MISSOULA — As a lanky kid playing defense and midfield in soccer, Brandon Casey picked up a crucial lesson early on: perseverance is key, even when things get tough or lose their fun. This was a lesson instilled by his parents, particularly applicable to his soccer experience.
“I hated it. I hated every moment,” Casey, now a senior at Montana, said before the Grizzlies’ game against Morehead State this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
“There were many nights when I’d come home from practice feeling frustrated, and my parents would remind me, ‘You wanted to do this; you signed up for the season, so it’s important to see it through.’ So I did.”
Finally, in sixth grade, his mother, Anne Marie Casey, allowed him to swap his soccer cleats for football ones, sparking a passion for football that has endured through all its highs and lows over the past 12 years.
He was named an All-Big Sky first-team offensive lineman last year, marking him as the first high school recruit developed into such a player by the Grizzlies since Bobby Hauck became head coach in 2018. He’s only the second offensive lineman from the Griz to achieve first-team recognition during that period.
Casey demonstrated the ability to potentially move up to the FBS level if he desired, a trend seen among top offensive linemen in the Big Sky since the introduction of the transfer portal. However, he had no intention of transferring, citing strong loyalty to Montana. With his parents, Anne Marie and Bart Casey, nearby for support and attendance at games, remaining close to home was essential.
“The most important thing for me is seeing things through,” he stated. “My dad taught me that we finish what we start as a family. That played a big role in my choice to stay. I truly love it here; the people have been incredible, and I’ve had a great experience. I want to finish strong for myself and the team.”
Before even starting his first fall camp, Casey’s commitment faced a challenge. He had accepted a full-ride scholarship from Montana in August 2019, just prior to his senior year. However, weeks before signing day in December, Oregon State made a strong recruiting push with a full offer to play in the Pac-12, trying to convince him to change his commitment. Casey held firm, honoring his word to Montana.
Since that decision, he has had no regrets. “Absolutely not,” he affirmed. “If I had to do it all over, I’d choose Montana every time. I love it here and take great pride in being a part of this community.”
Being offered by a Pac-12 program from Sandpoint, Idaho—a town with a population under 10,000—is quite rare. Casey stood out as the only NCAA Division I football scholarship player from his high school in the last decade. He credited George Yarno Jr., his high school offensive line coach, for teaching him the intricacies of playing on the offensive line. At 6-foot-4 and 160 pounds, he had previously played wide receiver and linebacker in junior varsity football while also participating in basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and track.
Yarno, a former D-I football player and son of a college and NFL coach, believes Casey has the potential to excel in the Football Bowl Subdivision and potentially the NFL. They had discussions about transferring during the offseason, as well as back in 2019 when Casey was weighing his options between Montana and Oregon State. Yarno shared his own experiences about transferring from FBS Nevada to Big Sky program Idaho State, where he quickly got playing time and earned All-America honors.
“He was always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave,” Yarno recalled. “I don’t think he missed a single voluntary summer workout. He was always looking for ways to improve, asking me to stay after practice for extra help.”
Casey’s dedication was remarkable, according to Yarno. “You don’t often coach kids with that level of commitment and skill—usually, you get one or the other.”
Growing up a fan of the Idaho Vandals, where his parents met and his uncle played football, Casey joined UM and was thrown into action early. He started twice and played in six games at right tackle during his freshman year, after the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic.
Former Griz linemen Dylan Cook, now in his third NFL year, and Conlan Beaver mentored Casey. He credits them and former offensive line coach Chad Germer for building his confidence. Germer, an All-America center at UM in 1991, emphasized Casey’s careful approach to learning and commitment to self-improvement, which helped him bulk up to 309 pounds by focusing on his training.
“Casey is a prototype developmental O-lineman,” Germer noted. “He was a multi-sport athlete with the right build and work ethic, so his growth wasn’t a surprise.”
Since taking over as a starter in 2022, Casey has maintained that role, starting all 30 games since then. He was part of the team during their journey to win the Big Sky championship and finish as the FCS national runner-up in 2023. Casey came to UM with aspirations of a national title, and his dedication has been crucial to the team’s success while fortifying the offensive line.
Entering his senior year, he was recognized as a preseason All-American and All-Big Sky offensive lineman, also being elected team captain—something he also achieved in high school.
“He’s got the right temperament,” Hauck said. “He’s taken on a leadership role in the room, showing the younger guys how it’s done and mentoring them by example.”
Using all five years of eligibility was part of Casey’s plan when he committed in 2019. He aimed to earn multiple degrees and completed his bachelor’s in business management last year, while currently pursuing an MBA.
Through his college football journey, Casey has experienced significant personal and athletic growth. He attributes much of his toughness to the lessons he learned in his childhood, particularly the resilience gained from his early soccer experience at UM.
“I believe I’m much tougher now,” he said. “Coming in, I did whatever I needed just to get by. Here at Montana, I’ve learned the importance of being both mentally and physically tough.”
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