These days, the disparity between in the cost of in-state and out of state tuition at Montana State is a wide gap. So when it comes to doling out scholarships to football players, many times in-state players, particularly offensive linemen, have to prove they belong.
And often times, linemen with in-state roots who join the Montana State Bobcats or Montana Grizzlies quickly prove they do belong, earning a more entrenched spot on the roster and some scholarship money.
That’s exactly the situation Conor Reitler is entering at Montana State. And the multi-sport standout senior out of Billings Skyview is excited to embrace the challenge.
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“(Montana State offensive line) Coach (Brian) Armstrong has been telling me that it happens with a ton of linemen where they come in as a walk-on but they are usually only on a walk-on for about a year,” Reitler said. “And then they are one of the next guys up to get a scholarship.
“That really motivates me because I know. I have the ability to do that.”
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman and standout
wrestler had his wrestling season cut shot when he fractured his ankle. But
Reitler’s college future was already solidified at that point.
MSU head coach Jeff Choate and Armstrong liked Reitler’s performance at their
individual camp enough in the summer leading up to his senior football season,
the Bobcats offered Reitler a preferred walk-on spot. By July, Reitler
confirmed a dream come true by committing to the ‘Cats.
“When I was little, the first college game I ever went to was at Montana State and I told my mom right away that I wanted to play for the Bobcats,” Reitler said. “That was more than 10 years ago. It’s wild that it’s finally coming true.
“I really like the town and I can still do hunting and fishing around there, which I love. The program is great. Seeing what Choate has been able to do the last few years has really pushed me to go there. Just the people I’ve met, the coaches, it has made me excited to go there. It made me really pumped.”
Billings Skyview’s football team was consistently competitive under the only head coach the school had ever had before Ron Lebsock stepped down in January of 2018. Lebsock led Skyview from 1985 until 2018, winning 145 games, including state titles in 1985 and 2003.
Since Lebsock stepped down, the Falcons have been in a transition under head coach Nathan Wahl. Reitler’s toughness and commitment to his team stood out to Choate during the trying times. Reitler earned Eastern AA all-conference honors each of the last two years despite the fact that Skyview went 0-19.
“Conor was at our team camp and competed very, very well throughout the year,” Choate said on the day Reitler signed his admissions waiver to MSU. “Their high school program has struggled in terms of rebuilding over the last couple of years, but one of the bright spots has been Conor Reitler. I feel like he’s a tough, smart kid who’s going to give us more bodies on that offensive line.”
Before Skyview endured the 0-9 campaign that was Reitler’s senior year, he already had the security of knowing his college future. He chose Montana State over tuition offers from Montana Tech, the University of Mary, Dickinson State and a similar preferred walk-on offer from Montana.
“I feel like I was able to know for sure where I was going and it made me not have to worry about what was next,” Reitler said of committing on July 19. “I just had to put up good film and showing what all I can do. Getting that stress off, giving me assurance of where I want to go, knowing where my future is going to take me.”
Although MSU’s coaches first approached him about becoming a Bobcat during summer football camp, Montana State director of high school operations B.J. Robertson first started scouting Reitler when he heard from Ben Sulser, Skyview’s wrestling coach.
“Coach Sulser called me up and said, ‘‘This guy is a monster, really improving.’” Robertson said on the first day of the early signing period in December. “Coach Wahl, he brings his guys up to summer camp.
“He’s a worker. He’s showing up every day. He’s physical and he has a nasty streak, kind of like another Billings o-lineman Mitch Brott. We are really excited about Conor to come up and join the family.”
Like Brott, a Billings West product who set MSU’s record for consecutive starts during an All-American senior season last fall, Reitler hails from the Magic City. Although Reitler played offensive tackle the last two years at Skyview, he will likely move to either guard or center at MSU — “Wherever they want me to play, I’m ready,” Reitler said.
Reitler broke his ankle during his senior wrestling season but is expected to make a full recovery. When interviewed on February 11, he said he “hoped to be able to walk in a week or two.”
Until that injury, he gives wrestling credit in helping him develop into a Division I-caliber offensive lineman.
“The basic drills we do every day, it may not correlate the exact same but it really helps with your balance, your athleticism and your toughness,” Reitler said.
Reitler, who will begin majoring in university studies, hopes to use those learned skills to find his way with the Bobcats. He said he loved watching Montana State “dominate the front line the last few years, especially against the Grizzlies”, and he cannot wait to prove himself at Montana State.
“It was pretty exciting, knowing that it was finally official,” Reitler said. “It was just a dream come true basically.”
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