Trace Timmer found himself feeling his time was running thin.
The Great Falls native has endured one uphill battle or another during his Bobcat career. Between a position change and injuries, a starting spot has always eluded Timmer. But now the Montana State senior has a sense of urgency. And he’s playing like it during his final fall camp.
Timmer
“Everyone hits that moment where you know you have to make it count,” MSU first-year cornerbacks coach Michael Rider said. “You feel a sense of urgency being it’s your last go-around and all. You can definitely see that with him.”
Timmer has been a standout of fall camp thus far. He started out with a bang, displaying memorable pass breakups each of the camp’s first four days. On Saturday during the first scrimmage, he proved he could play against the run (he had a tackle for loss) and play against the pass (he had a pass breakup and the lone interception). His newfound imitative have put him squarely in position to start opposite senior Bryson Keeton on MSU’s revamped defense.
“I feel the urgency to give it my all,” Timmer said. “I’ve battled injuries and inconsistency in the past. But I’m making sure that I take care of every little detail and do everything I can to get better. Anything I can do, I’m doing it.”
And it’s not going unnoticed.
“He’s definitely had one of the best camps out here,” Rider said. “He’s played with really good technique. He was productive in the scrimmage. He had a sack, a PBU and an interception and a tackle for loss. He did a really, really good job. He’s getting more confident with every day that passes.”
Despite his senior status and his thus far stellar fall camp performance, Timmer still finds himself immersed in one of the most contested position battles in camp. He and sophomore Bryce Alley have each taken a slew of reps with the first and second defenses and both have performed well.
Timmer
“That competition is going to go all the way up until (the MSU opener against Fort Lewis) September 3,” new MSU defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said. “That’s what you want. You don’t want those guys to feel comfortable. You want them coming out here with that attitude and same focus that the job is on the line. I want that throughout the entire year where everyday they are coming out here with a sense of urgency to make plays and allow us to know that’s the guy.”
Alley, a 5-foot-11, 175-pounder from Houston powerhouse North Shore High, got the bulk of the first-team repetitions in the spring with Timmer in and out of practice with an injury. Alley has shown durability and tenacity. Timmer excels because of his ball skills, athleticism and the physicality. His 6-foot, 182-pound frame endured playing safety earlier in his career. His penchant to hit sets him apart from his Bobcat corner counterparts.
“I prefer having competition,” Timmer said. “It makes me better as a person and better as a player. I wouldn’t prefer to have a spot given to me because that doesn’t make me better.”
The Electric City native comes from a strong athletic lineage. Trace’s father, Kirk, was the starting middle linebacker on Montana State’s 1984 national championship team. His mother, Kelly, played for the MSU women’s basketball team. The Timmers’ oldest son, Ty, played linebacker for three years for the Montana Grizzlies. The third Timmer brother, Trevan, played a season for MSU before getting injured.
Timmer
Trace has proven to be one of Montana State’s best athletes, at least in terms of measurable athleticism. He’s one of the fastest players on the team and his lateral movement usually stands out.
“Timmer has it all,” said MSU senior cornerback Bryson Keeton, a former Nevada transfer entrenched at the position opposite the one Timmer is battling for. “He runs a 4.42 in the 40. He’s got great catch up speed. He made some really tough plays the first three days, some tough plays where you just throw your body out there to break it up. I’ve been so impressed with him.”
“When we do our physical testing, the 40s, change of direction, the vertical, he tests out as well as anybody on our team,” MSU ninth-year head coach Rob Ash added following last Saturday’s scrimmage. “He’s one of the fastest and quickest guys on the team. He’s made himself into a Division I player. He’s tough and smart. I like what he’s doing right now.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
