Ash and his MSU staff brought 21 new players into the fold on Wednesday, joining with three student-athletes who transferred to MSU at the start of the current semester.
“We're very excited about this group of kids,” Ash said. “We really only had half a recruiting cycle since we came here in June, and the fact that we were able to put such a strong class together is a testimony to the coaching staff and also to this group of kids for buying into our program and what we want to accomplish here.”
Ash said this year's recruits, taken as a class, strengthen the Bobcats across the board.
“Counting our junior college transfers, we addressed virtually all our needs with this group of kids,” he said. “That was difficult without being able to follow the normal recruiting timetable. But the thing that really makes this class satisfying is that these were highly sought-after kids, players that had lots of choices and were heavily recruited.
“Most had multiple FCS offers, and we're excited they made Montana State their top choice.”
January transfers
Matt Harris, LB, 6-1, 230, jr., Mission Viejo, Calif. (Orange Coast JC): Orange Coast's Defensive Player of the Year last fall, logging 47 tackles, including five for a loss and two sacks, with five quarterback hurries..
Mark Iddins, QB, 6-3, 205, jr. Mukilteo, Wash. (Santa Ana JC): All-Mission Conference QB who ranks as one of Rivals.com's top JC signal callers... threw for 2,432 yards in 10 games last fall, posting 17-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a .523 completion percentage.
Anthony Patterson, OL, 6-4, 300, jr., Oakmont, Calif. (Sierra JC): Helped lead his Sierra College team to a 9-2 record and conference championship last fall... Four-year varsity wrestler at Oakmont.
High school signees
James Andrews, DB, 6-1, 180, fr, Rockwall, Texas: Earned second team all-district honors as a cornerback, snagging two interceptions... also a track standout.
Matt Bernard, OL, 6-3, 297, fr., Gig Harbor, Wash: First-team 4A All-State selection who also earned all-conference honors... Tacoma New Tribune First Team All-Area selection... Blue Chip recruit by Seattle Times.
Brian Bignell, DL, 6-1, 205, fr, Helena (Capital): An all-state and all-conference selection, and co-defensive MVP in Class AA. .. Chosen for the Montana Shrine and Mon-Dak all-star games, and also a basketball and track standout.
Jake Chilton, DB, 6-0, 185, fr, Billings (Central): All-state defensive back as a senior for Class A state champion Billings Central.
Zach Coleman, DB, 5-10, 158, fr., Cedar Hill, Texas (Bishop Dunne): Second team all-state among private schools and first team all-district... registered 40 tackles with two interceptions and 11 passes broken up.
Reil Cornelius, WR, 6-3, 180, fr, Helena (Helena High): Earned all-state honors at receiver and defensive back... caught 45 passes for 600 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.
Jason Cunningham, K, 6-1, 162, fr., Armarillo, Texas (Tascosa): A second team all-district kicker, he was also a soccer standout at Tascosa.
Turner Daines, OL, 6-3, 265, fr, Billings (Central): Earned first team All-State Class A honors, as well as all-conference honors on the offensive and defensive lines.
Ryan Damberger, TE, 6-1, 215, fr, Bozeman: A first team all-conference tight end for Bozeman, who also earned second team all-state honors... His father Butch is a former Bobcat player and assistant coach.
Derek DeJong, DE, 6-4, 215, fr, Manhattan: Earned all-state and all-conference honors playing both lines for Manhattan High, logging 75 tackles and 10 sacks on defense. Earned a spot in the Montana Shrine Game.
Jimmy Ekumah, LB, 5-11, 205, fr., Arlington, Texas: An explosive linebacker who earned second team all-district honors at Arlington Bowie.
Ricky Evans, RB, 6-0, 163, fr., Grand Prairie, Texas (South): Earned first team all-area as a return specialist, and gained 750 yards rushing as a senior, scoring 11 touchdowns.
Steven Foster, TE, 6-5, 240, fr, Helena (Helena High): An all-conference and all-state selection for Class AA. ... Chosen for the Montana Shrine and Mon-Dak all-star games.
Rick Haluszka, QB, 6-2, 195, fr., Harlem: A first team all-state quarterback who also earned all-conference honors at linebacker and second team all-conference honors as a punter. ... Chosen for the Montana Shrine Game. From MSU Coach Rob Ash:
Heath Howard, DB, 5-10, 180, fr. Plentywood: An all-state and all-conference cornerback for the Class B Wildcats last fall.
Clint Mentzel, OL, 6-5, 272, fr., Midlothian, Texas: An honorable mention all-district choice, he also competes in the shot put on the Midlothian track and field squad.
Jody Owens, LB, 6-0, 196, fr, Mesquite, Texas: A two-time all-district selection, Owens was also named his district's sophomore of the year in 2005.
C.J. Palmer, RB, 6-0, 228, fr, RB, Spring, Texas: Rushed for 1,600 yards last fall, scoring 16 touchdowns, earning first-team all-district honors.
Jared Rohrback, LB, 6-1, 210, fr., Great Falls (Russell): Earned Co-Defensive MVP honors in Class AA, snagging all-conference and all-state honors. ... A two-time state champion wrestler, he also was chosen for the East-West Shrine and Mon-Dak all-star games.
Kevin Steiner, TE, 6-5, 205, fr., Shelby: First team all-conference choice on offense and defense... named Shelby's offensive player of the year last fall, and chosen for the Montana Shrine Game.
Ben Tauanuu, OL, 6-4, 290, fr., Santa Ana, Calif. (Mater Dei): Earned first team all-league and second team All-Orange County honors... Three-year starter on Mater Dei's O-line.
DeSean Thomas, WR, 5-11, 175, fr., Cleburne, Texas: Earned all-district honors at receiver and cornerback. ... Caught 40 passes for 697 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.
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