Editor’s note: Billings Senior graduate Blake Allred gave his verbal commitment to play football at Montana State in January and conducted an interview about that commitment with Skyline Sports on January. The fullback and linebacker signed with MSU on February 7. Skyline misplaced the audio file of Allred’s interview until mid-July. Allred is one of 28 players who signed with the Bobcats between the early period in December and National Signing the first Wednesday of February.
Blake Allred experienced nothing but success his final two years of high school football. Yet as Christmas approached, his frustration grew.
The hard-nosed inside linebacker paired with eventual Class AA Defensive MVP Nolan Askelson to form the most menacing ‘defensive duos in the Treasure State. Billings Senior ripped off 26 straight wins and won back-to-back state titles behind the quarterback wizardry of Nathan Dick in 2016, the hard-hitting linebacker duo and the explosive play-making of Gabe Sulser in both of the state championship seasons.
Allred, a 6-foot, 210-pounder, earned Class AA second-team all-state honors at inside linebacker as a junior and first-team honors as a senior. This winter, Division I schools executed the first early signing period ever between December 20 and 22. The Montana Grizzlies signed 13 players, including Sulser and eight other players from Montana. Montana State signed 16 players, including Askelson and six others with Montana roots. But Allred remained unsigned.
“In December when all those guys were signing, it was a little frustrating,” Allred admitted in an interview in January.
Yet the physical two-way talent — Allred was also a second-team all-state fullback as a senior — kept faith that he would receiver a Division I offer. During his senior season, he earned opportunties from local Rocky Mountain College along with Montana Tech, Carroll College, Montana Western, Dickinson State and Minot State.
Montana State first reached out to Allred in the spring of his junior year, inviting him to their annual “Junior Day” to tour campus and take in a spring scrimmage. He watched Montana State play live in a narrow 31-27 loss to No. 3 South Dakota State in September and in a thrilling 31-23 win over rival Montana in November.
Just around the early signing period, both the Griz and the Bobcats came to the table. Allred said he has “never really picked one or the other to root for, I kind of just floated around” when it came to the fiercest football rivalry in the Treasure State.
“Things were coming down the wire and it was the Bobcats and Montana,” Allred said. “I’ve always wanted to play in the FCS. I always had that feeling. It was right down to those two schools and I just liked what Montana State has to offer so I chose them.”
Allred gave his verbal commitment to Montana State in January, signing as one of 12 prospects during the late period that inked their agreements with MSU on February 7. Although he was initially recruited as a linebacker, he eventually took a partial scholarship to play fullback. Montana State head coach Jeff Choate announced him as a fullback on National Signing Day.
“I love what Coach Choate is doing, how he’s leading his program,” Allred said. “I love (defensive coordinator) Coach (Ty) Gregorak’s mentality on defense. Coach B.J. (Robertson) was really nice to me and I trust him a lot. Those guys all sold me on MSU.
“I especially like how Choate is straight to the point and he gets the job doneHe will be good to help us recruits start pushing forward to that next step.”
Robertson, MSU’s special teams coordinator and director of high school operations, along with Choate and wide receivers coach Matt Miller all had a hand in sealing Allred’s decision. Sulser and Askelson each lobbied for Allred choosing their side to remain teammates, Allred said, adding, “it was pretty funny to listen to.”
Allred, Sulser, Askelson and a collection of other standout Broncs helped lead Senior on its greatest run in program history. After not winning a state title for 37 years, the group played a part in three straight state championship game appearances and back-to-back titles. That success has set the table for several of the stars to continue playing the game.
“It was incredible to go on that streak of 26 games and this year, to go undefeated with our class,” Allred said. “It was pretty special. Our class really put the work in and came out on top, which was awesome to see.
“Our classes, there is no clicks or anything. We are all together as one. We have bonded so well together. We all went to every summer lift, put the work in at Colorado State this past summer and it all came together in the end.”
After magical last season, Senior stars shift to opposite sides of the rivalry
Allred admits to wondering if he could play at the level that has always been his goal. But as his career progressed — he notched 113 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack as a senior a year after returning an interception for a touchdown in the 2016 AA state championship game — his production began to garner attention.
The return of Bobby Hauck as Montana’s head coach for the second time made Allred’s decision harder than expected. But as his confidence in his own ability grew, he began to craft a vision for his future. He thinks Montana State is the perfect fit to achieve those goals.
“I always had the feeling I could play in the Big Sky but over these past two seasons, I’ve gained more confidence that I could play at that next level,” Allred said. “I had confidence in all the work I put in and then all my coaches and teammates believing in me in what I was doing helped. And my performance helped me get to this next level.
“Now I have a chance. I can’t wait to make the most of this chance. I can’t wait to play for the Bobcats.”
Photos by Travis Clarke, contributed. All Rights Reserved
