Adam Jones write up

[406football]

You asked why they "stopped" recruiting Montana and I said they hadn't. This is different than not getting.

wording on my part was poor.

 

[UncleRico]

wording on my part was poor.

I think it helps if you have another coach or two on staff that have connections to the state in recruiting. Griz had Paulson, Germer, Jace and Shann Schillinger etc.. under Bobby. and all deep roots. Cats had BJ, Armstrong, Ioane etc,, If Ryder Meyer decided to be a grad assistant and get into coaching he would be great at that as would his brother Tucker.

 

[birdieman]

We most definitely are not getting the best of Montana. You can look at Vim's list and look at the past few years and you will see where the top talent is going.

I would like to see us secure the top of talent Montana has to offer.

I would argue that the Griz 2024 class of Montana kids were better than the bubz recruits, or at the very least a toss up. Time will tell on that. Goicoechea, Keim, Sirmon, and Walker will make an impact in the coming years. I can't argue with the claim the better Montana players from the 2023 class at this point went to the bubz. Their recruits are already making big contributions. But Opitz, Oven, and Buehler from that class will make an impact for the Griz this coming year as well.
As far as the 2025 class, according to Vim's list, the bubz out recruited us when it comes to getting the top Montana kids. But I will say this, and I am sure I will get a lot of push back on this, but talking to a few coaches in the state whose opinion I do respect, their take is that the overall talent of top players in Montana was just not there this year. Vim had no "Rare Ones" on his list for 2025, and I would argue only a couple of the "Blue Chips" on his list this year would make that list in the two previous years.
The other argument I will make when it comes to recruiting Montana kids is because of the portal, the recruiting landscape has changed dramatically in just the last couple years. Kids from Montana who even three years ago would have received at least partials at Montana or montana state don't even get a sniff in today's recruiting world. NAIA is their only option, and unfortunately some of those under the radar players never get the chance to develop and play at the FCS level. This translates to less Montana kids at either school. For each to have close to 50 Montana kids on their rosters this year is great. But is it sustainable? With the new portal, there are other high school players available in other states who are extremely talented who are being overlooked as well, and I think you can see we are going aggressively after those as well.
There are some possible "Rare Ones" in the 2026 Montana class. The Griz coaches have taken notice and have put out offers already to some of them. But the reality is this. Winning is important to the fanbase. You only have to read the comments on any of the recruiting threads on egriz to see how important it is. One year wonders won't cut it. I counted 19 kids from North Dakota on the bison team this year, and 25 from South Dakota on the SDSU team roster, mostly freshman or redshirt freshmen. Griz fans are calling for us to build a team to compete with the XDSU teams. Do we need to use their blueprint to success to go outside the state even more if we are to compete with them?

 

[406football]

I would argue that the Griz 2024 class of Montana kids were better than the bubz recruits, or at the very least a toss up. Time will tell on that. Goicoechea, Keim, Sirmon, and Walker will make an impact in the coming years. I can't argue with the claim the better Montana players from the 2023 class at this point went to the bubz. Their recruits are already making big contributions. But Opitz, Oven, and Buehler from that class will make an impact for the Griz this coming year as well.
As far as the 2025 class, according to Vim's list, the bubz out recruited us when it comes to getting the top Montana kids. But I will say this, and I am sure I will get a lot of push back on this, but talking to a few coaches in the state whose opinion I do respect, their take is that the overall talent of top players in Montana was just not there this year. Vim had no "Rare Ones" on his list for 2025, and I would argue only a couple of the "Blue Chips" on his list this year would make that list in the two previous years.
The other argument I will make when it comes to recruiting Montana kids is because of the portal the recruiting landscape has changed dramatically in just the last couple years. Kids from Montana who even three years ago would have received at least partials at Montana or montana state don't even get a sniff in today's recruiting world. NAIA is their only option, and unfortunately some of those under the radar players never get the chance to develop and play at the FCS level. This translates to less Montana kids at either school. For each to have close to 50 Montana kids on the roster this year is great. But is it sustainable? With the new portal, there are other high school players available in other states who are extremely talented who are being overlooked as well, and I think you can see we are going aggressively after those as well.
There are some possible "Rare Ones" in the 2026 Montana class. The Griz coaches have taken notice and have put out offers already to some of them. But the reality is this. Winning is important to the fanbase. You only have to read the comments on any of the recruiting threads on egriz to see how important it is. One year wonders won't cut it. I counted 19 kids from North Dakota on the bison team this year, and 25 from South Dakota on the SDSU team, mostly freshman or redshirt freshmen. Griz fans are calling for us to build a team to compete with the XDSU teams. Do we need use their blueprint to success to go outside the state even more if we are to compete with them?

Good response. I am also in the HS coaching scene and know most all AA and the top A talent. I would agree that this is a down year, but still think getting top Montana talent has to be a priority. I just notice over the course of decades the impact Montana kids have had on the team culture and winning. I am fully aware we need to recruit elsewhere.

We do have some studs on the roster that you mentioned that I had forgotten about. Excited to see how they progress.

I appreciate the thoughtful response!

 

[birdieman]

Good response. I am also in the HS coaching scene and know most all AA and the top A talent. I would agree that this is a down year, but still think getting top Montana talent has to be a priority. I just notice over the course of decades the impact Montana kids have had on the team culture and winning. I am fully aware we need to recruit elsewhere.

We do have some studs on the roster that you mentioned that I had forgotten about. Excited to see how they progress.

I appreciate the thoughtful response!

Couldn't agree more..