Blaine’s Statham chooses Montana Grizzlies
Published on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 by Jerry HulsRead More Sports
The long wait is over for Blaine’s Caleb Statham. After watching rival Northwest conference stars Blair Bomber and Ryan Seto of Lynden sign their letters of intent at a press conference on recruit signing day, the Borderite tailback ended weeks of speculation by deciding on March 2 to play football for the University of Montana next year.
“It was a tough decision,” Statham told www.Rivals.com, “and one that was made after a lot of prayer and consideration. I discussed it with my parents and some of the mentors in my life and I’m confident that this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Statham’s decision-making was muddied by coaching changes across the country that set in motion a domino effect of recruits changing their selections.
In the high-stakes game of college football, recruiting has become a chess game of second-guessing among scouts and coaches across the country. Besides Montana, Washington State, Nevada-Las Vegas, Portland State, Eastern Kentucky, Pacific Lutheran and Simon Fraser courted Statham.
“Caleb has a great personality,” noted Blaine head football coach Jay Dodd, “it’s the kind of person he is. He was a real hard worker. This year he gave us the ability to score on any one play. He has the ability to make game-changing plays.”
The Grizzlies were enticing to the speedy Statham because they are a perennial football powerhouse in the NCAA football championship subdivision, (formerly division 1-AA). Montana was 14-1 this year, bowing to Valdosta State in the national championship game.
The Grizzlies ranked seventh in the nation in scoring and were ninth in total offense. Statham was a unanimous all-NWC selection and led the Borderites into the state playoffs this year, compiling 1488 yards, 21 touchdowns, and averaging over eight yards a carry.
Playing on what may have been the best Blaine team since the 1978 championship season, he rushed for over 100 yards in nine games this season, including 178 yards and a 99 yard TD in one half against state champion Lynden. Statham looks forward to playing in Montana’s prolific spread offense.
“I had watched game films of Montana. They’re a good fit for me. They have a balanced offense and I will be able to get the ball in space which I like to do.”
Statham will be redshirted next year for the Grizzlies but will next be on the gridiron again in June, when he appears in the East/West all-star game in Yakima.
Fans wanting tickets for that game can call the Statham family at 366-0488.
“It was a tough decision,” Statham told www.Rivals.com, “and one that was made after a lot of prayer and consideration. I discussed it with my parents and some of the mentors in my life and I’m confident that this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Statham’s decision-making was muddied by coaching changes across the country that set in motion a domino effect of recruits changing their selections.
In the high-stakes game of college football, recruiting has become a chess game of second-guessing among scouts and coaches across the country. Besides Montana, Washington State, Nevada-Las Vegas, Portland State, Eastern Kentucky, Pacific Lutheran and Simon Fraser courted Statham.
“Caleb has a great personality,” noted Blaine head football coach Jay Dodd, “it’s the kind of person he is. He was a real hard worker. This year he gave us the ability to score on any one play. He has the ability to make game-changing plays.”
The Grizzlies were enticing to the speedy Statham because they are a perennial football powerhouse in the NCAA football championship subdivision, (formerly division 1-AA). Montana was 14-1 this year, bowing to Valdosta State in the national championship game.
The Grizzlies ranked seventh in the nation in scoring and were ninth in total offense. Statham was a unanimous all-NWC selection and led the Borderites into the state playoffs this year, compiling 1488 yards, 21 touchdowns, and averaging over eight yards a carry.
Playing on what may have been the best Blaine team since the 1978 championship season, he rushed for over 100 yards in nine games this season, including 178 yards and a 99 yard TD in one half against state champion Lynden. Statham looks forward to playing in Montana’s prolific spread offense.
“I had watched game films of Montana. They’re a good fit for me. They have a balanced offense and I will be able to get the ball in space which I like to do.”
Statham will be redshirted next year for the Grizzlies but will next be on the gridiron again in June, when he appears in the East/West all-star game in Yakima.
Fans wanting tickets for that game can call the Statham family at 366-0488.
