Signing day: Bobcats, Grizzlies both ink 20

The early signing period for NCAA football began Wednesday, and both Montana and Montana State signed 20 high school players as part of their 2026 recruiting classes

For the second straight year, the Griz inked eight players with a three-star rating or better among the early signees, and nine gridders from within the state of Montana. 

Also, one from Arkansas.  

Montana State signed 10 in-state recruits, with two coming from Missoula (the Grizzlies also landed two Missoula products), including tight end Kade Robinson. Robinson’s dad Casey played at UM while his uncle Cory suited up for the Bobcats. 

Big Sky High product Adam Gaujardo also signed with MSU and is projected to be a defensive end; the Bobcats also landed offensive lineman Brody Bulette of Polson, who committed over the summer. 

“It starts with that group in-state,” MSU coach Brent Vigen said. “We targeted the number of guys that we got and we feel really good about them. They have the ability to have a lasting impact here, like many before them have.” 

The Bobcats also signed four players from Texas, a steady source of talent. 

Over in Missoula, the Grizzlies landed defensive end Evan Pyron and athlete Parker Link from their backyard (Hellgate High). 

Running backs coach Justin Green added to his room with Courtney Rogers, who is set to come to Missoula all the way from Blytheville, Ark. You have to go back to 1949 to find the last time the Grizzlies had a letterman from the state (Mike Kumpuris from Little Rock).  

Montana’s recruiting pipeline to Hawaii was again fruitful this year with safety Dane Kellner of Honolulu signing to come to UM. The Griz have six players on the roster from the islands, and have a tradition of success out of the Aloha State.  

“As always, we continue to focus on prep recruiting as the foundation of our program, and I think we’ve put together a good class of high school seniors to join the Grizzlies next fall,” Grizzlies’ coach Bobby Hauck said. “They are quality young men, good football players, and we feel really good about them.  

“Now we will start looking at transfer recruiting. There is also the potential we might sign a couple more high school guys on the February signing date.” 

Montana will announce potential transfers into the program upon the start of the new semester, or when they have officially enrolled in school and arrived on campus. 

Jackson Presley, the highly-recruited Glacier High quarterback, officially signed with Sacramento State on Wednesday as well.

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Cats, Griz signees

MONTANA STATE

Jace Bantz, DE, 6-5, 210, Grass Range: Rushed for 228 yards, had 593 receiving yards and threw for 920. On defense logged 120 tackles with six interceptions.

Elias Bonner, DB, 5-11, 180, Billings (West): Compiled 2,792 career all-purpose yards (per MaxPreps)... first team all-state receiver, safety and punt returner as a junior. 

Brody Bulette, OL, 6-6, 296, Polson:  All-Northwest A past two years on the offensive line and All-State this season.

Kaden Cole, WR, 6-1, 180, Houston:44 catches as a senior with 17 touchdowns... 21.9 yards per catch... 1,322 all-purpose yards. 

Carter Dahlke, WR, 5-9, 175, Bozeman (Gallatin): Compiled 1,545 total yards with 21 touchdowns as a senior. As a junior was the Eastern AA Offensive Player of the Year. 

Adam Guajardo, DE, 6-3, 197, Missoula, (Big Sky): Logged 60 total tackles (32 solo) as a senior, with 10 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 1 intercetpion.

Bobby Gutzman, WR, 6-2, 180, Bozeman (Gallatin): Caught 21 passes for 489 yards and scored six touchdowns (four receiving, one rushing, one kick return) as a senior.

Evan Hughen, DB, 6-2, 175, Bozeman (BHS): Intercepted two passes with 22 tackles, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles as a senior;  allowed only one reception in coverage.

John Hurst, DL, 6-4, 240, Texas City, Texas: Earned all-district honors on the defensive line as a senior. 

Joseph Janney, QB, 6-0, 190, Klamath Falls, Ore. (Henley): Threw for 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns and 1 interception as a senior; 729 yards and 12 TDs rushing.

KJ Johnson, RB, 5-10, 180, Houston: Gained 2,212 total yards  with 28 total touchdowns as a senior; averaged 13.5 yards a carry while rushing for 1,103.

DeShawn Krein, DB, 6-0, 190, Phoenix: Earned All-Central Region second team honors as a senior; had 46 tackles, 1 interception and 4 passes defended.

Tommy Lewis, OL, 6-3, 290, Havre: Two-time all-state and three-time all-conference football player; 60 pancake blocks in eight games as a senior.

Brit Linder, LB, 6-3, 220, Helena, (Capital): Logged 190 total tackles, 13 for loss with six sacks, as a senior; picked off one pass and broke up four others.

Matthew Perusse, OL, 6-4, 275, Maple Grove, Minn: His team won 30 of its 34 games... 80-plus knockdown blocks without a sack allowed as a senior. 

Kade Robinson, TE, 6-6, 220, Missoula (Sentinel): Caught 10 passes for 120 yards as as senior. Father Casey played at UM; his uncle Cory played for Cats. 

Kayden Steptoe, DB, 6-0, 200, College Station, Texas: Ranked as one of the top corners in Texas by Texas Prep Varsity and Rally Preps Texas; 4.5 in the 40.

Greyson Stevens, WR, 5-11, 175, Yakima, Wash.: Caught 55 passes for 898 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. Ran a 10.9 100 meter dash as a sophomore...

Gavin Walden, DL, 6-2, 260, Eden Prairie, Minn.: First team all-state pick who recorded seven sacks, four pass breakups and two interceptions. 

Gavin Wilkins, OL, 6-5, 265, Anaheim, Calif: Helped lead Mater Dei to CIFSS, state and national championships in 2023... no sacks allowed playing for Servite in 2024 and 2025.

MONTANA

Morgan Dodson, K/P, 6-2, 205, Pasco, Wash.: All-Conference kicker, punter, and DE as a senior … 146 consecutive PATs and 7-for-12 on FGs over prep career.

Wesley Ehret, WR, 6-2, 180, Belgrade:  All-Conference and All-State receiver in 2024… 1,000 all-purpose yards with 39 catches for 495 as a senior.

Merek Fisher, TE, 6-6, 230, Billings (Skyview): No. 2 receiver for the Falcons as a senior with 296 yards on 29 catches and  one TD. Had 50 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble on defense.

Dawson Hammond, ATH, 6-0, 170, Malta: Career totals include 114 receptions for 2,482 yards, 41 all-purpose TDs, 17 interceptions, and three pick-6s.

Brady Jay, QB, 6-1, 180, Moses Lake, Wash.: Threw for 3,180 yards and 45 touchdowns, completed 70% of his passes. Added 5 rushing TDs.

Kougar Kappel, S, 6-0, 180, Red Lodge: Senior totals included 149 carries for 1,538 yards and 26 touchdowns, 16 receptions for 311 yards, 47 solo tackles, and 4 interceptions.

Dane Kellner, S, 5-11, 170, Honolulu: Recorded 42 tackles, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and 3 TFLs in eight games.

 Owen Liechti, OL, 6-7, 285, Ankeny, Iowa: High School:  Earned First Team All-District honors as a senior. Allowed zero sacks across 10 games.

Parker Link, ATH, 5-10, 170, Missoula ()Hellgate): Had 1,008 all-purpose yards, 7 touchdowns, 83 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and a pick-6 for the Knights in 2025.

Cooper Neer, LB, 6-3, 205, Kennewick, Wash.: Two-time All-Conference First Team linebacker (2024, 2025)… Posted 47.5 tackles as a senior, 32 solo.

Jayden Nicholas, CB, 6-0, 170, Suisun City, Calif.: Rated a three-star prospect out of De La Salle and the No. 280 overall player in California by 247Sports. 

Mac Olsen, DL, 6-4, 245, Manti, Utah: Breakout senior campaign included 10 sacks, 79 tackles and 19 TFLs.

Derek Opitz, DT/LS, 6-3, 250, Helena (Capita): Key contributor to Capital High’s  championship teams in 2022 and 2024. Had 55 tackles and 5 TFLs in 2025.

Evan Pyron, DE, 6-3, 225, Missoula (Hellgate): Had 53 tackles and is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 5 overall prospect in Montana.

Elijah Rincon, DE, 6-3, 230, Hacienda Heights, Calif.: Posted 39 tackles in 11 games with 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble for Downey High.

Courtney Rogers, RB, 6-2, 200, Blytheville, Ark.: Senior season totals include 168 carries for 1,938 yards and 21 TDs.

Lincoln Senter, ATH, 6-5, 250, Great Falls (CMR): Two-year letterwinner in football and basketball. Began playing football as freshman and was a team captain in 2025.

William Snell, WR, 6-4, 195, Billings (Central): All-State wide receiver/ cornerback who had 1,413 all-purpose yards, including 783 yards with 12 TDs receiving. 

Rodney Weatherspoon, CB, 6-0, 175, Fort Worth, Texas: Helped Byron Nelson to a 2025 UIL Texas state championship with 21 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 INT and 3 pass breakups.

Josiah West, OL, 6-6, 260, Prosser, Wash.: A three-star prospect who was rated the No. 33 overall recruit in the state of Washington. Also held offers from Air Force, Montana State, EWU, and Idaho.