BOZEMAN — The Montana State soccer workforce launched it first depth chart of the 2022 season on Tuesday.
One of many returning starters on the Bobcats’ post-spring depth chart is Tommy Mellott. The rising sophomore from Butte changed Matthew McKay, who has since transferred to Elon, earlier than MSU’s first Soccer Championship Subdivision playoff sport final season. Mellott shined in his first three begins and exited the FCS title sport within the first quarter with an ankle harm that required surgical procedure.
Wyoming switch Sean Chambers is listed as Mellott’s backup.
Backfield mate Isaiah Ifanse is listed because the first-string operating again. The All-American rising senior additionally underwent surgical procedure within the offseason, however in contrast to Mellott, Ifanse missed all of spring camp.
RJ Fitzgerald stays the first-string fullback, as does Derryk Snell at tight finish.
The lone returning first-stringer on the offensive line is middle Justus Perkins. First-string left deal with Rush Reimer began video games at proper deal with final season as an harm substitute for TJ Session, who transferred to Cal earlier this month. Jacob Kettels is the beginning proper deal with, JT Reed is the beginning left guard and Marcus Wehr is the beginning proper guard. Wehr beforehand performed defensive position.
Willie Patterson is transferring over from the slot to the surface because the first-string “Z” broad receiver, a spot current switch portal entrant Jaden Smith occupied for many of final season. Saint John’s College switch Ravi Alston can be on the surface as beginning “X” receiver. Coy Metal, who missed most of final season with an harm, is within the slot because the first-string “H” receiver.
“The switch portal is probably going right here to remain, and with the additional season of eligibility granted as a result of COVID yr it’s created extra roster motion than we’re accustomed to,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen stated in a press launch. “It has allowed us so as to add some gifted younger males whereas giving some on our roster an opportunity to hunt a distinct alternative.”
The Cats are within the technique of changing three of their 4 defensive position starters, though all the new starters have important expertise. Defensive deal with Sebastian Valdez is the lone returning D-line starter, whereas Brody Grebe and Ben Seymour are slated to begin on the finish spots and Blake Schmidt is the first-string nostril deal with.
All-Massive Sky second-teamers Callahan O’Reilly and Ty Okada stay the starters at “Will” linebacker and nickelback, respectively, regardless of lacking all of spring ball due to accidents. Danny Uluilakepa is the first-string “Mike” linebacker.
Jeffrey Manning Jr. returns because the beginning free security, whereas Rylan Ortt occupies the highest robust security spot forward of Eric Zambrano, who began video games at cornerback final season. James Campbell and Simeon Woodard additionally spent a lot of final season as first-string corners, and so they’re listed there once more on the newest depth chart.
The beginning specialists stay the identical: Blake Glessner at kicker, Bryce Leighton at punter and Tommy Sullivan at lengthy snapper.
“This depth chart displays the place we’re at the moment, as most positions are nonetheless up for grabs,” Vigen stated. “The work that might be put on this summer season, the addition of recent transfers and freshmen together with fall camp will in the end decide who might be on area come September 3 once we tackle McNeese State within the Gold Rush sport. We’re excited to maintain growing the 2022 Bobcat Soccer workforce one step at a time!”
Assistant coach strikes on
Kyle Risinger has resigned as MSU’s assistant defensive backs coach and co-special groups coordinator, the Bobcats introduced Tuesday.
Risinger will “pursue alternatives outdoors of faculty soccer teaching,” in keeping with an MSU press launch. The Minnesota native joined MSU in 2016 as a defensive intern after one season as a graduate assistant at Indiana State. He spent the following 5 years teaching MSU’s secondary.
“I actually appreciated Kyle’s funding in Bobcat Soccer and felt he did a superb job working with our defensive backs together with coordinating two of our particular groups this previous season,” Vigen stated within the press launch. “His efforts contributed to our success in 2021, and I respect his resolution to start a brand new chapter alongside along with his spouse, Brittany and son, Money. They are going to all the time be members of the Bobcat Soccer household, and we want them nothing however the very best.”
MSU additionally introduced the beforehand reported departure of normal supervisor Ryan Weese, who has joined the Chicago Bears as a scouting assistant.
“Ryan did an awesome job behind the scenes for Bobcat Soccer heading up each our operations and recruiting efforts,” Vigen stated. “He has brilliant future within the sport, and we’re very excited for his alternative to proceed to develop on the NFL stage.”
McCutcheon waived by Rams
Former MSU broad receiver Lance McCutcheon was waived by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, the team announced.
The transfer comes lower than three weeks after the Rams signed McCutcheon as an undrafted free agent. Earlier than he was waived, McCutcheon was one among two former Cats on the defending Tremendous Bowl champion’s roster. Edge rusher Daniel Hardy was chosen within the seventh spherical of the NFL Draft.
Ex-MSU linebacker Troy Andersen was drafted within the second spherical by the Atlanta Falcons, who additionally signed undrafted free agent Tre Webb over the weekend. Webb began at robust security for the Cats final yr.
Former MSU receiver Kevin Kassis just lately signed with the Seattle Seahawks. His former teammate Lewis Kidd, an offensive lineman, signed with the New Orleans Saints shortly after the draft.