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Vim's 2023 Montana High School Football Recruiting List

Paytonlives

Moderator
Staff member
UPDATED 12/17/22
Thanks again Vim!

"The Rare Ones"
1-QB/ATH- ATH- Reed Harris 6' 5" 210 (Great Falls HS) Great Falls, MT (Boston College Verbal)
2-OL- Jacob Anderson 6'6" 260 (Billings West) (Oregon State Verbal)

"The Blue Chips"
3-***ATH- Hayden Opitz 6' 3" 210 (Helena Capital) (GRIZ VERBAL)
4-WR/RB- Adam Jones 6'1" 180 (Missoula Sentinel) (kitten verbal)
5- ATH/QB- Cole Taylor 6'3" 205 (CMR) (kitten verbal)
6-OL- Zach Tierney 6'4" 260 (Butte) (MT Tech Verbal)
7-***RB/LB- Clay Oven 6' 2" 200 (Billings Central) (GRIZ VERBAL)

"The Partials"
8-DL- Talon Marsh 6'2" 235 (Helena Capital) (kitten VERBAL)
9-RB/ATH- Kade Boyd 6' 0" 180 (Billings Central)
10-***WR- Cameron Gurnsey 6' 2" 180 (Butte) (GRIZ VERBAL)
11-OL- Everett Carr 6'4" 275 (Bozeman) (kitten verbal)
12-***OL- Austin Buehler 6'6" 240 (Helena Capital) (GRIZ VERBAL)
13-QB/ATH- Patrick Duchien 6' 2" 200 (Florence) (kitten verbal)
14-ATH- Hunter Sharbano 6'2" 230 (Fairview) (kitten verbal)
15- FB/DL- Josiah Triplett 6' 1" 225 (CMR) (MT Tech Verbal)

***Gage Sliter (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'1", 185 lbs. - QB (GRIZ Verbal)
***Cy Stevenson (Libby) - 6'3", 215 lbs. - DE (GRIZ VERBAL)
Anthony Okes (CMR) - 6'3", 220 lbs. - LB (MT Tech Verbal)
Dominic Umile (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'4", 225 lbs. - DE (MT Tech Verbal)
Kellan Beller (Stevensville) - 6'1", 220 lbs. - HB/LB/DE (MT Tech Verbal)
Wyatt DeVoss (Great Falls High) - 6'2", 210 lbs. - DE (MT Tech Verbal)
JJ Dolan (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'0", 170 lbs. - CB (kitten verbal)
Luke Smith (Bozeman High) - 6'4", 205 lbs. - TE/DE/LB (kitten verbal)
Tom Carter (Helena Capital) - 6'1", 185 lbs. - WR/S (kittens)

Dylan Christman (Helena High) - 6'5", 250 lbs. - OL

"The Safe Investments" (Alphabetical Order)
***Tate Templeton (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'3", 270 lbs. - OL (GRIZ VERBAL)
***Jaxon Tucker (Billings West) - 6'3", 235 lbs. - DL (GRIZ VERBAL)
Ty Schwaiger (Whitefish) - 6'0", 200 lbs. - RB/LB (Washington State- Baseball Commit)
Asher Feddes (Belgrade) - 6'2", 190 lbs. - LB (MT Tech Verbal)
Nick Michelotti (Helena Capital) - 6'4", 190 lbs. - TE/WR (MT Tech Verbal)
Carson Anderson (Helena High) - 6'1", 170 lbs. - WR/DB (MT Tech Verbal)
Tyler Kovick (Helena Capital) - 5'11", 180 lbs. - LB/WR (MT Tech Verbal)
Dylan Graham (Helena Capital) - 5'10", 175 lbs. - RB/DB (MT Tech Verbal)
Jace Stenson (Butte) - 6'2", 200 lbs. - QB (MT Tech Verbal)
Caden Hansen (Dillon) - 6'2"' 175 lbs. - WR/S (Carroll College Verbal)
Eli Nourse (Dillon) - 5'10", 165 lbs. - WR/DB (Western Montana Commit)
Caleb Utter (Eureka) - 6'1", 185 lbs. - QB/ATH (Western Montana Commit)
David Wohlfeil (Huntley Project) - 5'10", 190 lbs. - RB/DB(Rocky Mountain)
Jace Lemmel (Roundup) - 6'2", 175 lbs. - ATH (Rocky Mountain- Track)
Colter Petre (Helena High) - 6'1", 165 lbs. - WR/S (kitten verbal)
Bryce Grebe (Melstone) - 6'2", 200 lbs. - LB (kitten verbal)

Connor Dick (Missoula Hellgate) - 6'5", 185 lbs. - QB/ATH Basketball???
Fynn Ridgeway (Whitefish) - 6'1", 190 lbs. - QB Visited 11/6/22
Gage Norslien (Lewistown) - 6'1", 205 lbs. - WR/S
Jackson Hensley (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'0", 190 lbs. - RB/DB
Josey Hinderager (Simms) - 6'2", 190 lbs. - TE/DE
Kellen Curtiss (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'1", 200 lbs. - RB/LB
Ty Cowell (Big Timber) - 6'2", 250 lbs. - OL/DL

"The Projects" (Alphabetical Order)
Elijah Ratliff (Thompson Falls) - 6'1", 165 lbs. - DB (MT Tech Verbal)
Joey Lauerman (Helena Capital) 5' 10" 190 Lbs- LB (MT Tech Verbal)
Rory Lannen (Big Timber) 6' 5" 310- OL/DL (MT Tech Verbal)
Colten Rice (Florence) 6' 1" 210 DL/LB (MT Tech Verbal)
Shannen O'Brien (Helena) 6'3" 280 OL (MT Tech Verbal)
Connor Michaud (Frenchtown) - 6'6", 190 lbs. - WR (MT Tech Basketball Verbal)
Archie LaFurge (CMR) 5' 10" 180 FS/RB (Carroll College Verbal)
Gus Nunez (CMR) 6' 0" 180 WR (Carroll College Verbal)
Tanner Grove (CMR) ATH (Carroll College Verbal)
Evan Rouane (Billings Senior) 6' 1" 175 WR/DB (Rocky Mountain)

Alex Donnelly (Miles City) - 6'3", 215 lbs. - DE
Bryce Gilliard (Bigfork) - 6'3", 185 lbs. - TE
Bryce Mikkelson (Bozeman Gallatin) - 6'0", 205 lbs. - RB/LB
Bryce Umphrey (St. Ignatius) - 5'8", 160 lbs. - RB/DB
Jarett Wilson (Polson) - 6'0", 180 lbs. - QB
Jett Boyce (Lewistown) - 6'0", 185 lbs. - RB
Kailua Fatupaito (Billings Skyview) - 6'1", 180 lbs. - WR/S
Lane Mitchell (CMR) - 6'0", 250 lbs. - DL
Leo Filardi (Missoula Hellgate) - 5'11", 175 lbs. - WR
Liam O'Connell (Hamilton) - 6'1", 185 lbs. - WR/S
Luke Donally (Huntley Project) - 6'2", 190 lbs. - LB/DE
Matthew Golik (Lewistown) - 6'2", 185 lbs. - WR
Miles Hoerauf (Whitehall) - 6'0", 180 lbs. - LB/ATH
Noah Rausch (Frenchtown) - 5'11", 185 lbs. - RB
Peyton Hicks (Frenchtown) - 5'10", 180 lbs. - RB/LB
Rafe Longin (Great Falls High) - 5'8", 180 lbs. - RB
Seth Bange (Billings Central) - 5'11", 255 lbs. - DL
Tanner Macy (Billings Senior) - 5'11", 170 lbs. - WR/DB
Travis Hadley (Billings Central) - 6'1", 165 lbs. - DB
Trevor Rausch (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'1", 170 lbs. - WR/S
 
Id add Trevor Rausch to that mix as well, quite a few Griz Legacy kids:
Austin Buehler Dad is Eric Buehler and Mom is Greta Koss
Cameron Gurnsey son of Scott Gurnsey
JJ Dolan son of Nate Dolan
Rafe Longin brother Gabe is on the team
Trevor Rausch brother TJ is on the team Mom is Ann Lake.
 
It's a shame Zach Tierney has missed his entire Junior wrestling season. State meet is in hours from now. He was a 2-time Heavyweight place winner going into Junior year. He injured his shoulder at the state meet his Sophomore year.

He re-aggravated the injury during his 1st Team All State Junior Football season. Was HM All-State, on both Lines of Scrimmage, his Sophomore campaign.

I enjoyed listening to opposing coaches talking about Zach on the NachOnSports radio show before they were to play him that week. He's tough.
 
This is missing Helena High linemen Dylan Christman (6' 5" • 250 lbs). He's in the mix, no question.

Adam Jones should be ranked higher. He was very impressive this year.

Jace Stenson is also an impressive athlete for Butte. Maybe not a QB, but he's talented.
 
Vim, what’s the story on Jacob Anderson and Zach Tierney. Any inside info on if they may lean this way or that way?
 
alabamagrizzly said:
Vim, what’s the story on Jacob Anderson and Zach Tierney. Any inside info on if they may lean this way or that way?

Anderson already has offers (unsure if its full-ride or PWO) from Baylor and Oregon State along with a full-ride from MSU. He'll continue to get more FBS interest through the spring and summer. Low chance either in-state school gets him when the FBS recruiting dust settles.

Zach doesn't have an offer from UM or MSU yet and to my knowledge doesn't have a lean either way. He's a mauler at guard for Butte as well as a fun defensive tackle to watch.
 
VimSince03 said:
alabamagrizzly said:
Vim, what’s the story on Jacob Anderson and Zach Tierney. Any inside info on if they may lean this way or that way?

Anderson already has offers (unsure if its full-ride or PWO) from Baylor and Oregon State along with a full-ride from MSU. He'll continue to get more FBS interest through the spring and summer. Low chance either in-state school gets him when the FBS recruiting dust settles.

Zach doesn't have an offer from UM or MSU yet and to my knowledge doesn't have a lean either way. He's a mauler at guard for Butte as well as a fun defensive tackle to watch.

Thanks for the info. It’d be sweet if we could sign Anderson but that sounds like a long shot. Hopefully we can land Tierney.
 
Just a quick note about the UM/ msu recruiting differences. (Both ways work)

The kittens generally send out a lot of offers... many are VERY long shots, but you know the old saying "Shooters Shoot", and sometimes those shots hit the mark.

The Griz don't offer nearly as many players but try to get the perfect match to fit the team, system and the other players. Hauck and company also put a premium on players coming to their camps and visiting the campus. A very high % of HS signees went to UM camp... this year I believe it was 100%.

Like I said both work...

My own opinion is I wish UM would throw a few more hail mary's, because sometimes players sign with FBS and find out its not a good fit. Then if you (UM) have a relationship, you might get a second chance at the player you missed out of HS. Hauck wants players that "Want to be here"
 
Vim Emailed me some more info and said I could post it here....

Reed Harris is obviously wanted by both MSU and UM...but already holds an offer from Iowa State with the potential of Minnesota following here soon (which is hilarious because Fleck didn't land Trey Lance who has a similar profile to Reed). Anyway, it would take a catastrophic injury or something weird to happen for MSU/UM to land him. Troy-level athletic profile and talent.

Jacob Anderson jumped on recruiters radar after his sophomore season where he was holding his own against AA talent. He took off his junior season and already landed an offer from Baylor with more to follow. He can thank Dylan Rollins for laying the groundwork on how to get recruited as a talented lineman out of Montana. I don't see him going to UM or MSU.

Zach is a fun tape to watch if you get a second. He's not the nimblest of athletes but he mauls at guard and is a pest as a defensive lineman, knocking down passes as well as being stellar against the run. All-State wrestler and clean-up hitter for Butte's baseball team. He's a guard all the way.

Cole Taylor is an athlete playing QB but MSU and UM love him as a potential LB. I bet they lure him as a QB recruit as he is a decent thrower but athletic profile projects to LB at the next level where he can actually make an impact.

Hayden Opitz's recruitment hasn't quite taken off yet but it should after this summer. MSU is already on him fairly hard. Another one of those H-back types who can also develop as an edge rusher. His junior tape showed me a full scholarship player and he's the best blocking TE/H-back since Colin Bingham in 2015.

Patrick Duchien is a stud QB recruit out of Florence and arguably the best pure QB in this class. He can make all the throws and is similar to Kaden Huot from this year's class as a QB athlete. Coaches kid as well. He should get a partial if he hasn't already.

JJ Triplett is brute defensive lineman for CMR (the Rustlers finally have some dudes again) who played primarily defensive end but projects more as a penetrating 3-Tech at the next level after some development.

Kade Boyd is well known already with only his size holding back a full-ride offer. If he gets bigger by his senior season, he has the best chance of getting bumped up to Blue Chip by next fall. A very good football player who can do a lot of things. Think Jaxon Lee or Kade Cutler from prior recruiting classes.

Gurnesy is one of the best WR's in AA and is slated to have a great senior season. Can make all the tough catches and is a great open field runner. Its a weak WR class this year so MSU/UM will give him a long look. Butte is pumping out some talent these last few years.

Clay Oven is an intriguing LB athlete out of Billings Central. Plays second fiddle to Kade Boyd as a running back but provides most of the blocking as a H-back. Clay is a great track athlete as well and should be receive a partial offer either before or after summer.

Kellen Beller is a great player on a bad team. He had outstanding stats last year and can line up as a H-back or edge rusher...maybe inside linebacker at the next level. Fun tape and a really good student as well.

PWO's to watch:

Austin Buhler - developmental tackle...Mother is Griz hoops legend Greta Koss (Bobby would be crazy not to at least offer him a PWO)
Adam Jones - RB for Sentinel who may be more intriguing as a receiver at the next level
Talon Marsh - physical defensive line prospect with a very hot motor
Anthony Okes - a punishing linebacker prospect who would be a scholarship kid if he had a higher football IQ
Fynn Ridgeway - technically sound QB with good wheels
Jarett Wilson - record breaking QB who needs to get stronger
Gage Norslien - weak safety class as well and Gage will get the opportunity to prove he's the best one
JJ Dolan - a smart and athletic corner
Wyatt DeVoss - arguably the best pass rusher in this class
Leo Filardi - record breaking receiver who is only really held back by his size and speed
Tate Templeton - stout lineman prospect who mans the left tackle spot for Sentinel (really like him as a center at the next level)
Cy Stevenson - another fun pass rusher
Luke Smith - can grow into more of a hybrid LB/DE if given the opportunity to play in that sytem

My favorite project player(s):

Tom Carter - has the athleticism to grow into a good safety prospect
Hunter Sharbono - a physically imposing FB/LB out of Fairview
 
What would Scott do if Cameron goes to MSU? 100% don't see it happening but that one would be incredibly interesting to chat about.
 
Paytonlives said:
https://twitter.com/jacoband74/status/1500667634236334085

Jacob now holds FBS offers from Oregon State, Baylor, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington State.

Deep Oline class this year though. Players to watch: Zach Tierney (Butte), Tate Templeton (Missoula Sentinel), Dylan Christman (Helena High), and Austin Buehler (Helena Capital).
 
Hey Vim the coach at Seeley swan just tweeted out he has a kid that’s been getting recruited a lot from msu and North Dakota state, any idea who it is?
 
grizfan1984 said:
Hey Vim the coach at Seeley swan just tweeted out he has a kid that’s been getting recruited a lot from msu and North Dakota state, any idea who it is?

I know Owen Hoag is a decent football and track athlete for them. About 6'0, 180 lbs. and played about every skill position on both sides of the ball for them in football last year as junior. However, not sure he's more than a project at the FCS level if he doesn't get faster.
 
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