Editor’s note: Wednesday opens the first day of the early signing period for college football recruiting, which will last for 72 hours. National Signing Day is the first Wednesday of February. Montana has 18 known verbal commitments expected to sign.
MISSOULA — Bobby Hauck is in unchartered waters in terms of the status of his program as he enters the heart of recruiting season. And Montana’s first-year head coach will navigate the early signing period for the second time. Last season, Hauck signed 10 players previously committed to former Griz head coach Bob Stitt when Hauck had been on the job less than a month.
This time around, Hauck is already making a strong push to revamp his roster. Montana is expected to sign at least 18 prospects on Wednesday. Hauck won seven straight Big Sky Conference championships and advanced to the FCS playoffs in all seven of seasons during his first stint at Montana. He has spent the latter part of November and the early part of December recruiting instead of coaching the Griz for the first time during his time at UM.
The Griz are expected to sign nine players from Montana, one from a junior college and eight prep players from out of state.
Transfers
Mesa Community College offensive lineman Kordell Pillans is expected to sign with Montana on Wednesday/ courtesy of Pillans
Kordell Pillans, Mesa (Arizona) Community College, offensive line, 6-6, 310
Hometown: Kodiak, Alaska
Star rating: 2-stars
Recruiting profile: Interview conducted, story coming this week
In-state recruits
Trevin Gradney, Billings West, 6-0, 170
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Ryder Meyer, Fairfield, athlete, 5-10, 175
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Fairfield’s Meyer, Loyola’s Tirrell forge bond before committing to Griz
Ryan Tirrell, Missoula Loyola, linebacker, 6-2, 205
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Fairfield’s Meyer, Loyola’s Tirrell forge bond before committing to Griz
Noah Ambuehl, Great Falls Central, tight end, 6-4, 240
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Elias Dewaters, Missoula Sentinel, running back/athlete, 5-10, 175
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Garrison Poetzl, Billings Senior, defensive line, 6-4, 250
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Ryan Simpson, Bozeman High, wide receiver, 6-6, 185
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Jesse Owens, Billings West, wide receiver/cornerback, 5-9, 175
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile: Owens will be coming on Tootell and Nuanez live on ESPN 102.9 FM in Missoula. Click here for live stream: http://1029espn.com/t-t/
Kris Brown, Bozeman, quarterback, 6-4, 195
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile: Story coming soon.
Washington
Johnny Barthels, Bellevue, offensive line, 6-5, 260
Star rating: 2-star
Recruiting profile
Jacob McGourin, Cheney, defensive end, 6-5, 230
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile
Griz pluck Cheney DE McGourin out of Eastern Washington’s backyard
Corbin Walker, Hazen High (Renton), wide receiver/defensive back, 5-11, 170
Star rating: 3-star
Recruiting profile
Idaho
Kale Edwards, Coeur d’Alene, athlete, 6-5, 210
Star rating: 3-star
Recruiting profile
Coeur d’Alene ATH Edwards commits to Montana to play defense
Joey Elwell, Mountain View (Meridian), tight end, 6-3, 230
Star rating: 3-star
Recruiting profile
Noah Kaschmitter, Grangeville, defensive end, 6-3, 225
Star rating: N/A
Recruiting profile: Kaschmitter’s commitment became known late Tuesday night. Story to come.
Oregon
Alex Hurlburt, West Salem, defensive end, 6-3, 220
Star rating: 3-star
Recruiting profile
Nick Ostmo, Lincoln High (Portland), running back, 6-0, 215
Star rating: 2-star
Recruiting profile
