Marcus Welnel

Marcus Welnel #37 of the Montana Grizzlies celebrates a sack on the fourth quarter of a college football game against the University of South Dakota Coyotes at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Missoula, Montana. Montana beat South Dakota 24-7.

Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics

Marcus Welnel #37 of the Montana Grizzlies sacks Carson Camp #18 of the South Dakota Coyotes in the fourth quarter of a college football game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Missoula, Montana.Montana beat South Dakota 24-7.

Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics

Montana Football Team Photo Day on August 27, 2022 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Height:
6-1
Weight:
232
Position:
LB
Hometown:
Helena, Mont.
High School:
Capital HS

2022 (R-Sr.): After a breakout season in 2021, Welnel is expected to contribute heavily to Montana's defense in the 2022 season

2020-21 (R-Jr.):
• Academic All-Big Sky
• Named 3rd Team all Big Sky LB for the 2021 Season
Burst onto the scene with a substantial contribution to one of the greatest defensive fronts in UM history… Finished as Montana’s fourth leading tackler with 94 total stops, with 12.5 tackles for loss… Recorded eight sacks, which included a career-high of two sacks versus Eastern Washington… Logged 3 interceptions in the first four games of the season… Blocked a FG attempt against Southern Utah.

2019 (R-So.):
• Academic All-Big Sky
• Spring Semester Dean’s List
Performed well on special teams and as a backup linebacker his sophomore season… Played in all 14 of Montana’s games… Totaled 23 tackles on the year, nine for loss… Also posted two TFLs for a loss of six yards and a quarterback hurry as well… Had a career-high five tackles against North Alabama (9/7)… Was the recipient of the Stockman Bank Scholarship

2018 (R-Fr.):
• Academic All-Big Sky
Welnel made an impression as a freshman, playing in all 11 games ... Racked up 16 total tackles (10 solo) and forced two fumbles... Also blocked a punt ... The young linebacker recorded 3 tackles, one TFL and a blocked punt on the road vs. North Dakota (10/13) ... Showed his potential in a win at Southern Utah (11/3) as the young linebacker recorded 2 solo tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a QB hit

2017 (Fr.): Was a redshirt

High School: Welnel earned four varsity football letters, two varsity basketball letters, and three varsity track letters at Captial High in Helena … Named football team captain as a senior … Defensive MVP and best linebacker award as a senior … Won the Petrelli award… Named varsity basketball captain as a senior… Freshman and JV basketball MVP … Named track and field team captain … First team All-State and All-Conference linebacker as a senior … Second team All-State and All-Conference fullback as a senior … Honorable mention All-State and second team All-Conference linebacker as a junior.

Personal: A finance major … His parents are Jason and Shannon Welnel of Helena, Mont. … His younger brother Trevor is also on the team

Career Single Game Highs

Tackles: 12 (at Washington, 2021)

Sacks: 2 (vs. Eastern Washington, 2021)

Interceptions: 1 (3 occasions)

Pass breakups: 1 (vs. Southern Utah, 2021; at Washington, 2021)

Blocked kicks: 1 (vs. Southern Utah, 2021; at North Dakota, 2018)