Griz football adds 24 new recruits

While snow blankets the turf of the Washington-Grizzly Stadium this off-season, head football coach Robin Pflugrad is still hard at work.

On Wednesday, Pflugrad was optimistic about the future success of the 24 recruits who will don maroon come fall.

The signees included seven from the state of Montana, six from Washington and five from California.

"This year, we felt like we got every single Montana player that we wanted," said Pflugrad, who was named Big Sky Conference coach of the year last season.

The third-year head coach highlighted players who represent Montana high schools, including quarterback Brady Gustafson and defensive ends Zach Peevey and Caleb Kidder.

Peevey, the lone Missoulian to sign with the Grizzlies, attends Hellgate High School. The 230-pound defensive end was an honorable mention All-State selection last season, as well as a two-year starter for the basketball team.

"I see him as a large, ever-ready bunny rabbit," Pflugrad said. "I really like his motor —he'll run into the wall, he'll run into the bleachers. He just goes, and goes and goes."

 In addition to Peevey, 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end Caleb Kidder of Capital High School also signed with the Griz.

Kidder led the 12-1 Bruins to a Class AA state championship last season, while compiling 97 tackles, 13 sacks and six forced fumbles.

"We wanted to do what everyone in Griz Nation wants you to do, and that's get the Montana players," Pflugrad said.

On the offensive side, Gustafson, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound signal-caller from Billings West High School, is the only quarterback in the 2012 recruiting class.

"He has great velocity and arm strength. He can throw under pressure, and actually reminds me of the delivery of a Drew Bledsoe type of quarterback," Pflugrad said.

The 23 other signees include four transfers and 19 prep players.

The only recruit not from the West Coast is 6-foot-7, 280-pound O-lineman Todd McCauley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

McCauley attended the Montana vs. Northern Iowa playoff game this fall and was sold on Griz football after its 48-10 victory.

"He fell in love with Missoula, he fell in love with the stadium and the fans, and more importantly our players," Pflugrad said of the "big, corn-fed boy."

Pflugrad hopes the lone Iowan and the rest of the large recruiting class will begin to fill the void of the 22 seniors from last season.

Former players Trumaine Johnson and Caleb McSurdy, who are currently training for the NFL Draft, highlight the list of the 13 key starters who must be replaced come next fall.

Along with the daunting amount of roster spots to fill, Pflugrad also has two vacant coaching positions to take care of this off-season.

Defensive coordinator Mike Breske assumed the same position for Washington State, while offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith became quarterback coach for Boise State.

"Those are great opportunities for those two coaches," Pflugrad said. "They're outstanding coaches, and they'll do great for their new programs."

While there are vacancies everywhere you look on the Grizzly starting lineup, Pflugrad remains optimistic about the future.

"We recruited an excellent class in terms of speed and in growth potential," Pflugrad said.

The Griz will open the 2012 season in a non-conference home game against the South Dakota Coyotes.

dustin.askim@umontana.edu

Montana Grizzlies Class of 2012

Ryan Burke- WR-6-4-195 Fr.- HS-Billings, Mont. (Central Catholic HS)

Jacob Coogan- Safety-6-2-205-Jr.-JC-San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College)

Hayden Craig-TE 6-5-246- Fr.- HS-Dayton, Ore. (Dayton HS)

Joey Counts-RB-5-9-205-Fr.- HS- Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Ridge HS)

Devon Dietrich-OL- 6-5- 260- Fr.-HS-Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville HS)

Herbert Gamboa- LB-6-1-215-Fr.-HS-San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)

Anthony Goodwin- CB-6-1-190-Jr.- JC-Temecula, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio JC)

Harrison Greenberg- PK- 5-8-155- Fr.-HS-Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Oswego HS)

Brady Gustafson- QB- 6-7- 210-Fr.-HS-Billings, Mont. (West HS)

Bo Harris - DL- 6-3-260- Fr.-HS- Fairfield, Mont. (Fairfield HS)

Ellis Henderson**-Athlete-6-0-180-Fr.-HS-Vancouver, Wash. (U of Hawaii/Skyview HS)

Nick Holt**- LB- 6-0-230-Fr.-TR-Seattle, Wash. (Univ. of Washington)

Tyrone Holmes- DL- 6-4-265-Fr.-HS-Eagle Point, Ore. (Eagle Point HS)

Ryan Johnson- DL- 6-2 ½-235-Fr.-HS-Vancouver, Wash. (Mountain View HS)

Max Kelly- OT- 6-7-265-Fr.-HS-Spokane, Wash. (Gonzaga Prep)

Caleb Kidder- DE- 6-5-240-Fr.-HS- Helena, Mont. (Capital HS)

Jeremiah Kose- LB- 6-2-225-So.-JC-Oceanside, Calif. (Palomar College)

Clint LaRowe- OT-6-5-250-Fr.-HS-Miles City, Mont. (Custer County City HS)

Chase Naccarato- WR- 5-8-160-Fr.-HS-Spokane, Wash., (Mt. Spokane HS)

JR Nelson- CB-6-2-172-Fr.-HS-Haceinda Heights, Calif. (Glen Wilson HS)