MISSOULA — The Montana football team has received its first-known offensive line commit in the 2026 recruiting class.
The Grizzlies got a commitment from Josiah West, a 6-foot-6 and 292-pound prospect from Prosser High School in Prosser, Washington.
He's rated as a three-star offensive tackle, according to 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 31 overall recruit in Washington and the No. 158 offensive tackle in the nation for the Class of 2026 at the time of his commitment.
West chose the Griz over offers from fellow Big Sky Conference teams Montana State, Eastern Washington and Idaho, and Mountain West program Air Force.
"I would like to thank Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, my parents, and all of my coaches over the years," he wrote in a social media post. "I am truly blessed and overjoyed to say that I am 100% committed to Montana."
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West is the fourth-known commit in UM's 2026 recruiting class. He joins Hawaii safety Dane Kellner as out-of-state commits. Belgrade wide receiver Wesley Ehret and Red Lodge safety Kougar Kappel are in-state commits.
Ex-Griz in IFL
Seven former Grizzlies are playing in the Indoor Football League this season.
Quarterback Dalton Sneed, who started for UM in 2018 and 2019, is in his fourth season in the IFL and his second year with the Arizona Rattlers. He led them to the IFL title in 2024 after he guided the Bay Area Panthers to the 2023 crown. He has the Rattlers with a 7-4 record through June 14, throwing for 32 touchdowns against eight interceptions and running for 14 scores.
IFLChampionship_zk_2024-08-17_1174 (copy)
Arizona Rattlers quarterback Dalton Sneed points a finger to the sky while celebrating winning the Indoor Football League national championship in 2024 in Nevada. Sneed played for the Montana Grizzlies in 2018 and 2019. Zak Krill, Arizona Rattlers
Offensive lineman AJ Forbes, who was UM's starting center from 2021-23, is in his first year in the IFL and with the Fishers Freight, which are based in Fishers, Indiana. He has appeared in four games through June 14.
Defensive end Kale Edwards, who spent 2019-23 at UM before he transferred to New Mexico State, is in his first season in the IFL and with the Jacksonville Sharks. He has four tackles and one tackle for loss in two games through June 13.
Kicker Kevin Macias, who was UM's field goal kicker in 2021, is in his second season in the IFL and his first with the Tucson Sugar Skills. He does kickoffs, is 10 of 20 on field goals and 27 of 35 on extra points through June 14.
Running back Travon Van, who played at UM from 2013-14, is in his fourth season in the IFL and with the San Diego Strike Force. He spent 2015-18 in the CFL and didn't play again until he joined the IFL in 2022.
Offensive lineman Moses Mallory, who started with the Griz from 2019-21, is in his third season in the IFL and with the Vegas Knight Hawks. He has played in one game this year after 15 games in 2024 and 13 games in 2023.
Defensive back Autjoe Soe, who spent 2020-21 at UM as a reserve player before he went to Snow College, is in his first year in the IFL and with the Arizona Rattlers. He has 13 tackles in four games through June 14.
Ex-Griz in CFL
Anaconda native and former Griz linebacker Braxton Hill was re-signed by the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders this past week. He was placed on the practice roster and did not play in the team's 28-23 win on Saturday.
He had been cut earlier this month right before the season opener after he went through training camp and played in both preseason games. He was on the team's expanded practice roster for four weeks in 2024.
Ex-Griz receiver Keelan White caught two passes for 23 yards in the Ottawa Redblacks' 39-18 loss to the Montreal Alouettes over the weekend. The rookie has totaled six catches for 64 yards through the first two weeks of the season.
Frank Gogola is the Senior Sports Reporter at the Missoulian and 406 MT Sports. Follow him on X @FrankGogola or email him at frank.gogola@406mtsports.com.
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