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Vim's 2019 Montana High School Football Recruiting List

VimSince03

Well-known member
I added a number in ( ) to show movement of players from the earlier ratings by Vim...
-So a (-8) means the player dropped 8 places.
-If they were not listed then I used position 51 for them. IE Kris Brown is 51 (Old rating)-20 (new rating) for a (+31).
-(E) Means they did not move on the list.
-At the bottom of the page is the previous list minus the players Vim has on the new list. (Paytonlives)


VimSince03's Top 50 Montana Recruits for 2019 Class (Final):

1.) Ryan Lonergan (Bozeman) - TE - 6'4", 220 lbs. (msu) (+2)
2.) Garrison Poetzl (Billings Senior) - DL - 6'4", 250 lbs. (UM Signed) (E)
3.) Jesse Owens (Billings West) - WR/CB - 5'9", 175 lbs. (UM Signed) (+7)
4.) Chrishon Dixon (Billings Central) - CB/WR - 6'0", 160 lbs. (msu-Billings B-Ball) (-3)
5.) Holden Sampson (Helena High) - OL - 6'3", 250 lbs. - (msu) (E)
6.) Ryan Tirrell (Missoula Loyola) - LB/S - 6'2", 205 lbs. (UM Signed) (+12)
7.) Trevin Gradney (Billings West) - CB - 6'0", 170 lbs. (UM Signed) (-3)
8.) Joe Olson (Bozeman) - RB - 6’0”, 195 lbs. (msu) (-2)
9.) Alex Johnson (Helena High) - LB/S - 6'2", 185 lbs. (msu) (E)
10.) Blake Counts (Kalispell Flathead) - RB - 5'11", 205 lbs. (MT Tech) (+3)

11.) Ryder Meyer (Fairfield) - S - 5'9”, 170 lbs. (UM Signed) (E)
12.) Marcus Wehr (Billings Central) - DE/DL - 6’3”, 220 lbs. (msu) (+22)
13.) Blake Thelen (Great Falls High) - QB - 6’3”, 185 lbs. (msu-PWO) (+6)
14.) Brody Grebe (Melstone) - LB - 6’2”, 205 lbs. (-6) (Conn Prep School 5th Year of HS)
15.) Connor Paul (Billings West) - OL/DL - 6'2", 250 lbs. (Univ. of Mary) (+13)
16.) Lucas Gibb (Billings West) - S - 6'2", 175 lbs. (Duke - School) (+35)
17.) Landers Smith (Charlo) - RB/LB/S - 6’0”, 190 lbs. (MT Tech) (E)
18.) Alaric Greil (Helena Capital) - DL - 6’3”, 235 lbs. (MT Tech) (-11)
19.) Anthony Jones (Kalispell Flathead) - WR - 6’2”, 210 lbs. (MT Tech) (-7)
20.) Kris Brown (Bozeman) - QB - 6’4”, 210 lbs. (UM Signed) (+31)

21.) Elias Dewaters (Missoula Sentinel) - RB/SB - 5'10", 185 lbs. (UM Signed) (E)
22.) Ryan Simpson (Bozeman) - WR - 6'6", 190 lbs. (UM Signed) (+3)
23.) Tanner Trafton (Fergus) - WR - 6'5", 190 lbs. (msu-PWO) (-8)
24.) Rylan Ortt (Missoula Sentinel) - QB/ATH - 6'2", 185 lbs. (msu-PWO) (-8)
25.) Colten McPhee (Columbia Falls) - RB/LB - 5'9", 200 lbs. (UM-Western) (-10)
26.) Andrew Siderius (Kalispell Flathead) - OL/DL - 6’3”, 255 lbs. (+25)
27.) Logan Kennedy (Laurel) - TE/LB - 6’2”, 205 lbs. (-1) (Mt Tech)
28.) Blaise Meriwether (Missoula Sentinel) - S - 6’0”, 195 lbs. (-4)
29.) Casey Gunlikson (Sweet Grass County) – WR/DB - 5’11”, 165 lbs. (msu Track) (-8)
30.) Noah Ambuehl (Great Falls Central) - TE - 6’3”, 220 lbs. (UM Signed) (E)

31.) Kyle Torgerson – Great Falls High (5'10", 150 lbs.) (MT Tech) (+20)
32.) Ethan Bullock (Sweet Grass County) - TE/DE - 6’6”, 220 lbs. (msu) (+19)
33.) Jaden MacNeil (Kalispell Flathead) - ATH - 5’9”, 160 lbs. (MT Tech) (-4)
34.) Garrett Brown (Corvallis) - OL/DL - 6’3”, 270 lbs. (Univ. of Mary) (-11)
35.) Zach Spiroff (Helena) - CB - 5’9”, 165 lbs. (Carroll College) (-3)
36.) Logan Gilliard (Bigfork) - OL/TE/DE/LB - 6'3", 210 lbs. (msu-PWO) (+9)
37.) Mitchell Norslien (Fergus) - QB - 6’2”, 185 lbs. (MT Tech) (-10)
38.) Dawson Allen (Fairfield) - WR/DB - 6'3", 185 lbs. (+13)
39.) Justus Perkins (Bozeman) - OL - 6'1", 230 lbs. (msu-PWO) (+12)
40.) Riley Dickinson (Great Falls Central) - RB/LB - 6'0", 190 lbs. (Rocky Mountain College) (+11)

41.) Maverick Roberts (Billings Central) - OL - 6'0", 245 lbs. (Carroll College) (+10)
42.) Preston Blain (Kalispell Glacier) - RB - 5'10", 190 lbs. (+9)
43.) JJ Lindsay (Billings West) - LB - 5'10", 190 lbs. (Carroll College) (+8)
44.) Max Evenson (Billings Senior) - LB - 6'2", 210 lbs. (Rocky Mountain College) (-2)
45.) Dillon Botner (Whitefish) - TE/OL - 6'6", 225 lbs. (UM Signed) (+7)
46.) Michael Nehring (Manhattan) - LB - 6'2", 200 lbs. (MT Tech) (-7)
47.) Kobe Nelson (Billings West) - OL - 6'5", 245 lbs. (+4)
48.) Brock Field (Missoula Sentinel) - TE/FB/DE - 6'1", 220 lbs. (MT Tech) (-12)
49.) Grady Koenig (Helena) - RB - 6'0", 190 lbs. (MT Tech) (+2)
50.) Wes Jameson (Fergus) - LB - 6'2", 200 lbs. (MT Tech) (-10)


Scouting Reports (10-1) - http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47247
Scouting Reports (20-11) - http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47230
Scouting Reports (30-21) - http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47202
Scouting Reports (40-31) - http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47179
Scouting Reports (50-41) - http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47175

50-31 from Jan. 7-13
30-21 from Jan. 14-20
20-11 from Jan. 21-27
10-1 from Jan. 28-Feb. 2
"Best of the Rest" from Feb. 3-6

2019 Badlands Bowl Roster: http://406mtsports.com/high-school/football/scoreboard-knights-of-columbus-badlands-bowl-montana-roster/article_56e0124d-1220-5a4a-bdaa-0a97e484dff0.html

2019 Shrine Game Rosters: https://montanasports.com/high-school/football/2018/12/25/montana-east-west-shrine-game-unveils-2019-rosters/

2018 Great Falls Tribune Super-State Team: https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/sports/2018/12/31/multi-sport-stars-shine-tribunes-2018-super-state-football-team/2452767002/

2018 All-USA Today Montana Team: https://usatodayhss.com/2018/2018-all-usa-montana-football-team

2019 Top 50 (1st Edition): https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?p=1315641#p1315641
2019 Top 50 (2nd Edition): http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?p=634802#p634802
2019 Top 50 (3rd Edition): https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?p=1363646#p1363646

Quick recap of when these lists are produced. First one is released a week after signing day. Second one is released after track season is complete. Third is released right before their senior seasons. Final one is released throughout January up until signing day.

TOP 50 List from Earlier in the Year (Missing are on the latest list above)
22.) Easton Page (Belgrade) - WR - 5'9", 160 lbs.
31.) Cody Wilkes (CMR) - OL - 6'3", 260 lbs.
33.) Cooper Waters (Missoula Loyola) - WR (Mt. Tech)
35.) Cole Crosby (Kalispell Glacier) - RB/LB - 6'0", 190 lbs. (UM-Western)
37.) Tucker Greenwell (CMR) - S - 6'2", 180 lbs. (Mt. Tech)
38.) Tyler Walker (Dillon) - OL/LB - 6'2", 215 lbs.
41.) Kade Wilcox (Billings West) - CB - 6'0", 190 lbs. (Mt. Tech)
43.) Jack Kanta (Helena High) - DE/OLB - 6'1", 180 lbs
44.) Jacob Howell (Helena High) - TE/OL - 6'2", 215 lbs. (Mt. Tech)
46.) Liang Liedle (Corvallis) - ATH - 5'8", 160 lbs. (Carroll College)
47.) Max Feight (Whitehall) - QB - 6'2", 180 lbs. (UM Signed)
48.) Randy Stultz (Bigfork) - RB - 5'10", 185 lbs. (Baseball at msu-Billings)
49.) Gage Karlin (Columbia Falls) - OL/DL
50.) Dunkan Kraft (Billings Central) - RB/DB - 5'10", 175 lbs. (Carroll College)
 
VimSince03 said:
Hey guys. Howard and I talked and we settled on unveiling the inital top (whatever) list for next year's Montana class sometime next week. Would like to reiterate that the initial ranking is more of a "quick-look" at the juniors who showed well last fall and should receive attention from the two in-state FCS schools. I would like to point out there is not a Gabe Sulser/Troy Andersen level of player in the 2019 class so the #1 spot will be wide open (yes I understand I ranked Keaton Anderson ahead of Troy in 2017...still have very high hopes for Keaton in the MSU secondary).

From what I initially see, there will be some good wide receivers yet again, at both slot and outside receiver positions. On the lines, I see a few offensive lineman who should get Big Sky looks. I see some RBs that will receive interest but there is not a Drew Turner level kid at RB. There will be a few enticing TE prospects with one specifically already garnering significant interest from both the Cats and Griz. At QB, there will be some solid players and overall the position will be deeper than this past recruiting class...but deeper for NAIA level play. On defense, I see several defensive line prospects who should push for offers from UM/MSU. At linebacker, there will be some outside linebackers getting interest but I don't see any big thumpers at MLB. Not a very deep group compared to the last few years. I do see two decent cornerback prospects (hint: they are from the billings area). Last but not least, this class will feature some excellent safeties with 5-6 good looking players.

Definitely no Gabe Sulser, it will be a interesting debate on who’s #1 once the season starts in a number of months.
 
Thank guys. Appreciate your work and always enjoy reading your insights and thoughts on our top MT football players and prospects.

GO GRIZ!
 
Initial Top 10's are out. Once again, keep in mind that this is just an initial list. I looked at over 150 prospects over the past few months and there are about 50-60 other kids who deserve to be in the conversation going forward along with those on the initial Top 10's.

This class will be deep at WR and Safety/OLB kids.
 
Poetzl is a beast. It will be a dog fight for him and Dixon. I think Landers Smith will rise similar to Graves. He projects as a good linebacker/safety type.


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dayday said:
Poetzl is a beast. It will be a dog fight for him and Dixon. I think Landers Smith will rise similar to Graves. He projects as a good linebacker/safety type.


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Poetzl is going to be a top 5 player in the state unless something crazy happens, he’s one of those kids where you watch his fil and just know.
I put Peppenger as #10 because as far as kickers, he’s the real deal, but he will probably drop throughout the season because I personally won’t keep a kicker in the top 10. But as for right now, I think he’s a kid who people should know.
And I think the Smith/Graves comparison is spot on. Graves has a little more size but their film is very similar as far as a kid flying around making plays.
 
dayday said:
Poetzl is a beast. It will be a dog fight for him and Dixon. I think Landers Smith will rise similar to Graves. He projects as a good linebacker/safety type.


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Landers Smith has that "quick twitch" that not all kids have. He may not have sprinter speed but his instincts and short-area quickness make him an intriguing Sam linebacker or "Rover" safety prospect. Landers is also very strong for his size.

As of right now, the kids who got interest right out of the gate were Poetzl, Dixon, and Lonergan. Usually that means those kids are believed to be the top prospects and will likely get scholarship offers.

However, I do not see a full-ride kid out of this group...at least not yet. Poetzl and Dixon are close.
 
Where do you have these guys in the rankings?

1. Blake Thielan WR Great Falls
2. Tucker Greenwell FS Great Falls
3. Easton Page WR/DB Belgrade
4. Trevin Gradney DB Billings
5. Dawson Allen WR/DB Fairfield
6. Ryder Meyer QB Fairfield
7. Carter Hughes DE Sidney
8. Mitch Norslien QB Lewiston.
 
grizfan1984 said:
Where do you have these guys in the rankings?

1. Blake Thielan WR Great Falls
2. Tucker Greenwell FS Great Falls
3. Easton Page WR/DB Belgrade
4. Trevin Gradney DB Billings
5. Dawson Allen WR/DB Fairfield
6. Ryder Meyer QB Fairfield
7. Carter Hughes DE Sidney
8. Mitch Norslien QB Lewiston.

I consider Ryder Meyer the best player in Class B. Yes he is small for a safety prospect but he is one of the biggest hitters in this class and he flows well to the sidelines in run support. He is an intense competitor.

Thelen is in the group of bigger WR's in this class. Blake got a tough shake last year because he split time between QB and WR which led him to not getting any all-state or all-conference recognition. But everyone knows how talented Blake is and he was Great Falls High's best player last year. Blake will be recruited as a WR but he will likely be the QB for the Bison his senior season.

Tucker is one of the Top 5 safeties in this class and will put up some excellent track numbers this spring. He is also a plus in the return game.

Gradney is a Top 2 corner in this class (along with Dixon). He has good hips and gets his hand on plenty of footballs. Made some athletic interceptions his junior season.

Page is one of the best slot receivers in this class and is a comparable player to past recruits like Braxton Reiten of Columbia Falls and Logan Jones of Kalispell Glacier.

Allen is one of the best players in Class B but he is in with a very deep group of WR's and he doesn't stand out as much as the others do as of yet. But, like Greenwell, Dawson has a big track season ahead of him to show more skills that can translate to the football field.

Carter Hughes is a 6'1", 240 lb. lineman from Sidney. He is a track star as he won both the Class A shot put and discus his sophomore season. He was an all-state lineman this past fall for the Eagles and I consider him a Top 5 offensive line recruit. Needs to be more physical on the football field because he has the strength to dominate.

Norslien is one of the top QB prospects in the 2019 class. He is a dual threat athlete at the position but he chooses to throw more than run. He has been going to camps for years and he will have one final season to prove he can be a FCS level quarterback recruit. Every NAIA school wants him.

I consider Meyer, Thelen, and Gradney in the 11-20 range in my early Top 50 (which I didn't post). Greenwell, Hughes, Page, and Norslein are in the 21-30 range. Allen is in that 31-40 range.
 
grizfan1984 said:
Where do you have these guys in the rankings?

1. Blake Thielan WR Great Falls
2. Tucker Greenwell FS Great Falls
3. Easton Page WR/DB Belgrade
4. Trevin Gradney DB Billings
5. Dawson Allen WR/DB Fairfield
6. Ryder Meyer QB Fairfield
7. Carter Hughes DE Sidney
8. Mitch Norslien QB Lewiston.

Easton, Trevin, and Ryder were all really close to making the top 10 for me this early go-around. I really like Easton’s film, he’s a true playmaker, along with Trevin who is, as of now, a top 5 corner in the state. All 8 of those kids are top 20 right now, all probably scholly worthy at some level in college.
 
grizpack said:
Is Elias Waters from Sentinel a senior next year? If so, where do you see him?

Depends. Will he be viewed as a running back or receiver by college receuiters? He is currently in my Top 50 in the 41-50 range as a running back/athlete.
 
I know Longeran and Dixon for sure both have offers from both schools. I'm sure Poetzl does as well. Hopefully Longeran wants to be in Missoula with his sister. Been told by someone I know at BC that Dixon is thinking bigger and wants to leave MT.
 
vim and howard.......i say this in a good way.....you guys are sick, in that you can have as good a handle on all these kids as you do......it is impressive to say the least...thanks for your hours of film work....
 
Thanks Vim and Howard. Seems like a down year in Montana possibly?

I like Dixon. I watched him play this last year and thought he had a lot of the athletic attributes to make it as a good D1 corner. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get a full ride offer with a good camp. Not often that a legit D1 CB comes out of MT. Would have to think he'd be a priority for the Griz.
 
AZGrizFan said:
Sorry, but any list with a kicker in the top 10 is suspect, at best. :lol:

The early list is just a top 10 and some names to look out for, at least that’s how I approached it. Some will stay throughout the list and others will drop, it’s really hard to say this early in the year. The ten names I have on my list are just some kids who I think people should know and to look out for.
 
Sam A. Blitz said:
Thanks Vim and Howard. Seems like a down year in Montana possibly?

I like Dixon. I watched him play this last year and thought he had a lot of the athletic attributes to make it as a good D1 corner. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get a full ride offer with a good camp. Not often that a legit D1 CB comes out of MT. Would have to think he'd be a priority for the Griz.

It does seem like this years group isn’t as eye-catching as last years this early in the year.

I too like Dixon as a corner. It seems to fit him best, and for that reason I’d assume UM will go after him hard. But if he wants to leave the state it’s hard saying where exactly he will end up.
 
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