Was going to start this thread and then saw that Frank Gogola beat me to it....
Here are five storylines to follow during fall camp.
How deep could the offensive line be?
Junior college transfer Kordell Pillans began carving out a starting spot at guard during spring camp. Could Moses Mallory do the same as the other guard after transferring from junior college last month? The Griz already replaced retired center Cody Meyer with Cy Sirmon during the spring, and they bring back starting tackles Colton Keintz and Conlan Beaver as well as guard Skyler Martin, who took over late for returner Angel Villanueva. Then there’s Dallas Hart, Cole Sain, Sean Anderson, Brandon Scott and others to help Montana develop depth to give Sneed time and the running backs lanes.
Who gets the carries?
Speaking of running backs, Montana has a host of players to carry the ball, as long as they hold onto it. The 2018 starter, Adam Eastwood, is back after running for 514 yards in his first year since transferring from San Diego State. Junior college transfer Marcus Knight came on strong during the second half of spring camp, displaying his speed and explosiveness. Then there’s redshirt freshmen Drew Turner of Glacier, Levi Janacaro of Big Sky and potentially Eureka grad Garrett Graves. If all else fails, Sneed can carry the ball if needed, running for a team-best 675 yards last year.
How does the defensive front develop?
Montana lost two defensive line starters, had players step up in the spring and added transfers. Among the newcomers are Rocky Mountain College grad transfer Ryder Rice, former North Carolina State defensive end Joe Babros and ex-Washington State edge rusher Mason Vinyard. The Griz would be helped if tackle Alex Gubner and edge rusher Cole Grossman, who both showed flashes in the spring, build on that along with Eli Alford and Braydon Deming. If they do, maybe Jesse Sims could bounce out to his natural position on the end opposite of RJ Nelson and Jed Nagler, who was injured in November.
Who rises above at cornerback?
Montana brought in two cornerback transfers in Raeshawn Roland from junior college and Mykal Tolliver from Hawaii. They’ll try to earn a starting spot or add much-needed depth, pushing the returners along the way and potentially making them better. The Griz could use that competition at a thin group that brings back two starters in Dareon Nash and Justin Calhoun, who are both converted wide receivers, as well as backup Josh Egbo. Then there’s Kadeem Hemphill, who didn’t play last fall but announced his presence during spring camp by breaking up passes and could be in line for playing time.
Who handles the kicking and punting duties?
Montana will have a new starting kicker and punter this season. Glacier grad Brandon Purdy, the 2017 starter, and Montana State transfer Gabe Peppenger, a Sentinel grad who sat out last fall, split field goal and extra-point kicking duties during spring camp when 2018 starter, Tim Semenza, declined to return for his final season because he took a job. Punters Adam Wilson and Butte grad Nate Morin-Ferguson split duties in the spring as Montana replaces Eric Williams. The Griz return their kickoff and punt returners, but it’ll be interesting to see who gets the reps where for Hauck, a special teams guru.
http://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/five-storylines-to-follow-as-montana-grizzlies-open-fall-camp/article_bedd3b41-d838-59d2-bf62-6a52b3a2b7ef.html
Here are five storylines to follow during fall camp.
How deep could the offensive line be?
Junior college transfer Kordell Pillans began carving out a starting spot at guard during spring camp. Could Moses Mallory do the same as the other guard after transferring from junior college last month? The Griz already replaced retired center Cody Meyer with Cy Sirmon during the spring, and they bring back starting tackles Colton Keintz and Conlan Beaver as well as guard Skyler Martin, who took over late for returner Angel Villanueva. Then there’s Dallas Hart, Cole Sain, Sean Anderson, Brandon Scott and others to help Montana develop depth to give Sneed time and the running backs lanes.
Who gets the carries?
Speaking of running backs, Montana has a host of players to carry the ball, as long as they hold onto it. The 2018 starter, Adam Eastwood, is back after running for 514 yards in his first year since transferring from San Diego State. Junior college transfer Marcus Knight came on strong during the second half of spring camp, displaying his speed and explosiveness. Then there’s redshirt freshmen Drew Turner of Glacier, Levi Janacaro of Big Sky and potentially Eureka grad Garrett Graves. If all else fails, Sneed can carry the ball if needed, running for a team-best 675 yards last year.
How does the defensive front develop?
Montana lost two defensive line starters, had players step up in the spring and added transfers. Among the newcomers are Rocky Mountain College grad transfer Ryder Rice, former North Carolina State defensive end Joe Babros and ex-Washington State edge rusher Mason Vinyard. The Griz would be helped if tackle Alex Gubner and edge rusher Cole Grossman, who both showed flashes in the spring, build on that along with Eli Alford and Braydon Deming. If they do, maybe Jesse Sims could bounce out to his natural position on the end opposite of RJ Nelson and Jed Nagler, who was injured in November.
Who rises above at cornerback?
Montana brought in two cornerback transfers in Raeshawn Roland from junior college and Mykal Tolliver from Hawaii. They’ll try to earn a starting spot or add much-needed depth, pushing the returners along the way and potentially making them better. The Griz could use that competition at a thin group that brings back two starters in Dareon Nash and Justin Calhoun, who are both converted wide receivers, as well as backup Josh Egbo. Then there’s Kadeem Hemphill, who didn’t play last fall but announced his presence during spring camp by breaking up passes and could be in line for playing time.
Who handles the kicking and punting duties?
Montana will have a new starting kicker and punter this season. Glacier grad Brandon Purdy, the 2017 starter, and Montana State transfer Gabe Peppenger, a Sentinel grad who sat out last fall, split field goal and extra-point kicking duties during spring camp when 2018 starter, Tim Semenza, declined to return for his final season because he took a job. Punters Adam Wilson and Butte grad Nate Morin-Ferguson split duties in the spring as Montana replaces Eric Williams. The Griz return their kickoff and punt returners, but it’ll be interesting to see who gets the reps where for Hauck, a special teams guru.
http://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/five-storylines-to-follow-as-montana-grizzlies-open-fall-camp/article_bedd3b41-d838-59d2-bf62-6a52b3a2b7ef.html
