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MISSOULA - The University of Montana signed 23 new football players Wednesday, highlighted by seven in-state standouts. The Griz split their recruits fairly evenly on each side of the ball, signing 11 defensive players, 10 offensive, 1 kicker and 1 'athlete'.

Local players committing to Montana are Miles City offensive tackle Clint LaRowe, Billings Central reciever Ryan Burke and Billings West quarterback Brady Gustafson.

MONTANA GRIZZLY FOOTBALL: CLASS OF 2012

Ryan Burke, WR, 6-4, 195, Fr., HS, Billings (Central HS): Ryan was moved from wide receiver to quarterback his senior season, when he passed for 1,474 yards and 18 touchdowns with just 4 picks... while leading his team to its fifth straight State A championship game...also rushed for 704 yards and 8 TDs...as a junior he caught 48 passes for 677 yards and six TDs...prep football coach was Jim Stanton... Eastern A pick in football, basketball and track...prep team lost A title game 8-0 to Miles City in 2011... selected to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and Montana-Dakota All-Star Game...member of Central's state champion 400-meter relay team and state runner-up 1,600 relay foursome his junior year.

Jacob Coogan, Safety, 6-2, 205, Jr., JC, San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College-Calif.): Jacob was one of the leading tacklers at Southwestern College last season with 40 stops, along with an interception and a tackle for loss...named team's "Hardest Hitter" last season in junior college...started his college career at San Diego State...all-league selection at defensive back as a senior at Marian Catholic High School...named team MVP his senior season in high school.

Joey Counts, RB, 5-9, 205, Fr., HS, Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Ridge HS): Joey rushed for 1,719 yards on 180 carries (9.55 yards a carry) and scored 22 touchdowns, and also had 200 receiving yards as a senior...his senior team went 10-3...he rushed for a state record 403 yards and five touchdowns to lead Desert Ridge to a 63-14 win over Phoenix North Canyon last season...named to All-Arizona team following his senior campaign...tabbed first team all-region as a junior when he rushed for 1,329 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Hayden Craig, TE, 6-5, 246, Fr. HS, Dayton, Ore. (Dayton HS): Hayden is a standout three-sport athlete at Dayton High School...he was first team all-state in football as a junior and senior...chosen his conference's "Defensive Player of the Year" in football as a junior and senior...has started all three years on Dayton's two-time state runner-up basketball team...all-state in basketball and baseball his junior year...carries a 3.4 GPA.

Devon Dietrich, OL, 6-5, 260, Fr., HS, Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville HS): Devon has accepted admissions to UM...he was named first team 4A all-league at offensive tackle as a senior by the Seattle Times and tabbed a "White Chip Recruit" by that publication...given 2011 Coaches Award...team captain as a senior...a three-year letterman in football...academic all-league selection...a member of the National Honor Society, 2008 to present...has a second degree black belt.

Herbert Gamboa, LB, 6-1, 215, Fr., HS, San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS): Herbert helped the Tritons to a 12-2 record and a berth in the Pac5 Southern Conference Section title game, a 27-13 loss to Santa Margarita... finished the season with 112 tackles, including 82 solo stops, and seven sacks...also ran for two touchdowns and caught a TD pass...has excellent speed, running a 10.71 in the 100 meters.

Anthony Goodwin, CB, 6-0, 185, Jr., JC, Temecula, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio JC/Great Oaks HS): Anthony's (he prefers the nickname "Chief") junior college team played undefeated City College of San Francisco (12-0) in the California Community College Athletic Association football championship game, losing 52-42...JC team was ranked No. 3 in the nation...named All-Southern Conference in 2011, when he had 40 tackles, 13 pass break-ups, two pciks (one for a TD)...his freshman JC squad won a national championship (the Mounties also won the title in 2009)...Mt. SAC has won or shared seven straight conference titles...has run a 10.6 in the 100 meters.

Harrison Greenberg, PK, 5-8, 155, Fr., HS, Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Oswego HS): Harrison has accepted admission at UM...has prep career mark in PATS made with 85 (of 89) at Lake Oswego High School...his senior team went 14-0 en route to its first state title... ranked first in Oregon in kickoff touchbacks...named first team kicker by Northwest Elite Index..."The #1 kicker not only in Oregon, but in the Region. He can play at the highest level. 84% (sic) of kickoffs go for touchbacks. A potent weapon." - Dirk Knutson, Northwest Prep Report (12/10/11).

Brady Gustafson, QB, 6-7, 210, Fr. HS, Billings, Mont. (West HS): Brady passed for 2,913 yards and 20 touchdowns with 8 picks to lead the Golden Bears to an 11-2 record in 2011...West's all-time leading passer with 6,202, topping the record of 5,457 set by Bo Bartik from 1997-99... one of just eight players in Montana prep history to surpass 6,000 passing yards...was 22-8 as a starter, including 22-5 the past two seasons...selected to play in Montana's annual East-West Shrine Game and Montana-Dakota All-Star Game...named to Great Falls Tribune "Super Team."

Bo Harris, DL, 6-3, 260, Fr., HS, Fairfield, Mont. (Fairfield HS): Bo was a key member of Fairfield's "B" state championship in 2011, which had an 11-0 record...a two-time all-state selection...first team all-conference pick on offense and defense...named to Great Falls Tribune "Super Team"... selected to play in Montana's annual East-West Shrine Game and Montana-Dakota All-Star Game...also a three-year letterman in basketball...an all-state athlete in track and field.

Ellis Henderson, Athlete, 6-0, 180, Fr., TR, Vancouver, Wash. (Hawaii/Skyview HS): Ellis is currently enrolled at UM...was at the University of Hawaii last season, but did not play there...a three-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back for the Skyview High School Storm, where he had 109 receptions for 1,893 yards and 24 TDs, 8 kick/punt returns for touchdowns, along with 143 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 9 interceptions....in 2010, he was selected to the 4A GSHL Coaches All-League Defensive Player of the Year...first team all-league at defensive back and wide receiver...also a GSHLFootball.com All- Level All-Star 1st Team DB...also a two-time winner of the GSHLFootball.com Player of the Week award as a senior.

Nick Holt VI, LB, 6-0, 230, Fr., TR, Seattle, Wash. (Univ. of Washington/Seattle Prep): Nick is currently enrolled at Montana...a transfer from UW, where he was a redshirt last season...played quarterback and linebacker at Seattle Prep...Co-Defensive MVP of the Metro League Mountain Division as a senior, and first team all-league at both linebacker and quarterback...named first team 3A All-State by the Associated Press and also made the Seattle Times All-Area team as a senior...had 82 tackles and four sacks as a senior...rushed for 244 yards in a win over Eastside Catholic in 2010...All-Metro League defensive MVP as junior, and first team all-league at linebacker and second team at QB...prep coach was D.R. Clawson...son of former UW defensive coordinator Nick Holt.

Tyrone Holmes, DL, 6-4, 265, Fr., HS, Eagle Point, Ore. (Eagle Point HS): Tyrone was the 2011 co-defensive player of the year in the Midwestern League as a senior...also first team all-state and all-league honors as a senior... first team all-league as a junior and sophomore....received first team all-league honors as an offensive lineman as a senior, and was a second team all-league performer the previous two years...also an excellent and versatile track athlete...defending state champion in the shout put and placed fourth in the state meet in the high hurdles.

Ryan Johnson, DL, 6-2 ½, 235, Fr., HS, Vancouver, Wash. (Mountain View HS): Ryan was named to Greater Helena League first team on defense as a senior...preseason all-state selection in 2011...named to Preseason GSHLFootball.com All Level All-Star Team first team on defense and also chosen as the preseason "Defensive Player of the Year" by that entity prior to his senior season....Greater Vancouver and Southwest Washington Scholar Athlete of the Year with a 3.75 GPA....also plays basketball and baseball...his hoops coach is former (1987-89) Grizzly player Nate DuChesne.

Max Kelly, OT, 6-7, 265, Fr. HS, Spokane, Wash. (Gonzaga Prep): Max was named to several all-state teams following his senior campaign...first team All-Greater Spokane League and all-city selection as a senior and junior at Gonzaga Prep...4A all-state honorable mention pick and team captain his senior year..tabbed Spokane U-District's Physical Therapy Iron Man Award winner...selected for Washington's East-West All-Star Game...also a standout in track in the shot put and discus...prep football coach was David McKenna.

Caleb Kidder, DE, 6-5, 240, Fr., HS, Helena, Mont. (Capital HS): Caleb was named the Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, when he led the Helena Capital Bruins to a 12-1 record and the Class AA state championship... chosen "AAA" defensive MVP senior year...named first team all-state at guard and defensive end following his senior campaign... amassed 97 tackles, 13 sacks, 11 tackles for a loss and six forced fumbles as a senior...a three-time all-state selection...also recorded 45 pancake blocks on offense in 2011...selected to play in Montana's annual East-West Shrine Game and Montana-Dakota All-Star Game prep football coach was Pat Murphy...named to Great Falls Tribune "Super Team"... carries a 3.71 grade point average.

Jeremiah Kose, LB, 6-2, 225, So., JC, Oceanside, Calif. (Palomar College/Vista HS): Jeremiah was a first team All-CIF San Diego Section pick at linebacker...also an All-Southern Conference and All-Country first team selection last season at Palomar...was second on the team with 88 tackles and tied for first in sacks with five last year.

Clint LaRowe, OT, 6-5, 250, Fr., HS, Miles City, Mont. (Custer County HS): Clint was a player on his Custer County High School's state "A" championship team in 2011...selected to play in Montana's East-West Shrine Game and the Montana-Dakota All-Star Game...named to Great Falls Tribune "Super Team"...a three-year letterman in basketball...also a track letterman, participating in the shot put and discus...maintains a 3/7 GPA.

Chase Naccarato, WR, 5-8, 160, Fr., HS, Spokane (Mt. Spokane HS): Chase was a two-way starter the past two seasons at Mt. Spokane, playing cornerback and wide receiver...first team all-state and all-league as a senior, as well as team MVP...named Greater Spokane League's all-purpose player of the year as a junior... has been timed in the high 4.3s in the 40...school record holder with 53 career touchdowns...also holds the school mark for the 40-yard dash...his high school football coach was Mike McLaughlin.

JR Nelson, CB, 6-2, 172, Fr., HS, Hacienda Heights, Calif. (Glen A. Wilson HS): A two-way starter as a senior, playing cornerback and wide receiver...as a senior he had 211 rushes form 1704 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 20 receptions for 415 yards and a score, and threw for one TD....senior season he rushed for 401 yards and five TDs in one game...in 2010 he had 38 catches for 540 yards (14.2-yard average) and 6 touchdowns; 59 tackles (49 unassisted); also rushed 10 times for 57 yards and a TD...only California prep athlete to earn five letters: football, basketball, track, drama and choir.

Zach Peevey, DE, 6-3, 230, Fr., HS, Missoula, Mont. (Hellgate HS): Zach was an honorable mention all-state selection at fullback and defensive end for the Knights....also a two-year starter in basketball...he was a prep teammate of Griz redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jesse Ginn...a three-time member of Hellgate High School's state championship tennis teams.

McCauley Todd, OL, 6-7, 275, Fr., HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington HS): McCauley was a Mississippi Valley Conference and All-Cedar Rapids first team selection...his senior team was 8-4, and he anchored the right tackle position on an offense that averaged 33.8 points and 242.8 rushing yards per game...his senior squad advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs...senior campaign he allowed zero sacks in 235 pass attempts and averaged five knockdowns a game...Iowa Preps ranked him the 21st top player in the state and a three-star player...he missed part of his junior year due to an injury...he has a 3.7 GPA.

Taylor Walcott, WR, 6-0, 175, Fr., HS, Eugene, Ore. (Marist HS): Taylor was named first team 5A all-state by the Oregonian...as a senior he had 40 catches for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns...for his career he averaged more than 20 yards on 137 catches...had 2,805 yards and 44 touchdowns...as a junior his Spartan team went 12-1 and lost in overtime in the Class 5A state title game, he had 58 catches for 1,144 yards and 18 scores...his high school football coach was Frank Geske...had 27 catches for 547 yards and 9 TDs as a sophomore, when Marist went 14-0 and won the 5A crown...he's the reigning Class 5A champion in the 100 meters at 10.84 seconds, and he was second in the 200 at 22.36. He swept the 100 and 200 Midwestern League track titles as a junior after accomplishing that as a sophomore in the Sky-Em League...Taylor's father, George, was the Pac-10 champion in the 200 for Oregon in 1983 and is currently the track coach at Churchill High School in Eugene.

Ben Weyer, OL, 6-4, 255, Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman HS): Ben was a two time all-state selection on both offense and defense... started at left tackle for the Hawks in their 2010 State AA title season... projected as a center for the Grizzlies...selected to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and Montana-Dakota All-Star Game had shoulder surgery after the 2011 season...prep football coach was Troy Purcell...named to Great Falls Tribune "Super Team"...also participates in track for the Hawks...maintains a 3.8 GPA.

University of Montana Football Alphabetical Roster: Class of 2012
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Year Exp. Hometown (School)
Ryan Burke WR 6-4 195 Fr. HS Billings, Mont. (Central Catholic HS)
Jacob Coogan Safety 6-2 205 Jr. JC San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College)
Hayden Craig TE 6-5 246 Fr. HS Dayton, Ore. (Dayton HS)
Devon Dietrich OL 6-5 260 Fr. HS Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville HS)
Herbert Gamboa LB 6-1 215 Fr. HS San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)
Anthony Goodwin CB 6-1 190 Jr. JC Temecula, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio JC)
Harrison Greenberg PK 5-8 155 Fr. HS Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Oswego HS)
Brady Gustafson QB 6-7 210 Fr. HS Billings, Mont. (West HS)
Bo Harris DL 6-3 260 Fr. HS Fairfield, Mont. (Fairfield HS)
Ellis Henderson** Athlete 6-0 180 Fr. HS Vancouver, Wash. (U of Hawaii/Skyview HS)
Nick Holt** LB 6-0 230 Fr. TR Seattle, Wash. (Univ. of Washington)
Tyrone Holmes DL 6-4 265 Fr. HS Eagle Point, Ore. (Eagle Point HS)
Ryan Johnson DL 6-2 ½ 235 Fr. HS Vancouver, Wash. (Mountain View HS)
Max Kelly OT 6-7 265 Fr. HS Spokane, Wash. (Gonzaga Prep)
Caleb Kidder DE 6-5 240 Fr. HS Helena, Mont. (Capital HS)
Jeremiah Kose LB 6-2 225 So. JC Oceanside, Calif. (Palomar College)
Clint LaRowe OT 6-5 250 Fr. HS Miles City, Mont. (Custer County HS)
Chase Naccarato WR 5-8 160 Fr. HS Spokane, Wash., (Mt. Spokane HS)
JR Nelson CB 6-2 172 Fr. HS Haceinda Heights, Calif. (Glen Wilson HS)
Zach Peevey DE 6-3 230 Fr. HS Missoula, Mont. (Hellgate HS)
McCauley Todd OL 6-7 280 Fr. HS Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington HS)
Taylor Walcott WR 6-0 175 Fr. HS Eugene, Ore. (Marist HS)
Ben Weyer OL 6-4 275 Fr. HS Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman HS)

**=Transfer, currently enrolled at UM

SIGNEE BREAKDOWN (23: 19 prep players/4 Transfers):

By Position: 5 offensive linemen; 5 defensive lineman; 3 linebackers; 3 defensive backs; 3 wide receivers; 1 quarterback; 1 athlete; 1 place-kicker; 1 tight end.

By State: 7 Montana; 6 Washington; 5 California; 4 Oregon; 1 Iowa.