Montana

Ex-Colorado Buffaloes Wide Receiver Signs NFL Deal With Pittsburgh Steelers

Published

9 months ago

May 27, 2025

Ex-Colorado Buffaloes Wide Receiver Signs NFL Deal With Pittsburgh Steelers

Another former Colorado Buffaloes wide recevier is headed to the NFL.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced their signing of one-time rising Colorado star Montana Lemonious-Craig. The 22-year-old spent his first three college football seasons in Boulder before entering the transfer portal in April 2023 and ultimately landing with the Arizona Wildcats.

Lemonious-Craig’s decision to leave Colorado was largely unexpected, as he was seemingly building a strong connection with quarterback Shedeur Sanders during their lone spring together. In front of a sold-out spring game crowd at Folsom Field in 2023, Lemonious-Craig recorded six catches for 169 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown. One day later, he announced his intentions to leave coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado program for the transfer portal.

Oct 15, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Anthony Hankerson (22) celebrates a touchdown carry with wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig (1) and offensive lineman Van Wells (55) in the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-2 wide receiver was a bright spot on Colorado’s 2021 and 2022 teams. Although the Buffs won only a combined five games, Lemonious-Craig stood out with 482 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also played a key role in helping Colorado secure its only win in 2022, finishing with 119 receiving yards and one touchdown against Cal.

During his two seasons at Arizona, Lemonious-Craig never truly developed a strong connection with Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita. The former three-star prospect from California had 296 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2023 and failed to eclipse 200 receiving yards this past season.

Lemonious-Craig did, however, make his presence known during his return to Folsom Field in 2023. In a 34-31 win for Arizona, he caught five passes for 67 yards, including a clutch five-yard catch on third down late in the fourth quarter.

“It was tough to leave, because of the history I have here. I love Colorado,” Lemonious-Craig told The Denver Post after his return to Boulder. “This was the place where I got an opportunity to play collegiate football. Of course, it was tough to leave. But I thought it was the right decision for me to move on, with the direction Sanders was going with the CU program. I just made the decision, rolled the dice and went on with my life.”

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Despite never putting up consistent numbers as a college player, his occasional flashes of greatness and strong NFL potential seemingly caught Pittsburgh’s eye. Longtime coach Mike Tomlin also needs all the offensive help he can get with Mason Rudolph and sixth-round NFL Draft pick Will Howard battling for the Steelers’ starting quarterback job.

Lemonious-Craig joins a wide receivers room headlined by two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf, who was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Steelers in March. Metcalf was reportedly absent from the Steelers’ first OTA practice on Tuesday, however.

Other former Buffs who signed with an NFL team post-draft include safeties Shilo Sanders (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (Jacksonville Jaguars) and defensive end BJ Green (Jaguars). Cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter (Jaguars), Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns), and wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. (Carolina Panthers) and LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens) were each selected in the draft.

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Montana

Encore of the Heart: Montana Performer Makes Comeback After Heart Attack | AHA

Published

3 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Encore of the Heart: Montana Performer Makes Comeback After Heart Attack | AHA

Frankee Angel, a lifelong performer, found her world upended when she suffered a sudden medical emergency just before playing piano at St. Patrick’s Church. Unaware that she had already survived one heart attack, she was shocked to learn she was in the midst of a second. The damage was severe—her heart’s ejection fraction had fallen to 15%, indicating advanced heart failure.

Under the care of the cardiology team at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital, Angel began a long journey toward stabilizing and strengthening her heart. Providers monitored her closely, adjusting medications and helping her manage complications like fluid buildup. Their goal was to prepare her for an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), a device that could protect her from dangerous heart rhythms. In July 2025, once her body was ready, the device was successfully implanted.

Angel immediately felt renewed energy and affectionately named the ICD “Minerva,” after her old stage persona. “It’s a miracle! I’m able to live like the person I am meant to be,” she said.

With the support of cardiac rehabilitation and her dedicated care team, Angel gradually reclaimed her identity as a performer. She returned to playing piano during mass and is now preparing for a role in Macbeth. Her story highlights the broader impact of St. James Hospital’s “Hearts in the Mountains” initiative, launched in 2022 to expand heart-failure care in rural Montana—a program that has helped reduce cardiology readmission rates from 30% to 11.4%.

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Montana

Montana State announces spring football schedule; Nolan Askelson joins coaching staff

Published

15 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Montana State announces spring football schedule; Nolan Askelson joins coaching staff

BOZEMAN — Montana State will begin spring football practices March 24.

The reigning national champion Bobcats will hold 12 practices, two scrimmages and the Sonny Holland Spring Classic over the course of five weeks. The Sonny Holland Spring Classic is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.

Also on the schedule is the MSU Pro Day, which will be held April 2.

In addition to releasing the spring practice schedule, Montana State confirmed the addition of Nolan Askelson to the coaching staff. Askelson, a Billings Senior High School alum, will be an assistant defensive line coach for Bobby Daly, who is returning as Montana State’s defensive coordinator after spending last season at UTEP.

Askelson was a standout linebacker for the Bobcats, capping his MSU career with first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2023. He played in four games as a true freshman in 2018 before becoming a regular rotation player in 2019. An injury shortened his 2021 season, but he played 11 games in 2022 and finished with 64 tackles.

As a senior in 2023, Askelson wore Montana State’s legacy No. 41 jersey and led the team with 84 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and two sacks.

In high school, he was a two-time all-state selection for Senior and helped the Broncs win Class AA state championships in 2016 and 2017.

Montana State spring football schedule

Tuesday, March 24 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Thursday, March 26 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Friday, March 27 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Monday, March 30 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Thursday, April 2 — Pro Day (no practice)

Friday, April 3 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Saturday, April 4 — Practice, 10:05 a.m.

Tuesday, April 7 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.