Former Griz show out on Pro Day

Former Grizzly running back Nick Ostmo was proving people wrong his entire career at Montana.

Hampered by injury early in his time as a Grizzly and continually among a rotation of some of the top running backs in UM history, he did nothing but produce in his time in maroon and silver. So much so that by the time he graduated he'd quietly put together one of the top five rushing totals in program history with 2,625 career yards and 24 TDs.

And at Montana's annual Pro Day, he did it again.

Ostmo put in a performance that would have been one of the better days among all running backs at this year's NFL Combine on Thursday, and scouts from the 21 professional teams in attendance took notice.

The native of Portland put up an impressive 25 reps on the 225-pound bench press - more than any other running back at the combine – helping prove what Griz fans already knew: he makes a physical impact on the field.

But a good day on the bench wasn't all he had in store. Ostmo also stood out in the speed and agility drills, as you'd expect from an all-time great running back. His time in the three-cone drill of 7.12 would have been top two at the combine for his position, and his time in the shuttle of 4.27 would have been top three. The rest of his times and measurements would have been top 20 among the most elite running backs in the nation at the combine as well.

"It was good. It was pretty nerve wracking out there, but it's all I've been thinking about for three months so it was good to get out there and get it done," said Ostmo.

"I think I had PRs in most of my events, so I felt pretty good today. I think the adrenaline was definitely kicking in. There were a few things I didn't do as good as I wanted but I gave it my best shot."

Gallery: (4-3-2025) Griz Pro Day 2025

His was just one of several standout performances for the seven former Grizzlies that went through the paces for scouts and coaches from the 21 teams represented from the NFL and CFL.

With two Grizzlies holding Canadian citizenship, CFL scouts were especially prevalent at Pro Day, with staff from eight of the nine teams on hand to inspect receiver Keelan White (a potential No. 1 overall pick in the CFL Draft) and defensive end Hayden Harris (a potential second round pick).

White showed his strength as well with a personal best of 12 reps on the bench press, a figure that would have been top eight at the combine among receivers. More impressively, his shuttle time of 4.10 would have also been third best at his position and his 3-cone speed of 6.78 would have been tied for fourth. That's at the NFL Combine. Harris was equally productive among D-Ends with his shuttle speed of 4.51 a top six mark.

Legendary return man and receiver Junior Bergen perhaps had the best overall day among the former Grizzlies. He also had great numbers on the bench with 17 reps, which would have been tied for third among receivers at the combine. His shuttle time of 4.22 and three-cone time of 7-flat would have been top 10 marks, and his 36.5-inch vertical would have been a top 20 mark.

With their best efforts now on tape and the data in the hands of teams across North America, all the Grizzlies can do now is keep training and wait for their phones to ring on draft day. Whichever one that may be.

All Ostmo ever needed was a chance for the Grizzlies, and now that's all he wants at the next level.

"All I can ask for is an opportunity somewhere. Anywhere really. Just want to show what I can do."

The 2025 NFL Draft gets underway on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The CFL Draft is held soon after on April 29.

2025 Montana Grizzly Pro Day Results

	Name	Pos	Ht.	Wt.	Hand	Wing	Bench	Vert.	Broad	40 / 10 split	Pro Shuttle	L-Drill
1	Junior Bergen	WR	5'9.4"	184	9	72 1/4	17	36.5"	10'	4.52	4.22	7
2	Brandon Casey	OL	6'5.5"	309	9 3/8	78 1/8	27	30.5"	9'	-	4.65	8.03
3	Aaron Fontes	WR	6'0.4"	169	8 3/8	73 5/8	-	31.5"	9'9"	4.78	4.43	-
4	Hayden Harris	DE	6'5.1"	257	10 1/8	78	25	-	9'7"	4.81	4.51	7.4
5	Nick Ostmo	RB	5'11.3"	223	9 1/4	72 3/8	25	34"	9'11"	4.57	4.27	7.12
6	Keelan White	WR	6'0.2"	190	9 3/8	75 1/4	12	32.5"	9'9"	4.60	4.10	6.78

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Junior Bergen

Brandon Casey

Aaron Fontes

Hayden Harris

Nick Ostmo

Keelan White

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