Bobcats, Grizzlies load up on new talent

The Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats went different routes on national signing day. But the outcome was the same. Both the Grizzlies and Bobcats inked what could be considered two of the top recruiting classes in the Big Sky Conference on Wednesday afternoon. UM announced 19 new signees on Wednesday, new head coach Robin Pflugrad's first official class, Pflugrad, who took over for the departed Bobby Hauck last month, filled two important needs for the Grizzlies, signing three standout wide receivers to help replace graduated two-time all-american Marc Mariani, as well as senior Ty Palmer. UM also inked three transfer offensive lineman, all of which are already enrolled at Montana and are expected to shore up the line this fall. The Griz also did well out of Washington, signing seven Washington preps. Montana only signed three in-state players on Wednesday, all from Western Montana. Meanwhile, in Bozeman, MSU head coach Rob Ash had eight in-state standouts as part of his third recruiting class at MSU. Among the Bobcat recruits is Central A Conference standout and Belgrade star Matt Thibault. The Bobcats also signed Laurel wide receiver Brian Flotkoetter and six-man standout Rhett Young, who's older brother Chase Young played for Montana State-Northern for two seasons. Ash once again used the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas to help shore up the Bobcat roster. MSU inked seven Texas preps among its 18 signees.

Montana Recruits

# CJ ATKINS, WR, 6-2, 210, Jr., JC, Encino, Calif. (College of the Canyons)...Had 14 catches for 189 yards and a TD, three rushes for 43 yards, and he also returned kickoffs; originally signed with Washington State, participated in spring drills, but did not play there; Team MVP his senior year when he caught 25 passes for 320 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards on 21 carries.

# ALEX BIENEMANN, DT, 6-2, 275, Denver, Colo. (Regis Jesuit HS)...First team All-Colorado and all-league following his senior season; Team captain and team MVP and received his team's "Leadership Award"; Also earned two letters in lacrosse.

# DEREK CRITTENDON, DL, 6-3, 235, Whitefish, (Whitefish HS)...All-State Class A pick at linebacker in 2009; Two-time all-conference selection at linebacker and fullback

# JAKE HENDRICKSON, OG, 6-3 1/2, 285, Jr., JC, Gilbert, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC)...Currently enrolled at UM; Two-year starter at Scottsdale CC; Three-time letterman in high school at Seton Catholic High in Gilbert.

# JORDAN JOHNSON, QB, 6-1, 185, Fr., HS, Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon HS)...Oregon's 6A "Player of the Year" as a senior; Had 11,337 total yards of offense and 134 touchdowns in his prolific career; As a senior passed for 3,508 yards and 46 touchdowns and rushed for 1,091 yards and 20 Tds; Career totals included 8,188 yards and 84 Tds passing, 2,903 yards and 46 scores rushing.

# SEAN HAYNES, WR, 6-3, 183, Fr., HS, Los Angeles, Calif. (Bishop Alemany HS)...Averaged 20.3 yards per catch and had 30 receptions for 610 yards and five Tds as a senior; Finalist in the conference 400 meters as a junior with a personal best of 49.75.

# JOHN KANONGATA'A, LB, 5-11, 218, Fr., HS, Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue HS)...Two-time team captain on Bellevue High's back-to-back state championship teams in 2009 (12-2) and 2008 (14-0); Led his league in tackles as a senior, and also had seven forced fumbles and four interceptions; Two-time All-State player at linebacker; Named state's defensive player of year as senior.

# BRETT KIRSCHNER, RB, 5-10, 207, Fr., HS, Bellevue, Wash. (Interlake HS)...Had 2,193 yards of total offense and scored 26 touchdowns as a senior; Named All-State by Associated Press, Seattle Times, News Tribune, and Evergreen State Preps; King County 2A-3A offensive player of the year in 2009; Two-time team MVP at Interlake.

# DANNY KISTLER JR., OT, 6-8, 335, Fr., HS, Seattle, Wash. (O'Dea HS)...2009 high school graduate is currently enrolled at UM; All-league pick as a junior and senior; Preseason All-State choice as a senior in 2008 but missed most of the year due to injury.

# WILLIAM POEHLS, 6-8, 305, OT, Fr., HS, Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS)...A 5A first team All-State and all-region as a senior and all-region as a junior; Had a record of 16-2 in wrestling as a junior.

# TREVOR POOLE, DL, 6-5, 275, Fr., HS, Spokane, Wash. (Ferris HS)...Second generation Grizzly football as father, Scott, played OT for Grizzlies; An uncle, Shawn Poole, played DT for Montana; All-State and All-Tacoma News first team pick as a senior.

# AUSTIN REIFEIS, TE, 6-3, 230, Fr., HS, Sammamish, Wash. (Eastlake HS)...Team captain and winner of the "Ironman Award" as a senior; Had 45 receptions and 60 tackles his senior season; Two-time all-league selection at tight end and defensive end.

# STEPHEN SABIN, OG, 6-4, 305, Jr., JC, Chandler, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC)...Currently enrolled at UM; Teammate of UM signee Jake Hendrickson at Scottsdale CC, where he was two-year starter; First team All-State as senior in high school at Chandler High.

# MITCH SAYLOR, WR, 6-5, 210, Fr., HS, Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS in Camas WA)...First team all-region and all-league his senior year; All-State, conference and all-league pick as a junior when he had 45 catches for 765 yards and 15 touchdowns; Team MVP as a sophomore and junior.

# SHAY SMITHWICK-HANN, QB, 6-4, 210, Fr., HS, Kalispell, Mont. (Glacier HS)...Second generation Grizzly player whose father, Jim, played TE for UM; Passed for 1,900 yards and 10 Tds and rushed for 724 yards and 14 Tds as a senior, when he was named second team All- State quarterback; Passed for 2,340 yards and 22 scores as a junior; Also first team All-State basketball player as a junior and sophomore, and track letterman.

# TAYLOR TULIAUPUPU, LB, 6-0, 225, Fr., HS, LaVerne, Calif. (Claremont HS)...Had 90 tackles as a senior; Tema captain and all-league pick; Named team's defensive MVP as a junior and senior; Uncle is former San Francisco 49ers center Jesse Sapolu.

# BO TULLY, Safety, 6-2, 185, Fr., HS, Spokane, Wash. (Mead HS)...Named the Greater Spokane League's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior; First team All-State pick as senior when he had 55 tackles, eight INTs, and caught 26 passes for six Tds.

# ZACH WAGENMANN, DE, 6-3 1/2, 210, Fr., HS, Missoula, Mont. (Sentinel HS)...Second team All-State as a senior; First team all-conference pick in basketball as a junior; Team captain in football and basketball as a senior.

# JUSTIN WHITTED, Safety, 6-1, 175, Fr., HS, Los Angeles, Calif. (St. Bernard HS)...Had 65 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles on defense and caught 25 passes for 570 yards and six touchdowns on offense as senior; Chosen team's Player of the Year.

Montana State Recruits

# STEVEN BETHLEY, DB, 5-11, 220, Fr, Chino, CA (Don Antonio Lugo)...First Team All-Mt. Baldy Conference and All-Valley honors as a senior; First team all-league and Second team All-Inland Empire honors as a junior.

# PARKER BIGNELL, WR. 6-2, 200, Fr, Drummond...of Bobcat great Joe Bignell, who helped 1984 MSU team win national championship; All-State Class C; Had 89 tackles and three interceptions for Drummond's 2009 undefeated state chamions...Cousin of current Bobcats Clay and Brian Bignell.

# DAVID DASH, Athlete, 5-9, 175, Fr, Fontana, CA (A.B. Miller)...Rushed 132 times for 1,109 yards with 10 TD runs as a senior at Miller HS; Caught 31 passes for 520 yards and six touchdowns; Rushed for 216 yards on 16 carries against Eisenhower, and caught six passes for 144 yards against Crenshaw; Returned 12 kicks for 252 yards.

# TAYLOR DEES, DE, 6-2, 225, Fr, Worden, (Huntley Project)... Great Falls Tribune Super-State pick; Registered 10.5 sacks as a senior, leading Huntley Project to a state title.

# JOSH DIRKS, DB, 6-1, 200, Fr, Helena, (Capital)...Tribune Super-State pick; Led Class AA with eight interceptions last season, returning two for touchdowns; Caught 63 passes for 1,093 yards and 11 touchdowns in helping to lead Helena Capital to the state championship game.

# JOHN ELLIS, WR, 5-10, 180, Fr, Mansfield, Texas (Summit)... First team all-district choice who earned team MVP honors; Caught 41 passes for 714 yards and 10 touchdowns; Eight catches for 229 yards vs. Arlington Martin High.

# BRIAN FLOTKOETTER, WR, 6-2, 175, Fr, Laurel, (Laurel)... Caught 25 passes as a senior at Laurel for 492 yards; Scored six touchdowns on the season.

# MICHAEL FOSTER, LB, 6-1, 210, Fr, Seabrook, Texas (Clear Lake)...Earned first team all-district honors at Clearview High; Team MVP.

# SEAN GORDS, DB, 5-10, 185, Fr, Torrance, Calif. (North Torrance)...Earned First Team All-Pioneer League honors at North Torrance; Team MVP and Iron Man honors.

# ZACH LOGAN, DT, 6-3, 295, Fr, Deer Park, Texas (South)...First team all-district honors as a senior; Also first team all-district academic choice, and team MVP last fall.

# ROBERT MARSHALL, DB, 6-0, 185, Fr, Carrollton, Texas (Creekview)...Had 75 tackles with four interceptions in earning team defensive MVP honors...All-district choice as a junior and senior.

# NA'A MOEAKIOLA, LB, 5-11, 220, Fr, Euless, Texas (Trinity)...First team all-district honors as a senior, leading team to Texas 5A Championship...Teamed with current Bobcat QB Denarius McGhee to lead Trinity to 2008 state title.

# LEE PERKINS, TE, 6-2, 220, Fr, Great Falls, (Great Falls High)...Second team all-conference and honorable mention all-state honors at linebacker after battling injuries during his senior season; Chosen for the Montana East- West Shrine Game.

# TIAI SALANOA, TE, 6-3, 225, Fr, Oxnard, Calif. (Oxnard)... First Team All-Pacific View League, All-Ventura County Star, All-County and All-CIF choice; Pacific View League Defensive Lineman of the Year and team MVP last fall; Caught 21 passes for 355 yards and nine Tds as a senior, also registering 50 tackles with one sack and five pass breakups.

# KERRY SLOAN, RB, 5-11, 210, Fr, Harker Heights, Texas (Harker Heights)...Rushed for 2,524 yards and 25 touchdowns at Harker Heights, including 1,265 yards on 177 carries as a senior; First team all-district and all-region honors.

# MATTHEW THIBAULT, Athlete, 6-1, 185, Fr, Belgrade, (Belgrade)...Tribune Super-State pick; All-state Class A return specialist and strong safety; Returned 13 kicks for touchdowns during his career, including eight as a senior, when he averaged 47 yards per return.

# CONNOR VERLANIC, DE, 6-4, 205, Fr, Drummond, (Drummond)...Tribune Super-State pick; First team allconference and All-State honors as an offensive and defensive lineman; Teamed with Bobcat signee Parker Bignell to help lead Drummond to an undefeated Class C state championship; Brother of Bobcat offensive lineman Andrew Verlanic and Grizzly lineman Alex Verlanic, cousin of former Bobcat Jim Verlanic, and nephew of Ken Verlanic, who helped lead MSU to 1976 national title.

# RHETT YOUNG, LB, 6-0, 185, Fr, Augusta, (Augusta)... Tribune Super-State pick; All-State Six-man selection; Rushed for over 2,000 yards as a senior.