The Bobcat Nation

Was just reading through the team captain prediction thread and someone mentioned Elliott as a potential candidate based on his willingness to do whatever has been asked of him. It got me thinking of the guys over the past few years who have just bought into the system and through their own unselfish nature, made themselves some of the most unforgettable players for the fans of Bobcat Nation. The most recent guys that come to mind for me are Sean Chambers, Elijah Elliott and Tucker Rovig.

I’ve been so wrapped up in the recent years that I’m having a hard time remembering some of the players in the past that had to really share the spotlight.

Wow!!! What an incredibly unique and interesting topic!

RJ Fitzgerald? Great blocker for others.

Troy Andersen? lol. True story though.

catatac wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:46 pm

Troy Andersen? lol. True story though.

Absolutely! Troy was recruited by FBS programs after his freshman year and every year after that but decided to stay. Troy gave his all for the Bobcats, playing various positions and doing whatever he could for the program. “Unselfish” should be the first word engraved on his statue at Bobcat stadium.

Heath Howard - Plentywood MT special teams legend

Interesting topic. I will add Jake Bleskin to the list. Sat behind Denarius his freshman year, and then behind Prukop pretty much the rest of his career. Was thrown to the wolves his junior year in the Cat/griz game. He made a lot of mistakes that game, some of which were his fault and some which I chalk up to the coaching staff putting him bad positions. Man, he took a lot of heat for that game. That game alone could have damaged him mentally enough to give up the game. But he came back his senior year and was a backup to Prukop but didn't play much.

Kevin Kassis. He was a super talented receiver for the FCS level, and for most of his career we didn’t have much of a passing game. I never once remember seeing him frustrated with play calling or our QB play, but was always a great and willing blocker for our run game.

On the same team was also Travis Jonsen. QB didn’t work out but he still found a way to be an impact player at WR and was willing to do whatever the team needed.

If we're calling out all bobcats... Robert Ford III

Awesome Topic

Agree with
-Elliot
-Rovig
-Bleskin

Also (these are all within the last 10 years)
-Ryan Lonergan (already a senior, was highly-touted recruit but was stuck behind some studs)
-Level Price (did not get significant playing time until his (RS)Sr year and he played very very well).
-James Campbell (started career at WR, special teams ace, moved to DB and eventually a solid starting corner)
-Joe McElroy (never cracked the rotation much, but stayed through senior year and was always helping send in signals)
-Karl Tucker (RIP )
-West Wilson (didn't get on the field much, but huge locker room guy and still a huge advocate for MSU)

Honorable Mention
-Ryan Davis
-Walker Cozzie
-Koni Dole

VIGEN SZN wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 9:38 am

Heath Howard - Plentywood MT special teams legend

Welcome to the board Heath! lol

luckyirishguy25 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:31 am

If we're calling out all bobcats... Robert Ford III

No words for what he did last season. Man, what an effort.

BornBobcat2000 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:29 am

Kevin Kassis. He was a super talented receiver for the FCS level, and for most of his career we didn’t have much of a passing game. I never once remember seeing him frustrated with play calling or our QB play, but was always a great and willing blocker for our run game.

On the same team was also Travis Jonsen. QB didn’t work out but he still found a way to be an impact player at WR and was willing to do whatever the team needed.

My first thought was Mitch Herbert for this exact same reason.

Steven Foster...was an all-league TE and when MSU needed an RT, put on a bunch of weight with no complaints and was an all-league OL. Stud.

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 1:21 pm

luckyirishguy25 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:31 am

If we're calling out all bobcats... Robert Ford III

No words for what he did last season. Man, what an effort.

I know a lot of the previous athletes for MSU have absolutely no problem getting into sporting events based on who they know, but if MSU had a “golden ticket” where they were able to go to any athletic event free of charge, he would be in my top 5.

Cats92 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 2:04 pm

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 1:21 pm

luckyirishguy25 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:31 am

If we're calling out all bobcats... Robert Ford III

No words for what he did last season. Man, what an effort.

I know a lot of the previous athletes for MSU have absolutely no problem getting into sporting events based on who they know, but if MSU had a “golden ticket” where they were able to go to any athletic event free of charge, he would be in my top 5.

I know this is a football board, but kudos to RF3. What Ford accomplished last year was probably the single best individual season by any Bobcat athlete I have ever watched. Herculean. And I have watched Bobcat sports for well over 40 years.

Jeff Michael

Cody Kempt makes this list for me. He was a senior and presumptive starter the year Denarius was a freshman and ended up losing the job to Denarius but but did everything he could to help mentor McGhee.

Please remind me of the name of the fella from Saco. Came in as a QB but never played other than being a Holder for his career.

Most of us have barely heard of some of the most unselfish players. Walk-ons who rostered for four years and graduated as mostly practice players when they could have transferred to Frontier schools to get playing time are an example. I have a few friends from the 1990s who fit that criteria and they’re still involved now as boosters and donors.