Jump: 36.5
Broad Jump: 10’ 0”
40 Yard Dash: 4.53
