(Editor’s note: Montana Western athletics release)
DILLON — The Montana Western Football team has signed 23 new recruits on National Signing Day.
The recruits are from six states lead by Montana (11), Idaho (7), Nevada (2), and one each from California, Alaska, and Hawaii.
“We are very pleased with the initial signings for the class of 2018.” stated head coach Ryan Nourse, “We believe we addressed our need areas with outstanding student athletes that can compete at the top of the Frontier Conference. Our staff did an awesome job of assessing where we need players at the most, locating guys who are great fits for UMW and Bulldog Football and going out and securing them. I believe the guys from this class will make a huge impact on Bulldog Football and the Frontier Conference.”
Kolton Adkinson OL 6-1 260 Gooding, Idaho. / Gooding HS
Kolton was 2015 SCIC first-team All-Conference, 2016 SCIS second-team All-Conference and 2017 SCIS first-team All-Conference. “Kolton is a tough and physical blocker. He has a great motor and the ability to finish downfield blocks. We are excited to add Kolton into our offensive line group.” Stated head coach Ryan Nourse. Kolton plans to study Environmental Science. He is son to Monty and Trica Adkinson.
Resse Artz TE 6-3 230 Battle Mountain, Nev. / Battle Mountain HS
Reese is the 2017 Nevada 2A All-State and All-League Most Valuable Player. He led the division 2A in receiving yards with 650. “Reese is an incredible athlete,” stated head coach Ryan Nourse, “He can play tight end and block, split out and catch the ball as well as be dominant on the defensive side of the ball. What is most impressive is he never left the field and his motor never stopped. Reese has huge upside and will be a large part of the Bulldogs future success.” Reese is the son of Randy and Tamara Artz, He is undecided on a major.
Brendon Blood DB 5-11 170 Ronan, Mont. / Ronan HS
Brendon is a two time first-team All-Conference DB (2015, 2016). Blood’s senior season was cute short due to an injury in the first game. “Brendon had his senior year cut out from under him with a broken foot in the first game of the season. He would have been a certain all state and Shrine game pick. We were lucky enough to have him at summer camp to see firsthand his athleticism and competitive fire. He has the chance to compete at a high level in the secondary for our defense.” Coach Nourse on Brendon. Brendon plans to major in Health and Human Performance, he is son to John and Michelle Dolence.
Jaren Bothwell WR 5-9 155 Hailey, Idaho. / Wood River HS
Bothwell was a Second-Team All-Conference “Great Basin” wide receiver, he was also a Second-Team All-Conference return specialist. “Although not the biggest player, Jaren has quick feet, good hands and a sense for the game. Jaren is a great student and he loves to compete.” Stated Head Coach Ryan Nourse. Jaren plans to study Education in his time at Montana Western. He is son to Brian and Debbie Bothwell.
Justin Brown DL 6-4 230 Miles City, Mont. / CCDHS
Brown was All-State First-Team Montana at defensive end while also being named First-Team All-Conference. Brown was also named to Academic All-State. Justin and undetermined on his major. He is son to Buck and Lisa Brown. “Justin has physical attributes that you can’t teach. His height and length combined with his physicality and the effort he plays with are impressive. Justin loves to play football and he will certainly help the Bulldogs be successful.” Said head coach Ryan Nourse.
Jacob Caldwell DE 6-1 235 Missoula, Mont. / Frenchtown HS
“Jake is one of the top defensive players in Montana. He is explosive and physical. Few guys make as many plays as he did from a defensive line positon. He has natural defensive line skill and intangibles and can rush the passer rom any position on the defensive front. Jakes versatility will definitely add to our defensive front and attack.” Stated Head Coach Ryan Nourse. Caldwell averaged 14 tackles a game for 112.5 tackles on the season, with 63 of them being tackles for loss. He was named first-team all-conference, first team all-state, and Co-Defensive MVP for 1A. Caldwell is undecided on his major. He is son to Joel and Jennifer Caldwell.
Austin Green DB 5-11 230 Columbia Falls, Mont. / Columbia Falls HS
Austin is a three time All-Conference Safety, and an All-State Quarterback, while also being an All-State Pole vaulter, and an All-Conference Triple Jumper. But most impressive Austin has been Academic All-State 10 times so far carrying a 3.9 GPA. “Austin is a competitor, leader and an incredible student. He has great football intelligence and plays the game tough and physical and will add a lot to our secondary for years to come.” Stated head coach Ryan Nourse. Austin plans to major in Modern History and Secondary Education. Austin is son to Jodie and Chad Green.
Austin Grove DL 6-2 250 Moore, Mont. / Moore HS
Grove was named to second-team defensive tackle and first-team Guard in 2017. He will also be part of the 2018 All-Star Game. Head coach Ryan Nourse on Austin, “Austin has played all over the field in the 8 man game. His versatility as an athlete with his size is impressive. He has instincts and natural movement as a defensive lineman that you don’t see often at that level. Austin will bolster our defensive front for many seasons as a Bulldog.” Grove has been Academic All-State all four years of high school. His father is Stacy Grove. Austin plans to major in Business.
Hayden Guisti LB 6-1 180 Boulder, Mont. / Jefferson HS
Hayden was named to the All-State team, first-team All-Conference linebacker and running back, and he was the Defensive MVP. “Hayden has a great motor and is a tackling machine. He has great speed, size and athleticism. He has played all over the field for coach Layng and shown great versatility. We are excited to see what this will bring to our linebacker corps for the Bulldogs.” Stated Ryan Nourse. Hayden plans to study his generals. He is son to Tim and Brenda Guisti. Guisti was Academic All-State for four years, and National Honor Society for three years.
Bradley Hahn DB 5-11 185 Rigby, Idaho. / Rigby HS
“Bradley is a strong, physical and tough player. His attitude towards the game doesn’t change whether he’s on offense or defense, he is full speed and effort at all times. Bradley’s style of play along with his speed and intelligence will make him a quick asset to the Bulldogs.” Stated head coach Ryan Nourse. Bradley plans to major in Small Business Management.
Jacob Hammerberg DL 6-1 245 Kellogg, Idaho / Kellogg HS
Hammerberrg led his team in tackles for loss and sacks in his Junior and Senior seasons. He was two-time defensive All-League 3A-Idaho, One Time 3A-Idaho Offensive All-League, and Team Defensive MVP. “Jacob is a physical player with good athleticism to go with his size. Jacob is a great in the classroom and carries that over to the field with excellent football intelligence.” Coach Ryan Nourse on Jacob. Jacob plans to do his General Studies, before declaring a major. He is son to Jessica Croston and Greg Hammerberg.
Dalton Lemburg LB 6-2 190 Shepherd, Mont. / Shepherd HS
Lemburg led his team in sacks in 2017, he was also named to second-team All-Conference defensive line for the 2017 season. Coach Nourse commented, “Dalton has played both linebacker and defensive line. He is explosive and plays with incredible effort every snap of the game. These attributes will help Dalton develop into an explosive outside linebacker.” Dalton was named to Honor Roll and he received the Principal’s award. Dalton plans to study Business Administration. He is son to Chad and Colette Lemberg.
Max Mader LB 6-4 195 East Helena, Mont. / Helena HS
“Max had his senior season cut short with injury. However; what he was able to do in only 5 games was incredible. Max is a run and hit outside linebacker who can line up all over the field and really rush the passer. He will bring versatility and explosiveness to our linebacker corps.” Said coach Nourse. In Mader’s five games he recorded 30 tackles, 9 sacks, 13 hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick. He plans to major in Business. He is the son of Chris and Lisa Mader.
Kevin McCray Jr. DB 6-2 190 Las Vegas, Nevada / Sierra Vista HS
Kevin was named Second-Team All-Conference tight end in the 2017 season. “Kevin plays safety off of the hash as well as I have ever seen in high school. He has incredible instincts and keys to go along with his size and speed. At 6-2 190 Kevin can cover a lot of ground on the back end and fill like a linebacker. We believe Kevin will be a quick contributor to our defense.” Stated head coach Nourse. Kevin is Undecided on his major. He is son to Melody and Kevin McCray.
Aeron Milliron TE 6-3 245 Wasilla, AK. / Wasilla HS
Aeron was the 2016 All-Conference running back. 2017 All-Conference QB, while also being the All-State QB. In Milliron’s senior season he recorded 1,261 yards. He plans to major in Business. Aeron is son to Shannon and Richard Milliron. “Aeron has played quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker and safety in high school and has been one of the top players in Alaska. His versatility speaks to his athleticism. We believe Aeron will be able to play tight end at a high level in the Frontier Conference.” Said Head Coach Ryan Nourse.
Chayce Morgan DB/LB 6-2 200 Waianue, HI. / Nanakuli HS
Morgan was a Star Advertiser O1A Second-Team Utility, Hawaii All-State Team honorable mention CB, Scoringline all Hawaii D1 honorable mention Defense Utility. Chayce recorded 71 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 strips, 2 Interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns. Ryan Nourse on Morgan, “Chayce has played safety, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, tight end, punter and kicker. He is such a versatile and smart player he brings a lot of options to the table for us to use him at on our defense and will be a guy who can help create more diversity in our scheme.” He plans to major in Health and Human Performance. Morgan is son to Pernell and Misti Morgan.
John Perrigot QB 6-0 185 Rupert, Idaho / Minico HS
Perrigot was named the 2017 Great Basin Conference player of the year. While also being named to the second-team 4A All-State Quarterback 2017. “John is athletic quarterback who has excellent instincts throwing the ball. He sees the field and as a coaches kid has a grasp of the overall picture of each play. John’s a leader and an incredible student, as well as a student of the game. John is a competitor and will bring that fire to a talented quarterback group at Western.” Stated head coach Ryan Nourse. John plans to study in Business Administration. He is son to Tim and Keri Perrigot.
Carter Pribnow OL/LS 6-2 240 Butte, Mont. / Butte HS
Carter was a Class AA All-Conference Selection Honorable Mention center for the 2017 season. Pribnow took his classwork very seriously earning himself Class AA Academic All-State 2016-17 and 2017-18 in Basketball and Football. “Carter is a football guy. He has outstanding football intelligence and is able to transfer it to the field. He is a technician at his position and his best days as a player are ahead of him.” Stated Ryan Nourse. Carter was also a part of the National Honor Society in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Carter plans to study Secondary Education. He is Son to Craig and Julie Thomas, and Kerry and Dee Pribnow.
Dylan Pope DB 5-10 165 Sugar City, Idaho. / Sugar Salem HS
Pope in his senior season at Sugar Salem, recorded 111 tackles, 4 pass deflections, 7 interceptions, 3 fumble recovery’s and 1 defensive touchdown. Pope received numerous accolades his senior season; he was the Conference MVP, First-Team-All State, First-Team All-Area, and Second-Team All-USA Idaho Team. Dylan is planning on studying Psychology. Dylan is son to Trever, Mikki Pope, and Heather Galbraith. Head Coach Ryan Nourse on Pope, “Dylan is a sudden and fast athlete. He plays downhill and physical, plus he can cover sideline to sideline. He’s a competitor and winner and it shows up in the classroom and especially on the field.”
Jose (J.J) Ramirez OL 6-3 270 Atwater, Cal. / Atwater HS
JJ Ramirez is a 6-3 offensive lineman from Atwater, Calif. He will graduate from Atwater High School in May of 2018. He is a second team All-Central California Conference and also lettered in basketball and track. “JJ is a great athlete at 6-3 270.” Said head coach Ryan Nourse, “He can play any position on the offensive line. His tough and physical play drew us to him, but his ability to run and get second level blocks is the most impressive attribute of his game.” JJ is the son of Jose and Silvia Ramirez and plans to major in health and human performance.
Kyle Tabbert RB 5-6 150 Helena, Mont. / Helena HS
“Kyle is a fire cracker. He is explosive and sudden. His strength for his size is incredible. Kyle will bring a great change of pace to our run game and his ability as a slot receiver will add versatility to our offense.” Said head coach Ryan Nourse. Tabbert was named second-team All-Conference, All-State running back, and honorable mention at kick returner. Kyle plans to study Health and Human Performance. He is son to Scott and Joan Tabbert.
