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Vim's 2024 FINAL Montana High School Recruiting List

Paytonlives

Moderator
Staff member
FINAL LIST 1/19/24

I'd like to thank Vim and all his hard work and allowing us to use his info on this site.
Though he is a big cat fan, I believe he is really fair in his list and look forward to it each year.

THANKS VIM... Now get some rest!

"Tier 1- The Rare Ones"
1.) DT/OL- Hayden Hanks 6' 4" 270 (Thompson Falls) (Boise State)
2.) K- Jacob Kauwe 6' 2" 200 (Billings West) (Kentucky)
3.) WR- Quinn Clark 6'6" 190 (Bozeman Gallatin) (Nebraska)

Prospects in this tier:
- have shown the ability to be full-scholarship FBS football players out of high school
- will commonly receive multiple scholarship offers from both FBS and FCS schools
- will likely NOT redshirt if they sign with a FCS school and should make an immediate impact (at least in rotation)
- will likely redshirt if they sign with a FBS school but should push for playing time within two years (redshirt sophomore season)
- consistently demonstrate a mismatch on tape in athletic ability, size, smarts, and technique while on the field in high school
- commonly have the best production in the state at their given position
- players in this tier are "rare for the state of Montana" as only a handful of them come around each decade
- commonly have been selected All-State multiple years at their position(s) during high school
- have potential to be multi-year All-Americans at the FCS level with a good chance playing in the NFL


"Tier 2- The Blue Chips"
4.) DT- Hudson Wiens (Bozeman) - 6'4", 260 lbs. (kittens)
5.) S- Kash Goicoechea (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'1", 180 lbs. (Montana)
6.) WR- Rocco Lencioni (Bozeman) - 6'4", 210 lbs. (kittens)
7.) OL- Henry Sellards (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'5", 270 lbs. (Nevada)
8.) TE- Isaac Keim (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'3", 225 lbs. (Montana)
9.) QB/S- Mason Dethman (Froid/Med-Lake) - 6'4", 195 lbs. (kittens)
10.) ATH- Grady Walker (Sentinel) - 6'3", 190 lbs. (Montana)
11.) OL/DL- Dalton Noble (Jefferson) - 6'5", 250 lbs. (Kittens)

Prospects in this tier:
- have shown the ability to be full-scholarship FCS football players out of high school
- have shown the ability to be preferred walk-on FBS football players out of high school
- will commonly receive full scholarship offers from the two in-state schools while also receiving interest from out-of-state FCS programs
- may NOT redshirt if they sign with a FCS school
- should push for playing time early (true freshman or redshirt freshman year) either on special teams or in a rotation (depends on position)
- players in this tier are commonly referred to as "one of the top prospects in the state" when brought up in conversation by media/coaches
- demonstrate a mismatch on tape in athletic ability, size, smarts, and technique while on the field in high school but not as consistently as Tier 1
- commonly have been selected All-State multiple years at their position(s) during high school
- 100% get selected as starters for Shrine Game
- have potential to be multi-year all-conference players at the FCS level with the possibility of being named All-American at least once]


"Tier 3- The Partials"
12.) OL/DL- Andrew Burrows (Hamilton) - 6'2", 250 lbs.
13.) HB/LB- Joshua Woodberry (Bozeman Gallatin) - 5'11", 225 lbs. (kittens)
14.) TE- Danny Sirmon (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'6", 240 lbs (Montana)
15.) WR- Alex Hausmann (Kalispell Glacier) - 5'11", 160 lbs. (Carroll)
16.) OL- Braden Zimmer (Billings West) - 6'6", 230 lbs. (kittens)
17.) S- Owen Reynolds (Red Lodge) - 6'1", 195 lbs. (Montana)
18.) WR- Cohen Kastelitz (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'3", 185 lbs. (Montana Tech)
19.) QB/S- Kee Christiansen (Dillon) - 6'1", 180 lbs. (kittens)
20.) HB/LB- Cooper Frietag (Billings West) - 6'1", 205 lbs.
21.) TE/DE- Ethan Alexander (Florence) - 6'3", 225 lbs. (Montana Tech)

Prospects in this tier:
- have shown the ability to be partial-scholarship FCS football players out of high school (doesn't mean they'll get that offer)
- usually get partial-scholarships that cover nearly all or very little of their college costs
- will commonly receive full-scholarship offers from all the NAIA schools in-state and several other lower division schools out-of-state
- are considered elite NAIA players if they sign at that level
- may receive offers from both in-state FCS schools but it isn't a foregone conclusion both will offer
- will, at a minimum, receive preferred walk-on offers from Cats and Griz
- will commonly redshirt if they sign with a Cats or Griz
- may NOT redshirt if they sign with a smaller division school (DII, DIII, NAIA) and should push for playing time early (depends on position)
- are bordering on full-scholarship talent but are missing a few traits (athletic ability, size, smarts, technique, etc.) that likely will get developed
- commonly have been selected All-State multiple years at their position(s) during high school
- will commonly get selected as starters for the Shrine Game
- have potential to be multi-year starters (FCS) in their careers with a good chance of being named All-Conference at least once


"Tier 4- The Safe Investments"
22.) DL- Christian Knowles (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'3", 225 lbs.
23.) WR- Ethan Triplett (Belt) - 6'1", 175 lbs. (Carroll)
24.) ATH/S- Kellen Harrison (Bozeman) - 6'0", 160 lbs.
25.) OL/DL- Isaac Stoker (Corvallis) - 6'3", 250 lbs. (Dickinson State)
26.) OL- Torin Jeske (Bozeman) - 6'5", 240 lbs. (Montana Tech)
27.) RB/LB- Aidan Lammers (Shepherd) - 6'1", 210 lbs.(Montana-Western)
28.) ATH- Cody Schweikert (Columbia Falls) - 6'4", 225 lbs. (Montana)
29.) OL- Cole Dawes (Helena Capital) - 6'5", 240 lbs. (Montana Tech)
30.) RB/LB- Quaid Ash (Bozeman) - 6'2", 215 lbs.
31.) RB/TE- Elijah Thorness (Bigfork) - 6'3", 205 lbs.
32.) ATH- Kaiden Clement (CMR) - 6'2", 215 lbs. (Montana Tech)
33.) ATH- Adam Balkenbush (Billings Central) - 6'1", 195 lbs.
34.) ATH- Carter Kraft (Helena High) - 6'0", 185 lbs.
35.) WR- Jace Hill (Columbia Falls) - 6'2", 175 lbs.
36.) LB- Austin Baller (Bozeman) - 6'1", 205 lbs.
37.) K/P- Owen Adams (Laurel) - 6'1", 205 lbs. (Idaho)
38.) RB- Talen Reynolds (Missoula Loyola) - 5'11", 185 lbs. (Montana)
39.) S- Tristan Butts (Eureka) - 6'2", 180 lbs.
40.) CB- Ryan Nansel (Bozeman Gallatin) - 6'2", 170 lbs. (kittens)
41.) QB- Thomas Buchanan (Red Lodge) - 6'5", 210 lbs.

Prospects in this tier:
- "safe investments" as they have low risk, high reward potential based off their offer/talent
- will commonly receive full-scholarship offers from all the NAIA schools in-state and several other lower division schools out-of-state
- are considered excellent NAIA players if they sign at that level
- may receive a preferred walk-on offer from Cats or Griz, sometimes both
- may only receive interest but no offer from Cats or Griz
- will 100% redshirt if they sign with a Cats or Griz and will need at least three years of development prior to starting their junior years (may play ST earlier)
- may be on the roster bubble at the FCS level after their second year in the program
- will commonly redshirt if they sign with a lower level program (DII, DIII, NAIA) and will likely start within first two years
- are bordering on partial-scholarship talent but are missing a few traits (athletic ability, size, smarts, technique, etc.) that may get developed
- commonly have been selected All-State multiple years at their position(s) during high school
- will commonly get selected as starters or alternates for the Shrine Game (should be selected as starters)
- have potential to be a starter (FCS) at least once with a good chance of being a multi-year all-conference player at a lower level program

"Tier 5- The Projects"
42.) Colter Ramos (Missoula Big Sky) - 6'1", 180 lbs. - WR (Montana-Western)
43.) Zane Moodry (Butte Central) - 6'5", 190 lbs. - WR/TE (Montana Tech)
44.) LB- Kieran Netburn (Lewistown) - 6'0", 210 lbs.
45.) WR- Rueso Battermann (Butte) - 6'3", 190 lbs.
46.) DT- Maxx Lee (Billings Senior) - 6'3", 250 lbs.
47.) OL/DL- Chance Waters (Sidney) - 6'4", 240 lbs.
48.) DE- Tyler Conrad (Bozeman Gallatin) - 6'1", 225 lbs.
49.) S- Mason Kelch (Whitefish) - 6'1", 200 lbs. (Montana Tech)
50.) RB/LB- Kale Konen (Dillon) - 6'2", 185 lbs.
51.) ATH- Tyce Casterline (Lockwood) - 6'3", 190 lbs. (Rocky Mountain)
52.) FB- Tuff Adams (Helena Capital) - 5'11", 195 lbs. (Rocky Mountain)
53.) DE/LB- Braden Capser (Kalispell Flathead) - 6'2", 215 lbs.
54.) DL- Jordan Jenson (Lewistown) - 6'2", 225 lbs. (Dickinson State)
55.) FB/LB- Lucas Lant (Hamilton) - 5'11", 205 lbs.
56.) DE/LB- Cooper Collins (Great Falls High) - 6'1", 205 lbs.
57.) OL- Tavan McMaster (Jefferson) - 6'4", 275 lbs. (Carroll College)
58.) FB- Izayah Brown (Great Falls High) - 6'1", 205 lbs.
59.) WR- Manu Melo (Helena High) - 5'11", 150 lbs. (Montana Tech)
60.) LB/S- Reese Paulson (Belt) - 6'2", 195 lbs.

Prospects in this tier:
- have an outside chance of being preferred walk-on FCS football player but likely will only get offers from lower level programs
- may receive full-scholarship offers from NAIA schools in-state and several other lower division schools out-of-state but may just be partials
- are considered above average NAIA players if they sign at that level
- will commonly redshirt if they sign with a lower level program (DII, DIII, NAIA) and will likely contribute within first two years (not necessarily start)
- commonly referred to as "projects" if they get offered by either in-state FCS school
- get the "project" designation because they have one or two traits FCS programs believe they can develop
- will 100% redshirt if they sign with a Cats or Griz and will need at least three years of development prior to playing their junior years (may never be starters)
- will commonly be on the roster bubble at the FCS level after their first year in the program
- are bordering on preferred walk-on talent (FCS) but are missing a few traits (athletic ability, size, smarts, technique, etc.) that have a ceiling
- commonly have been selected All-State at least once during high school
- will commonly get selected as starters or alternates for the Shrine Game
- have potential to be a backup/rotational player (FCS) at least one year with a good chance of being a multi-year starter at a lower level program
 
Hey VIM, once again, amazing work and thank you so much for being “that guy” when it comes to in state knowledge of the high school recruits. Question for you on the blue chips. Any inside knowledge on which way some of these guys may lean for whatever reason?

"The Blue Chips"
WR- Quinn Clark
OT- Henry Sellards
WR/S- Rocky Lencioni
DT- Hudson Wiens
DT/OL- Hayden Hanks
QB/S- Mason Dethman
 
A big Thank you Vim for all the hard work in putting this together.....I look forward it every year....
 
https://twitter.com/WiensHudson/status/1629206407357825024?s=20

Griz have now offered all six of my initial 2024 "Blue Chip" prospects in-state with other offers going to Kash Goicoechea (Glacier) and Dalton Noble (Jefferson). Kudos to the staff for finally getting offers out there quickly on these no-brainer prospects in-state.
 
VimSince03 said:
https://twitter.com/WiensHudson/status/1629206407357825024?s=20

Griz have now offered all six of my initial 2024 "Blue Chip" prospects in-state with other offers going to Kash Goicoechea (Glacier) and Dalton Noble (Jefferson). Kudos to the staff for finally getting offers out there quickly on these no-brainer prospects in-state.
This is great.

I am very curious if moving Rosy to full time recruiting guy hasn't shaped the new recruiting strategy this year.
 
uofmman1122 said:
VimSince03 said:
https://twitter.com/WiensHudson/status/1629206407357825024?s=20

Griz have now offered all six of my initial 2024 "Blue Chip" prospects in-state with other offers going to Kash Goicoechea (Glacier) and Dalton Noble (Jefferson). Kudos to the staff for finally getting offers out there quickly on these no-brainer prospects in-state.
This is great.

I am very curious if moving Rosy to full time recruiting guy hasn't shaped the new recruiting strategy this year.

Well, he has the time to do so...
 
SoldierGriz said:
uofmman1122 said:
This is great.

I am very curious if moving Rosy to full time recruiting guy hasn't shaped the new recruiting strategy this year.

Well, he has the time to do so...
Right, I mean more in the sense of was this a Rosy thing he wanted, or did Bobby finally come around to it.

Ironic that Stev-...I mean RoseyMustGo wanted a dedicated recruiting person not that long ago, and this seems like the monkey's paw version of that for him. :lol:
 
uofmman1122 said:
SoldierGriz said:
Well, he has the time to do so...
Right, I mean more in the sense of was this a Rosy thing he wanted, or did Bobby finally come around to it.

Ironic that Stev-...I mean RoseyMustGo wanted a dedicated recruiting person not that long ago, and this seems like the monkey's paw version of that for him. :lol:

Yeah, this poster is light years ahead of posters on here about the current way of running a football programs, including recruiting strategy. You knuckleheads should listen to him, and stop being obtuse Griz fans. You make yourselves look like our dinosaur coaching staff when you have to come back on here and admit that he was correct all along.

Hilarious how some of you try to belittle my football knowledge, then have to come on here later and admit that I was posting things that were accurate, long before most of you knew anything about it. So, you took the predictable shots at me, and now have to eat crow.
 
Why bother with the recruiting process for Montana kids? Save time and money with a policy that UM accepts all Montana kids regardless of talent.
 
Billings West kicker Kauwe just commited to University of Kentucky https://twitter.com/jacobkauwe16/status/1671164339523588098?s=46&t=dc8-GgsunrC6LlIKD26SmQ
 
grizfan1984 said:
Billings West kicker Kauwe just commited to University of Kentucky https://twitter.com/jacobkauwe16/status/1671164339523588098?s=46&t=dc8-GgsunrC6LlIKD26SmQ

How sweet is this? SEC. Good for him!
 
I see Glacier got a new QB class of 2026 kid Jackson Presley transferred from high school in LA has 7 offers (Florida State, Texas A&M, North Texas, Campbell, Charlotte, Arizona and Colorado.
 
Just read a Nebraska blog earlier today. They are expecting Quinn Clark to verbal to Nebraska. Site said his father played I-back for Nebraska and passed away in 2013.
 
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