Griz NFL Updates: Montana Releases Depth Chart For Football Season; Multiple Comments About Playing Two QBs.
MISSOULA — The Montana football team unveiled its projected depth chart on Tuesday night in preparation for its season opener against Missouri State, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
A key question this offseason has been who will start at quarterback for the defending Big Sky Conference champion and FCS national runner-up. Junior Logan Fife, a transfer from Fresno State, and redshirt freshman Keali’i Ah Yat are both listed as “OR” for the position, reflecting head coach Bobby Hauck’s previous comments about using two quarterbacks.
“Like with any position, when they’re sharing first and second-team reps, one will have a better day than the other on occasion,” Hauck remarked regarding their performance during camp. “I think both of them have done well. We plan to utilize both, and the offensive staff will meet midweek to finalize our approach.”
Returning starting wide receivers Keelan White, Aaron Fontes, and Junior Bergen, all seniors, occupy the top spots at their position. Seniors Sawyer Racanelli and Ryan Simpson, along with junior Drew Deck, are listed as backups.
Senior Evan Shafer is designated as the starting tight end, with senior Erik Barker as his backup. Montana also welcomes back senior Cole Grossman, who missed last season.
Sophomore Eli Gillman returns for his second year as the starting running back, with senior Nick Ostmo listed as the second-string option.
The offensive line includes junior Cannon Panfiloff at left tackle, senior Cade Klimczak (a transfer from Central Michigan) at left guard, junior Liam Brown at center, junior Journey Grimsrud at right guard, and senior Brandon Casey at right tackle. The backups consist of senior Dillon Botner at left tackle, junior Everett Johnson (a transfer from Cal) at left guard, junior Declan McCabe at center, redshirt freshman Lucas Freitas at right guard, and redshirt freshman Austin Buehler at tackle.
“I think the competition over the past few weeks has been fantastic,” Casey said. “Many younger players have really developed and are eager for a chance to play.”
On defense, seniors Ryan Tirrell, Vai Kaho, and Cooper Barnum are the starting linebackers, while seniors Isiah Childs and Erich Osteen, along with junior Riley Wilson, are listed as backups. Kaho is a transfer from San Diego State, and Wilson is a preseason All-American.
On the defensive line, senior Hayden Harris returns for his second year as a starting defensive end, paired with senior Andres Lehrmann (a transfer from Youngstown State) on the opposite end, and senior Pat Hayden (a transfer from Monmouth) at nose tackle. Juniors Noah Kaschmitter and Henry Nuce are the backup defensive ends, with sophomore Jareb Ramos serving as the second-string nose tackle.
At cornerback, senior Trevin Gradney, wearing the No. 37 legacy jersey, begins his second year as a starter, alongside junior Ronald Jackson. Junior Prince Ford (a transfer from Illinois) and junior Kenzel Lawler (a transfer from Utah) are listed as backups.
Senior Chrishawn Gordon (a transfer from Fresno State) and junior Jace Klucewich are listed as an “OR” at free safety, both having practiced at nickel during camp.
Senior Jaxon Lee is the starting nickel after seeing significant playing time off the bench last year, while sophomore Tyson Rostad is the backup. Both had practiced at free safety in camp.
Senior Ryder Meyer starts again as the No. 1 strong safety, with junior TJ Rausch as the backup.
On special teams, Bergen leads as the primary punt and kick returner, with Deck listed as his backup.
Junior Grayson Pibal returns as the long snapper, and Meyer continues as the holder. Junior Ty Morrison, transferring from College of the Canyons, is slated as the punter. Sophomore Grant Glasgow stays as the starting kicker for the second consecutive year, with junior Jo Silver (a transfer from Kent State) as his backup.
Montana-Missouri connections
Missouri State has three players and three coaches associated with Montana.
Safety Dylan Simmons served as a reserve at UM during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2023, he started six games and participated in all 11 for the Bears, recording 26 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
Running back Iverson Young redshirted at Montana as a freshman in 2023 and is noted as the highest-rated recruit in Grizzlies history.
Long snapper Landon Molen hails from Great Falls, having played at Great Falls High. He spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Snow College in Utah.
Head coach Ryan Beard is the son-in-law of Bobby Petrino, a Montana native who previously coached at Missouri State. Beard was an assistant at Central Michigan under Jim McElwain, who is from Missoula.
Defensive coordinator and D-line coach L.D. Scott is also married to Petrino’s daughter.
Offensive coordinator and QB coach Nick Petrino is Bobby Petrino’s son.
Griz in the NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed former Grizzlies offensive lineman Dylan Cook on the Reserve/Injured List on Tuesday. The Butte High graduate has spent two years in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, being on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad in 2022 and the Steelers’ active roster in 2023, though he did not see game action.
The Chicago Bears signed former UM wide receiver Samori Toure to their practice squad on Wednesday after he was released by the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday and cleared waivers. Toure was a seventh-round draft pick in 2022 and played two seasons with the Packers, appearing in 22 games with 13 catches for 160 yards and one touchdown.
The Seattle Seahawks added linebacker Patrick O’Connell, a Kalispell native and Glacier graduate, to their practice squad on Wednesday after waiving him on Tuesday. He had been with the Seahawks’ practice squad in 2023 following his signing as an undrafted free agent.
The Kansas City Chiefs waived former Montana nose tackle Alex Gubner on Monday. Gubner, who was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason, was the 2023 Big Sky defensive player of the year.
