Drew Deck grew up coming to Griz games as a kid. Ever since he could remember, he has wanted to play football at the University of Montana.
Often times, the more you learn about something, the less romanticized it becomes in your mind. The opposite happened for Deck. After earning Class AA all-state honors as a junior wide receiver at Kalispell Glacier, Montana’s coaches started recruiting Deck hard. And he didn’t waste any time making his decision for his future.
“I was already super interested in everything about being a Griz but getting to know those coaches made it such a no brainer,” Deck said in an interview in mid-February. “Just everything about the program, being wanted by a program like that is awesome because it’s such a great community, such a great town, such a great environment.
“Everything about the program is awesome. It was easy for them to sell me on it.”
Deck was one of the first prospects from the Class of 2020 to be offered by UM head coach Bobby Hauck and his staff. Montana offensive coordinator Timm Rosenbach was Deck’s primary recruiter, inviting Deck to UM’s junior day last spring for his first of what would become several inside looks at the Montana program.
On June 25, four days after 2018 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year Carson Rostad became the first verbal commitment for UM’s Class of 2020, Deck and fellow offensive skill player Jaxon Lee of Missoula Sentinel also verbally committed to the Grizzlies.
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“It took some pressure off and let me focus on the team and my senior year,” Deck said. “That was awesome. I’m glad I did it.”
“I love everything about the University and Missoula. The whole environment, the school, all the programs, all the football facilities, it’s all great.”
The three-prospect haul set the foundation for UM’s second recruiting class since Hauck’s return. The Griz signed seven total prospects from Montana and 17 total prospects with the opening of the early signing period on December 18.
“With the way social media is today, (Rostad) becomes a mouthpiece, a vital recruiter, your queen so to speak in chess, your focal point in-state,” Montana recruiting coordinator Justin Green said in December. “The position he plays also speaks loud. To be able to have a guy commit to you as early as he did and be excited about being here says a lot.”
A total of 17 prospects from Montana signed with Division I schools during the early signing period, including 10 who made it official with Montana State. But the Griz got their fair share of the in-state haul, including Bozeman High running back turned linebacker Asher Croy (6-0, 206), high ceiling defensive lineman Journey Grimsrud (6-3, 245) of Huntley Project, Kalispell Glacier defensive lineman Henry Nuce (6-4, 235) and Butte Central wide receiver Guido Ossello (6-3, 195). UM also added Butte Central tight end Matt Simkins in February.
“That’s our No. 1 goal,” Green said when asked about prioritizing Montana players. “If we took all Montana guys, we’d be fine with that. We are going to take every Montana kid that we think can help us win the national championship.”
Nuce moved to Kalispell in 2017 from Maine. At Glacier, his dream of playing college football could become a reality. He and Deck talked about the Grizzlies, particularly after Deck committed early. Deck continued to encourage his defensive end teammate to follow him becoming a Griz.
Just like Rostad’s decision was the first domino of the in-state class, Deck served as a recruiter in his own high school. He also talked with Rostad, who he grew up playing traveling basketball against. Deck also got a chance to meet Ossello and fellow Butte Central tight end Matt Simkins along with Croy and Lee during their official visit to Missoula the weekend of January 23.
In the past, Hauck’s in-state classes have redshirted together, formed a bond during early-morning weight training sessions and thrived when called upon a few years later. Deck said he already senses chemistry with this group of in-state products.
“We all met each other and had a ton of fun,” Deck said. “We are all already close and that makes it super fun.”
Glacier has been a perennial producer of college talent since opening its doors in 2007. The high school has only ever had one head football coach: Grady Bennett, who began his playing career at Montana State before starring at quarterback at Montana.
Bennett coached for years at Flathead High when it was the only high school in Kalispell. Arron Deck, Drew’s father, joined Bennett’s staff at Flathead in 2005 before Drew had even started school. Coach Deck made the move to Glacier with Bennett and spent the first three seasons coordinating the Wolfpack defense.
In 2010, Deck moved to coaching offense and took over as the offensive coordinator in 2011. His offense has set many Montana records, including former quarterback Brady McChesney throwing for more yards and touchdowns in his career than any player in Montana history.
Coach Deck has always been able to feature fast, quick play-makers. Logan Jones was a primary weapon on Glacier’s first Class AA state title winning team in 2014 before going on to have a standout career at Montana State.
Drew Deck found himself with plenty of chances to make plays as well. He earned Class AA all-state honors each of the last two seasosn by totaling 1,874 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving. As a senior, he hauled in 55 receptions for 781 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Glacier helped me a ton, the whole program itself, the coaches that are in it, the culture itself definitely helped out a ton,” Deck said. “We have super good coaches who help you with all this stuff. This was a blessing to be in a program like that because it definitely helped out.”
Deck was an all-conference point guard as a junior before electing to not play hoops his senior year. He wants to concentrate on training for football and getting ready to defend several state titles in track.
In the spring of 2018, the Decks helped the Wolfpack to the Class AA boys’ state track and field title. Arron Deck is Glacier’s head track coach. Drew won the Class AA state title in the 300-meter hurdles last season and also ran a leg on the 4×100-meter state championship relay team.
His all-around athleticism helped earn him interest from Montana State, Texas State and Carroll College. But none pursued Deck that seriously. Deck, who plans on majoring in education in hopes of following in his dad’s footsteps as a teacher and a coach, ended his recruitment pretty swiftly by committing to the Griz nearly seven months before signing his national letter of intent.
“It was amazing to finally put the pen to the paper and actually make it official,” Deck said. “It was a little bit of relief but mostly, it got me excited for everything. I’m beyond excited to be a Griz and I’m ready to get going.”
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Photos contributed by Deck. All Rights Reserved.
