Thiebes goes from walk-on to starter on long journey to Griz football
10/22/2016 4:40:00 PM | Football
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Jackson Thiebes didn't always want to be a Griz, but once he got a taste of college football, he knew it was "go big, or go home."
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As a senior at Glacier High in Kalispell, Thiebes began seeing regular playing time on the Wolfpack offense and decided to test the D-III waters on the Pacific coast in Oregon and Washington.
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Eventually, he found a home at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, playing one season for the Pioneers before deciding the wanted a bigger and better college football experience.
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"I went to Lewis and Clark and loved it. The campus was great. Portland was great. I went there and played my one semester there and really liked it, but knew I wanted something more," said Thiebes.Â
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His path to a starting position on the Montana offensive line wasn't always easy, though, and required trial and error before earning a spot on the squad. After all, Griz football is in his blood, with his grandfather Joseph Thiebes lettering at Montana in 1942.
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"When I first tried out here are didn't make it, I was going to be done. Then after a few months, I decided to rededicate myself. So every day, and on odd days I'd work out twice a day just trying to get in shape," he added.
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That rededication to football has led to great things for Thiebes, who has started every game for the Griz so far this season at right tackle.
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The 6-5, 301-pounder has paid his dues, and worked to become a key member of an offensive line that has been one of the brightest spots on an already successful Montana season.
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Thiebes and the Griz O-line have paved the way while Montana's rushing game has become increasingly effective, making opposing defenses pay too much attention to the UM pass game behind solid blocking.
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Now, thanks to a rededication to the game, Thiebes has kept the tradition of football in his family alive and is keeping Griz playoff hopes alive as a leader on the O-line.
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To see Thiebes' complete senior profile, click on the photo above.
Â
Jackson Thiebes didn't always want to be a Griz, but once he got a taste of college football, he knew it was "go big, or go home."
Â
As a senior at Glacier High in Kalispell, Thiebes began seeing regular playing time on the Wolfpack offense and decided to test the D-III waters on the Pacific coast in Oregon and Washington.
Â
Eventually, he found a home at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, playing one season for the Pioneers before deciding the wanted a bigger and better college football experience.
Â
"I went to Lewis and Clark and loved it. The campus was great. Portland was great. I went there and played my one semester there and really liked it, but knew I wanted something more," said Thiebes.Â
Â
His path to a starting position on the Montana offensive line wasn't always easy, though, and required trial and error before earning a spot on the squad. After all, Griz football is in his blood, with his grandfather Joseph Thiebes lettering at Montana in 1942.
Â
"When I first tried out here are didn't make it, I was going to be done. Then after a few months, I decided to rededicate myself. So every day, and on odd days I'd work out twice a day just trying to get in shape," he added.
Â
That rededication to football has led to great things for Thiebes, who has started every game for the Griz so far this season at right tackle.
Â
The 6-5, 301-pounder has paid his dues, and worked to become a key member of an offensive line that has been one of the brightest spots on an already successful Montana season.
Â
Thiebes and the Griz O-line have paved the way while Montana's rushing game has become increasingly effective, making opposing defenses pay too much attention to the UM pass game behind solid blocking.
Â
Now, thanks to a rededication to the game, Thiebes has kept the tradition of football in his family alive and is keeping Griz playoff hopes alive as a leader on the O-line.
Â
To see Thiebes' complete senior profile, click on the photo above.
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Players Mentioned
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