Did MSU's Dowler twins almost transfer?

[u/Outlaw_Beat]

[u/Friendly_Loss1961]

I think it really speaks to how special FCS football is in the State of Montana when so many of the core guys on both teams got offered ridiculous amounts of money to leave and almost all of them stayed. Does Taco Dowler stay FCS if he plays for anybody else? Does Eli Gillman? Ah Yat stays but Pinnick bolts from UC Davis immediately. All these guys probably turned half million dollar NIL deals.

[u/Skeebammity → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

The passion around college football in Montana is so incredible that you really do have to be from here or closely support a team to understand just how much love people have for these programs. These kids are superstars here.

[u/SergeantThreat → u/Skeebammity]

That’s kind of why I thought Lamson was gone after the championship game. He’s not from here. He doesn’t have ties. The fact that he stayed made me realize the program is in a special place right now

[u/knook → u/SergeantThreat]

I think it probably has more to do with him already having his shot in the FBS and it not working out.

[u/SergeantThreat → u/knook]

That is definitely a piece, but it’s not like he’d be the first person to drop down only to go back up

[u/Technical334 → u/Skeebammity]

That love has stopped a lot of kids from transferring out

[u/join_the_creed → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

There were some rumors floating around that even after the Oregon game Taco was getting calls and one of UO's assistant coaches asked him what his plans were for after the season.

I think part of it also is that the people who stay want to build their life in the state and they see other football alumni from their respective schools really succeeding in their business endeavors when they stay. It all really boils down to the thought of "I could get a potential offer of $500k right now, or I can stay and get $80k-$100k* here for playing but then get a lifetime of assistance from people here in the state that love me."

*Some like Taco, Eli, and Adam are getting even more than this

[u/Danster21 → u/join_the_creed]

Yeah I think you not only have a forever home of hundreds of thousands of people that love and support you, but also an alumni base of other football player you know. And most of those guys are eating well having stayed in Bozeman, but some of them transferred out and only came back after college and regret not staying.

For any kids that grew up in the rivalry, how could you ever pass up 1-3 more shots are playing in the biggest game in your state bar none.

[u/Manning_bear_pig → u/join_the_creed]

IIRC Taco was getting some heavy interest from Tennessee as well.

Clearly guys at both schools get looks. MSU lost a starting cornerback to Indiana, who just won the FBS title obviously.

It's nice seeing guys, at both schools, decide to stay when they do.

[u/Technical334 → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

In my short time as a FCS football fan, I have noticed Montana kids are loyal to the soil. They grow up dreaming of repping the Maroon & Silver or the Blue & Gold. Taco and Caden both exemplify just as much as than any other athletes who love Montana. Their loyalty to the state and the fans is something no amount of NIL can buy. The fact there was even a chance of this happening is crazy to think about.

At Davis we lost our star QB but luckily Tim Plough knows how to reload and develop talent. Just a crazy world with NIL

[u/DrOddcat → u/Technical334]

I’m an MSU alum living in the Sac area and went to Davis for grad school. There just isn’t a parallel in California for how everything revolves around Cat/Griz and family legacies of attending/playing for one of them. The rivalry between the schools is rabid and I miss being around it regularly. And with that intensity comes life long benefits to the guys that memorably play for either team.

[u/Technical334 → u/DrOddcat]

I remember going to Davis Montana State a couple years ago in Davis. The energy from the Cats fans was unreal. Passionate, enthusiastic, and lowkey made it feel like a cats home game. UCD is growing as a sports school which I love but the passion and love for Montana football is on a completely different level

[u/damnyoutuesday → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

I've anecdotally noticed that players from Montana who grew up watching the Cats or Griz tend to stick around. They grew up wanting to play for either school and playing in the Brawl, and for the Dowler twins they got to bring a national championship to their home state and have a chance to do it again

[u/montalaskan → u/damnyoutuesday]

I think the increased attention the rivalry has gotten lately - GameDay in Bozeman, the Super Brawl last year, just makes the high school Montana kids even more likely to want to experience it.

[u/damnyoutuesday → u/montalaskan]

It helps that we're good, the fanbase is passionate, we have great facilities, and the gameday atmosphere is top notch.

Same can be said about the Griz as well, which is why they're also good at retention of Montana kids

[u/montalaskan → u/damnyoutuesday]

It definitely applies both squads.

[u/Bobcat2013 → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

Maybe moreso how special Montana and Montana St football are to Montana kids?

Do we think that if the Montana schools moved up to FBS these kids would be transferring to FCS schools?

[u/damnyoutuesday → u/Bobcat2013]

If the Montana schools moved up, we wouldn't have as many Montana kids on the roster to begin with

[u/Friendly_Loss1961 → u/Bobcat2013]

That is very true but Gillman is from Minnesota. Ah Yat is from Hawaii (but his dad obviously went to UM)

[u/Manning_bear_pig → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

Justin Lamson is a Cali guy too.

[u/Bobcat2013 → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

Ahh that's fair

[u/LeadVitamin13 → u/Friendly_Loss1961]

Eh, Efton Chism stayed at Eastern his senior year. Shit I wanted him to leave. We suck now with Best and all he did was catch screen passes out in the flat without blockers and got lit up like every single time cause our offensive staff are morons now. Dude, lucky he didn't get injured.

[u/Honest_Search2537]

There were lots of dudes who were getting big money thrown at them. A few took the money, but most stayed.

[u/SergeantThreat]

These kids definitely deserve money for all the money and fun they bring to these programs, but this current iteration of college football is absolutely awful with the absolute mercenary attitude of it. Glad the Dowlers are still Cats.

[u/bradleyve]

I love Montana, but… I’m telling my kid to take the money. But only if it’s upfront OR locked in a contract guaranteed no matter what and they can invest it immediately. Otherwise, no.

[u/leftistpropaganja]

Maybe some of the high profile players have seen what happens to guys who do transfer?

Chedon James (WR) was at Idaho State a few years ago, had a thousand yard season, 1st team All Big Sky selection, was poised to do it again in Pocatello, and then transferred to FBS Fresno State.

He appeared in 4 games, caught two passes all season. Then he transferred again, this time to UIW in the FCS, and had around 40 receptions, about 500 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Now, he's back at Idaho State for his senior season. trying to get back to the top of that hill.

Maybe it's better for most of these guys to just stay where they are. VERY few all-conference players jump up to FBS and do anything of note. Perhaps the Dowlers saw this trend, and wisely chose to be the BMOC at Montana State, rather than go to Michigan and ride the pine all season.

[u/Turbulent_Kiwi6585]

Thank G-- they dont't play N.Dakota State this year. It would be a great game.

[u/misterfistyersister]

Does anyone else find Outlaw Beat insufferable?