BBOZEMAN, Montana — Jeff Choate has not shied away from recruiting transfers or signing classes with huge numbers during his four seasons at the helm at Montana State.
This past off-season, Montana State added 37 new players to its roster between last season’s 52-10 loss at North Dakota State in the Round of 16 of the FCS playoffs and Friday’s fall camp opening practice.
Of the 37 new additions, Buck end Amandre Williams and nose tackle Jason Scrempos are Power 5 dropdowns from Washington. Sophomore Dylan Porter, a 6-foot-5, 295-pounder, is a transfer from Nevada. Wide receiver Tyrone Marshall, linebacker Blake Flovin and defensive end Tyson Regimbal came to MSU from the junior college ranks.
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Some of Montana State’s best players under Choate have been transfers, from All-Big Sky cornerback John Walker (a graduate transfer from Colorado) to All-Big Sky defensive end Bryce Sterk, the Big Sky’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss last season after transferring from Washington.
Montana State’s secondary is anchored in part by senior Jahque Alleyne, a former contributor at Virginia Tech who led the Big Sky in interceptions last season. Senior cornerback Gregory “Munchie” Filer III landed on the Big Sky’s preseason all-league team after earning honorable mention All-Big Sky his first season after transferring from Compton College.
Former 4-star quarterback Travis Jonsen, a former Oregon Duck, is now Montana State’s best game-breaking option on the perimeter other than do everything junior Troy Andersen. Tristan Bailey earned National Special Teams Player of the Week his first game as a Bobcat last season after drilling three field goals in a 26-23 win over Western Illinois. When healthy, Jabarri Johnson cast one of the biggest shadows of any wide receiver on the roster or in the league after coming over from American River College by way of Sac State.
Many of Choate’s 29 total transfers have provided depth but not much more. Junior outside linebacker Daniel Hardy has tremendous upside and senior safety JoJo Henderson has game experience.
Other transfers — think quarterback Tyler Bruggman (Washington State, Louisville) along with running backs Tyler Natee (Indiana), Maleek Barkley (Arkansas), Edwards Vander (Saddleback CC) and Jake Roper (Boise State) — have not lived up to the hype.
And Washington transfer cornerbacks Naijiel Hale and Darren Gardenhire let legal trouble get in the way of every contributing meaningful snaps.
The transfers who have made it have heeded Choate’s advice of humility, earning playing time and earning leadership roles through hard work.
“For me, Amandre, Scrempos, Que, we transferred over in the later parts of our careers and I think that helps,” Sterk said following MSU’s second practice of its 2019 fall camp. “For me, I was humbled not playing at Washington. Coming here, you come in with a work ethic and mentality. I know some guys will walk in here like they are big shots. Choate says don’t do that because it’s still a really good conference. You have to come here with your hard hat.”
Choate has not hesitated to play true freshmen either. Chris Murray took over for Bruggman as MSU’s quarterback in 2016 less than a week after his 18th birthday. Punter Jered Padmos went from Class B to the Big Sky as a true freshman that same season. Wide receiver Kevin Kassis broke into the starting lineup pretty much right away in 2016. Because of a slew of fall camp injuries, Derek Marks broke into the starting lineup as well.
Wide receiver Karl Tucker II, cornerback Damien Washington, kicker Gabe Peppenger and outside linebacker Balue Chapman all played as true freshmen Choate’s first season.
In 2017, Andersen earned Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors splitting time between running back and outside linebacker. Cornerbacks Jalen Cole and Tyrel Thomas made appearances in the starting lineup.
Special teams stud Chad Kanow, wide receiver Lance McCutcheon, nose tackle Elu Leota, fullback R.J. Fitzgerald and tight end Ryan Davis did not redshirt in 2017 either.
Last season, Isaiah Ifanse set a Montana State freshmen record with 1,025 rushing yards. Portly plug James Williams served as Tucker Yates’ primary backup at nose guard.
Over the last four seasons, Choate has established a culture that gives every player, whether they are a transfer from a Power 5 program or a junior college or the out of state prep ranks or a tiny high school in Montana, will have a chance to play as long as they buy into the expectations Choate expects.
“As I tell all those guys, keep your eyes open, your pads down and your mouths shut,” Choate said. “You earn trust by what you do, not what you say. The guys who work hard and produce consistently will rise to the top. Guys like Isaiah Ifanse last year, Kevin Kassis a few years ago…we can kind of go down the list of the guys who have been that person. That’s the advice I give those guys.”
Here are the top 10 most intriguing newcomers just a few days into fall camp.
10. Rylan Ortt, safety, true freshman
The former Missoula Sentinel quarterback took limited repetitions defensively during his high school career. But his athleticism has never been in question.
At the Class AA state track and field championships in Kalispell, Montana, Ortt heaved the javelin 208 feet, eight inches to thrill the crowd, win the individual title and pace the Spartans to the team title. Throughout the spring, Ortt ranked in the Top 10 nationally, climbing as high as fourth. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder earned Montana Gatorade Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year for his tremendous effort.
Power 5 track programs came to the table late with some scholarship money but none was enough to pull Ortt away from his love of football.
“Track is great but football has always been my favorite sport by far,” Ortt said in an interview in May. “It’s the only sport I ever wanted to play at the college level.”
Two days into his first collegiate fall camp, Ortt looks the part. He has been operating with Montana State’s third-team defense, lining up next to fellow former javelin state champion Luke May, a Whitefish native who also was a prep quarterback. Ortt has shown an impressive aptitude picking up defensive coordinator Kane Ioane’s scheme and reading MSU’s offense on the fly.
Alleyne and All-Big Sky senior Brayden Konkol are entrenched at MSU’s starting safety positions. Henderson is the next man up at either spot. The rest of the rotation remains influx.
9. Elijah King, defensive back, true freshman
King is part of an incoming freshmen class of defensive backs that also includes highly touted prospects like 6-foot-3 corner/safety hybrid Eric Zambrano and Dom Brown, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback who Choate said “might be the best defensive back I’ve evaluated on film in my time at Montana State.”
King has out-shined them all with his ability to pick up the principles of Montana State’s nickel back position. The injury and pending return of Jalen Cole combined with the departure of Shawn Borges leaves a gap at nickel. Ty Okada proved to be a surprising contributor at the spot last season, particularly in MSU’s 35-14 first round playoff win over Incarnate Word.
But now Okada is splitting reps between cornerback and safety. With Tyrel Thomas waiting to be reinstated because of Choate’s academic demand, redshirt freshman Level Price Jr. has been taking reps at field cornerback along with senior Damien Washington. That leaves King to compete with Okada and sometimes Price for the nickel back spot as of now.
Like Ortt, King has shown a high football IQ and the ability to get lined up correctly on a consistent basis. He has been MSU’s primary nickel back on its third-team defense.
8. Jaden Smith, wide receiver, true freshman
Smith is impossible to miss. He is among Montana State’s tallest offensive players. Only 6-foot-7 quarterback Casey Bauman has a taller listed height than then Kenndale, Texas native.
At 6-foot-6, Smith is one of seven players on Montana State’s roster —senior left tackle Mitch Brott, Scrempos, junior tight end Jacob Hadley, junior offensive guard Lewis Kidd, freshman offensive tackle Jack Vering, freshman tight end Ethan Bullock — listed as such.
Smith’s height and length is emphasized because of his thin limbs. His listed weight is 190 pounds, but his longer levers give him an advantage in numerous ways on the outside.
But Smith is incredibly raw, having come from a high school that favors the triple option as an offensive scheme. Thus far, junior college transfer receiver Tyrone Marshall and true freshman wide receiver Jamahd Monroe have turned heads with slick catches in practice and earned direct praise from Choate.
If Smith’s explosion off the line of scrimmage and his route running can improve, his upside is tremendous. He might be the next newcomer ready to make plays in practice.
7. T.J. Session, offensive tackle, freshman
Montana State’s offensive line returns four starters, including Brott, a four-year starter and preseason All-American. Five Bobcats have starting experience on the front. Because Brott is a senior and guards Kidd and Taylor Tuiasosopo are juniors, MSU reloaded in recruiting, adding Porter and eight more from the prep ranks.
Interior lineman Holden Sampson has grasped his positions quickly while walk-on center Justus Perkins has shown toughness and elevated physical conditioning early on. But it’s Session that has turned heads because of his mature 6-foot-4, 285-pound body and his smooth playing style.
“Very athletic,” Choate said. “I think that’s probably his biggest attribute. You have a guy who is that big, almost 6-foot-4, 285, looks flat bellied and moves his feet well…as a young guy, he doesn’t need to rely on that mass because he can move his feet and get in position. I like that kid. I think he has a bright future.”
Choate said Saturday that he doesn’t expect the top six — the aforementioned three starters along with junior Jake Sessions and sophomores Zach Redd and Connor Wood — to change much barring injury. But he said the competition for the seventh and eight spot could include a rookie. That rookie could be Session.
6. Tyson Regimbal, defensive end, College of the Siskiyous
Little is known about the back story of Regimbal, one of Montana State’s three summer additions along with Scrempos and Marshall. But Regimbal has looked the part from the first day of Montana State fall camp.
The 6-foot-3, 248-pounder reported to camp in good physical condition. The Gresham, Oregon product — his MaxPreps page credits him for only one game played his senior year — piled up 40 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss during his sophomore year at the College of the Siskiyous.
For one season at Siskiyous, Regimbal’s path crossed with MSU junior outside linebacker Daniel Hardy. During the 2017 season, Regimbal managed just nine tackles and a sack in six games.
Staying healthy seems to be the biggest road block for the physically capable end. He has been taking third-team reps behind Sterk and senior Marcus Ferriter at MSU’s strong end position. If he can stay healthy, he’ll compete for time in the rotation.
5. Ryan Lonergan, tight end, freshman
Choate called the Bozeman High product the top prospect the Bobcats signed last season. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder played a crucial role in the Hawks’ 11-game winning streak before an upset loss to Kalispell Flathead in the semifinals eliminated Bozeman from the Class AA playoffs.
Following Saturday’s practice, Choate singled out Lonergan as a young player who was showing competitiveness and “going to get the ball the way we want” as Montana State’s young quarterback trio of Ruben Beltran, John Knight and Blake Thelen did not hesitate throwing the ball down the field.
Longergan also showed desire and toughness during MSU’s conditioning tests to end Saturday’s practice. The tight end who is also learning MSU’s H-back spot beat Andersen in the 60-yard shuttle once and nearly did it again.
“That competitiveness is definitely one of the things we are looking at in that drill,” Choate said.
Montana State’s tight ends are one of the most wide-open groups on the team. Curtis Amos, Connor Sullivan and Wilson Brott all graduated off of last year’s team. Junior Ryan Davis has taken the bulk of the first-team repetitions early. Hadley and Lonergan are giving chase. If Lonergan can pick up the principles of the H-back portion of a combined position group, he could break his way onto the field like Davis did two years ago.
4. DeMareus Hosey, running back, freshman
On the first signing day in December, Choate beamed when talking about the addition of Hosey, proclaiming right then that the Justin, Texas product would compete for playing time right out of the gate.
After rushing for 1,933 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior, a campaign that followed a 1,460-yard, 15-touchdown junior season, Hosey received interest from Baylor and other FBS schools in Texas. He eventually chose Montana State over offers from Sam Houston State, Howard, Incarnate Word and Lamar. The former Texas Associated Press second-team all-state selection and district MVP has already made an impression in Montana State’s running backs room.
“Very mature, first of all,” Choate said. “He was here for summer for our bridge program. Very mature, very focused, typical Texas kid, yes sir, no sir. Highly disciplined in his personal life. Very respectful. And I think he has some juice.”
That juice has helped him earn carries, although none of it will truly matter until Montana State puts pads on next week. Hosey has shown good field vision, excellent burst, superb fundamental footwork and a focused attitude early in his first college camp.
Ifanse is entrenched as the starter. Andersen is sure to get carries out of the backfield at running back and quarterback, as is Jonsen. Senior scatback Logan Jones is back for his fifth year after preserving his redshirt last season. But Hosey will challenge sophomores Shane Perry and Lane Sumner for carries in MSU’s crowded backfield if he continues to show his potential.
3. Jason Scrempos, defensive tackle, Washington
Lewis Kidd has towered over most other Bobcats ever since stepping on campus out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. During Saturday afternoon’s player session with the media, Kidd and Scrempos stood next to each other. Despite Kidd’s flowing hair, Scrempos was still taller.
The 6-foot-6, 299-pound graduate transfer from Washington is both stout and lean. His arms and hands have significantly more length and size than most standard FCS defensive linemen.
“Jason Scrempos is a guy who has a little more twitch for a big guy, so I was pleased with him,” Choate said on Friday. “I really haven’t had a chance to see him for a few years, so that was a pleasant surprise for us. We haven’t put the pads on so we will see when we start playing football for real.”
During his time at Washington, Scrempos played behind the likes of future NFL players like Danny Shelton, Elijah Qualls, Vita Vea and Greg Gaines. Now he’s getting his chance to shine. He rotated with Chase Benson at nose guard with Montana State’s starting defense on Saturday.
Scrempos has good mobility, great hand fundamentals and elite length. If he can show physicality and rise to the occasion, MSU could have three defensive linemen who played for Choate at Washington as starters on the Bobcat defensive line.
2. Jaharie Martin, inside linebacker, freshman
Because of his now iconic shirtless picture when MSU running backs coach DeNarius McGhee came to his house, a booming low voice that belies his teenage years, prodigious numbers in the weight room and a resume that turned heads 2,500 miles to the West of his Florida home, Martin comes to Montana State as this class’s most hyped freshman.
The 5-foot-10, 238-pounder was a tackling machine at Lakeland High on the Dreadnaughts’ march to the Florida 7A state title. He piled up 120 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks to earn team MVP honors.
His recruiting didn’t pick up until his senior season and Martin’s lack of height — the Bobcats currently list him at least two and maybe three inches too tall at 6-foot-1 — likely cost him any FBS offers outside of Southern Miss.
But Martin’s lower body strength — he can clean and jerk 305 pounds while squatting more than 500 — is formidable already. And his toughness is apparent.
Martin won’t get to show his true head-banging strengths until MSU puts on the pads. But Martin has shown an eagerness to compete while taking reps next to Flovin with MSU’s third-team defense. Martin appeared to tweak a muscle in his leg toward the end of Friday’s practice. He was fully dressed Saturday and showed a competitive edge.
If he can hone his fundamentals in pass coverage, improve his physical conditioning and stay healthy, he could compete for reps at inside linebacker and on special teams.
1. Amandre Williams, Buck end, Washington
Sterk ripped up the Big Sky, leading the league in sacks and tackles for loss while hitting opposing quarterbacks as much as any edge in the conference. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound specimen is perhaps the perfect physical build to play the Buck end in the odd-man front scheme Choate favors.
So for Montana State to feel comfortable enough to move Sterk to the “4I” end position and put the 6-foot-2, 248-pound Williams at Buck end shows you the level of confidence the staff have in Williams’ abilities.
“Super smart, very athletic and runs better than you think,” Choate said. “He’s a guy who’s committed to being great at something. He’s a very hard worker who spends a lot of time perfecting his skills and things of that nature.”
As a quarterback and outside linebacker at Tahoma High in Kent, Washington, Williams earned a 3-star recruiting ranking after earning All-Puget sound honors on both sides of the ball. After throwing for 3,235 yards and 29 touchdowns and rolling up 80 tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss, Williams fielded offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Kansas and Montana before choosing Washington.
Williams earned his first playing time for the Huskies in UW’s 63-7 win over Montana in 2016. He had half a sack in that game. He managed to play in 15 games at Washington, notching 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks overall. He had three tackles against Auburn in 2018.
He transferred to Montana State following last season. He is expected to make an instant impact on the Bobcats. Choate has said he is the front-runner to start at Buck end but the head coach also mentioned Williams could line up at tight end, fullback or even quarterback offensively and could also play a few linebacker spots on the Montana State defense.
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Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
