Photo by: Tommy Martino/University of Montana
Gubner signs with World Champion Kansas City Chiefs
6/13/2024 4:15:00 PM | Football
Montana's 2024 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Alex Gubner has signed a free agent contract with the two-time defending world champion Kansas City Chiefs, the team announced Thursday.
Gubner attended rookie minicamps in both Kansas City and Denver in May soon after the NFL Draft and was officially added to the Chiefs 90-man roster this week after another tryout during the team's mandatory minicamp.
The Grizzly All-American was one of four defensive linemen to attend the second minicamp and was the only one to earn a roster spot. He will now compete for a place on the roster throughout training camp and the preseason through late August when all NFL clubs must cut their active roster from 90 to 53.
Gubner was UM's most decorated Grizzly following the 2023 season, named to four All-America teams and named the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He earned a place on two first team (AFCA and Associated Press) and four total All-America teams (second team All-America by Stats Perform, and third team by Phil Steele). He also finished his career as a two-time first-team all-conference pick and was a unanimous selection as a senior. Gubner was the first Grizzly D-tackle or interior lineman to ever be named the Big Sky's Defensive MVP and was the 14th Grizzly to win the award.
After his senior season only seven interior defensive linemen had ever been named Defensive MVP by the Big Sky Conference. He won the 2023 Steve Carlson MVP Award, was a two-time team defensive MVP, and a two-time winner of the Sims/Miller award for outstanding D-lineman. He was the straw that stirred Montana's defensive drink in 2023, helping UM to a historic season on that side of the ball. The Grizzly D allowed just 108.5 yards per game rushing – the third fewest in the FCS and a Big Sky-low. UM also had the FCS's No. 3 third down defense in 2023, allowing teams to convert just 29 percent of the time. He was the team's ninth-leading tackler with 45 stops (18 solo) as a senior. He also had the third-most TFLs on the team with 9.5 and three sacks. Gubner logged two pass breakups and two QB hurries that year.
He finished his career with 124 total tackles (48 solo) and 28.5 TFLs – among the top-20 totals in Grizzly history, along with 10.5 sacks for a loss of 77 yards, eight pass deflections, one forced fumble, and a blocked kick. His freshman season he was a nominee for the now-defunct "Piesman Award" after he picked off four passes that year. A four-year starter, he played in 58 contests and made 53 starts, a team high.
Gubner and the Chiefs begin training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on Sunday, July 23.
Gubner attended rookie minicamps in both Kansas City and Denver in May soon after the NFL Draft and was officially added to the Chiefs 90-man roster this week after another tryout during the team's mandatory minicamp.
The Grizzly All-American was one of four defensive linemen to attend the second minicamp and was the only one to earn a roster spot. He will now compete for a place on the roster throughout training camp and the preseason through late August when all NFL clubs must cut their active roster from 90 to 53.
Gubner was UM's most decorated Grizzly following the 2023 season, named to four All-America teams and named the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He earned a place on two first team (AFCA and Associated Press) and four total All-America teams (second team All-America by Stats Perform, and third team by Phil Steele). He also finished his career as a two-time first-team all-conference pick and was a unanimous selection as a senior. Gubner was the first Grizzly D-tackle or interior lineman to ever be named the Big Sky's Defensive MVP and was the 14th Grizzly to win the award.
After his senior season only seven interior defensive linemen had ever been named Defensive MVP by the Big Sky Conference. He won the 2023 Steve Carlson MVP Award, was a two-time team defensive MVP, and a two-time winner of the Sims/Miller award for outstanding D-lineman. He was the straw that stirred Montana's defensive drink in 2023, helping UM to a historic season on that side of the ball. The Grizzly D allowed just 108.5 yards per game rushing – the third fewest in the FCS and a Big Sky-low. UM also had the FCS's No. 3 third down defense in 2023, allowing teams to convert just 29 percent of the time. He was the team's ninth-leading tackler with 45 stops (18 solo) as a senior. He also had the third-most TFLs on the team with 9.5 and three sacks. Gubner logged two pass breakups and two QB hurries that year.
He finished his career with 124 total tackles (48 solo) and 28.5 TFLs – among the top-20 totals in Grizzly history, along with 10.5 sacks for a loss of 77 yards, eight pass deflections, one forced fumble, and a blocked kick. His freshman season he was a nominee for the now-defunct "Piesman Award" after he picked off four passes that year. A four-year starter, he played in 58 contests and made 53 starts, a team high.
Gubner and the Chiefs begin training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on Sunday, July 23.
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