Griz football commitments up to 7

By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulianmissoulian.com | Posted: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 11:00 pm

The NCAA signing period for football doesn’t start until Feb. 1, but the Montana Grizzlies are already stocking up on big blockers.
Max Kelly, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, is the latest to commit to play for the Griz. His coach at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Dave McKenna, confirmed the commitment Tuesday.
“He’s a 6-7, 265-pound puppy,” McKenna said of Kelly, who helped the Bullpups go 6-3 in the Greater Spokane League this fall (they finished 6-4). “He’s only played football for a couple years – he got hurt as a sophomore – but in his short time for us he’s really improved and made huge strides.
“He’s very coachable and very willing to improve not only for himself but for his teammates. And this year he grew into a leader. He’s a fantastic kid.”
The list of commitments for the 2012 signing class is currently at seven, including four big guys: Defensive linemen Caleb Kidder and Bo Harris of Fairfield, Kelly and offensive tackle Clint LaRowe of Miles City.
The Montanans committed this past summer, though LaRowe, 6-5 and 250, had his commitment kind of go under the radar.
“He’s a good player on both sides of the ball for us, and just a great kid,” Miles City coach Dan Stanton said of LaRowe. “He’s a really good student (and) the type of kid that you want in your program.”
LaRowe has something in common with Kelly in that each is a bit of a late bloomer.
Stanton, whose 8-2 Cowboys face once-beaten Billings Central in the State A semifinals Saturday, said LaRowe is still lean for an O-lineman and added, “His sophomore year he was playing junior varsity (but) by the end of year he was starting on varsity for us.”
Another summer commitment was Billings Central’s Ryan Burke, who has thrown for 1,247 yards and 16 touchdowns this fall. Burke has also rushed for 607 yards and eight TDs for the Rams, but the 6-4 senior was recruited as a receiver. He caught 48 passes for 677 yards and six scores as a junior.
Along with Kelly there are two other out-of-state commitments: Hayden Craig, a tight end from Dayton, Ore.; and Chase Naccarato, a receiver from Mt. Spokane.
Craig, 6-5 and 246 pounds, was being recruited to play defensive end by Washington State and Portland State. He told the websiteOregonpreps.com that the opportunity to play tight end swung him to UM.
Craig committed in October; Naccarato did so in August.
Naccarato, 5-7 and 160 pounds, rushed for 833 yards and a Greater Spokane League-leading 20 touchdowns for Mt. Spokane, which finished 3-7. He also caught 31 passes for 502 yards and two TDs.
“He ended up our career rushing leader and our career scoring leader,” said Mt. Spokane coach Mike Mclaughlin, who added Naccarato scored 24 TDs as a junior. “I’m glad he’s going to Montana. I think it’s a good fit.”
McKenna said much the same thing about his Bullpup.
“Max is lucky to be going there,” said McKenna. “And at the same time, they’re lucky to be getting Max.”
The Grizzlies, 8-2 and ranked No. 8 in the Football Championship Subdivision, lose 22 seniors off this season’s roster. The Griz have a bye ahead of the 111th Griz-Cat game in Bozeman on Nov. 19.
The Grizzlies’ coaches cannot speak on potential recruits until the NCAA’s 2012 football signing period, which runs from Feb. 1-April 1.


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