After a 10-3 season in 2013, the Montana Grizzlies introduced their 2014 class of recruits at a press conference in the UM Sky Club on National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 5.

UM Athletic Director for Sports Information Dave Guffey opened the press conference by saying the Grizzlies return 14 starters, including seven on offense, five on defense along with their kicker and punter. He said there are 14 redshirt freshmen, and about 47 lettermen returning in 2014.

Head Coach Mick Delaney said the recruiting effort was hindered somewhat due to the sanctions imposed by the NCAA in 2013.

"We had to take a little different approach his year," Delaney said. "Our coaches worked extremely hard on getting out and finding quality walk-ons. We picked up some guys that came to our football camp, as well. So, we ended up with a class of about 25, with only nine scholarships, and that's because of a fine job by our coaching staff."

Delaney said social media has transformed National Signing Day.

"We would no sooner get a fax in from a recruit, and this is the honest-to-God's truth, and before we even got a chance to discuss it, or even call the kid on the phone, some of it was already out there on social media," Delaney said. "It just happens so quickly, it's not like it used to be and you have to be able to handle that, and we've been right up there with everybody else in keeping up with that."

Delaney was especially proud of the Montana recruits.

"We've got Will Weyer, Obviously, from Bozeman," Delaney said. "I think he's a top-rated quarterback, a big six-six guy who's very athletic. We've got Cole Swartz from right here in town, from Missoula Hellgate, there's Alex Thomas from C.M. Russell, Shane Cochran from Culbertson, who played eight-man football. Overall, we're very happy with what we got."

Delaney said he was impressed that so many walk-on players from California, Washington and Oregon were willing to come to Montana and pay out-of-state tuition just for the chance to play for Montana.

The official website of Grizzly sports has a detailed list of the newest recruits.

 

The Grizzlies will open their 2014 season at Wyoming.

University of Montana Head Football Coach Mick Delaney

 

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