Griz add 17 on first day of Early Signing Period

In his second full signing period since returning to Montana, head coach Bobby Hauck inked 16 prep stars and one junior college transfer on day one of the December early signing period, adding a total of 17 new Grizzlies to the 2020 roster.

After leading the Griz back to the postseason and putting together the team's first 10-win season since 2013, Montana says goodbye to some of the most decorated seniors in program history but says hello to a class of incoming student-athletes designed to build on those 10 wins.

"Were sad to see our senior class go, but I'm excited about moving forward with the next group and continuing to build our football team and football program back into a team that's to be reckoned with each and every fall. Part of that is signing good recruiting classes, and I think we did that today," said Hauck.

Montana prospects continue to headline Hauck's recruiting classes, with seven in-state players signing a national letter of intent to play at the state's flagship institution.

In addition to a heavy local flavor, the incoming class is loaded with stars, literally, with four signees tabbed as three-star recruits, and two more tabbed as two-star recruits by various prep recruiting media outlets.

"I like the class. I feel like we covered our board pretty well, got what we needed," added Hauck.

"I thought we did well in the state of Montana, maybe exceedingly well. Really excited about those guys. Obviously, that's something that's near and dear to my heart in terms of who we recruit every year."

Long on talent, the early signing class of 2020 also features one former Montana Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Hamilton's Carson Rostad, multiple state champions, and eight different all-state performers.

As the only transfer player in the signing class, Robbie Patterson, a 5-11, 200-pound quarterback from Medford, Oregon, via Saddleback College, will join the Grizzlies in time for spring drills in 2020 as a redshirt sophomore.

Thanks to Montana's run to through the FCS quarterfinals, the Grizzlies couldn't spend the last three weeks in the leadup to signing day on the road visiting recruits. Many coaches would look at that fact as a negative, but not the Griz. For Hauck, Montana's return to the playoffs speaks volumes about where his team is heading, and this year's class was listening.

"We didn't really have much of a recruiting pitch because we couldn't get on the road. We were playing. You always worry about not being out there in kids' homes when others are, but they're paying attention to the trajectory of what we're doing," says Hauck.

"So, I think that's critical. They know we're winning. They think we're going to win down the road. They know what we're about, so in essence, that is the recruiting pitch."

Not only is the signing class successful on the field, it comes to UM with a track record of excellence in the classroom, with 10 3.2 GPA or better players, and two who carry a perfect 4.0.

The early signing period continues through December 21. The regular signing period commences on February 5, 2020.

INCOMING GRIZ FOOTBALL CLASS OF 2020

No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown / Previous Schools
1	Erik Barker	TE	6-4	225	Keizer, Ore. / McNary HS
2	Brandon Casey	OL	6-5	265	Sandpoint, Idaho / Sandpoint HS
3	Asher Croy	LB	6-0	206	Bozeman, Mont. / Bozeman Senior HS
4	Rishi Daniels	S	5-11	175	Seattle, Wash. / Seattle Prep.
5	Drew Deck	WR	5-9	150	Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS
6	Aaron Fontes	WR	6-1	170	Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS
7	Kevin Good	OL	6-4	270	Rocklin, Calif. / Whitney HS
8	Journey Grimsrud	DL	6-3	240	Huntley, Mont. / Huntley Project HS
9	Xavier Harris	RB	5-10	185	Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS
10	Chase Johansen	LB	6-1	215	Park City, Utah / Park City HS
11	Jaxon Lee	RB	6-1	183	Missoula, Mont. / Sentinel HS
12	Kukila Lincoln	OL	6-5	250	Kamuela, Hawaii / Hawaii Prep Academy
13	Henry Nuce	DL	6-4	235	Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS
14	Guido Ossello	WR	6-3	195	Butte, Mont. / Butte Central Catholic
15	Robbie Patterson*	QB	5-11	200	Medford, Ore. / South Medford HS / Saddleback CC
16	Carson Rostad	QB	6-3	215	Hamilton, Mont. / Hamilton HS
17	Autjoe Soe	CB	6-1	161	Murray, Utah / Murray HS

* Junior College Transfer

State Breakdown
Montana	7
California	3
Oregon	2
Utah	2
Idaho	1
Washington	1
Hawaii	1
TOTAL	17

Position Breakdown
O-Line	3
WR	3
QB	2
DL	2
LB	2
RB	2
CB	1
S	1
TE	1
TOTAL	17

Early Signing Period Bios

1 Erik Barker, TE, 6-4, 225, Keizer, Ore. / McNary HS

2020: Barker will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 9 recruit from the state of Oregon by 247 Sports … First team All-Mountain Valley Conference… Named Senior Offensive Athlete of the Year by the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club … Clocked at a 4.9 40 time and just under a 30 inch vertical jump … Also served as a pro-style quarterback at McNary … Threw for 1,568 yards and six touchdowns … Added 361 rushing yards and four scores on the ground … Won second-straight Mountain Valley Conference Title with McNary as a senior … Played under head coach Jeff Auvinen… Also had an offer from Georgetown, and interest from Cal, Eastern Washington, San Jose State, Utah State, Weber State, BYU, Oregon State, Harvard and Navy

Personal: Carries a 4.0 GPA … Brother Kolby Barker is currently a defensive lineman at Air Force … Son of Kurt and Susanne Barker of Keizer … Enjoys wake surfing and snowboarding

2 Brandon Casey, OL, 6-5, 265, Sandpoint, Idaho / Sandpoint HS

2020: Casey will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Two-time first-team all IEL conference as a junior and senior … Team captain as a senior …Ranked a 2-star recruit by 247 sports… Ranked the No. 17 top recruit out of the state of Idaho according to 247 sports… District Champion in the discus and runner up in shot put… A two-way starter on the offensive and defensive line as a junior and senior … A five-sport athlete in football, basketball, lacrosse, track, and baseball ... Named the Jerry Kramer lineman of the year in 2018 and '19, Named team defensive MVP as a senior … Named "Mr. Bulldog" at Sandpoint as a junior … Played under head coach Ryan Knowles, also played under former Sandpoint assistant coach and Montana alum Vince Huntsberger … Had offers from Montana State, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State and Oregon State …

Personal: Carries a 3.8 GPA… Intended major is business… Son of Bart and Anne Marie Casey … Enjoys hunting, fishing and skiing

3 Asher Croy, LB, 6-0, 206, Bozeman, Mont. / Bozeman HS

2020: Croy will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Class AA all-state running back as a senior... AA Eastern Conference MVP as a Senior … Won 2019 State AA Championship with Bozeman as a senior with an 11-1 record … Had 33 carries for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns in AA state championship game … Bozeman HS MVP as a senior… All-state selection in Class B as a junior…MVP junior year at Huntley Project… Former student at Huntley Project HS before transferring his senior year to Bozeman… Three sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track… 5,962 career all-purpose yards and 61 total touchdowns … 4,951 rushing yards on 751 carries … Also posted 134 tackles and three interceptions on defense … Won two Class B 4x100 meter races as a sophomore and junior at Huntley Project … Won two conference championships as a freshman and sophomore at Huntley Project

Personal: Born in Cody, Wyo. … Intended major is history… Lists career goals to become a history teacher and high school football coach… Son of former Huntley Project head coach and Griz player Guy Croy

4 Rishi Daniels, S, 5-11, 175, Seattle, Wash. / Seattle Prep

2020: Daniels will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247sports… Ranked as the 53rd top recruit from the state of Washington according to SCOUT… First-team all-Metro League at safety as a senior … Second-team all-Metro League at receiver as a senior … Played running back, safety, and wide receiver … 495 yards on 30 catches with 7 touchdowns in his career according to Maxpreps… Two sport athlete in football and track and field… First team all-league selection at receiver and safety as a junior ... Also had interest from Idaho, Eastern Washington and Portland State … Played under head coach Aaron Maul at Seattle Prep

5 Drew Deck, WR, 5-9, 155, Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS

2020: Deck will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Class AA All-State receiver as a junior and senior … Western AA All-Conference receiver as a junior and senior … 55 receptions for 781 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … Three years of varsity football… Career total of 1,874 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns… Three sport athlete in football, basketball and track … 2019 4x100 AA state champ … 2018 AA state champion in the 300 m… All-Conference honorable mention at point guard in basketball ... Also had interest from Montana State, Texas State, and Carroll College

Personal: Son of former Billings Senior coach… Has an older brother Brady and sisters Hannah and Emily … Enjoys fishing and hunting… Carries a 3.4 GPA … Academic All-State as a freshman and sophomore

6 Aaron Fontes, WR, 6-1, 172, Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS

2020: Fontes will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Listed as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports … A three-year player on the varsity squad at Oxnard … Named the 2019 Pacific View League Wide Receiver of the Year … 914 receiving yards on 47 catches and 19 total touchdowns in his career… Caught 26 passes for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … Also rushed for 139 yards and six TDs as a senior ... Helped Oxnard to a 10-2 season as a senior … A two-sport star in football and track … Named Most Valuable Athlete … Named Oxnard Player of the Game on Sept. 13 of his senior season … Had an offer from Colorado State and interest from San Jose State and Idaho

Personal: An honor roll student

7 Kevin Good, OL, 6-4, 270, Rocklin, Calif. / Whitney HS

2020: Good will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: First team Sierra Foothill all-league as a senior… Optimist Game invite as a senior… Honorable Mention Sierra Foothill all-league as a junior… San Joaquin Division 2 finals in shot put and discus as a junior… Lettered in football and track… Track and Field Coaches' Award recipient … Also had interest from San Diego, UC Davis, and British Columbia … Four-time scholar-athlete … A two-star recruit by 247 Sports … Helped Whitney advance to the 2019 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs… Played under head coach Zac McNally

Personal: Born in Sacramento Calif… Intended major is Computer Science… Lists career goal to focus on cybersecurity… Son of Randy and Michelle Good… Carries a 3.9 GPA

8 Journey Grimsrud, DL, 6-4, 235, Huntley, Mont. / Huntley Project HS

2020: Grimsrud will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Class B all-state O-Line and D-Line as a senior… All conference offensive and defensive line as a junior… Two-way starter for three years… Three sport athlete in football, wrestling and track… Placed second at state B-C wrestling tournament… Won state B in Discus… Played under head coach Jay Santy

9 Xavier Harris, RB, 5-10, 185, Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS

2020: Harris will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Three-star recruit according to 247sports… First-team All-CIF … Pioneer Valley Back of the Year … second-team all-county ... 3,669 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns in 35 career games… 865 receiving yards paired with 8 touchdowns on his career… Also received interest from Columbia, Arizona State, and Arizona … A two-sport standout in football and basketball … Helped Oxnard to a 10-2 season as a senior … Played under coach Jaime Moreno

Personal: Has two brothers and two sisters in his family … Carries a 3.29 GPA … Intends on majoring in athletic training

10 Chase Johansen, LB, 6-1, 215, Park City, Utah / Park City HS

2020: Johansen will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: First-team 4-A All-State as a junior and senior … Finished seventh in the state in tackles with 126 plus a fumble recovery, six sacks and 13 TFLs as a senior … Posted 268 career tackles on three years with the varsity team … Helped lead Park City to the 2019 Utah 4-A championship game and a Region 10 championship as a senior with a 13-1 record … Also ran track and threw shotput … Received interest from Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho, Northern Colorado, Utah State, and Yale

Personal: Has two brothers Haven and Jet … Enjoys camping

11 Jaxon Lee, ATH, 6-0, 190, Missoula, Mont. / Sentinel HS

2020: Lee will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Class AA first-team all-state athlete on offense and second-team kick returner as a senior … Helped Sentinel to the state AA semifinal… Helped Flint Creek Titans win back-to-back state titles before transferring to Sentinel in January of 2019… Three sport athlete in football, basketball and track… Received all-state honors as a wide receiver, safety, kick returner, and punt returner at Flint Creek… Played for head coach and former Grizzly Dane Oliver at Sentinel … Also had an offer from Montana State

Personal: Carries a 3.8 GPA

12 Kukila Lincoln, OL, 6-5, 250, Kamuela, Hawaii / Hawaii Prep Academy

2020: Lincoln will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Team captain his senior year … Played on both the offensive and defensive line … A two-sport athlete in football and volleyball … Hawaii Prep Offensive Player of the Year … All-BIIF Honorable Mention … Played in the 2018 All-Hawaii Bowl as a D-lineman … Played under head coach Albert Cummings

Personal: Carries a 3.2 GPA … Enjoys fishing and hunting

13 Henry Nuce, DL, 6-4, 235, Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS

2020: Nuce will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Class AA first-team all-state D-lineman as a senior… As a senior recorded 73 tackles (58 solo), nine sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery … Helped the Wolfpack to the state AA quarterfinals … Also had interest from Montana State … Played under high school coach and former Grizzly quarterback Grady Bennett

14 Guido Ossello, WR, 6-3, 195, Butte, Mont. / Butte Central Catholic

2020: Will enroll as a true freshman at UM in the fall semester

High School: One of the top receivers in the state at Class A, he caught 39 passes for 698 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … Played two years on the varsity squat at Butte Central, with 45 receptions and 781 yards … Helped the Maroons advance to the Class A playoffs

Personal: Grandson of former UM head coach Mick Delaney

15 Robbie Patterson, QB, 6-0, 195, Medford, Ore. / South Medford HS / Saddleback CC

2020: Patterson will enroll at UM in the spring of 2020 as redshirt sophomore after transferring from Saddleback Community College

Saddleback (2019): Missed season with injury

Saddleback (2018): Passed for 2,575 yards and 20 touchdowns freshman year at Saddleback … Two-time Southern California Football Association Player of the Week ... Led team to JUCO conference championship … Named first-team all-conference… Patriot bowl MVP… Voted by teammates as Saddleback Player of the Year

High School: Lettered in football and basketball at South Medford HS… 2-time first team all-conference… Selected to play in the Les Schwab All Star game... Helped lead Medford to back-to-back Southwestern Conference Championships in 2016 and 17 and the state championship game in 2017 … Two-time first-team SWC QB … SWC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 … SWS second-team punter … Football team captain in 2016 and 17, basketball team captain in 2018... Played under coach Bill Singler … A three sport athlete in football, basketball and track … Also received interest from Eastern Washington, Columbia, Princeton, and Cornell

Personal: Coaches flag football in free time… Carries a 3.94 GPA… Intended major is business… Son of Rob Patterson and Jennifer Patterson-Chitwood … Enjoys basketball, snowboarding, music and art

16 Carson Rostad, QB, 6-3, 210, Hamilton, Mont. / Hamilton HS

2020: Rostad will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: 2018 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year … Class B all-state QB as a sophomore, junior, and senior … Montana preseason all-state 2019… 2,387 passing yards and 35 TD passes as a senior … Team Captain junior and senior year... Offensive MVP sophomore, junior and senior seasons … 4-year starter and letter winner for football… Ranked #1 High School QB in Montana according to 247Sports … Played under head coach and former Griz receiver Bryce Carver

Personal: Cousin of former Griz player Jordan Tripp… Son of Craig and Lanell Rostad… Carries a 4.0 GPA

17 Autjoe Soe, CB, 6-1, 161, Murray, Utah / Murray HS

2020: Soe will enroll at UM in the fall of 2020 as a true freshman

High School: Played both ways as a wide receiver and cornerback … 182 total tackles and 15 interceptions in his career according to Maxpreps… 1,349 total yards on his career... 5A first team as a senior and second team all-state as a junior...Runs a 4.62 40-yard dash...Lettered in three sports football, track and field, and basketball… Received interest from Utah State, Dixie State, and Snow College… Played under head coach Todd Thompson

Personal: Plans to study communications

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