Two Grizzlies named to Senior Bowl Watch List
8/21/2024 7:29:00 AM | Football
A pair of Montana Grizzlies have been named players to watch for college football's premiere postseason all-star game, with Junior Bergen and Cole Grossman named to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl watchlist, the game's organizers announced Wednesday.
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Bergen, a record-setting senior receiver and return man, and Grossman, a versatile offensive threat at tight end, were two of just 13 players from the Big Sky Conference named to the list representing nearly 900 of the best players in college football and future NFL stars.
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The Senior Bowl is considered the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game, it has taken place in Mobile, Alabama, for the past 75 years. The game gives elite draft prospects from around the country the chance to showcase their talent and connect with coaches and decision-makers from all 32 NFL teams.
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Only two other Grizzlies in program history have earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Scott Gragg played in the 1994 edition, and Jordan Tripp played in the 2104 game. 2023 offensive tackle Chris Walker was the last Grizzly to earn a place on the preseason watch list.
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Bergen is once again expected to be one of the most explosive receivers and punt returners in the FCS in his senior campaign. He's done a little bit of everything for the Griz in his time at Montana to earn all-purpose honors, including throwing what was the game-winning two-point conversion against NDSU in last year's semifinal.
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He set a UM record with an FCS-best three punt return touchdowns in a single season and tied the Big Sky record with the fifth return TD of his career in 2023. As a receiver he was one of three Grizzly wideouts to total 600+ yards with 791 on the year and five touchdown catches.
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Add it all up and Bergen is coming off a year where he posted 1,680 all-purpose yards, a top 10 single season total in program history.
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Grossman returns to action at Montana after missing the 2023 season due to injury. Despite that, he's still regarded as one of the most athletic targets at tight end in FCS football.
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He enters his redshirt-senior season after earning All-America and All-Big Sky honors in both his freshman and sophomore years. He's earned other preseason accolades entering his final season at UM as well with a place on the FCS Football Central/Sports Illustrated preseason All-America second team as well as being named the "Best returning tight end in the Big Sky" by HERO Sports.
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Grossman begins his final year of eligibility with 65 career catches for 873 total yards and 10 touchdowns, an average of 13.4 yards per catch. He's made 28 starts and 28 appearances in three seasons of action as a Grizzly.
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This year's Senior Bowl is set for Feb. 1, 2025, at the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium.Â
Montana opens its season on Aug. 31 against Missouri State under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
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Bergen, a record-setting senior receiver and return man, and Grossman, a versatile offensive threat at tight end, were two of just 13 players from the Big Sky Conference named to the list representing nearly 900 of the best players in college football and future NFL stars.
Â
The Senior Bowl is considered the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game, it has taken place in Mobile, Alabama, for the past 75 years. The game gives elite draft prospects from around the country the chance to showcase their talent and connect with coaches and decision-makers from all 32 NFL teams.
Â
Only two other Grizzlies in program history have earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Scott Gragg played in the 1994 edition, and Jordan Tripp played in the 2104 game. 2023 offensive tackle Chris Walker was the last Grizzly to earn a place on the preseason watch list.
Â
Bergen is once again expected to be one of the most explosive receivers and punt returners in the FCS in his senior campaign. He's done a little bit of everything for the Griz in his time at Montana to earn all-purpose honors, including throwing what was the game-winning two-point conversion against NDSU in last year's semifinal.
Â
He set a UM record with an FCS-best three punt return touchdowns in a single season and tied the Big Sky record with the fifth return TD of his career in 2023. As a receiver he was one of three Grizzly wideouts to total 600+ yards with 791 on the year and five touchdown catches.
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Add it all up and Bergen is coming off a year where he posted 1,680 all-purpose yards, a top 10 single season total in program history.
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Grossman returns to action at Montana after missing the 2023 season due to injury. Despite that, he's still regarded as one of the most athletic targets at tight end in FCS football.
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He enters his redshirt-senior season after earning All-America and All-Big Sky honors in both his freshman and sophomore years. He's earned other preseason accolades entering his final season at UM as well with a place on the FCS Football Central/Sports Illustrated preseason All-America second team as well as being named the "Best returning tight end in the Big Sky" by HERO Sports.
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Grossman begins his final year of eligibility with 65 career catches for 873 total yards and 10 touchdowns, an average of 13.4 yards per catch. He's made 28 starts and 28 appearances in three seasons of action as a Grizzly.
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This year's Senior Bowl is set for Feb. 1, 2025, at the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium.Â
Montana opens its season on Aug. 31 against Missouri State under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
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