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How did the Griz poach some of Big Sky top talent?

G

GlacierGrizX

Well-known member
A couple friends and I were talking about how Griz landed some previous top talent from other Big Sky teams. We got the Portland LB, EWU playmaker, and I think maybe a Vandal DB?

Are we floating out good NIL money, coaches knocking on doors, our ability to get some players to the pros, our facilities? I was just curious, as we got a greater amount of Big Sky talent than normal, plus all-conference to boot.
 
(Add in a TE from UC Davis)

My guess there's a few parts to it. When these guys come play at UM, or I'll admit it at MSU, they see an environment and crowd they don't experience elsewhere, even in their play-up games. It's fun to want to be a part of it. Add in that there's really just 2 programs in the whole conference who are steadily at / near the top and when you're on a team that's up and down - or just continually bad - maybe you want to part of a more fun and successful program. MSU as we all know has built their roster real well and don't rely on transfers right now as much as Montana, so opportunities here are greater to transfer in and play than in Bozeman.

If you're the best linebacker at PSU (for example) and you're weighing these options, which would you do:

- Stay at PSU and go sub-.500

- Walk on to some sub-tier Mountain West team maybe

- Transfer to another school that is more up and down with success but will guarantee you a starting job, lets say NAU, Idaho, Davis.

- Transfer to Montana or Montana State, land the starting job, and play 8+ games annually in their stadiums and presumably be in good shape for playoff appearances, deeper runs, and more looks from NFL/CFL scouts.
 
It’s all a crap shoot anymore. We saw a starter from MSU transfer to Idaho. We’ve seen top players move in conference before.

I think familiarity had something to do with these particular guys though. We recruited a couple of them before they committed to their previous teams. We also have some guys like Robby out there with connections. Brint’s points are spot on with his take. I think this year so many guys were
going to move due to impending house settlement nationwide that our staff was watching the portal like a hawk and pounced on guys from the conference that we knew were ballers among other talent. Our plan in the spring appeared to be build while others were thinning and take top talent into 2026 when we needed to thin. We got lucky and we will see how it pays off.
 
BWahlberg said:
(Add in a TE from UC Davis)

My guess there's a few parts to it. When these guys come play at UM, or I'll admit it at MSU, they see an environment and crowd they don't experience elsewhere, even in their play-up games. It's fun to want to be a part of it. Add in that there's really just 2 programs in the whole conference who are steadily at / near the top and when you're on a team that's up and down - or just continually bad - maybe you want to part of a more fun and successful program. MSU as we all know has built their roster real well and don't rely on transfers right now as much as Montana, so opportunities here are greater to transfer in and play than in Bozeman.

If you're the best linebacker at PSU (for example) and you're weighing these options, which would you do:

- Stay at PSU and go sub-.500

- Walk on to some sub-tier Mountain West team maybe

- Transfer to another school that is more up and down with success but will guarantee you a starting job, lets say NAU, Idaho, Davis.

- Transfer to Montana or Montana State, land the starting job, and play 8+ games annually in their stadiums and presumably be in good shape for playoff appearances, deeper runs, and more looks from NFL/CFL scouts.
Click to expand...
These are reasons as good as any, but like I said earlier on another thread, it's hard to get inside another person's head, and a 20-23 year old these days doesn't think like I did at that age. Plus, there are more opportunities for talented players with the portal and such.

Other than having your fill of playing on a high school field or an overrated Boise State rip off, I think it could also come down to kids that were recruited to play who looked at the talent around at the schools they had on their short list and they went to the first stop because they saw the opportunity to get onto the field quicker. At this point, they can see the role they fit in and really liked the place so now they are ready to make the jump.

Lots of possible explanations though.
 
Hmmm... Perhaps our stadium and Champions Center factored in too? Plus, Missoula is a bumpin', edgy university town. Pocatello, for instance, is not. Or Greely, or... well, you get it.
 
Griz didn't poach. Poaching is an illegal activity and in business, which is the context the word is used, it is unfairly or secretly take employees, clients, or ideas from another company. Everyone else explained the reasons players from other BSC team came to play for the Griz.
 
While not a complete comprehensive list for every player, it’s called $$, facilities, fanbase, play-offs and college town. It’s fairly simple to figure out if you think on it for a bit.
 
Regardless of what other Big Sky teams may think of the Griz, we’re the envy of everyone. And when you have an opportunity to be a part of this, it’s hard to say no to.
 
Griz til I die said:
Regardless of what other Big Sky teams may think of the Griz, we’re the envy of everyone. And when you have an opportunity to be a part of this, it’s hard to say no to.
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You’re deluded. So is Montana St. Hardly anyone envies you. Teams like Boise, BYU, anyone in the SEC, yes. But you guys are just regular Joe’s in a small pond. Sorry to ruin your delusion.
 
8poky8 said:
You’re deluded. So is Montana St. Hardly anyone envies you. Teams like Boise, BYU, anyone in the SEC, yes. But you guys are just regular Joe’s in a small pond. Sorry to ruin your delusion.
Click to expand...
The comparison wasn't to P4 teams, but since you are bottom of the barrel and haven't seen the light of the playoffs since 1983, your opinion here means nothing.
Enjoy another season of football in your quonset hut.
 
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8poky8 said:
You’re deluded. So is Montana St. Hardly anyone envies you. Teams like Boise, BYU, anyone in the SEC, yes. But you guys are just regular Joe’s in a small pond. Sorry to ruin your delusion.
Click to expand...
There are maybe 3 FCS programs that don’t envy UM as a whole, and every single one of them envy the game day atmosphere of both Montana schools. Come take a visit from your oversized cellar and you’ll see how football was meant to be seen.
 
8poky8 said:
You’re deluded. So is Montana St. Hardly anyone envies you. Teams like Boise, BYU, anyone in the SEC, yes. But you guys are just regular Joe’s in a small pond. Sorry to ruin your delusion.
Click to expand...
Yeah, envy is not the case in point; hatred?.. I can believe that, though. Why so much hatred? Envious of facilities, team support, great crowds, great teams, etc., etc., etc.
 
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