Hoffenbacker settles on Montana State

Brandon Hoffenbacker has made a verbal commitment to play football for Montana State, the Flathead High standout said Wednesday, spurning overtures from Montana, Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado, Colorado State and Wyoming in favor of MSU.

Hoffenbacker, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman, will play defensive tackle for the Bobcats, who lost three-fourths of their starting defensive line after last season. His decision becomes official next Wednesday, letter of intent signing day.

"Everyone down there made me feel like I was wanted and they were going to make me better and maybe get me to the next level," Hoffenbacker said.

"They made me really feel like from the trainer on up that I was important and they needed me there."

Assistant coach Jason McEndoo started the recruiting process and head coach Mike Kramer sealed the deal earlier this month during Hoffenbacker's official visit to the Bozeman campus, hosting a dinner for Hoffenbacker at his home.

Hoffenbacker figures to see significant playing time as a true freshman, perhaps even winning a starting job on a defensive line that will be wide open in fall camp.

"They told me I just need to prove myself and I'll have a spot," he said. "They only have two guys coming back, and there's no set starting lineup.

"(Playing time) was a factor, but both Montana and Montana State said I'd probably be starting, if not playing, more than half the games my freshman year."

Although a number of high-profile Division I-A schools recruited Hoffenbacker, who currently stars for the Braves wrestling team as a heavyweight, his decision ultimately came down to the Bobcats and Griz.

"I wanted to stay close to home," he said. "I didn't want to get somewhere and not be able to take it and come back here.

"It came down to my family sitting down and deciding where I'd fit in better. It was definitely close, but Montana State definitely showed me more."

Hoffenbacker wants to pursue a business degree, either in marketing or management, and he said the academic programs at Montana State felt like a better fit over Montana as well. Now that his decision has been made, Hoffenbacker is glad the process is over.

"It was definitely fun, but a very stressful time," he said.

Verbal commitments are non-binding. NCAA rules prohibit school officials from commenting on recruits until national letter of intent signing day, next Wednesday.