Montana Grizzlies Lead NFL in FCS Players

We love our Griz and know how well prepared many of them are to take it to the next level. With the 2015 NFL season underway it's time to say "salute" and wish all our guys a great season.

After the dust settled on the last round of cuts, the Montana Grizzlies have become the best represented FCS team in the league according to STATS.com.

Out of 133 total FCS players on Week 1 NFL rosters, Montana leads the way with eight listed on a team’s active roster. Two more former Griz are also listed on practice squads, and still two more either injured or knocking on the door.

The list of former Griz players plying their trade in the NFL is a who’s-who of former Montana greats.

Unique to this list, however, is the number of players who grew up playing high school football in Montana, with six of the current eight pros being products of the Last Best Place.

Current Griz on NFL Rosters:

Colt Anderson (Butte) – Indianapolis
Kroy Biermann (Hardin) – Atlanta
Dan Carpenter (Helena) – Buffalo
Brock Coyle (Bozeman) – Seattle
Trumaine Johnson – St. Louis
Marc Mariani (Havre) – Chicago
Chase Reynolds (Drummond) – St. Louis
Jimmy Wilson – San Diego

Not included on this list, but still in the NFL mix are four more former Grizzlies, two of which are Montana natives. Lineman Danny Kistler (Oakland) and Will Poehls (Tennessee) have signed with their respective practice squads. Jordan Tripp (Missoula) was recently waived by the Miami Dolphins, but recently worked out with the Minnesota Vikings according to ESPN.com. Zack Wagenmann (Missoula) remains on the Arizona Cardinals’ Injured Reserve list.

Our thanks to UM Sports Information Director Eric Taber for providing some of the facts and figures. Go Griz!  DB