‘Cats Cash In on New Early Signing Period
By Danny Waldo
Christmas came early for the Montana State Bobcats thanks to a change in the recruiting schedule that allowed incoming freshman to sign early letters of intent in December. This season is the first time that the NCAA has allowed transfers and high school seniors to sign letters of intent before the national signing day, which typically falls in the first week of February.
Giving teams the advantage of signing players earlier was meant to alleviate some of the complications due to end-of-season coaching changes, as well as postseason play that left teams scrambling in the recruiting process following a long playoff run. An added benefit of the change in date should give more teams clarity in holes that need to be filled on rosters in the time between December 20th and February 7th.
By all measures, Montana State’s first crack at the early signing period was a rousing success. 16 players signed to join the Bobcats in 2018, including four transfers from the FBS ranks, seven high school seniors from the state of Montana, and five out-of-state players.
A pair of local athletes are amongst the seven in-state recruits that are staying home to don the Blue and Gold. Receiver Logan Kleinhans and defensive end Jory Choate, standouts for the Bozeman Hawks, will make the short trek up 11th Avenue in the fall to continue their playing careers. Kleinhans had this to say about becoming the second Hawk-to-Bobcat receiver in the last two years. “Coach Choate is doing a fantastic job rebuilding and making everything new, but also better. Every game that I watched they were within one or two scores and are capable of winning. I’m excited to go into a program that’s doing the right thing.”
The recruit garnering the biggest buzz most likely would be former Oregon Duck quarterback Travis Jonsen. Jonsen at one time was in the running for the starting quarterback position with former Bobcat Dakota Prukop before falling down the depth chart and making the decision to transfer to Riverside Community College in California.
As a high school senior, Jonsen was the No. 3 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country, and the No. 10 overall recruit in the state of California. During his prep career, Jonsen threw for 3,361 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 2,133 yards and 26 scores.
Jonsen is expected to provide competition at the quarterback position with incumbent Chris Murray. According to Choate, “We need to provide some competition for Chris (Murray) and push him. Travis is a young man who is mature, he’s been on his journey and sees an opportunity here and a style that fits his skill set. His decision to join the Bobcat football program makes us a better team.”
The complete list of all 16 of Montana State’s recruits:
High School – Montana
Nolan Askelson, LB
6-1, 210, Fr, Billings, MT (Senior)
Jory Choate, LB
6-2, 185, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman)
Mark Estes, WR
6-1, 180, Fr, Kalispell, MT (Glacier)
Logan Kleinhans, WR
6-1, 195, Fr, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman)
Joe McElroy, OL
6-4, 255, Fr, Missoula, MT (Loyola)
Lane Sumner, RB
5-8, 183, Fr, Huntley, MT (Huntley Project)
Kaleb Winterburn, DB
6-2, 190, Fr, Helena, MT (Helena)
High School – Out-of-State
Casey Bauman, QB
6-6, 225, Fr, Everson, WA (Nooksack Valley)
Justin Cauley, RB
5-9, 195, Fr, HS, Venice, CA (Venice)
Ty’Rese Gibson, DB
6-0, 165, Fr, Lawndale, CA (Paramount)
Ty’Rhae Gibson, DB
6-0, 165, Fr, Lawndale, CA (Paramount)
Derryk Snell, TE
6-2, 235, Fr, HS, Chugiak, AK (Chugiak)
Transfers
Tristan Bailey, K
6-1, 215, Jr, Colorado Springs, CO (Coffeyville CC/Wyoming/Rampart)
Travis Jonsen, QB
6-4, 210, Jr, Fullerton, CA (Riverside CC/Oregon/Servite)
Tyler Natee, RB
6-1, 260, So, Euless, TX (Indiana/Trinity)
Bryce Sterk, DL
6-5, 250, Jr, Lynden, WA (Washington/Lynden)
