Well... if the spring season happens we're about 2 months out. The team reports 1/6 and gets rolling with season prep. Opinions aside if the season actually happens, here's a few interesting position battles to keep an eye on:
Defensive End - I honestly have no clue how this position is shaping up. While we've got Gub and Alford at DT, the D-end spot seems to be wide open. Milton Mamula has entered the transfer portal, and Beau Braden who came in as a grad-transfer opted to leave this fall. Braydon Deming & Joe Babros return with the most experience. Jacob McGourin flashed some great skill in his 4 games he played last year to retain his redshirt. Meanwhile other much-hyped players like Alex Hurlburt & Lorenzo Brown could make it their year to make a move, add in experienced player RJ Nelson who missed part of the season in 2019 who is presumably healthy by now again. Bobby & his staff like upperclassmen to take the role, but the d-line going to have to rely on a handful of freshman here to fill out it's depth. I'd assume Deming and Babros would open camp as the starters, but I'm going off recollection of games from over a year ago now, we'll have to see.
Interior Linebacker - Who fills Dante's shoes and lines up next to Jace Lewis? Out the gate I'd guess it's Marcus Welnel or Michael Matthews - both RS Juniors that have been patiently waiting in backup roles. However, if rotation and use of depth from 2019 was any indicator could a younger guy like Braxton Hill be in the mix? Levi Jancaro and Tyler Flink could be guys to watch as well. Then there's obviously Justin Belknap, an Arizona grad-transfer, who we've not seen yet but I would expect to be a guy they'll expect to push for the starting role or a big support role right away.
Kicker - Brandon Purdy left the team after the 2019 season in pursuit of a career opportunity, leaving generally unproven guys left. If it weren't for the postponement of the 2020 season I'd assume Gabe Peppinger, a senior, would land. However now we've got transfer Jack Cooper on campus as well as Carver Gilman - both of whom have had extra time with the team, in the weight room, and working with the coaches. I don't really recall catching much kicking practice last year at the practices I saw so I have no clue what to expect here.
Tight End - The TE job in Montana's offense is mutli-faceted, Bobby wants blockers first and foremost, and he's got a stable of guys with years of experience that flash some good skill not just in the run game but as pass-catchers, Matt Rensvold and Bryson Deming mostly. Joey Elwell got some time as a true freshman too. Trase La Texier, now a senior is listed here, and Colton Curry a sophomore is another guy we've not seen much of yet. There's also the added x-factor of Cole Grossman who has flipped sides of the ball and gone from DE to TE, last I saw Cole he was a total mis-match in the passing game - has he been able to build up his blocking skills to meet the expectations of the coaching staff now?
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Those seem like the most wide-open spots that'll be worth watching unfold. I think there's plenty of other spots that we'll also want to keep an eye on.
- QB depth with the amount of new guys behind Cam who has made the most strides?
- Interior O-line starting grouping. Cook / Beaver have the tackle jobs with Andersen and Keintz in backup (is my guess). The interior just lost Cy Sirmon at center but played a heavy mix of Pillans, Mallory, and Ganoung - I'd venture those 3 will be the main guys for the starting job, who goes to center? And then where does depth shake out?
- Cornerback. We've got transfers in plus some young talent and I think we have an idea on the depth, but it'll be interesting to watch.
- Slot WR. I'm just assuming a healthy Gabe Sulser just gets the job as Mitch Roberts will move out to fill Toure's spot. Will Flowers finally break through? Could Keelan White get some reps?
Defensive End - I honestly have no clue how this position is shaping up. While we've got Gub and Alford at DT, the D-end spot seems to be wide open. Milton Mamula has entered the transfer portal, and Beau Braden who came in as a grad-transfer opted to leave this fall. Braydon Deming & Joe Babros return with the most experience. Jacob McGourin flashed some great skill in his 4 games he played last year to retain his redshirt. Meanwhile other much-hyped players like Alex Hurlburt & Lorenzo Brown could make it their year to make a move, add in experienced player RJ Nelson who missed part of the season in 2019 who is presumably healthy by now again. Bobby & his staff like upperclassmen to take the role, but the d-line going to have to rely on a handful of freshman here to fill out it's depth. I'd assume Deming and Babros would open camp as the starters, but I'm going off recollection of games from over a year ago now, we'll have to see.
Interior Linebacker - Who fills Dante's shoes and lines up next to Jace Lewis? Out the gate I'd guess it's Marcus Welnel or Michael Matthews - both RS Juniors that have been patiently waiting in backup roles. However, if rotation and use of depth from 2019 was any indicator could a younger guy like Braxton Hill be in the mix? Levi Jancaro and Tyler Flink could be guys to watch as well. Then there's obviously Justin Belknap, an Arizona grad-transfer, who we've not seen yet but I would expect to be a guy they'll expect to push for the starting role or a big support role right away.
Kicker - Brandon Purdy left the team after the 2019 season in pursuit of a career opportunity, leaving generally unproven guys left. If it weren't for the postponement of the 2020 season I'd assume Gabe Peppinger, a senior, would land. However now we've got transfer Jack Cooper on campus as well as Carver Gilman - both of whom have had extra time with the team, in the weight room, and working with the coaches. I don't really recall catching much kicking practice last year at the practices I saw so I have no clue what to expect here.
Tight End - The TE job in Montana's offense is mutli-faceted, Bobby wants blockers first and foremost, and he's got a stable of guys with years of experience that flash some good skill not just in the run game but as pass-catchers, Matt Rensvold and Bryson Deming mostly. Joey Elwell got some time as a true freshman too. Trase La Texier, now a senior is listed here, and Colton Curry a sophomore is another guy we've not seen much of yet. There's also the added x-factor of Cole Grossman who has flipped sides of the ball and gone from DE to TE, last I saw Cole he was a total mis-match in the passing game - has he been able to build up his blocking skills to meet the expectations of the coaching staff now?
------------
Those seem like the most wide-open spots that'll be worth watching unfold. I think there's plenty of other spots that we'll also want to keep an eye on.
- QB depth with the amount of new guys behind Cam who has made the most strides?
- Interior O-line starting grouping. Cook / Beaver have the tackle jobs with Andersen and Keintz in backup (is my guess). The interior just lost Cy Sirmon at center but played a heavy mix of Pillans, Mallory, and Ganoung - I'd venture those 3 will be the main guys for the starting job, who goes to center? And then where does depth shake out?
- Cornerback. We've got transfers in plus some young talent and I think we have an idea on the depth, but it'll be interesting to watch.
- Slot WR. I'm just assuming a healthy Gabe Sulser just gets the job as Mitch Roberts will move out to fill Toure's spot. Will Flowers finally break through? Could Keelan White get some reps?
