New-look Griz open spring drills Wednesday

While most Missoulians slept during February's dark, early morning hours, the Montana Grizzlies were up at the crack of dawn, heating up during intense training and lifting sessions as the long winter drug on outside.

But as the calendar turns to March, so too does the Griz football schedule as winter workouts give way to the 15-practice spring season.

And like in nature, this spring is a time of renewal for the Grizzlies as Montana takes the field with a new-look staff and roster under head coach Bobby Hauck, now entering his fifth year since returning to UM in 2018.

Even with new faces in new places, the amount of work done in the offseason hasn't changed. As Montana opens practice Wednesday, Hauck says he's pleased with the team's progress during the winter conditioning period.

"I thought our offseason training piece was really good. The guys worked very hard. The enthusiasm and the effort were both great, and I think they're ready for spring practice," said Hauck.

"I think we're getting stronger. The amount of weight we're moving in the weight room is good, and 90 percent of our guys breezed through the fitness piece. So, I think our team is strong and fit."

Gallery: (3-1-2023) FB: First Day of Spring Ball

For the first time in Hauck's second tenure, the Griz enter the new year with a pair of new coordinators calling the offense and defense, and a changed-up roster of assistants underneath them.

Brent Pease, a Montana alum who has coordinated for some of the nation's most high-profile programs, returns as Montana's OC after leading the Griz to the 1996 national title game in his first coaching stint in Missoula.

Ronnie Bradford, an NFL veteran player and coach who came to Montana in the spring of 2021 after three seasons coaching the secondary at USC, has also taken the reins of the Grizzly defense.

With a new set of eyes on Montana's play-calling, spring ball brings an emphasis on learning this year as the Griz look to build on an 8-5 season and extend their FCS record 26 playoff appearances.

Despite changes up top, the Griz have plenty of experience on the field in 2023 with a robust 16 starters returning (nine on offense, seven on defense), and eight returning All-Big Sky players suiting up this spring.

There are positions to fill, however. After all, you don't just easily replace All-Americans like Patrick O'Connell, Justin Ford, and Robby Hauck on a defense.

Offensively, the Griz enter spring looking to fill starting jobs in skill positions, with Lucas Johnson, Mitch Roberts, and Malik Flowers all graduating - as is the nature of college football.

Therein lies Hauck's challenge to his squad this spring: learn, and adapt to the changes made in the offseason, and take every opportunity that comes your way because the competition for starting roles is on.

"We're changing our scheme on both sides of the ball quite a bit. So, it's a huge spring ball in terms of getting the new things installed," said Hauck.

"We have a lot of young players that need to take over some roles, particularly on defense. A lot of young guys that haven't played or have just started to take a step up to becoming contributors. So, it's a big spring ball for everybody involved."

While there is plenty of youth with 49 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, Montana does enter the spring with 16 seniors, 12 of which play defense or special teams. That leaves four offensive seniors back in action this spring, and they're all up front.

The Grizzly O-line got a boost of experience during the offseason when Chris Walker was granted another year of eligibility from the NCAA. He'll be expected to retain his spot at left tackle and join two-time All-Big Sky pick Hunter Mayginnes at guard.

Two-year starting center AJ Forbes is back for his last season in maroon and silver, and Cody Kanouse is also in his senior season. With right tackle Brandon Casey entering his junior season and the offseason addition of Cannon Panfiloff adding size to the group, the offensive front looks to be a strength for the Griz.

Oregon State and Boise State transfer quarterback Sam Vidlak will be one of four QBs in the rotation for the Griz this spring, joining Kris Brown, Kaden Huot, and AJ Abbott in competition for a starting job.

All-Big Sky junior tight end Cole Grossman will be an active target once again for the QBs, as will Junior Bergen, Keelan White and Aaron Fontes – four of last year's top six receivers.

Defensively, UM's other two-time All-Big Sky pick, Alex Gubner, returns up front with 38 career starts to his name and is joined by Jacob McGourin, who started every game last season. UCLA grad transfer Hayden Harris also joined the squad in the offseason to add more experience to the front.

Missoula Big Sky products Levi Janacaro and Tyler Flink are back for their senior seasons and, along with Anaconda native Braxton Hill, make up the bulk of the experience at linebacker. Riley Wilson was another addition in the offseason, joining the linebacker room out of Hawaii this spring.

While in the backfield, TraJon Cotton, Nash Fouch, and Corbin Walker return plenty of experience, along with 2021 all-conference pick Trevin Gradney looking to move into a starting role. That group was joined in the offseason by Ronald Jackson, a safety transfer out of Akron this spring.

Despite an abundance of returning experience and the challenge of learning new schemes, one thing does not change in a Hauck spring season: the basics. And more than anything, that will be the focus for Montana this spring, making sure the team is doing the right things, day in and day out.

"Spring ball is always about fundamentals and learning the game. So, it's not just about the system and scheme this year. It's about technique and learning how to play at the collegiate level," said Hauck.

"With the number of players that, particularly on defense, haven't played marquee roles on our team, we need production out of them this spring, and we need it every day."

Montana caps the spring season with the annual GSA Spring Game, which returns to Washington-Grizzly Stadium for the first time since 2018 on April 7, at 6 p.m., with the pregame tailgate opening at 4 p.m.

Tickets for the spring scrimmage are on sale now at GrizTix.com and at the Adams Center Ticket Office. All tickets to the event are general admission and cost $10 each. University of Montana students get in free with a valid Griz Card.

All proceeds from the event go to the GSA and its mission to provide scholarships to student-athletes. To learn more about the GSA, visit UpwithMontana.com.

Those not able to make the Spring Game can watch on TV and via streaming. SWX will broadcast the game statewide, with a strem available on the Watch SWX App.

Montana opens the 2023 season at home on Sept. 2 in a first-time matchup against the Butler Bulldogs out of Indianapolis, Indiana.

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

AJ Abbott

Junior Bergen

Kris Brown

Brandon Casey

TraJon Cotton

Tyler Flink

Malik Flowers

Aaron Fontes

AJ Forbes

Justin Ford

Nash Fouch

Trevin Gradney

Cole Grossman

Alex Gubner

Hayden Harris

Robby Hauck

Braxton Hill

Kaden Huot

Ronald Jackson

Levi Janacaro

Lucas Johnson

Cody Kanouse

Hunter Mayginnes

Jacob McGourin

Patrick O'Connell

Cannon Panfiloff

Mitch Roberts

Sam Vidlak

Chris Walker

Corbin Walker

Keelan White

Riley Wilson

Related Videos