Quick Chat with O-lineman Cade Klimczak

With 71 combined starts already returning and several preseason accolades, Montana's offensive line went from deep to deeper this summer when grad transfer Cade Klimczak brought five years of FBS experience with him from Central Michigan for his final year of college football.

Klimczak (pronounced KLIM-zak) made five career starts and 26 appearances for the Chippewas under head coach (and Missoula native) Jim McElwain, and was part of an O-line that allowed just 26 sacks all last season.

At 6-foot-1 and 286 pounds, he's a mobile and versatile interior lineman who has game experience at both center and guard, and was brought to UM by head coach Bobby Hauck and first year O-line coach Joe Pawlak to help fill the void left by senior captain center AJ Forbes.

After two-plus weeks of fall camp, Klimczak has worked his way up the unofficial depth chart and has been seen running with the ones at both interior positions alongside veterans like Brandon Casey, Liam Brown, Journey Grimsrud, and more.

As part of an O-line that averages over 304 pounds across the projected two-deep and one of the best groups of running backs in the FCS, DOLA is back at Montana in in 2024, and should help pave the way for an prolific offense.

GoGriz.com sat down with Klimczak for a Quick Chat after Saturday's practice.

Thanks for the time Cade and welcome to Montana! Tell us a little bit about what brought you to Missoula after a good run with the Chips.

I had a great five years at Central Michigan, and I was just looking for something new and a new opportunity. I was in the portal for a few months and Coach Pawlak reached out to me. I knew Montana had a successful track record and went to the national championship last year, so I went on a visit. Visit was great, so I decided to commit.

It's a 26-hour drive to get to Missoula from Mount Pleasant and you made it out here a little after the 4^th of July. How's Big Sky Country been treating you so far?

I've been out and about with some of the guys. We went to Joko Falls, that was really cool. I hiked the "M" my first weekend here, floated the river a couple times. So, yeah, in the few weeks before camp I was able to see some things and it's been awesome.

Speaking of fall camp, we're a little over two weeks into it now. How's your first camp with the Grizzlies going so far, how's the O-Line looking, and what's it like being the new guy?

Camp has been going by quick, but it's been great so far. It's a grind. Every camp is a grind. But I feel like we're making good strides. The O-line has really taken me under their wing. They've been very welcoming and helped me along. So that's been a big part of it. I feel like without them I wouldn't be able to get up to speed so quick. So, I really appreciate them.

With you in the mix, the O-Line is definitely one of the deepest and most experienced groups on the team. How has that depth increased the competition amongst the team's nearly 20 O-linemen and how's that making everyone better?

The depth and competition in the O-line is great. You've got to treat ever rep like it's your last and make the most of them because we only get so many here in camp and the season is only a couple weeks away. So, I feel like placing a big importance on the rep is huge, and I see the competition in our group. Guys really want to get in there and compete.

You've got great experience playing in the MAC at both center and guard. How's that versatility helping both you and the group as we countdown to gameday?

I think it helps a lot. I've had playing experience at all three interior positions so I'm comfortable wherever they need me to go, and I can fill that role. I still need to work on my tackle sets a little bit (laughs), but I don't know if they'll need me out there. Interior wise I feel confident and feel like that will help us in the long run.

You came to Montana for one last ride in college football. Has it sunk in yet that this is your senior year?

I've been trying to take it all in during fall camp, even though it's a grind. I'm just trying to make the most out of everything. This is my last ride, and I can't wait to see the gameday atmosphere here. I just want to make the most of the limited opportunities I have.

Stay tuned for more Quick Chats with GoGriz.com throughout the month of August.

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Liam Brown

Brandon Casey

AJ Forbes

Journey Grimsrud

Cade Klimczak

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