A pair of Montana Grizzlies have been recognized as players to watch for the premier postseason all-star game in college football, with Junior Bergen and Cole Grossman being named to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist, as announced by the game’s organizers on Wednesday.
Bergen, a record-setting senior receiver and return specialist, alongside Grossman, a versatile tight end, are among only 13 players from the Big Sky Conference included on this prestigious list, which features nearly 900 top college football athletes and future NFL prospects.
The Senior Bowl is the leading college football all-star game and serves as a key event in the NFL Draft process. Held continuously for 75 years in Mobile, Alabama, it provides elite draft hopefuls a platform to showcase their skills and network with coaches and executives from all 32 NFL teams.
In program history, only two other Grizzlies have participated in the Senior Bowl; Scott Gragg in 1994 and Jordan Tripp in 2014. The most recent Grizzly to be on the preseason watchlist was offensive tackle Chris Walker in 2023.
Bergen is anticipated to be one of the most dynamic receivers and punt returners in the FCS this season. He has displayed impressive versatility during his time at Montana, earning all-purpose accolades, including throwing the game-winning two-point conversion in last year’s semifinal against NDSU.
He set a university record with an FCS-best three punt return touchdowns in a single season and matched the Big Sky record for the fifth return TD of his career in 2023. As a receiver, he was one of three Grizzlies to accumulate over 600 receiving yards, finishing the year with 791 yards and five touchdown catches.
Bergen concluded the season with 1,680 all-purpose yards, ranking among the top 10 single-season totals in program history.
Grossman returns to the team after missing the 2023 season due to injury. Despite this setback, he is still viewed as one of the most athletic tight end targets in FCS football.
Entering his redshirt-senior year, Grossman has garnered All-America and All-Big Sky honors during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He has received additional preseason recognition, being named to the FCS Football Central/Sports Illustrated preseason All-America second team and recognized as the “Best returning tight end in the Big Sky” by HERO Sports.
Grossman starts his final season with 65 career receptions for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per catch. He has made 28 starts and played in 28 games over three seasons as a Grizzly.
The 2024 Senior Bowl is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama.
Montana will kick off its season on August 31 against Missouri State under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
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