Tanyon Bissell

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:26 pm

And if the Cats lived off the crowd that comes from Bozeman only we would still be in dire straits for attendance. We have to pull from the whole state to get our crowds so is it fair to go sign 2-3 Bozeman athletes a year just because they are the best from Bozeman. If we do that is it not a must to then sign the best 2-3 from every large city in the state and then the best 2-3 geographically around the state to assure we cover all of our booster areas. This can't be done without serious risk of getting athletes that may not work out. I do believe our past and current coaching staffs will try to get the best8-12 athletes from the State each and every year. They will also try like heck to get as many others to walk on as possible. These are the ones that may work into a scholarship ala Bobby Daly, and some that are offered may not keep theirs if they don't pan out.

catamaran · Post by **catamaran** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:38 pm

083190 wrote:
catamaran wrote:From what I can recall from the time and conversations since, Tanyon wanted to play QB out of high school...hence the indifference to him. After he walked on to Boise he did everything he could to get PT, including some time at DB and lots of special teams last year while also learning to play WR. Now through that hard work is getting a chance
According to his Dad, Mark, he indeed wanted to play qb and was not offered anything by MSU based on that. This is based on a conversation with his father during the recruiting period after Tanyon's senior year in Bozeman.

Thats what I gathered from him as well

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:56 pm

cat ballou wrote:Maybe I'm clueless here, but has Andrew Schmidt done anything great with the Griz?

Andrew wanted to play running back...Kramer wanted him to walk on as a linebacker. Both schools wanted him to walk on... but the Griz said he could play running back...and he is....fourth or fifth string...but he's a Griz!

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:00 pm

Beau Clark, if I'm not mistaken, was not offered by MSU. I think that he was being pushed towards Dickenson State by the coaches in Belgrade. He may have had some conversations with the griz, but boy am I glad that this young man turned out to be a fantastic BOBCAT and just all around great person.

I think sometimes that MSU doens't look under the front porch to see what is there becuase just maybe they feel that the local kids love MSU so much that they will just walkon due to an intense desire simply be a BOBCAT. jmho

Cat_gld · Post by **Cat_gld** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:10 pm

In light of all that's been posted, it seems there were some mitigating circumstances why Schmidt and Bissell decided not to walk on at MSU. Do you suppose for a minute that if Mark Desin (scholarship athlete) had given MSU a "my way or the highway" response, would he be a Bobcat now. I understand that he's a great athlete. Coaches want their best athletes on the field. Desin apparently made that connection early on with an understanding that he would be given further consideration to be a quarterback. He took the chance, was considered, and will probably be an outstanding wr. There's a lesson there although some are quicker to learn.

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:13 pm

Cat_gld wrote:In light of all that's been posted, it seems there were some mitigating circumstances why Schmidt and Bissell decided not to walk on at MSU. Do you suppose for a minute that if Mark Desin (scholarship athlete) had given MSU a "my way or the highway" response, would he be a Bobcat now. I understand that he's a great athlete. Coaches want their best athletes on the field. Desin apparently made that connection early on with an understanding that he would be given further consideration to be a quarterback. He took the chance, was considered, and will probably be an outstanding wr. There's a lesson there although some are quicker to learn.

I agree with ya that some people learn lifes lessons sooner than others. When I was a kid, I wanted to be SUPERMAN. Didn't work out too well, although my kids used to think I was SUPERMAN............

bronco2 · Post by **bronco2** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:10 pm

When a friend told me there was a thread dedicated to Tanyon on this site, I quickly found my way over here. After reading all of the posts, I wanted to reply, so here goes my first post on Bobcatnation. First of all, thank you for the interest in my son, Tanyon. Let me start by setting the record straight on some misstatements made in previous posts. Tanyon was never offered by Montana State. He had a great recruiting trip here, followed by a great trip to Boise. He never received a home visit from any coach from either school. It was never his intention to remain a quarterback. He is realistic and knows that 5'10 1/2" qbs at the Division 1 level are rare. He worked out with 2 former Bobcat coaches immediately following his senior football season to learn the receiver position and how to run routes. He was a receiver his Jr year in high school, but wanted to perfect his skills before heading into college. Boise State asked for 3 seperate tapes of Tanyon, one of which was highlights of his year at receiver. He never played a down of db in college and very rarely in high school. He never gave a "my way or the highway" ultimatum to MSU. Ask any coach he has ever had, including current ones, about the size of his heart and his work ethic. He knew he was not recruited to be a college quarterback, but rather a versatile athlete. He played scout team quarterback when the Broncos prepared for mobile quarterbacks. Ironically, after seeing him at qb, the Broncos put in some run-pass-option plays with him at qb for next season. Cat ballou, I am glad the Boise State coaches saw what you apparently did not. Also, in regard to your comments about Andrew Schmidt: Did you attend or read about the Griz scrimmage? Andrew looked great! You should also keep in mind that these kids and their parents sometimes are on line here and it is hurtful to read comments like yours. With all of that being said, this post is in no way meant to show disrepect or bitterness toward the Bobcats. We have neither. My husband ( Tanyon's high school footbal coach) and I both graduated from Montana State. My husband is a former Bobcat receiver. We are Bobcat boosters and avid Cat supporters. We support the University and the Cats in any way we can. Ask the coaches and many of the players whom I have hired over the years. We have avidly followed the success of Dane Fletcher, a former Hawk of the Year whom my husband coached. Do we wish Tanyon would have received more interest from the Cats? Of course. Are we sorry for the way it turned out? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Can you say "Fiesta Bowl"!? Our son is in a great spot and we couldn't be more thrilled that he is a Bronco. The whole program is top notch. The coaches are all men of character. My son is a better man for having been associated with this fine program! Go Cats!! Go Broncos!! Roxi Walker

Yorick · Post by **Yorick** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:42 pm

Thanks for setting the record straight bronco2! We appreciate and respect it. There is a lot of BS on here and truth always is refreshing.

cat87 · Post by **cat87** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:58 pm

Thanks for the info Bronco2. We wish Tanyon the best of luck. Also, thanks for having the guts to sign your real name to your post. You have reason to be real proud of your son.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:22 pm

bronco2 wrote:With all of that being said, this post is in no way meant to show disrepect or bitterness toward the Bobcats. We have neither. My husband ( Tanyon's high school footbal coach) and I both graduated from Montana State. My husband is a former Bobcat receiver. We are Bobcat boosters and avid Cat supporters. We support the University and the Cats in any way we can. Ask the coaches and many of the players whom I have hired over the years. We have avidly followed the success of Dane Fletcher, a former Hawk of the Year whom my husband coached. Do we wish Tanyon would have received more interest from the Cats? Of course. Are we sorry for the way it turned out? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Can you say "Fiesta Bowl"!? Our son is in a great spot and we couldn't be more thrilled that he is a Bronco. The whole program is top notch. The coaches are all men of character. My son is a better man for having been associated with this fine program! Go Cats!! Go Broncos!! Roxi Walker

Hey, no hard feelings Roxi. If your son is getting a chance at the top level of College Football, more power to him. I gotta agree that the Fiesta Bowl was a helluva game - wish I coulda seen that one in person.

FTG06' · Post by **FTG06'** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:49 pm

I knew Tanyon. He was arrogant and thought rather highly of himself, which really isn't something that MSU needs. A bigger school was the cure for him, as he was put in a place where other players exceeded his ability. His potential was certainly there, but he needed maturity first.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:28 pm

I had the opportunity to go to a couple of Boise State games last year and one a weekday night game on national TV--Fresno State. I had the opportunity to tailgate a little with Tanyon's dad. There are a lot of Bobcat fans or alumni in Boise. I was proud to be there from Bozeman and hear all the compliments on an ex-Bozeman high player. He has really made an impression on that team and fans through his hard work on special teams. What a great opportunity for this young man to play at such a high level. That Fiesta Bowl was one of the greatest games of all time.

I had on my Bobcat hat and I was surprised at the number of people that came up to me and complimented our program and the win over Colorado. I have nothing but respect for Boise State and Tanyon. His mom and dad are great people and support both programs. His decison to go to Boise Stae wasn't about what the Bobcats did. It was about following his own dream!

I wish Tanyon much future success. His hard work is paying off.

cat87 · Post by **cat87** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:22 pm

There is a difference between arrogance and confidence. Tanyon's work ethic certainly does not reflect that of an arrogant person. He has always been very confident and competitive, which some may misread as arrogant.
He's a real nice kid.
With all the bad publicity the state of Montana has had in regard to football over the years, from Ryan Leaf to the recent murders and drug arrests, why can't we all get behind a kid from Montana, playing at a higher level and just be proud of him. Besides, when someone from Montana does well, it gives the whole state crediblility as far as Montana football is concerned.
Good for you Tanyon!

Cat_gld · Post by **Cat_gld** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:59 pm

Isn't this forum about Bobcat athletics? I wasn't awaure that it was about Bozeman High School athletes or Boise St. Bronco athletics. Let's put it to rest, or at least on another board.

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:19 pm

A lot of the responses on here however were slamming the Cats for not signing him. I agree that we should support any MT athlete that has a chance to compete on the big stage. Just as much as we should get behind athletes from out of State that come to MT and we then declare them our own. We should not however look back at a situation and try to decide who screwed up the recruiting. He obviously was not a fit for whatever reason and went somewhere else. At least it wasn't to the GRIZ.

cat ballou · Post by **cat ballou** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:19 pm

I did not mean anything personal in my comments and was merely talking about what I have heard about this situation. I am glad to hear that Tanyon is doing great in Boise and I wish him the best of luck.