Transfer transformation: How Montana's football roster has changed since December

Montana has added 13 transfers and 19 high school signees to its football roster since December. The transfer rule granting players immediate eligibility was in effect this year. Head coach Bobby Hauck is trying to build a team for next August. Montana has had success with transfers in the past. The coach wants to adapt to the new rules and be better than other teams with recruiting. He wants his team to be Big Sky and national title contenders. It's not easy to change the transfer rules.

Montana has five new transfers on its roster. Lucas Johnson, Jayden Dawson, Garrett Hustedt, Cooper Barnum, A.J. Abbott and Andrew Travillion are the most recent transfers. Montana has also signed eight new players since the conclusion of spring camp. The team is currently ranked No. 25 in the FCS. It is the first time since December that Montana's team has had so many new recruits. They are: Quarterback Lucas J. Johnson (6-3, 215), defensive end Garrett. Hustingt (2-2, 230), linebacker Robert Whitehead (5-11, 170), wide receiver Sawyer Racanelli (3-5, 210), and offensive tackle Chris Walker ( 6-6, 290).

UM has 19 true freshmen on its roster. 18 of them joined this fall. The offensive players are quarterback Kaden Huot, running back Eli Gillman, offensive linemen Ethan Barney, Michael Ray, wide receiver Ian Finch and tight end Joe Weida. Defense players include Braunson Henriksen, Ben McGourin, Jareb Ramos, Marcus Evans, Vincent Genatone and Cooper Walton, safeties Chase McGurran and Joey Visser, and athletes Tyson Rostad, Drew Klumph and Beau Dantic.

Brian Buschini went to Nebraska, while slot receiver Gabe Sulser went from Texas to Montana. Robbie Patterson, Drew Turner, Ryan Arntson, Colten Curry, Matt Simkins, Lorenzo Brown, Chase Johansen, Autjoe Soe, Carver Gilman, safety Soren Syvrud, Bo Kinney, Trevor Welnel, Noah Ambuehl and Skyler Martin have left the team. Dylan Mayginnes transferred in from Washington State after the 2021 season but medically retired.

There have been jersey changes on the UVA football roster. Five players have changed their jersey numbers. Justin Ford went from No. 21 to No 6, Aaron Fontes changed from number 16 to number 14, Kale Edwards is now No 0 instead of No 40, Noah Kaschmitter went to #69, Journey Grimsrud went up from #98 to No 76.