2023 FCS Top 25: No. 3 Montana State Football Preview
Montana State football ranks No. 3 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Bobcats lost 39-18 to South Dakota State in the 2022 FCS semifinals, finishing 12-2 overall and 12-1 vs. the FCS.
Here’s a look at this year’s MSU squad.
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1st Team
FB Derryk Snell
DT Sebastian Valdez
DE Brody Grebe
2nd Team
QB Tommy Mellott
OL Rush Reimer
AP Sean Chambers
3rd Team
OL JT Reed
KR Marqui Johnson
Honorable Mention
OL Justus Perkins
LB Nolan Askelson
Transfers Lost To The FBS (2)
Isaiah Ifanse (RB) to Cal
Blake Glessner (K) to UCLA
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
Jaharie Martin (FB) to Maine
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (5)
Ty McCullouch (WR), Colorado State
Garrett Walchli (WR), Utah State
Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (WR), Washington
Brendan Hall (P), SMU
Julius Davis (RB), Wisconsin
Despite having a new-look offensive line, and despite having numerous injuries to the running backs (including 2022 No. 1 returning FCS RB Isaiah Ifanse missing the entire regular season), MSU still had a dominant rushing attack last year. The Bobcats ranked No. 2 in the subdivision with 311.9 rushing yards per game and No. 3 in scoring offense (42.9 points per game).
The Bobcats should be even better on the ground in 2023.
MSU started three sophomores, a freshman, and a junior on the o-line during the playoffs. All five are back in Rush Reimer (6’5″ 309 lbs), JT Reed (6’3″ 293 lbs), Justus Perkins (6’0″ 284 lbs), Cole Sain (6’4″ 289 lbs), and Jacob Kettels (6’4″ 290 lbs). MSU also returns Marcus Wehr (6’2″ 300 lbs) and Omar Aigbedion (6’3″ 299 lbs), two players who started games/played meaningful snaps. MSU has a lot of options in finding the best starting five with good depth behind them.
MSU’s rushing attack starts up front and is then spearheaded by the two-headed QB monster of Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers. Both had injuries at different times during 2022, but when they were healthy at the same time, the Bobcats found success having them on the field together.
Mellott (6’0″ 209 lbs) is 12-1 vs. FCS opponents as a full-game starter. He earned All-Big Sky Second Team and HERO Sports Sophomore All-American honors last year, throwing for 1,698 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions while rushing for 1,061 yards and 13 TDs. Chambers (6’3″ 228 lbs) transferred last season from Wyoming. He earned Third Team AP All-American honors as an all-purpose player, plus Big Sky Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-Conference accolades. Chambers ran for 845 yards and 19 TDs (No. 2 in the FCS) while throwing for 623 yards, eight scores, and four interceptions.
The two leading rushers were the two quarterbacks. But there is depth at RB in 2023, even with Ifanse transferring to the FBS. Elijah Elliott ran for 726 yards last fall, Lane Sumner had three 100-yard games in the first five contests before a season-ending injury, and Jared White is a young RB with high potential who also missed most of last season with an injury. MSU also added transfer Julius Davis from Wisconsin this offseason.
Kaegun Williams, who transferred last season from San Diego State and was expected to play a significant role before a neck injury sidelined him for the year, has retired after going through spring ball.
To take the next step after a 2021 national title game appearance and a 2022 semifinal appearance in two years under head coach Brent Vigen, the Bobcats will need a stronger passing game to be more competitive deep in the bracket. MSU finished No. 87 in FCS passing offense (183.2 YPG).
Last year’s leading receiver Willie Patterson is gone. But the next two pass-catchers return. WR Clevan Thomas Jr. and TE Derryk Snell each had 21 catches for around 320 yards and two touchdowns. MSU also brought in three FBS transfers at WR: Ty McCullouch (Colorado State), Garrett Walchli (Utah State), and Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (Washington).
The MSU defense took a step back last season, allowing 27.69 points per game compared to 15.07 in 2021. The two leaders from the 2022 unit have graduated — LB Callahan O’Reilly (No. 1 tackler) and safety/nickel Ty Okada (No. 3 tackler). MSU also loses three experienced DBs — James Campbell (CB), Tyrel Thomas (CB), and Jeffrey Manning Jr. (safety).
The good news for the Bobcats is their defensive line remains intact and should be one year better. It’s a unit that needs to be stronger to contend with the No. 1 and No. 2 FCS teams SDSU and NDSU. Six of the eight DL on the 2022 two-deep were sophomores or freshmen, and the other two were juniors. DT Sebastian Valdez and DE Brody Grebe were First Team All-Big Sky selections as sophomores and are two talented players to lead the d-line.
MSU will have two solid linebackers returning in Danny Uluilakepa (77 tackles) and Nolan Askelson (63 tackles). Rylan Ortt started the final six games last season and will be a key player at the safety/nickel position. Simeon Woodard is now a veteran starter to lock down one of the cornerback spots.
Even with a tough road schedule, a dominant defense won’t be needed to win the Big Sky since MSU’s offense will be hanging 40 on conference foes. But to become a legit national title contender, the Bobcats need to show improvement on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
9/2 vs Utah Tech
9/9 at No. 1 South Dakota State
9/16 vs Stetson
9/23 at No. 11Weber State
9/30 vs Portland State
10/14 vs Cal Poly
10/21 at No. 10Sacramento State
10/28 at No. 5Idaho
11/4 vs Northern Arizona
11/11 vs Eastern Washington
11/18 at No. 16Montana
HERO Sports’ rankings
Bold indicates Big Skygames
