Rob Ash’s firing at Montana State left a group of Bobcats in limbo not knowing what the future would hold for the MSU football program. Ash’s termination also left a group of nine prospective Bobcats wondering what the future might hold.
Texas recruits Anthony Pegues, Darrius Mosley and Marcus Simpson and California recruit Damien Washington are from highly recruited areas in which new Montana State head coach Jeff Choate has experience recruiting. Mosley and Simpson are offensive linemen and Washington a cornerback, each filling immediate needs for the Bobcats. Pegues is a three-star recruit with top-end speed, so it seemed safe that his verbal commitment like his out of state brethren would hold up.
CMR wide receiver Karl Tucker
For a group of five prospects from Montana, the future was a little more cloudy.
“At first, I was definitely concerned because I made my decision based on those guys who recruited me, especially (former offensive coordinator) Coach (Tim) Cramsey and (former wide receivers) Coach (Cody) Kempt,” said Great Falls C.M. Russell High senior and incoming wide receiver Karl Tucker. “It was a big call when I heard that they weren’t coming back. But the new head coach (Choate) came to CMR right before Christmas break and he was a great guy. I have confidence he can fill in for Coach Ash, which is a big spot to fill.”
“My initial worry was I didn’t know anything about it,” added Troy running back/linebacker Sean opland. “Do I get to keep my scholarship? Is it still honored? I was talking to (former cornerbacks) Coach (Michael) Rider even after he wasn’t coming back and he really helped me in keeping my confidence in it and told me that no matter what, my scholarship would be honored whether my coach wants me there or not. (Current MSU running backs) Coach (Michael) Pitre called me a couple of days later and he said he was staying and that my scholarship was still honored and that they still want me a lot.”
Opland and Tucker each gave their verbal commitment to Ash and his staff at various times last fall, as did Colstrip offensive lineman Jake Sessions and Boulder punter Jered Padmos. Belgrade defensive end Derek Marks has been committed since midway through his junior season.
“I was upset about Coach Ash being fired,” Marks said. “I really liked Coach Ash and his staff and I had a lot of respect for them. I wasn’t worried about my future though. I want to be a mechanical engineer with an aerospace minor so I’ve always wanted to go to MSU. So I stayed committed and me and my family are solid in that commitment.”
Colstrip offensive lineman Jake Sessions
Former Montana State offensive line coach Jason McEndoo recruited Sessions before McEndoo took a similar position on Mike Gundy’s staff at Oklahoma State. Sessions came to MSU’s individual camp last summer and offensive line coach Jason Eck liked what he saw. Sessions committed shortly after. Between November 23 when Ash was fired and December 4 when Choate was hired, Sessions wondered if he would have a similar reputation with a third MSU offensive line coach.
“I did have a lot of respect for Rob Ash and all the guys who recruited me and I was pretty surprised, as surprised as everyone else when he got fired,” Sessions said. “I didn’t know that was coming at all. I had a pretty nervous few weeks but once the new coaching staff came in, I got to meet them.”
A few weeks after being hired, Choate took a road trip through the Treasure State to touch base with recruits both committed and uncommitted. He stopped at CMR to see Tucker and affirm the Bobcats still wanted the two-time first-team All-State wide receiver.
“It was a relief. I was a little worried about having my scholarship not being upheld but when they told me that, it was a relief and it’s always nice to be wanted,” Tucker said. “With Coach Choate came to the school, he told me the offense was going to stay pretty similar to what it was the year before. The only difference was he was going to do a little more two-back than they did in the past so I will see where I can fit in.”
Choate’s road trip did not make its way to Northwest Montana for a stop in Troy. Opland did not hear from Choate until the week of Christmas.
Troy linebacker Sean Opland
“The week of Coach Choate’s bowl game (December 26) with the Washington Huskies, he called me and reassured me and told me he still really wants me there and he’s looking forward to getting me there,” Opland said.
“I like the fact that he’s a small-town kid too. He grew up in Saint Mary’s, Idaho. I was kind of shocked to know that. He told me that he actually played Libby of all people when he was in high school. They were the Lumberjacks and Libby is the Loggers so they had this trophy they carried over. He actually knew where Troy was and no one knows where Troy is. That was really cool.”
Sessions has crossed paths with new MSU offensive line coach Brian Armstrong on multiple occasions. Armstrong has helped coach offensive line at individual camps at both Montana and Montana State over the years while serving as the head coach at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. Rocky also hosts a “big man” camp for linemen each summer that Sessions has attended. Armstrong recruited Sessions to play at Rocky.
“Coach Armstrong is a really great guy,” Sessions said. “I got to talk to Coach Choate too and he seems like a great guy too. I like what he’s trying to bring into the program. From what I hear, it sounds like he is going to bring in a lot of intensity and he will take the Cats in the right direction.
“I think the new coaching staff, I’m excited to hear them and everyone that’s been hired is a great choice. I like how he’s brought quite a few Montana guys that know the state and know how it works around here. They already have a love for Montana football.”
Belgrade defensive end Derek Marks/by Brooks Nuanez
Marks has experienced Choate’s coaching first hand. The Belgrade product attended a few camps in Seattle last summer, including an individual camp at the University of Washington where Choate coached defensive line the last three seasons.
“The camp itself, his coaching style, you can tell how involved he was,” Marks said. “Some of those camps you go to a lot of the grad assistants coach you. There, it was awesome. We watched film, we did drills and I thought he was an awesome guy. Then he gave me a business card and we emailed. Then he was hired at Montana State and he came over for dinner and met my family. We are pretty fired up about him, what he will bring and the energy and excitement level he has is awesome and will be really good for us.”
Montana State elected to honor all scholarships from previously committed players with its new coaching staff. The Bobcats had nine verbal commitments upon the change and added Huntley Project linebacker Michael Jobman before Choate was hired. MSU now has 12 verbal commitments from scholarship players, including a recent commitment from Montana Gatorade Player of the Year Balue Chapman of Bozeman along with a verbal commitment from an out-of-state preferred walk-on offensive lineman Connor Floden. The Class of 2016, which will sign the first Wednesday in February, will also include transfer quarterback Tyler Bruggman from Scottsdale Community College and transfer offensive lineman Alex Neale from UNLV.
This weekend, the Bobcats will bring the first of three groups of prospects to Bozeman for their official recruiting visits. Tucker, Padmos, Opland, Marks, Washington, Chapman and Mosley will all make their official visits this weekend. Lawndale, California quarterback Chris Murray, Lancaster, California offensive lineman Taylor Tuiasosopo, Sammamish, Washington quarterback Blake Gregory, Helena High defensive end Chase Benson and Helena Capital defensive end Cole Rosling are the confirmed uncommitted players who will visit this weekend.
Marks has been in contact with most of the in-state commits and can’t wait to show them his home valley this weekend.
“I told them I was fired up and staying here and I told them I hoped they were as well,” Marks said. “They were all excited. I’m excited to get them down here for the visit so we can all be together and see what our future holds.”
