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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gubner and the Chiefs begin training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on Sunday, July 23.
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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.
Â
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gubner and the Chiefs begin training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on Sunday, July 23.
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