THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: New Weber State coach sees bigger role for Lakeland grad Munyer

When first-year Weber State football coach Eric Kjar watched tape of last year's Wildcats, one player he noticed was tight end Ammon Munyer, formerly of Lakeland High. 

Or more accurately, the absence of Ammon Munyer. 

"A little bit surprised he wasn't used more from an athleticism standpoint, because I do think he's a really good athlete, and has performed well in all of our testing stuff that we do," Kjar said last month, at the Big Sky Football Kickoff media day at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights. "But I think he'll be more and more involved with what we do than what he was last year." 

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Munyer played in all 12 games last year for Weber State, finishing with eight receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. The TD came on a 20-yard reception in the Wildcats' win over Butler. 

He played in six games in his redshirt freshman season in 2024, recording one tackle on special teams. 

AFTER GRADUATING from Lakeland in 2021, Munyer served a two-year LDS Church mission in Guatemala. Upon his return, he redshirted in 2023. 

Kjar said Munyer should have three years of eligibility remaining. 

"Love that guy," Kjar said. "I'm new to our roster, but he was one of the players that stood out early for me as a coach, as far as being hands-on in our strength and conditioning stuff, too. He does really, really well in that part of it. I think he has continued to grow in those areas; it showed in the spring. He did a really good job, not only in our pass-catching stuff, but also blocking. I think his future is really, really bright, and has a chance to do some really good things this year. His process and the way he's gone about his body of work this offseason has been impressive. We expect big things from him for sure."

HIS TEAMMATES agree. 

"This is my first year as well, but just from the spring, and obviously all the work he's done off the field, it's been impressive," said fifth-year quarterback Devin Brown, who played three seasons at Ohio State, then one season last year at California. "He's worked super hard. Anytime we're out there throwing, he's out there. He's always going to be there ... very big body, really talented, good hands, like coach Kjar said I'm really excited to see what he can do this year, and excited to see him on the field." 

Munyer is married to the former Saane Katoa, who completed her volleyball eligibility at Weber in 2025. Ammon's sister, Ziya, is a sophomore middle blocker on the Wildcats' volleyball team. Ziya and Saane were teammates last year. 

"I play defense, so I line up against him most of the time," said Trevian Tribble, a fifth-year safety from Fontana, Calif. "It's very interesting; he always has different moves in his bag, ready to come physical, ready to come give us some moves ... he's a very good athlete. I love competing against him. He's a hard worker, and he comes at you every day." 

Weber State, 4-8 last season, plays host to Idaho on Oct. 10 in Ogden, Utah.

"He blocks really well; we're excited about that part," Brown added. "He's a full, complete tight end; he's not just a receiving tight end. He can do both. We're excited about the versatility that gives us, for sure, in our offense."

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.