Montana is coming off a 13-2 season, advancing to the FCS semifinals for the second time in three years.
As the page turns to the 2026 season, here’s a look at the Montana football squad. Bobby Kennedy, the wide receivers coach last year, was elevated to head coach this offseason after the surprising departure of Bobby Hauck.
Returning 2025 FCS All-Conference Players (8)
1st Team
RB Eli Gillman
QB Keali’i Ah Yat
LB Peyton Wing
ST Tanner Huff
2nd Team
LB Solomon Tuliaupupu
LB Naiteitei Mose (transfer from Georgetown)
Honorable Mention
WR Brooks Davis
DE Jake Mason
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (6)
Reese Brooks (TE), Cal Poly
Naiteitei Mose (LB), Georgetown
Jack D’Ambra (OL), San Diego
Ashton Paine (S), South Dakota
Mariano Birdno (TE), St. Thomas
Nui Tovey (DE), Utah Tech
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (14)
Devin Dunn (DB), Arizona
Adama Fall (S), Arizona State
Chris Johnson (CB), Arizona State
Hayden Hanks (DT), Boise State
Justin Eklund (LB), Bowling Green
Legend Lyons (WR), Minnesota
Gabe Stroud (CB), North Texas
Landon Ransom-Goelz (WR), Rice
Hunter Haines (S), San Diego State
Tanner Williams (LB), San Diego State
Campbell Vandiver (OL), South Carolina
Dyllan Drummond (OL), UNLV
Dylan Paine (RB), Washington State
Zaiden Wallace (DL), Nevada
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
Terahiti Wolfe (S) to Portland State
Transfers Lost To The FBS (8)
Caleb Otlewski (LB) to Colorado State
Kyon Loud (CB) to Duke
Colin Amick (OL) to Iowa State
Jareb Ramos (DT) to Iowa State
Micah Harper (S) to Iowa State
Malae Fonoti (RB) to Missouri
Jose Balver-Mendoza (OL) to Nevada
Diezel Wilkinson (S) to UAB
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Offensive Outlook
Montana returns a star-studded core of skilled position players after averaging 41.0 points per game, which ranked No. 4 in the FCS. The Grizzlies bring back their All-American quarterback, All-American running back, and Freshman All-American wide receiver. The offensive line, though, will be overhauled with a new starting unit.
The QB-RB-WR combo of Keali’i Ah Yat, Eli Gillman, and Brooks Davis is top-tier in the FCS.
Last season, Ah Yat finished No. 1 in FCS passing yards, going 325/470 (69%) for 4,070 yards, 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, plus eight rushing TDs. The 33 touchdowns were No. 4 in the subdivision. He was named on the All-Big Sky First Team and finished No. 9 in Walter Payton Award voting. Gillman is a multi-time All-American and is coming off his best season as the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year. He posted 1,540 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 250 carries (6.2 YPC), finishing No. 5 in FCS rushing yards and No. 3 in rushing touchdowns. Davis enjoyed a breakout season with 54 catches for 698 yards and five touchdowns. He finished No. 12 in Jerry Rice Award voting, was named All-Conference Honorable Mention, and earned Freshman All-American accolades.
Montana loses its top two tight ends in snaps and No. 1, 3, and 4 wide receivers from last year, an area to develop more threats behind Davis in the passing game.
Korbin Hendrix looks primed for a breakout season after catching 12 passes for 174 yards and three TDs last year. FBS transfers Legend Lyons (Minnesota) and Landon Ransom-Goelz (Rice) are two more names to know at WR. Ransom-Goelz had 26 receptions for 380 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman for Rice in 2023 before missing time due to injury the last two seasons. Lyons was a coveted three-star high school recruit in the class of 2025, redshirting last season for the Gophers.
Gillman is within striking distance of Montana’s program records in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He also has 619 career carries, including toting the rock 250 times last year. Finding a capable No. 2 to take some carries is key. Redshirt freshman Hashim Jones is an early candidate to do so.
While the weapons are elite, the offensive line is an unknown. Montana loses its top seven linemen from last season.
Lucas Freitas (6’6” 318 lbs), Dylan Jemtegaard (6’4” 281 lbs), Torin Jeske (6’6” 271 lbs), and Austin Buehler (6’5” 285 lbs) are four returners who have developed in the system and saw limited snaps in 2025. Freitas logged 114 reps to lead the way among these returners. The Griz also brought in a few D1 transfers for reinforcement – Jack D’Ambra (San Diego), Campbell Vandiver (South Carolina), and Dyllan Drummond (UNLV). D’Ambra played over 1,000 career snaps at FCS San Diego.
As Montana looks to be a top contender to rival Montana State’s FCS championship throne, the play of the offensive line will be a significant factor. They’ll be tasked with plowing the way for an all-time great running back and protecting the 2025 FCS passing leader.
Defensive Outlook
Montana’s defense loses eight of its top 11 tacklers from last season and 10 of its top 15 leaders in snaps. The Griz allowed 25.4 points per game in 2025, ranking No. 50 in the subdivision.
Linebacker looks to be a position of strength this fall.
All-American and All-Big Sky First Teamer Peyton Wing returns. He tied for No. 2 in team tackles with 78 last fall, including 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five QB hurries, and four interceptions. Wing was a 2024 All-Big Sky performer at Portland State before transferring to Montana. Second Team All-Conference LB Solomon Tuliaupupu is also back. He’s entering his 9th season of college eligibility after an injury-plagued time at USC. He transferred to Montana last season and put up 43 tackles, five TFLs, and two sacks. Clay Oven returns after finishing No. 7 in team tackles (49). Naiteitei Mose brings in strong experience and accolades from FCS Georgetown. Last year, he was an All-Patriot League Second Team selection, totaling 63 stops, six TFLs, and five QB hurries. Justin Eklund adds nearly 200 snaps of FBS experience from Bowling Green.
Montana is transitioning from its 3-3-5 defense to a more traditional base under new defensive coordinator Eric Sanders, who previously held the same role at Eastern Washington. The Griz will utilize a four-man front more, meaning more depth and size will be needed at defensive tackle. Zekiel Seumalo (6’0” 265 lbs) and Braydon Bailey (6’2” 280 lbs) look to step up after both playing around 230 snaps last season.
Jake Mason (6’2” 250 lbs) and Hayden Schwartz (6’4” 248 lbs) headline the defensive ends after playing between 345 and 385 snaps. Mason was an Honorable Mention All-Big Sky selection, tallying 26 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and two sacks. Schwartz added 27 stops, 4.5 TFLs, three sacks, and three QB hurries. DE Nui Tovey (6’3” 240 lbs) brings in FCS experience, playing 275+ snaps last year at Utah Tech with 35 tackles. Tyler King (6’5” 250 lbs) is another player to keep an eye on at defensive end. He was a D2 All-American at Central Washington and the 2025 Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year, racking up 13 sacks and 17 TFLs.
In the secondary, Montana loses its top three cornerbacks and top three safeties.
Kade Boyd is the most experienced returner, playing 340+ snaps last year at safety and notching 33 tackles while snagging two interceptions.
The Griz grabbed five defensive back transfers from the FBS – Devin Dunn (Arizona), Adama Fall (Arizona State), Chris Johnson (Arizona State), Gabe Stroud (North Texas), and Hunter Haines (San Diego State). FCS transfer Ashton Paine looks to play a role, coming in from South Dakota, where he played 141 snaps last season at safety and had 18 tackles. The same can be said for safety Braeden Orlandi. He was an NAIA All-American and the 2025 Frontier Conference West Defensive Player of the Year at Carroll College, racking up 136 tackles.
The Griz have found success in grabbing a transfer from Carroll College. Hunter Peck was a 2025 transfer after being named the 2024 Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He went on to be a First Team All-Big Sky performer last fall.
Montana has hit on several defensive transfers in recent seasons. The Griz will need portal additions to splash again in 2026.
2026 Preseason Preview Central
Montana Football Schedule
8/29 vs Southern Utah
9/5 vs Drake
9/12 vs Utah Tech
9/19 at Oregon State
9/26 at UC Davis
10/3 vs Northern Colorado
10/10 at Northern Arizona
10/17 vs Idaho
10/31 at Eastern Washington
11/7 vs Portland State
11/14 vs Idaho State
11/21 at Montana State
Bold indicates Big Sky games
