Growing up in Cheney, Washington, Jacob McGourin was in Eastern Washington’s backyard.
But when the time came for him to pick a college, McGourin elected to go with another Big Sky power, committing to Montana on September 26.
“I went there and the Griz culture is just unprecedented,” McGourin said. “It was amazing. The coaches there have so much experience, and I feel like I have so much to learn from them. I feel like I fit in better there than anywhere else.”
McGourin picked the Griz over his hometown team. The decision was made even more difficult because McGourin’s dad had played for the Eagles in the early 1990s.
“Before we went there, he was definitely a little biased, but we went on a visit there and my dad came along,” McGourin said. “He came back like, ‘Yeah, that’s a really quality program.’ He’s happy for me.”
The rush end is an impressive athlete, and beating out Eastern Washington for his commitment was a coup for the Grizzlies.
According to HERO Sports, he’s 20th among 2019 recruits already committed to Big Sky schools.
McGourin brings an impressive blend of strength and speed. As a track star in the spring, he was named all-league in the discus by the Spokane Spokesman-Review, as well as running on Cheney High’s state-championship winning 4×100 relay team.
That combo makes him a devastating pass-rusher, and has contributed to a big year on the football field as well. (FILM)
After going 0-8 last year, McGourin has helped Cheney start 6-1 in 2018.
“I consider myself to be a rush end more than anything else,” the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder said. “That’s what I feel like I’m best at, getting the edge and taking the quarterback down. … I can also play the run pretty well, so I feel like I’m a pretty good all-rounder.”
Although it could still be a couple years before he sees the field, McGourin is well-equipped to help with one of the Grizzlies’ biggest problems this year: pressure from the defensive line. Montana defensive linemen are responsible for just five of the team’s 19 total sacks this year.
Off the field, McGourin is an outdoors adventurer who likes to hunt and ride 4-wheelers, another reason he can’t wait to get to Montana.
His strength is partially the result of spending his childhood working on his family’s farm near Cheney.
“It’s tough at times,” McGourin said. “We definitely have to do things we don’t like to do at times, like, throwing bales in 105-degree weather isn’t exactly easy. But it definitely teaches me a work ethic and just having the mindset to get things done.”
McGourin is part of a key group of 2019 recruits that the Grizzlies have poached from the territories of their rivals.
Alex Hurlburt (Portland State), Trevin Gradney (Montana State) and McGourin all had offers from other schools in the Big Sky. Just today, the Griz got another one by getting Bozeman’s Kris Brown to pick them over the Bobcats.
All of them had their reasons to go to Missoula instead of staying close to home. Besides the team and the setting, McGourin is planning to go to law school after he’s done with football, so UM’s highly-rated law school was a big draw as well.
Most of all, though, he’s looking forward to being a part of Montana’s aggressive defense.
“I’d have to say I’m really excited to get into the program. I think it’s going to be a great fit, I’m just really excited to get started,” McGourin said. “I just think their style of defense, where they just let their front go, I think is something I’m looking forward to.”
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