BOZEMAN – Montana State football coach Jeff Choate’s philosophy of winning football games from the line of scrimmage out was on full display Wednesday, when he announced the first 17 members of the 2018-19 Bobcat recruiting class.

Eight of the 17 play either offensive or defensive line or tight end, and Choate said that’s no accident. “I think you can see our commitment to both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Montana State’s fourth-year football coach said.” We signed a number of guys on both the offensive and defensive lines that we think will either develop as great Bobcats or come in and compete right away.”

That commitment helped Choate lead the Cats to an 8-5 record and the program’s first FCS Playoff win since 2012 this fall. And while he was pleased to build his program from the ball out, he’s also happy to build this year’s recruiting class close to home. “I’ve said many times that we’ll go where we need to go for arms and legs, but that the heart and soul of Bobcat Football starts at home. We’re thrilled to add players from across the state, starting with Bozeman High School.”

In addition to size up front, Choate also likes the athleticism this class adds on the perimeter. “We have some big skill guys at tight end and linebacker and receiver,” he said. “We’ve added a couple of players in Blake Flovin and Amandre Williams that help us at linebacker, and as we close out this period (in February) defensive back will be a primary target for us, as well.”

High School - Montana - December

Ethan Bullock, DL 6-6 220 Fr.

Big Timber, MT, Sweet Grass County

Alex Johnson, LB 6-2 185 Fr.

Helena, MT, Helena

Ryan Lonergan, TE 6-4 220 Fr.

Bozeman, MT, Bozeman

Joe Olson, RB 6-0 195 Fr.

Bozeman, MT, Bozeman

Holden Sampson, OL 6-3 265 Fr.

Helena, MT, Helena

*Blake Thelen, QB 6-3 185 Fr.

Great Falls, MT, Great Falls

*Tanner Trafton, WR 6-5 190 Fr.

Lewistown, MT, Fergus

Marcus Wehr, DL 6-3 220 Fr.

Billings, MT, Central

High School - Out-of-State - December

DeMareus Hosey, RB 6-0 190 Fr.

Juin, TX, Northwest

Hayden Isenhart, DE 6-4 230 Fr.

Aurora, CO, Grandview

Cole Oster, LB 6-1 210 Fr.

Castle Rock, CO, Castle Rock

*Rudder Romo, DL 6-3 265 Fr.

Anchorage, AK, IMG Academy

Blake Schmidt, DL 6-3 250 Fr.

San Diego, CA, Monte Vista

Jaden Smith, WR 6-6 190 Fr.

Kennedale, TX, Kennedale

Jack Vering, OL 6-6 245 Fr.

Boise, ID, Capital

*-Confirmed intent to attend by signing

admissions acceptance

Transfers - December

Blake Flovin, ILB 6-1 1/2 230 Jr. Sunnyvale, CA, Archbishop Mitty Foothill/Holy Cross

Amandre Williams, OLB 6-2 1/2 248 Jr. Maple Valley, WA, Tahoma, Washington