When new Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate got the job in December, he knew there were additions that needed to be made to the roster to make the Bobcats tougher.
The ‘Cats took a step in the right direction recently with the addition of two defensive lineman to bolster a beleaguered unit that suffered through one of its worst statistical seasons in program history. Joining the Bobcat program are junior college transfers Brandon Hayashi and Fou Polataivao.
Hayashi comes to Bozeman by way of Citrus College in Glendora, California. The 6-0, 300 lb. nose tackle, originally from Hacienda Heights, California logged 63 tackles, including five for a loss, last season for the Owls. He will bring a physical presence to the ‘Cats interior defense, providing depth to a thin position that was routinely gashed for big yards throughout last season. According to Choate, “He (Hayashi) is a compact, explosive three-two gap nose tackle and that’s an area we definitely wanted to prop up. He’ll join Tucker Yates and Matt Brownlow at that position and compete right away.”
Polataivao originally hails from Medford, Oregon, and comes to MSU from the College of San Mateo, a program Choate is very familiar with from his days at the University of Washington. “I’ve recruited a number of players from the College of San Mateo and have developed a good relationship with the defensive coordinator (Tim Tulloch),” Choate said.
The 6-1, 290 lb. Polataivao registered 18 tackles last season, including one sack and a fumble recovery as an interior lineman for the Bulldogs. “Fou was a productive player at a really good school and we’re excited to sign not only a player of his caliaber but also a player of his character. He gives us positional versatility in the defensive line, and he’s a productive, well-coached player from a good school that plays a good brand of football. I’m excited that a member of the CSM family is coming to join the Bobcat family.”
The addition of Hayashi and Polataivao will help provide instant depth and experience to a group that was thin in both areas a season ago, but Choate indicated that the search for more help will continue. “We always look for ways to improve the team, and there are a number of avenues,” he said. “We’re always excited to add players with the character of Fou and Brandon.”