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Stevensville product Sims is Montana’s new No. 37

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MISSOULA — In front of more than 6,000 fans on a picturesque spring Saturday in Missoula, the Montana Grizzlies made a special announcement at halftime of their annual spring football game. Jesse Sims is the newest No. 37.

The Stevensville native is the 14th Grizzly to earn the right to wear the hallowed jersey since Plentywood native Kraig Paulson started the tradition of handing down the number to hard-hitting Montana products. Sims inherits the jersey from Tucker Schye, a defensive end from Malta who wore the jersey for the 2017 season.

Montana defensive tackle Jesse Sims/by Brooks Nuanez

Sims is the fourth straight defensive linemen to wear the jersey, following Schye, Helena’s Caleb Kidder (2015-116) and Missoula’s Zack Wagenmann (2014). Missoula’s Jordan Tripp wore the number in 2012 and 2013, broke up the string of defensive linemen as he followed East Helena defensive end Ryan Featherston (2011) and Deer Lodge defensive tackle Carson Bender (2008-2010). Sims is the eighth defensive linemen to wear No. 37 at Montana.

Sims, who previously wore No. 49, broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2016. A former Class A state basketball tournament MVP and a highly recruited tight end who originally committed to Oregon State out of high school made the move from end to defensive tackle where he has been an anchor for the Griz defensive line. He had 26 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack two seasons ago. Last season, he had 43 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.

MALTA MOLDED: Schye shows pride in hometown while wearing No. 37

Sims is also regarded as one of Montana’s strongest players and top performers in the weight room. He earned the team’s “offseason MVP” entering his redshirt freshman season. The 6-foot-4, 272-pounder is one of the most physically formidable players on the Montana roster.

Montana’s No. 37 jersey

Tucker Schye Defensive End 2017 Malta
Caleb Kidder Defensive End 2015-16 Helena
Zack Wagenmann Defensive End 2014 Missoula
Jordan Tripp Linebacker 2012-13 Missoula
Ryan Featherston Defensive End 2011 East Helena
Carson Bender Defensive Tackle 2008-10 Deer Lodge
Loren Utterback Linebacker 2004-07 Fort Benton
Ciche Pitcher Defensive End 2001-03 Anaconda
Andy Petek Defensive End 1998-00 Helena
Jason Crebo Linebacker 1994-97 Helena
Todd Ericson Safety 1990-93 Butte
Tim Hauck Safety 1987-89 Big Timber
Kraig Paulson Fullback 1983-86 Plentywood

Photos attributed. This story will be updated. All Rights Reserved. 

About Colter Nuanez

Colter Nuanez is the co-founder and senior writer for Skyline Sports. After spending six years in the newspaper industry with stops at the Missoulian, the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the former Washington Newspaper Association Sportswriter of the Year and University of Montana Journalism School graduate ('09) has cultivated a deep passion for sports journalism during his 13-year career covering the Big Sky Conference. In August of 2014, Colter and brother Brooks merged their passions of writing and art to found Skyline Sports.

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